criminal love; jungwon

4

A week had passed since the incident in P.E. class, but the memory of it lingered in Jungwon’s mind. What surprised him even more was Nanhee. She hadn’t left his side since that day.

Wherever he went, she was there—quietly, steadily. In P.E. class, she stood beside him, her presence a silent shield against Chahyeon’s taunts. At lunch, she claimed the seat next to his without hesitation. During practical lessons, she partnered with him, never once complaining.

At first, it felt strange. Jungwon wasn’t used to company, especially not someone like Nanhee. But she was different. She never pushed, never pried into his life. She simply stayed.

In the crowded cafeteria, the two of them sat at their usual spot, away from the noise. Nanhee unpacked her lunch, glancing at Jungwon’s tray. “You’re not eating much again,” she noted, her voice gentle but firm.

“I’m not that hungry,” Jungwon mumbled, poking at his food.

Nanhee sighed but didn’t push further. Instead, she slid her apple across the table. “At least have this.”

Jungwon hesitated but accepted it. “Thanks,” he said quietly.

From across the room, Chahyeon and his group watched with disdain. “Look at them,” one of his friends sneered. “It’s like she’s his personal bodyguard.”

Chahyeon’s eyes narrowed. “She’ll get bored eventually,” he muttered. “They always do.”

But Nanhee didn’t.

In practical class, she worked beside Jungwon, their movements synchronized without the need for words. When the teacher praised their teamwork, Nanhee grinned, nudging Jungwon lightly. “We make a good team,” she said.

Jungwon couldn’t help but smile back. “Yeah, I guess we do.”

Despite the whispers and stares, Nanhee’s resolve never wavered. If anything, she seemed more determined. One afternoon, as they walked to the school gates, Jungwon finally voiced the question that had been on his mind for weeks.

“Why are you doing this?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Nanhee tilted her head, confused. “Doing what?”

“Sticking around. Helping me,” Jungwon clarified, avoiding her gaze. “You don’t have to.”

Nanhee stopped walking, turning to face him fully. “Because I want to,” she said simply. “I don’t like seeing people alone when they don’t want to be.”

Jungwon’s chest tightened. “But I—”

“You’re not a burden, Jungwon,” she interrupted, her eyes soft but unwavering. “Stop thinking that you are.”

Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Jungwon didn’t know how to respond. No one had ever said that to him before.

They walked the rest of the way in silence, but something had shifted. For the first time, Jungwon allowed himself to hope.

And Nanhee? She wasn’t going anywhere.