Secret Crush

Confession

Hyun Jae went into her room, her thoughts spinning as she replayed the moment when her eyes met Lee Jong Suk’s while he was buckling her seatbelt. The memory made her heart flutter, and a shy smile spread across her face. Unable to contain her excitement, she began dancing around the room, lost in the moment.

Suddenly, the door opened, and Lee Jong Suk stepped inside. Startled, she froze mid-dance, her face turning bright red.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.

“I forgot my phone,” he replied, gesturing to the table where he had placed it earlier while helping put away her new dresses. Picking it up, he added, “I’m in a hurry, so I’ll see you later.”

As he turned to leave, Hyun Jae’s heart raced. She couldn’t let him go without saying something. “Wait!” she blurted out.

He paused, looking back at her. “What is it?”

She hesitated, her mind swirling with uncertainty. “I... I have to tell you something,” she stammered.

“Alright, but make it quick—I’m really in a rush,” he said, checking his watch.

Hyun Jae struggled to find the words, but the moment slipped away. “Never mind,” she said softly.

“Okay, we’ll talk later,” he said before leaving in a hurry.

That evening, Hyun Jae called Luli and Kyung Mi to share what had happened. She explained everything, including her failed attempt to confess her feelings.

“You should go for it,” Kyung Mi encouraged. “But what if he likes someone else?”

“Or worse,” Luli added, “what if he already has a girlfriend?”

Hyun Jae sighed. “I don’t know. But I’ve decided—I’m going to confess to him, no matter what.”

Her friends exchanged glances and nodded. “We support you,” Kyung Mi said. “Do what feels right.”

Two days later, during lunch, Hyun Jae, Luli, and Kyung Mi went to the canteen. As they looked for a place to sit, Hyun Jae spotted Lee Jong Suk sitting with three of his friends. By chance, there was an empty table right next to them, so they decided to sit there.

As time passed, Lee Jong Suk’s friends finished eating quickly and excused themselves, saying they were late for a special class. Now alone, he glanced over and noticed Hyun Jae sitting with her friends. With a smile, he walked over and sat down at their table.

Behind them, a group of students from Hyun Jae’s class whispered excitedly. Jiwoo, one of her classmates, squealed softly to her friends, “Oh my gosh, Lee Jong Suk is sitting so close! He’s my crush!”

Hyun Jae overheard this, and a pang of jealousy twisted in her chest. She tried to focus on her meal but couldn’t shake the feeling. Turning to Luli and Kyung Mi, she whispered, “Come with me to the bathroom.”

Once there, she blurted out, “I just heard Jiwoo say that Lee Jong Suk is her crush!”

Luli raised an eyebrow. “Okay, but does he like her back? Or are they a thing?”

Kyung Mi nodded. “Yeah, you need to find out where he stands before worrying too much.”

Reassured by their advice, Hyun Jae returned to the table, determined to get some answers. Gathering her courage, she asked Lee Jong Suk casually, “Hey, can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” he said, looking curious.

“Do you, uh, have a crush on someone right now? Or a girlfriend?”

He blinked, a little surprised by the question. “No, I don’t have a crush right now, and I’m not dating anyone.”

Relief washed over Hyun Jae, but her heart was still pounding. Without thinking, the words slipped out of her mouth. “I... I have something to tell you.”

He leaned forward slightly, his expression soft. “What is it?”

She took a deep breath, her palms sweaty. “I... I like you,” she finally confessed, her voice trembling.

For a moment, there was silence, and the world seemed to hold its breath.