criminal love; jungwon

11

Nanhee and Jungwon walked side by side through the quiet streets, their steps falling in sync on the snow-dusted pavement. The air was crisp, their breath visible in small clouds. It had become a habit now—these walks home, these moments stolen from the chaos of their lives.

To anyone watching, they looked like two friends hanging out. Just friends. But was it really that simple?

Nanhee glanced at Jungwon out of the corner of her eye. His hood was pulled up, but she could still see the curve of his lips, the way his eyes softened when he thought no one was looking. He wasn’t the boy she’d first met anymore. He’d changed—or maybe, she had simply peeled back enough layers to see the real him.

“Hey,” she said suddenly, breaking the silence. “Do you think... boys and girls can be just friends?”

Jungwon turned to her, one eyebrow raised. “Where did that come from?”

Nanhee shrugged, kicking at a pile of snow. “I was just thinking. People always say it’s impossible.”

Jungwon smirked. “People say a lot of things.”

“Like what?”

“Like... cats have nine lives. Or that it’s bad luck to walk under ladders.”

Nanhee rolled her eyes. “I’m being serious, Jungwon.”

He stopped walking, turning to face her. His expression softened, the teasing glint in his eyes replaced by something more thoughtful. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I guess it depends on the people.”

Nanhee tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

Jungwon sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I mean... if both people are clear about what they want, maybe it can work. But if one person wants something more, it gets messy.”

Nanhee’s heart skipped a beat. “And what if neither of them knows what they want?”

Jungwon met her gaze, the air between them suddenly charged. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.

“I guess they figure it out,” he said softly.

Nanhee’s cheeks flushed, and she quickly looked away, her thoughts spiraling. It was just two friends hanging out, wasn’t it? That’s all it had ever been.

But as they continued walking, the question lingered in the air, unanswered.

Could they really just be friends?

Or was something more inevitable?

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ok I really need to hear ur opinion on this:
can girls and boys really just be friends??