As the school day ended, Eun Ae packed up her things and met Beom Seok at the school gate. They walked together in comfortable silence, enjoying the warm afternoon sun on their faces.
After a while, Beom Seok spoke up. "Hey, Eun Ae, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, what's up?" Eun Ae replied, curious.
"What's going on with you and Joon Woo?" Beom Seok asked, his tone casual but his eyes narrowing slightly.
Eun Ae felt a flutter in her chest. How much did Beom Seok know? "What do you mean?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
Beom Seok raised an eyebrow. "Don't play dumb, Eun Ae. I've seen the way you look at him. You're always talking to him, always trying to get him to open up. What's going on?"
Eun Ae sighed, unsure how to navigate this conversation. She didn't want to admit her feelings to Beom Seok, not yet. "We're just friends, Beom Seok. That's all."
Beom Seok snorted. "Save it, Eun Ae. I know you too well. You're into him, aren't you?"
Eun Ae felt her face heat up, but she tried to maintain her cool. "Even if I was, which I'm not, what's it to you?"
Beom Seok's expression turned serious. "Because I don't want to see you get hurt, okay? Joon Woo's not a good guy, Eun Ae. He's got baggage, and he's not worth your time."
Eun Ae bristled, feeling a surge of defensiveness. "You don't even know him, Beom Seok. Maybe you should try talking to him before you judge him."
Beom Seok raised his hands, palms up. "Fine, whatever. Just be careful, okay?"
Beom Seok's eyes clouded over, his jaw clenched in tension. "Just be careful, Eun Ae. That's all I'm saying."
Eun Ae nodded, sensing a strange undercurrent in his tone. "Okay, Beom Seok. I will."
As they continued walking, Beom Seok's silence grew thicker, like a fog that Eun Ae couldn't penetrate. She wondered what was bothering him, but he didn't seem willing to share.
Little did Eun Ae know, Beom Seok was wrestling with his own emotions. He had harbored a secret crush on Eun Ae since childhood, but never dared to reveal it. Now, seeing her drawn to Joon Woo, he felt a pang of jealousy and fear. What if she fell for Joon Woo? What if she never saw him, Beom Seok, in a romantic light?
Beom Seok's thoughts swirled in turmoil, his heart heavy with uncertainty. He couldn't bring himself to confess his feelings, not yet. Maybe not ever.
As they parted ways at Eun Ae's bus stop, Beom Seok's expression remained troubled. Eun Ae noticed it but couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong.
"See you tomorrow, Beom Seok!" she called out, waving goodbye.
Beom Seok forced a smile and waved back, his eyes lingering on her until she disappeared into the crowd.
As he walked away, his thoughts consumed him. He couldn't shake off the feeling that he was losing Eun Ae to Joon Woo. The thought sent a pang of jealousy through his chest, and he quickened his pace, trying to outrun his emotions.
Meanwhile, Eun Ae settled into her bus seat, her mind drifting back to Joon Woo. She wondered what secrets he hid behind those enigmatic eyes, and her heart skipped a beat at the thought of uncovering them.
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As Eun Ae got off the bus, she was lost in thought, her mind still on Joon Woo. She didn't notice the figure standing on the sidewalk, watching her, until she almost collided with him.
"Oh, sorry!" she exclaimed, taking a step back.
Joon Woo smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "No harm done," he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine.
Eun Ae's heart skipped a beat as she realized who she had almost run into. "Joon Woo! What are you doing here?"
Joon Woo shrugged, his eyes never leaving hers. "Just waiting for someone. But I think I found someone more interesting instead."
Eun Ae felt a blush rise to her cheeks as Joon Woo fell into step beside her. They walked together in comfortable silence, the tension between them palpable.
As they turned a corner, Eun Ae realized they were heading in the same direction. "You live around here too?" she asked, surprised.
Joon Woo nodded, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Small world, isn't it?"
As they walked, the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the streets. Eun Ae felt a sense of ease with Joon Woo that she couldn't explain, like they'd known each other for years, not just weeks.
Joon Woo suddenly stopped and turned to her, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Want to see something?" he asked, his voice low and conspiratorial.
Eun Ae's curiosity was piqued. "What is it?"
Joon Woo just smiled and took her hand, leading her down a narrow alleyway between two buildings. The air was cool and shaded, filled with the scent of blooming flowers.
At the end of the alley, Joon Woo stopped and turned to her, his eyes locked on hers. "I wanted to show you this," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
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Eun Ae followed his gaze to a small, delicate cherry blossom tree, its branches heavy with pink flowers. The beauty of it took her breath away.
Joon Woo's hand was still wrapped around hers, his fingers intertwined with hers. It felt natural, like they were meant to be together.
As they stood there, the world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, lost in the magic of the moment.
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As they stood there, taking in the beauty of the cherry blossom tree, Joon Woo suddenly became aware of Eun Ae's hand in his. He felt a jolt of surprise, realizing he had been holding her hand the entire time.
For a moment, he didn't move, unsure of what to do. But then, his instincts took over, and he quickly dropped her hand, taking a step back.
Eun Ae looked at him, confusion etched on her face. "Joon Woo, what's wrong?"
Joon Woo cleared his throat, trying to play it cool. "Nothing, I just...I need to go."
Eun Ae's eyes narrowed. "Go where? We just got here."
Joon Woo hesitated, unsure of how to explain. He didn't know why he had held her hand, or why he had suddenly felt the need to drop it. All he knew was that he needed to get away from her, before he did something he might regret.
"I'll see you later, Eun Ae," he said, turning to leave.
Eun Ae watched him go, feeling a mix of confusion and disappointment. What had just happened? And why did she feel like she was losing him, just when she thought they were getting closer?....
