Sol stepped out of her house, the soreness from the punishment she had endured the day before still lingered in her shoulders. Gingerly, she raised her hand to massage the tender muscles, wincing slightly with each movement.
As she was tending to the lingering discomfort, her eyes suddenly landed on a familiar figure - it was Sunjae, emerging from the gate of his own house.
Instinctively, she tried to conceal the discomfort, Sol adjusted the strap of her bag, hoping to obscure the view of her shoulder.
"Sunjae oppa! Good morning!," She greeted, her tone light and casual, belying the lingering ache in her muscles.
Sunjae returned her smile, seemingly unaware of the lingering soreness in her shoulders.
"Good morning, Sol-ah," Sunjae replied, "You're out here early today. I don't usually see you this early."
"Ahh..I guess I just couldn't wait to get to school." she said with a light laugh, determined not to let her discomfort show.
Seizing the opportunity to steer the conversation away from her, Sol asked, "What about you? I don't think I've ever seen you leave for school this early before." She tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with genuine curiosity.
Sunjae chuckled, "Sol-ah, I'm in final year now," he said, puffing out his chest ever so slightly. "I've got a lot of important classes and activities to take care of, so I thought I'd get an early start."
Sol's eyes widened with understanding. "Ah...that must mean you're really busy these days." She paused. "I guess that means I'll not be able to see you around a lot more, then?"
Sunjae nodded as they casually walked their neighborhood streets, "That's right. Lots of classes, lots of meetings, lots of...well, just a lot going on" He chuckled again, his tone light and almost conspiratorial, as if sharing a secret with her.
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Sunjae couldn't help but notice a subtle shift in Sol's demeanor. Her bright smile slowly faded, and a slight frown began to tug at the corners of her lips.
Instinctively, Sunjae reached out and gently patted Sol's head, a warm and comforting gesture that he had done many times before, "why the long face? Don't tell me you're going to school just to see me?"
The touch of Sunjae's hand on her head caused Sol to momentarily tense up, her shoulders stiffening ever so slightly.
She paused, her eyes meeting Sunjae's with a hint of determination. "Tskk, I'm going to school to study, of course. I'm really a good student, you know! I'm determined to do well so that I can get into a university!"
"Good student, huh?" he teased, a playful glint in his eyes.
"-Are your shoulders okay now?"
At his words, Sol felt her heart skip a beat. She halted in her tracks, her eyes widening as she stared at Sunjae in stunned silence. "Did you... did you see me doing the punishment?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
