Whispers of the Mystery Book

Chapter 24: Silent Tensions

The next morning, Tae woke up to the sound of clattering in the kitchen. Curious, he slipped out of bed and followed the noise, finding Hana in the kitchen, chopping vegetables with a look of determined concentration. The sight made him smile-she was trying so hard to help, even though she was still new to everything in this modern world.

Tae: "Good morning, minion."

Hana jumped slightly, almost dropping the knife she was holding. She turned to face him, her eyes wide with surprise.

Hana: "Tae! You scared me."

Tae chuckled softly, stepping closer to take a look at her work.

Tae: "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to sneak up on you. You're doing a great job, though."

Hana blushed slightly at the compliment and smiled, her initial shock fading into a warm feeling.

Hana: "I wanted to help, so I prepared everything for you. Now you can cook."

Tae looked at the neatly chopped vegetables and the organized ingredients on the counter, feeling a warmth in his chest.

Tae: "Thank you, Hana. You did an amazing job. I really appreciate it."

Hana beamed at the praise, happy to be useful. As they worked together in the kitchen, Hana suddenly remembered something Tae had mentioned the day before.

Hana: "Tae, you said you need to go to college today. What is a college?"

Tae paused, thinking about how to explain it to her.

Tae: "College is a place where people go to learn more advanced things after finishing school. It's where you study specific subjects in-depth so you can prepare for your future career."

Hana listened intently, nodding as she tried to understand this new concept.

Hana: "It sounds like an important place. Can I come with you?"

Tae chuckled softly, touched by her curiosity.

Tae: "Of course. It'll be fun for you to see what it's like."

After breakfast, they got ready to head to college. Tae wore his usual casual attire, while Hana chose one of the outfits Tae had recently bought for her-a simple, elegant dress that highlighted her natural beauty. Tae couldn't help but admire how she looked, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

As they drove to the campus, Hana marveled at the bustling streets and towering buildings. Everything was so different from what she had known in the Joseon Dynasty, and she felt like she was in a completely different world.

When they arrived at the college, Tae led Hana through the entrance. The campus was alive with activity, students moving from building to building, chatting in groups, and hurrying to their next classes. Hana's eyes widened as she took it all in.

Tae: "Welcome to my college, Hana. It might be overwhelming at first, but you'll get used to it."

Hana: "It's so big, and there are so many people!"

Tae smiled and nodded, guiding her through the busy walkways. As they approached a group of students, two guys waved at Tae-Minho and Jin.

Minho was the kind of guy who turned heads wherever he went. He was tall, with handsome features and fair skin. His charming smile and confident demeanor made him the center of attention, and he had a reputation for being a bit of a flirt. Minho had his own fan base among the girls at college, who admired his good looks and playful personality.

Jin, on the other hand, was more laid-back and friendly, with a warm smile and a calm presence. He was athletic and dependable, the kind of guy who made everyone feel at ease.

Tae: "Hey guys, this is Hana. She's an old friend of mine from childhood. She's staying with me for a while."

Minho's eyes lit up the moment he saw Hana. He flashed her a charming smile and immediately started turning on the charm.

Minho: "Nice to meet you, Hana. Tae didn't mention you were this beautiful."

Hana blushed slightly at the compliment, unsure of how to respond. She wasn't used to such forward flattery.

Jin: "Welcome, Hana! It's great to have you here."

Minho, unable to resist, leaned in a little closer to Hana, his smile playful.

Minho: "So, Hana, do you have a boyfriend?" he asked with a teasing grin.

Tae felt a pang of something he couldn't quite name as Minho continued to flirt with Hana. But before he could say anything, a familiar voice interrupted.

???: "Tae!"

A girl approached them from behind, and before Tae could react, she wrapped her arms around him in a warm hug. She was the kind of girl who commanded attention wherever she went. She had striking features-flawless skin, large, expressive eyes, and a figure that was the envy of many. Her confidence and sexy, stylish appearance had earned her many admirers at the college, both male and female.

Tae's face lit up when he saw her, and he hugged her back with a big smile.

Tae: "Eunji! It's great to see you."

Eunji glanced at Hana, her gaze lingering just a bit too long, sizing her up. She could tell immediately that this girl was someone important to Tae-someone who was getting the attention that Eunji wasn't used to sharing.

Eunji: "Who's this?" she asked, her tone sweet but with an edge of curiosity.

Tae: "This is Hana. She's an old friend who's visiting for a while."

Eunji's smile didn't falter, but there was a slight tightening around her eyes as she turned to Hana.

Eunji: "Nice to meet you, Hana. Welcome."

Hana gave a polite handshake, feeling a bit out of place under Eunji's intense scrutiny. But she couldn't help but notice how close Eunji was standing to Tae, and how familiar they seemed with each other. It stirred something in her that she couldn't quite name.

As they headed to their class, Eunji naturally stayed close to Tae, linking her arm with his as they walked. Hana stayed on his other side, feeling more and more like an outsider. Minho, meanwhile, took the opportunity to walk beside Hana, clearly interested in getting to know her better.

To be continued...

Guys, please vote and support me! 🗳
Follow me on Instagram for updates and more! 🤗