In Your Perspective || Jo In-Sung x Han Hyo-Joo

VII

In-Sung's POV

I arrived at the classroom early, as was my usual routine. Hyo-Jin was already there, seated at her desk. I took the seat beside her, and she wasted no time in addressing the elephant in the room.

"What's your deal, In-Sung?" she asked, her gaze fixed on me. I furrowed my brows in confusion, genuinely not understanding what she meant.

"What do you mean?" I replied, my voice tinged with confusion.

Hyo-Jin sighed, as if exasperated with my obliviousness. "Hyo-Joo's been worried about your avoidance of her," she clarified.

I let out a deep sigh, feeling the weight of my feelings for Hyo-Joo pressing on me. "I confessed to her," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper, "but I know I don't stand a chance."

Hyo-Jin looked at me intently, her eyes searching mine. "Why do you think you don't stand a chance with Hyo-Joo?" she probed.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to express my doubts and fears. "Because she's back with Hyun-Sik," I confessed, my voice filled with resignation.

Hyo-Jin's reaction was unexpected. She looked surprised and then corrected me, "No, In-Sung. Hyun-Sik told Hyo-Joo that he cheated on her, so they're not back together."

I felt a rush of emotions flood over me, a mix of surprise, relief, and nervousness. Before I could process it all, our classmates and friends began to enter the classroom one by one, and among them was Hyo-Joo.

During our hour break, my group of friends and I gathered to enjoy some snacks. While we relaxed and recharged, various conversations buzzed around us. Hyo-Joo, Ji-Min, and Hyo-Jin huddled together in a corner, discussing our lessons and munching on their snacks. Ji-Sub and Seung-Gi were engrossed in their comic books, sharing a laugh here and there.

As for me, I found solace in the strains of a Im Jae-Bum - For You playing through my headphones, a soothing melody that complemented the quiet ambiance of our gathering. With my music playing softly, I delved into the pages of a novel, immersing myself in a different world entirely. Despite the diverse activities we each engaged in, there was a sense of camaraderie that permeated our break – a sense of unity as we prepared for the upcoming finals.

Hyo-Joo's POV

It was our final exams before the much-awaited holiday break. As usual, I had found my solitary spot nestled between towering bookshelves in the library, my focus solely on the review materials in front of me. The quiet hum of students preparing for exams surrounded me, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and concentration.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated discreetly in my bag. I retrieved it, slightly puzzled as I rarely received messages during my study sessions. The name on the screen caught me off guard – In-Sung, someone with whom I had shared an unspoken tension ever since his heartfelt confession of feelings. Since that day, we had consciously kept our distance, avoiding any direct interaction.

His message appeared on the screen, and I hesitated for a moment before opening it. "Hyo-Joo, can we talk after the exams? Just the two of us," it read.

My heart somersaulted within my chest as I read his words. The message left me feeling a mix of curiosity, nervousness, and a hint of hope. What could he want to discuss? Could we finally address the unspoken tension between us?