Secret Crush

Is It One Sided Love ?

A few days later, while Hyun Jae was rushing across campus, she tripped and fell hard onto the pavement. Her friends, Luli and Kyung Mi, were in class at the time and weren’t around to help her. As she sat up, pain shot through her leg and hand, and she noticed blood seeping from both.

Coincidentally, Lee Jong Suk was walking by to buy A4 paper for another student, a member of his basketball team who needed it for their project. He noticed her on the ground and quickly ran over. “Are you okay?” he asked, concern evident in his voice as he crouched beside her.

Hyun Jae winced but tried to smile. “I think so... maybe.”

“You’re bleeding,” he said, his brows furrowing. “Can you stand?”

She tried to get up but faltered. Without another word, Lee Jong Suk supported her, guiding her toward a nearby taxi. On the way, he called his teacher, Seok Jeon, and explained the situation. Seok Jeon instructed him to take her to the hospital immediately.

At the hospital, Dr. Kim Sung Sik examined her injuries and gave a serious update. “She has significant wounds on her hand and leg. She’s also lost a lot of blood. A transfusion may be necessary.”

Barely conscious, Hyun Jae heard the conversation but couldn’t say much. Dr. Kim continued, “She’s O+. We’ll need a donor who is O+ or O-.”

“I’m O+,” Lee Jong Suk volunteered without hesitation.

The transfusion went smoothly, and hours later, Hyun Jae woke up. Her eyes fluttered open to see Lee Jong Suk sitting by her side, scrolling through his phone. For a moment, she thought she was dreaming.

“You’re awake,” he said softly, noticing her movement.

She blinked at him in surprise. “You’re still here?”

“Of course,” he replied with a faint smile. “I wasn’t going to leave you alone.”

Her heart skipped a beat, but doubt crept in. Why would someone like him stay? He probably just feels responsible.

After settling the hospital bill, Seok Jeon arrived and instructed Lee Jong Suk to take her home while he returned by bus. Lee Jong Suk helped her into his car, noticing how quiet she was.

As they drove, he glanced at her dress, now stained with blood. “We should stop and get you a new dress,” he suggested.

“It’s fine,” she said quickly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll change when I get home.”

He shook his head. “Your dress is ruined. You’ll feel better in something clean.”

Reluctantly, she agreed, and they stopped at a nearby boutique. Hyun Jae browsed through the racks, admiring a few dresses, but the high price tags made her hesitate. She placed the dresses back on the hangers and turned to him. “Let’s just leave. It’s not necessary.” Without waiting for a reply, she hurried back to the car.

Lee Jong Suk watched her retreating figure, amused, and then quietly purchased all the dresses she had lingered over. When he returned to the car, he handed her the shopping bags.

“What’s this?” she asked, startled.

“They’re yours,” he said simply. “Don’t worry about it.”

Her cheeks flushed. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“It’s fine. Think of it as a gift,” he said with a small smile. “Who says no to free dresses?”

She gave him a wary look but couldn’t stop herself from smiling faintly.

As they got back in the car, he noticed she hadn’t buckled her seatbelt. Leaning over, he gently clicked it into place. Their faces were only inches apart, and their eyes met. For a moment, the world seemed to stop. Her breath caught in her throat as her heart raced, but he pulled back casually, as though nothing had happened.

The ride home was quiet, her thoughts racing. Why is he being so kind? Does it mean anything, or am I just imagining things?

By the time they arrived at her house, Hyun Jae was convinced it was all one-sided. He’s just a nice person, she told herself. Someone like him would never see me the same way.

They reached her house, he helped her put the dresses inside and waved goodbye, she couldn’t help but glance back at him, wishing for something more but doubting it was ever possible.