chapter 13

They were now standing below, just outside her apartment building.

The night was quiet, wrapped in a blanket of stars, and the moonlight glowed silver against Su-gang's sharp features. It caught the angles of his jaw, softened his eyes, and made him look-almost unreal.

Bo Mi looked at him and smiled softly.

"Sugang... thank you. Once again."

He simply nodded, his hands still buried in his pockets.

She gave him a little wave, her figure turning toward the entrance.

He stood frozen-his body still, but his mind in chaos. His heart pounding like fists against a locked door.

Do it, his thoughts screamed. Say something. Do something.

Bo Mi glanced over her shoulder one last time and smiled.

That smile nearly broke him.

He whispered to himself, desperate."Come on... where the hell is my confidence?"

He exhaled sharply, like something inside him just cracked open.

He stepped forward."Bo Mi."

She didn't hear.

Louder now."BO MI!"

She turned, surprised."Yeah? What, you like calling people when their backs are turned?" she teased with a laugh.

But before she could say anything else, he crossed the distance between them in two strides.

And kissed her.

Just a soft, firm press of his lips against her cheek.

It was sudden.

It was bold.

It was enough to steal the air from her lungs.

He pulled back as if nothing had happened, already turning to walk away.

Her eyes widened.

She stood stunned, a hand instinctively brushing the spot on her cheek.

Her face warmed. She could feel the heat rising from her chest to her ears.

She wondered-Was he blushing too?

What she didn't see... was him walking away with his back to her, his head down slightly-

Smiling like an idiot.Cheeks burning red.

*The Next Morning*

There was a knock on her apartment door.

She had just finished getting ready for school. As she opened the door-

"Grandmother!" she said, wrapping her arms around her.

Her grandmother chuckled and gently tapped her back."Come on, I'm tired."

Bo Mi pulled away, still smiling."Grandmother, I'm late! I'll be back soon and then we'll talk, okay?"

"Of course. Now go," her grandmother said, smiling warmly.

Bo Mi nodded and left.

---

At school, she walked in and spotted Sugang leaning against the wall.

His face was unreadable, lost in thought.

She smiled and made her way toward him.

"Good morning," she greeted softly.

He looked at her, and the tension in his face seemed to melt for a moment.

"Ah... Good morning," he said quietly.

She went into her class.

Sugang looked away again, clearly distracted-something was on his mind.

Just as Bo Mi opened the classroom door, it suddenly swung from the other side.

Moonki.

She froze.

He saw her-just for a second-and then walked past her without a word, eyes averted.

She stood in confusion, her heart tightening.

"What the hell...?" she whispered.

Class began.

There was no sign of Sugang.Nor Moonki.Nor their gang.

Bo Mi sat in silence.

No one talked to her.And she didn't talk to anyone either.

Not because she was cold.She was just... usually shy.And maybe, deep down, she felt safer that way.Being alone didn't scare her. In fact, it felt peaceful sometimes.

As the hours dragged, the final bell rang-classes were over.

Bo Mi quietly stood up from her seat.

Just then-a soft slam on her desk.

She looked up, startled.

"Hey," a familiar voice said.

Sugang.

He stood there, arms relaxed, no unreadable mask like this morning.He looked calm now. Different.

"What?" she asked, her tone more sulky than annoyed.

"Wanna go somewhere?" he asked casually.

She blinked.

Immediately, she could feel the stares of her classmates.Eyes.Whispers.Rumors already growing.

She snorted under her breath. "And why should I?"

Sugang leaned down over her desk, face just inches from hers.

Her breath caught in her throat.

"Because," he said softly, "there's something for you."

She opened her mouth, ready to question him-but he cut her off.

"Please," he said, eyes locking with hers-big, deep, unreadable, yet soft.

She leaned back instinctively, just a little.

"...Fine," she muttered.

Sugang and Bo Mi walked side by side down the hallway.All eyes were on them.

She stared at the ground. Her shoulders slightly tensed.She wasn't used to attention-But Sugang walked like he was born for it. Confident. Steady. Unbothered.

Then he spoke, still looking ahead."Are you nervous?"

She glanced at him.

"No. Why would I be?" she replied, trying to sound calm.

He smirked, eyes flicking down."Then why are you shaking?"

He leaned in closer, his face suddenly inches from hers.

Gasps echoed through the hall.

Her eyes widened-She twisted away and picked up her pace, walking ahead without saying a word.

Sugang just chuckled and followed behind.

---

Later, on a quiet road, the weather had turned cool.Bo Mi insisted they walk.Sugang suggested they ride.

But guess who won?

Bo Mi.

He stuffed his hands into his pockets, glancing sideways.

"You're smiling," he said, curious.

She turned her head toward him. "What's funny?" he added.

"Nothing," she said, brushing her hair back.

"No, seriously-tell me."

She shook her head with a teasing grin."Why should I?"

Suddenly, he knelt down in front of her.

"Eh? What are you-?"

Then she saw it-her shoelaces, loose and untied.He was tying them.

She froze.

He tightened the knot, adjusted the loop, then looked up at her.

"What?" he asked, squinting one eye as sunlight flickered past the trees and caught his face.

Bo Mi blinked.Her heart stuttered for a second.

"Nothing," she said, looking away, trying to ignore the smile tugging at her lips.

He stood up, brushing off his jeans."So," he said, "are you going to tell me now? Why were you smiling earlier?"

Bo Mi glanced away quickly. "No reason."

"Just say it. I won't tease you."

"You always tease."

Sugang chuckled. "Only when you let me."

She looked at him, searching for something in his face. But whatever it was-she didn't find it. Or maybe she did, and it scared her.

"Let's just walk," she said abruptly, stepping forward before he could say more.

Sugang followed, a little confused but quiet.

Bo Mi kept walking, heart heavy and thoughts louder than ever. Every time he smiled, something fluttered inside her. Every time he looked at her, really looked-like she mattered-it made something soft unravel in her chest.

But that's what scared her most.

She didn't want to like him.

She didn't want to fall for someone like Sugang-the boy who once stood with the bullies, the boy who caused chaos, even if he wasn't the same now.

She couldn't trust her own heart.

Not yet.

So she said nothing. Just walked ahead, as if the road would carry her far enough from what she was starting to feel.

Sugang walked beside her. Close, but not close enough to hear what her heart was screaming.

They reached her apartment gate.Bo Mi smiled, trying to act normal."Okay... my grandmother is back. She must be worried."

She turned to leave, but Sugang's voice stopped her."Wait."

She turned halfway. "What now? For real, you had some-"

He didn't answer. Just stepped closer.

Her breath caught in her throat.

His steps slow, deliberate. His gaze soft.

Then-he leaned in.Not for a hug. Not for a cheek kiss.Straight for her lips.

Her heart froze.

No. No. No.The only words pounding in her head.

Right before he could kiss her, she turned her face away.Subtle. Almost natural.But intentional.

Sugang stayed still.Face close.Eyes looking straight at her.

He didn't say anything at first.

She let out an awkward smile. "I... I have to go."

She turned and stepped back toward the apartment.

Then-

"So it's fake?"

She froze in place.

His voice wasn't loud.But it struck hard.

She slowly turned. "What... What do you mean, Sugang?"

He walked a step closer, hands in his pockets, face unreadable now.

"Bo Mi. You know exactly what I'm saying."

She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry.

"Sugang, I-it's not like that. I just-"

She couldn't finish. Her voice cracked.Her breath was shaky.

Then Sugang spoke again, voice calm, too calm."Bo Mi. I just want you to know... My feelings are real. And don't force yourself, don't let others be your first priority."

He turned, pulling his phone out.Dialing someone-maybe Moonki. Maybe not.Bo Mi didn't know. And suddenly, she didn't care.

She just stood there.

Frozen.Confused.Something heavy twisting in her chest.

Why does it hurt like this?Why do I feel like crying?No... I can't... I won't-

But as Sugang walked further away, she realized-the part of her that wanted to run after him...was getting louder.

Bo Mi knocked on the door with a heavy heart.Sugang's words were still echoing through her mind like a haunting melody.

"my feelings are real.""don't force yourself"

The door opened.

Her grandmother stood there with her usual warm smile-But the moment she saw Bo Mi's face, her expression changed.

"Hey... what's wrong?"

Bo Mi tried to hide it. Tried to keep the corners of her mouth up.But her eyes betrayed her.

"Grandmother... it's just been a bad day."

Her grandmother stepped closer, gently placing the back of her hand on Bo Mi's forehead."Are you sick?"

She gave a small, tired smile. "No. Not that kind of sick."

"Mm. You sure?" Her grandmother studied her face carefully.

"I'm sure. Just... thank you for worrying, really. It's just one of those days."

Her grandmother's lips curled into a soft smile again.

"Then. How about we fix it with food?"

Bo Mi's eyes lit up-just a little.She nodded slowly. "Yeah... food sounds good."

Her grandmother clapped her hands together."Let's go!"

Bo Mi blinked. "Where?"

Her grandmother just grinned."Freshen up first. Then we'll decide. But I'm thinking-noodles and something sweet."

Bo Mi couldn't help but smile at that.Even on a day like this, her grandmother knew exactly what to say.

As she walked inside, she whispered under her breath,"Why does comfort always feel like home...?"