chapter 04

Somehow, the class ended.The hours dragged, but Moonki and Su-gang never returned.Bo Mi didn't know whether to feel relieved or restless.

The hallway was quiet as she stepped out.

And then-she saw him.

Moonki.

He was standing near the staircase, alone.His expression unreadable.But there was something different.

A faint bruise marked his cheekbone. Faint, but real.Bo Mi's heart tightened, but she didn't let it show.

So he got hurt...

Still, she kept walking.Didn't say a word.Didn't even look directly at him.

And he didn't, either.

They passed like strangers.

As she neared the main gate, students stood clustered, murmuring under their breath-gossip, whispers, guesses. But she couldn't focus.

Her thoughts ran in circles.

Why did he say that? Why did he kiss me if he never meant it?

Was it all a lie? Was I just a tool in some sick game between him and Su-gang?

I was so stupid...

Then-

Bang.

She crashed into someone.

Hard.

"Oh-!"

He turned, brows raised, a smirk forming.

It was Su-gang.

"Hmm?" he looked back at her casually, like she was a fly that landed too close.

"Sorry," Bo Mi mumbled, quickly bowing.

And she ran-without looking at him again.

She didn't see the way Su-gang's eyes followed her retreating figure, or how his smirk slowly faded into something more curious.

The city was alive, its heart beating through the hum of engines, distant chatter, and the occasional honk. But to Bo Mi, it was all muted. Like she was underwater-drenched in silence.

She walked along the pavement, her schoolbag slung over one shoulder, her eyes glassy and unfocused. The world buzzed around her, but inside her head, it was just an echoing quietness. Her thoughts were scattered, but heavy. Her chest, tight.

When she reached the crosswalk, she stopped. The red signal glowed back at her. She waited. The weight of the day pressing on her small frame.

And then-A shadow appeared beside her.

She didn't have to look to know. She felt it-the presence. Tall. Familiar. Heavy with something unspoken.

Moonki.

She turned her head slowly, and there he was, standing beside her. His school jacket unbuttoned, his face slightly downcast-but what gripped her the most was the bruise on his cheek. Faintly purple, barely hidden. Like a fingerprint left by violence.

Her eyes widened in horror for a second, but she quickly turned back to the street, pretending she hadn't seen it. Her lips pressed into a thin line.

The signal was still red.

And then-

"Hey," he said, his voice quiet. Almost hesitant.

She didn't answer.

"Bo Mi."

Her hand gripped the strap of her bag a little tighter. "What."

He let out a dry, almost broken laugh. "Sorry."

She closed her eyes for a split second, letting the word dig into her skin. It wasn't enough. Not after everything. Not after how he'd acted.

Before he could say anything more-The signal changed.

The red turned green. Cars halted. The crowd started to move.

So did she.

Without looking at him, she took a step forward, walking into the crosswalk. Blending into the people around her.

She didn't look back.

And he didn't move.

He stood there, in the same spot, hands in his pockets, eyes on her back as she walked away. Cars waited, the light blinked, people passed-but Moonki remained still.

He bit the inside of his cheek, the words he meant to say stuck in his throat.

She didn't wait.

She didn't need to.

And maybe-he thought-that was what hurt the most.

Bo Mi had already crossed halfway when something in her chest twisted.

She stopped.

The air seemed heavier behind her than in front. Her footsteps had taken her forward, but her heart had stayed behind. Without even understanding why, she turned.

And there he was. Still standing where she left him. Alone. Eyes cast down. The bruise on his cheek catching the afternoon sun.

She snapped.

She stormed back across the crosswalk, ignoring the blinking light, and came to a stop in front of him. Without a word, she reached out and grabbed his wrist-gently, but firmly-and pulled.

He flinched in surprise. His feet stumbled after hers, his eyes wide in disbelief. She didn't speak. Just held his wrist as they crossed to the other side, their hands brushing-fingers not fully linked, but connected.

They walked in silence. The city around them kept moving, unaware of the quiet intensity between them.

Then, she stopped in front of a small pharmacy. The sign above buzzed faintly.

"Wait outside," she said, her voice sharp but quiet. He blinked. Nodded.

She disappeared inside.

Minutes passed.

When she came out, she held a small white tube in one hand.

He opened his mouth to speak, but she didn't let him. Instead, she stepped closer, uncapped the cream, and reached up-carefully.

"Hey-" he tried, but stopped as her fingers touched his cheek.

Her hand was warm. Her touch feather-light, brushing against his bruised skin like a whisper. The scent of the cream mixed with hers-clean, soft, familiar.

He flinched again-not from pain, but from the sudden rush of emotions swelling in his chest.

She didn't look him in the eyes. Her focus was on the bruise, lips pressed tight in concentration.

"Moonki-yah," she finally said, voice low, trembling just slightly. "What are you doing to yourself?"

He didn't answer.

Because in that moment-She wasn't just tending to a bruise.She was reaching the parts of him no one else ever did.

"Let's end this... for now," she said quietly, almost like a whisper carried by the wind.

Her eyes didn't meet his, but her voice was steady.

Moonki's heart sank, but he didn't argue. He knew-damn well-this was the right choice, no matter how much it hurt. For now, maybe even for her safety, this was necessary.

He stepped closer, the air between them heavy with words left unsaid.

Then, gently-without urgency-he leaned in and kissed her.

It was soft. Almost fragile. A silent apology. A goodbye that didn't want to be said.

She kissed him back. Briefly. Tenderly.

And when he pulled away, he looked at her one last time, eyes full of everything he couldn't say.

He spoke, a smile in his face-"If love ever fine me again, I hope it you, with the best version of you and i. And we'll do it right."

She nodded."Moonki. Thankyou for liking me."

He took a step behind and spoke-"Me too. I will always cherish those days of us."

And he left.

Leaving her alone, the silence was loud....She could feel her eyes get teary, she wonders if he is feeling that way too. Or maybe worse.

And she turned around, sliping the Cream in her bag's pocket and walked back to her home.