Dear "J" | Sim Jake

Chapter 5

As the school day came to an end, Jiwon found herself subconsciously walking back to the bus stop. Her mind was tangled up in thoughts, replaying the events of the day and the lingering discomfort she felt. She barely noticed the world around her, her steps automatic and her focus inward.

Meanwhile, Jake and Jay were heading toward the parking lot, where Jake’s car was waiting with the driver standing by. As they neared the car, Jake’s gaze drifted to Jiwon’s distant figure, walking away in the opposite direction.

Jake’s eyes lingered on Jiwon for a moment, his expression thoughtful. Jay noticed the shift in Jake’s attention and glanced at Jiwon before turning back to Jake with a curious look.

“Is something wrong?” Jay asked, his tone casual but laced with concern.

Jake shrugged, his gaze still fixed on Jiwon as she walked slowly toward the bus stop. “Nothing,” he said dismissively.

Without waiting for a further response, Jake climbed into the car. Jay followed suit, still looking back at Jiwon before getting in. The driver closed the door, and the car began to pull away, leaving Jiwon’s figure behind. Jake’s thoughts briefly lingered on her, but he quickly focused on the drive ahead.

When Jiwon finally got home, she greeted her mom with a weary smile before plopping down on the couch. The exhaustion of the day seemed to weigh heavily on her, and she let out a sigh of relief as she sank into the cushions.

Her younger brother, who was playing on the floor, looked up and grinned at her. Jiwon reached over and ruffled his hair gently, managing a small smile in return. It was a brief moment of comfort amid the day’s stress.After a few minutes of rest,

Jiwon forced herself to get up and head to her room to tackle her homework. The familiar routine helped her settle her thoughts, and she worked through her assignments with a sense of determination, hoping it would provide some distraction from her swirling emotions.Meanwhile,

Jake was in his room, trying to unwind by playing his guitar. He strummed the strings a few times, his fingers moving through familiar chords. The music was a soothing escape, but his mind was still preoccupied with thoughts of the day. He played softly, lost in the rhythm of his own thoughts as the notes filled the room.

The quiet solitude of his room and the gentle sound of the guitar were his way of coping with the lingering tension and confusion from earlier. As the day drew to a close, both Jiwon and Jake found their own ways to deal with the remnants of their thoughts, seeking solace in the small comforts of their routines.

A few days had passed, and the rhythm of school life had settled back into its usual routine—filled with assignments, classes, and casual activities. The novelty of recent events had faded, and everything felt predictably normal again.

One day, we were informed that it was time to choose a club to join for the semester. The announcement stirred up a buzz among the students as we discussed our options and made our decisions.I had been thinking about it for a while and decided that I wanted to join the broadcasting club. It was something I had developed an interest in recently,

and the idea of working on school projects and broadcasts appealed to me. I felt a sense of excitement at the thought of finally pursuing something I was passionate about.Jake, on the other hand, didn't hesitate when it came to choosing his club. He opted for the sports club, and Jay joined him, clearly excited about the prospects. Despite the option to join multiple clubs,