You Know

Chapter 6: Wrong message

When I finally saw Yuri again after the semester break, it felt like the universe had momentarily paused, just for us. As he walked into view, my heart leapt into my throat, and I struggled to keep my composure. I forced myself to maintain a calm exterior, trying to appear nonchalant as if the separation hadn’t affected me at all. But inside, an undeniable joy was bubbling up, making it nearly impossible to contain.

My attempts at casual greetings felt almost mechanical, a stark contrast to the fireworks exploding inside me. I watched him, trying to gauge his reaction, and seeing his familiar smile only intensified the flood of relief and elation that had been building up over the break. Every detail about him—the way he moved, his laughter, the warmth of his presence—felt like a missing piece finally falling back into place.

Even though I was trying to stay collected, my heart raced, and my emotions felt on the edge of breaking through. I could barely keep my voice steady as we talked, and I had to remind myself to breathe deeply. The happiness I felt was so profound that it was almost overwhelming, like finally coming home after a long journey.

In the quiet moments between our words, it was clear that no amount of effort could disguise the happiness that radiated from me. The simple act of being near him again was enough to make everything else fade into the background. Despite my attempts to appear composed, the genuine delight of having him back in my life was written all over my face, and I couldn't help but smile, knowing that everything was right in the world again.

As Yuri and I were catching up, a good-looking guy approached from a distance. I watched with growing unease as the guy put his arm around Yuri’s shoulders, and their interaction was clearly affectionate. It wasn’t just a friendly gesture; there was a familiarity in their body language that spoke of something deeper.

My heart tightened as I noticed how close they seemed, the easy way they laughed together, and the way Yuri's eyes sparkled with warmth. It felt like a physical jolt, a sharp pang in my chest that I couldn’t ignore. The sight of them together brought an unexpected sting of jealousy and insecurity that made my stomach churn.

I tried to mask my discomfort, but it was clear that my composure was faltering. I forced a smile, but it felt brittle, unable to fully mask the ache I felt inside. The pleasant reunion I had been looking forward to was now overshadowed by a growing sense of dread and a gnawing feeling that perhaps I had underestimated the depth of my own feelings.

Seeing Yuri so close to someone else—someone who seemed to have a significant place in his life—was like a sudden, sharp reminder of the vulnerability I had been trying to protect. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself and push through the rising wave of emotions, but the pain was undeniable. It was a reminder that while I had been waiting for his return, he had his own life and connections that I had not been part of.

Despite the turmoil inside me, I forced myself to engage in conversation, hoping to find a moment to reconnect with Yuri without letting my feelings of discomfort show.

As I wrestled with my emotions, trying to process the sight of Yuri with that other guy, a loud noise echoed from the gymnasium. My instincts kicked in, and I sprinted toward the commotion. To my horror, I found Yeji lying on the ground, unconscious. Driven by a mix of panic and concern, I rushed to her side.

I carefully lifted Yeji and carried her to the clinic, my mind consumed with worry. I barely noticed Yuri’s concerned presence as I focused solely on getting my friend the help she needed. Fortunately, it turned out to be nothing serious, but I was left anxiously waiting for her to wake up.

As I sat in the waiting room, my thoughts kept drifting back to Yuri and the guy he had been with earlier. I couldn’t help but wonder if this unsettling feeling was a sign from God, a nudge toward something I hadn’t fully understood.

A noise outside pulled me from my thoughts. The nurse mentioned that someone was here to check on Yeji, and to my surprise, it was Yuri. “I sent you messages but got no response. Is everything okay?” he asked, his eyes filled with genuine concern.

Yeji stirred and, upon seeing Yuri, she exclaimed, “Oh my, why do I have my boyfriend checking on me here?” Yuri looked startled and confused. “What? Sorry?” he asked, clearly taken aback.

“She’s referring to you,” I said with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. “She’s been—” but before I could finish, Yeji covered my mouth, clearly embarrassed and worried about me revealing too much.

“I like you!” Yeji declared, her voice earnest as she looked at Yuri. “Buuutttt, I like Miggy more,” she said, then hid her face, acting bashful.

Yuri laughed and asked, “You like him more than Kenji?” He glanced at me with a teasing smile.

“I like him too, but only as a brother… He’s hot, but not the prince type,” Yeji said, throwing me under the bus with a mischievous grin.

Miggy? I wondered to myself, puzzled by the mention of this new name.

After their chat, I waited outside the university for Yeji’s dad to pick her up. Almost an hour later, as Yeji and her father left, Yuri and I were left standing together. I suggested a walk while we waited for his ride, and he agreed, seeming to appreciate the idea.

“So, you and Yeji, huh?” Yuri asked, breaking the silence.

“Yeah, the two of us,” I replied with a chuckle. “I grew up pretty much alone, with just my parents. Yeji and I have been friends and rivals since childhood.”

Yuri smiled, his eyes lighting up with nostalgia. “I grew up with a stepbrother. We didn’t have the same mother, but we were pretty close.”

“Oh, he’s here!” Yuri said suddenly, pointing out his stepbrother from a distance. My heart sank as I recognized him as the guy from the gymnasium—the one I’d felt jealous of.

“Miggy! You’re a bit early,” Yuri called out, walking toward him. Miggy, a handsome guy who was around the same height as me, approached with a friendly smile. “Sorry for interrupting your date,” he said, looking between Yuri and me.

He then turned to me and introduced himself. “I have to ask you to take good care of my brother. I need to head off to meet my fiancée.” With that, Miggy left, leaving Yuri and me to continue our walk.

As we walked together, I couldn’t shake the mix of emotions swirling inside me. Despite the unsettling jealousy earlier, I found comfort in Yuri’s presence. And though the encounter with Miggy had been surprising, it also brought a sense of clarity about my own feelings.