HEART STRINGS | 지훈

2

3rd person's pov

Yerim noticed the figure entering the classroom and immediately stood up, her radiant smile lighting up her entire face.

"Hi, Jihoon!"

Jihoon froze for a moment, caught off guard by her enthusiasm. Then, regaining his composure, he returned her greeting with his warmest eye smile.

"Hello, Yerim."

Jihoon's pov

"She greeted me today!" I practically burst with excitement as I recounted the moment to Junkyu later.

"Wow, you're really over the moon about this," he mused. "You like her that much?"

"I guess I do... So what should I do? Buy her something? Maybe help her with homework?"

"Chill, bro. Start small. Girls like thoughtful gestures. Maybe leave her a letter? Or sneak some snacks and notes onto her desk."

"Okay, will do. Thanks."

The next morning, I arrived at school earlier than usual. With nervous hands, I carefully placed a small assortment in her locker — some chocolates, a banana milk, and a simple note that read, "Fighting! .^^" I didn't sign my name, but I left a tiny mark on the sticker, a small mole positioned exactly where my own signature mole was. Maybe she'd notice the hint.

Hiding behind a nearby wall, I peeked out as she approached her locker. Her lips curved into a light smile as she took in the small surprise, then she glanced around, searching. I wasn't prepared for that. Instead of playing it cool, I found myself drooling over her pretty face, completely entranced. When she suddenly turned in my direction, panic took over, and I bolted.

Damn. She definitely saw me.

To avoid further embarrassment, I hid in the bathroom until class started. I figured the hallways would be empty after the bell rang, but I was wrong.

A gentle voice stopped me in my tracks.

"There you are."

I barely suppressed a gasp. Of all people, it had to be her — the one I wasn't ready to face yet.

"Jihoon-a, why are you hiding from me?"

Jihoon-a? That was new. Only my family and Junkyu ever called me that. I wanted to disappear into the floor.

"I wasn't hiding... it's just... y-you know... male problems."

What. The. Hell.

Why did my brain betray me like this? Especially with the girl I had feeling for. Of all the things to say—

But then, she laughed. A soft, sweet chuckle that instantly eased the tension in my chest.

"You're so cute."

Me? Cute? She called me cute??

She held up the note and the snacks. "Tell me honestly, was this you?"

Here I am, caught in 4K. I didn't want to say the truth, but one part of me wanted to tell her that it really was me.

I hesitated for a moment before finally nodding, summoning every ounce of courage within me. "Yeah. I just wanted to cheer you up before class."

She smiled, and I swear my heart nearly combusted. Then, out of nowhere, she leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to my cheek. It revived the whole zoo in my stomach.

"Thank you. I really liked it."

And just like that, she walked back to class, leaving me frozen in place, face burning, a blushing mess, utterly incapable of functioning.

From that day on, I continued my little tradition — treats, notes, small surprises. Sometimes I left a drink on her desk, or slipped a lollipop into her pocket. She knew it was me. And I was happy that she did.

—————————

Then came the day I decided to confess.

I bought a delicate silver necklace adorned with a small daisy — my favorite flower. We agreed to meet on the rooftop after school. My hands trembled as I waited, palms damp with nerves. When she finally stepped through the door, every practiced line I had rehearsed disappeared from my mind.

"Jihoon, why did you call me?"

It was now or never.

Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself. "I wanted to tell you something... It's been a long time, and I think you've already figured it out. Everyone says it's obvious and it's hard not to see the hearts in my eyes every time I look at you. I like you, Lee Yerim."

Yerim stood still, not moving, not saying anything. Silence stretched between us, and my heart pounded so violently that I thought it might give out. My mind raced, conjuring every worst-case scenario possible. I braced myself for rejection, ready to crawl home, drown my sorrows in tons of mint chocolate ice cream, wallow in self-pity and cry myself to sleep.

But then she smiled — bright and breathtaking — before wrapping her arms around me in a hug that made my world tilt.

"I like you too, Jihoon-a."

I barely registered the words at first. These were the words I was hoping for, but did not expect at all. I had prepared myself for heartbreak, not for this. The realization sent a rush of warmth through me, making my head spin.

I fumbled to open the small velvet box in my hands, revealing the daisy necklace I had chosen with so much care.

"Yerim... will you be my girlfriend?"

She grinned, nodding eagerly. "I would love to."

And just like that, my heart soared, my world shifted, and we started dating.