Only If You Say Yes - Jungwon

Chapter 3

       Sarang, with her heart set on spending time with Jungwon, finally spotted him standing near the balcony, engaged in a light-hearted conversation with a few other students. She took a deep breath, gathering her courage, and made her way over to him, leaving Rahyun who was half drunk but sober enough to give Sarang a word of encouragement; "Go for it".

As Sarang approached Jungwon, she offered him her usual bright smile, hoping to convey her enthusiasm without coming on too strong. "Hey, Jungwon!"

Jungwon looked up from his conversation and returned her smile with a slight one of his own. "Sarang, right?"

"Yeah! I'm glad you remember," she said, trying to keep the conversation flowing. "How are you finding the party?"

"It's good, a nice break from everything," Jungwon replied, his gaze drifting briefly to the view outside the balcony. "Yeonmin always throws great parties."

Sarang nodded, taking a sip of her drink as she tried to read his mood. She wanted to get closer to him, to find a way to make a lasting impression, but it was clear that Jungwon wasn't giving her much to work with. Still, she wasn't about to give up so easily.

"By the way," Sarang continued, "I just found out that you're Yeonmin's cousin. Is that true?"

Jungwon's eyes met hers with a hint of surprise. "Yeah, that's right. I didn't realize you knew."

"Oh, I didn't until tonight," Sarang said with a playful grin. "I've seen you at the café where you work. It's a nice coincidence running into you here."

Jungwon's expression softened slightly, but his tone remained friendly and nonchalant. "Yeah, small world indeed. I don't usually get out much, so it's nice to have a change of scenery every now and then."

Sarang seized the opportunity, trying to make the conversation more engaging. "So, what do you like to do when you're not studying or working at the café? Any hobbies?"

Jungwon seemed to relax a bit as he answered. "I like reading and sometimes just taking long walks. It's a good way to clear my mind."

Sarang nodded, genuinely interested. "That sounds really nice. I've always admired people who can find peace in simple things. It's something I'm trying to work on."

As they chatted, Sarang noticed that Jungwon's demeanor was still somewhat reserved, but he was making an effort to engage in the conversation. She could sense that he was being polite and friendly, but she couldn't quite gauge his deeper feelings or interest.

"Are you planning to stay long?" she asked, hoping to prolong their conversation.

"Not sure yet," Jungwon said, his tone casual. "I'll see how the night goes."

Sarang's heart sank a little. She had hoped for a more enthusiastic response, but Jungwon's laid-back demeanor made it hard for her to gauge his interest. Despite her best efforts, the conversation remained light and superficial. She could feel the opportunity slipping away, but she wasn't ready to give up just yet.