SpartAce I: School Love Affair

his Melody

"Ji Hyo-ah.. ", Gary calls her when she is heading towards the library.

She stops and turns to him. "Ou, oppa? "

He smiles at her and they enter the library together.

"Are you doing well? ", he asks.

"Mm. ", she says as she nods.

He follows her towards a table, where she puts her things and then heads to the aisle of shelves.

"Our Ji Hyo's studying well, i see. ", he says as he watches her, leaning against one of the shelves.

"Well, i have to. I might get grounded by my aunt again. ", she says, pulling out a book from the shelf.

"I keep forgetting that you're the top student ", he says, closing his eyes tight as if forcing the information in his brain.

"I like it better though. At least you see me as a normal being other than a robot who knows nothing but study. ", she says, flipping some pages in the book as she search for some title.

"Eehy, they don't see you like that. ", Gary disagrees.

"Really? ", she asks without lifting her gaze off the book. "Then what did you think about me before you knew me?"

There is a long pause from Gary, confirming her suspicion. That is when she looks at him.

"That is exactly what i'm talking about. ", she says, seeing the guilt in his eyes. Then she heads to another aisle and continues searching for books.

"Oh come on, you can't really blame people. ", he says as he follows behind. "You barely talk, your face is always expressionless and you always keep the top spot like it's so easy for you. "

"I can't even figure out if it is a compliment or not.", she says flatly.

"It's not a criticism. ", Gary says safely.
"So.. why did you come to me? ", she asks.

Gary pauses as if he did not expect that question to come out.
But then he answers.

"Because you're.. interesting. You sleep a lot and eat a lot. No one expected you to be like that. And despite your prim and proper image, you seem to not care about what everyone else has to say. "

Ji Hyo closes the book she is reading and looks up at him. She stares at him for a while, and she can spot the red tinge of blush in his cheeks as he looks away.

Seeing that, she starts to get embarassed herself. She blinks twice just to compose herself.

"Oppa.. ", she says. "I don't mean to be rude but.. that's not what i meant to ask. "

He looks at her, his brows arching. "Then what? "

"I was asking about why did you come to me, like right now. Do you have something to say in particular, or need any help? "

"Uuggh! ", he groans in embarassment. "Why do i have to say those? ", he whines, covering his face.

She can not help but smile though. What Gary had said made her feel good.

"Yah! Oppa! ", she calls when Gary suddenly walks away.

She tries to chase him but he runs out of the library without looking back.

Staring at his humble, retreating back, she tries to suppress her laugh.

When she enters the cafeteria after, she spots the others already gathered in a table.

Eun Hye is there, too, enjoying and laughing with the guys.

She heads to the counter to get her food.