Autumn Calculus

Ch.18.

The golden hues of the evening light settled over the traditional market, casting long shadows as Eun-ji emerged from the hanbok stall, wearing the delicate pink hanbok Ji-hoon had suggested. The fabric felt light against her skin, and she couldn’t help but twirl just a little, feeling an unexpected joy bubble up inside her. Ji-hoon’s expression softened when he saw her, his eyes holding a warmth she had only recently started to notice.

“It really does suit you,” he said, his voice genuine. “You look... beautiful.”

Eun-ji’s cheeks flushed a soft pink, matching her hanbok, and she laughed, brushing off the compliment even as her heart fluttered. “I’m sure you say that to every girl who tries on a hanbok,” she teased.

Ji-hoon shook his head. “No, I don’t. Only to you.”

Before she could respond, Ha-neul came bounding over, her eyes widening as she took in the sight of Eun-ji. “Wow, Eun-ji, you look amazing! You have to get it!”

Eun-ji hesitated, glancing at the price tag. It was a little more than she had planned to spend. “I don’t know… It’s a bit expensive.”

Ji-hoon caught the hesitation in her eyes and smiled, reaching into his pocket. “Consider it an early birthday gift, then.”

“Wait, what?” Eun-ji’s eyes widened. “No, I can’t let you do that. It’s too much!”

He held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “Okay, okay. But you deserve something nice, and if you’re not going to get it for yourself, then I will.” There was a playful determination in his voice, and it made Eun-ji’s heart skip a beat.

She bit her lip, torn between accepting and refusing, but something in Ji-hoon’s eyes—something sincere and encouraging—made her give in. “Fine,” she said, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips. “But only if we count it as a study session payment.”

Ji-hoon’s grin widened. “Deal.”

They spent the rest of the evening exploring the market, the lights from the stalls glowing brighter as the sky darkened. There was a certain magic in the air, the kind that only happens when you’re with people who make you feel at home. Eun-ji, Ji-hoon, and Ha-neul wandered from vendor to vendor, tasting street food and laughing at Ji-hoon’s attempts to haggle with the shopkeepers, who found his efforts more endearing than effective.

At one stall, Eun-ji found herself drawn to a small collection of friendship bracelets. They were simple but beautifully woven with bright threads, and she picked one up, running her fingers over the intricate pattern.

“Thinking of getting one?” Ha-neul asked, nudging her gently.

Eun-ji glanced at Ji-hoon, who was trying (and failing) to win a plushie from a claw machine a few stalls away. She smiled, turning back to Ha-neul. “Yeah... I think I will.”

She picked out three bracelets—one for herself, one for Ha-neul, and one for Ji-hoon—and paid for them. Ha-neul looked touched when Eun-ji handed her one, slipping it onto her wrist immediately. They exchanged a quiet smile, the kind that said more than words could.

When Ji-hoon finally returned, victorious with a small, lopsided plushie in his hands, Eun-ji held out the third bracelet. “Here,” she said, feeling oddly shy. “I got this for you.”

Ji-hoon’s eyes widened in surprise as he took the bracelet from her. It was a simple gesture, but the weight of it felt significant. “Thank you,” he said softly, slipping it onto his wrist. “I’ll wear it every day.”

Eun-ji’s heart warmed at the sight, and they fell into an easy conversation, the playful teasing and comfortable banter flowing as naturally as ever. They spent hours at the market, and by the time they finally left, it felt like they had shared something special—a moment that had brought them all a little closer.

A Few Weeks Later

Eun-ji was back in her study routine, the demands of her coursework intensifying as finals loomed. She sat in the library with Ji-hoon, both of them buried in their respective textbooks, the silence broken only by the occasional scratching of a pen on paper or the flipping of pages. But it wasn’t the uncomfortable silence of strangers—it was the comforting, quiet companionship of two people who had grown used to each other’s presence.

Ji-hoon’s phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen, his face lighting up. “Hey, I got the tickets for the lantern festival next weekend,” he said, excitement lacing his voice.

Eun-ji looked up, blinking in surprise. “The lantern festival?”

He nodded, leaning forward with that familiar spark in his eyes. “Yeah! Remember we talked about going if we survived midterms? Well, I got the tickets, so there’s no backing out now.”

Eun-ji hesitated, the weight of her responsibilities settling heavily on her shoulders. “I don’t know, Ji-hoon. Finals are coming up, and I really need to study.”

Ji-hoon’s expression softened, and he reached across the table to lightly tap her hand with his pencil. “Hey, you can’t just study all the time. Besides, it’s only one evening. You need a break.”

She looked into his eyes and saw a sincerity there that made it hard to say no. Slowly, she smiled, nodding. “Okay, fine. But only if you promise to actually study with me before the festival.”

He grinned, giving her a playful salute. “Deal.”

The Lantern Festival

The festival was even more magical than Eun-ji had imagined. Brightly colored lanterns hung from every available surface, casting a warm glow over the crowds that gathered. The air was filled with laughter, music, and the mouthwatering scent of festival food. Eun-ji and Ji-hoon walked side by side, their fingers brushing occasionally as they moved through the crowd, but neither of them made the move to hold hands.

They reached a small clearing by the river, where the main event would take place. The night sky was clear, the stars sparkling above them as they each received a lantern to release. Eun-ji looked down at hers, the delicate paper already warm in her hands, and felt a wave of nervousness.

Ji-hoon, noticing her hesitation, leaned in close. “What’s wrong?”

“I just... don’t know what to wish for,” she admitted softly, her voice barely audible over the buzz of the crowd.

He smiled, his expression gentle and understanding. “Just wish for something that makes you happy. It doesn’t have to be big or complicated.”

Eun-ji looked at him, the warmth in his eyes making her feel a little braver, and she nodded. Together, they lit their lanterns, the soft glow illuminating their faces, and let them rise into the sky. Eun-ji’s heart swelled as she watched her lantern float upward, mingling with the hundreds of others that filled the night, each one carrying a wish, a hope, a dream.

Ji-hoon’s hand brushed against hers again, and this time, she didn’t pull away. Instead, she let her fingers curl around his, and they stood there, hand in hand, watching the lanterns drift higher and higher until they were just tiny points of light against the vast, starlit sky. It was a moment she knew she would never forget—a moment that felt like the beginning of something beautiful.