𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 - 𝘚. 𝘑𝘢𝘦𝘺𝘶𝘯

The Girl Who Came Back

The bus to the hotel smelled like air conditioning, leftover snacks, and the excitement of being somewhere new. Students were already halfway through arguing over who got the window seats, and the driver hadn't even started the engine.

Yeri shuffled down the narrow aisle, dragging her tote behind her. By some miracle—or maybe just Ningning's determination—they found two seats near the middle, and Yeri immediately curled up by the window.

The Jeju sun poured through the glass, casting sleepy golden shapes over her lap. She smiled faintly, forehead resting against the cool pane as she watched the other students pile in.

Jake stepped on board with Sunoo and Niki in tow, laughing at something one of them said, and Yeri's smile fell just slightly—until she caught herself and looked away.

"Hey, Yeri."

Sunjae's voice popped into her bubble of peace like a rock to the window.

She turned, polite as always, offering a small nod. "Hi."

He stood there for a beat too long, clearly hovering. "Can I sit here?" He gestured to the aisle seat beside her.

Before she could answer, someone slid in behind her, stretching across the top of the seat.

"Yo," Jake's voice came, casual as ever, "they're saving that seat for the teacher."

Sunjae blinked, thrown off. "Huh? Since when—"

"Since now," Jake replied smoothly, flashing a tight smile. "She's got her clipboard and everything."

As if on cue, Ms. Kwon passed by, not even glancing their way.

Sunjae looked at her, then back at Jake. "That doesn't make sense—"

Jake shrugged. "You know how Ms. Kwon is. All about proximity to exits. Safety first."

Sunjae stood frozen, trying to compute the lie, and Jake leaned in just a little.

"Besides," Jake added, dropping his voice slightly, "you can sit next to Heejin. She saved a spot."

Sunjae faltered again, and Jake gave him a pointed look like go on now, and finally—reluctantly—he stepped away.

Yeri blinked up at Jake. "That was..."

"Heroic?" he said, deadpan, sliding into the seat behind her next to sunoo who was squabbling with Niki.

"I was going to say unnecessary."

Jake grinned. "Eh, potato-potato."

She looked down at her lap, shaking her head as the bus finally lurched forward. He was ridiculous. Truly. But somehow, every time she tried to focus on the trees whizzing past or Ningning's constant commentary , she kept catching herself smiling.

Sunjae tried again mid ride.

He twisted in his seat ahead, turning to face her with a grin. "Hey, did you see that café from the airport? The pink one?"

Yeri started to answer, but Jake leaned forward before she could get a word out.

"She gets motion sick if she talks too much," he said solemnly. Sunoo almost choked on his drink at Jake's pure absurdity.

Yeri turned to him slowly, stunned. Ningning scoffed, eyebrows arched in amusement.

"What?" Jake shrugged, whispering like it was top secret. "You do, don't you?"

She narrowed her eyes. "No?"

"Exactly," he nodded sagely. "No talking. You hear that, Sunjae?"

Sunjae looked baffled.