Chapter 11: Noah's Side of the Story

Noah stood just outside Bora's apartment door, the faint hum of the hallway lights buzzing overhead. His heart felt heavy—like the weight of every unanswered text, every ignored call pressed down on his chest.He glanced down at his phone again."I just want to make things right."He wished those words could fix everything instantly.

The day he saw Bora run away after the girl left his apartment replayed in his mind like a bad scene from a movie he couldn't rewind.It wasn't like what she thought.That girl? Just a friend. Someone he'd helped through a rough night. Nothing more.But how could he explain that when Bora looked so hurt, so betrayed?Noah ran his hand through his yellow hair, frustration bubbling beneath his usual calm, playful surface.Why didn't she just ask?Why did she assume the worst?Was she really ready for this to be real?

He thought about their moments together—the aquarium date, the slow, hesitant kiss under the night sky.Those were real, weren't they?He wanted them to be.But now, everything felt tangled in doubt.

He remembered Bonggu's message."I think Bora needs time, but she's not okay."Noah sighed. Maybe he was pushing too hard. Maybe he needed to step back.But stepping back felt like losing her.

He looked down at his phone again and typed a new message."I'm here whenever you're ready, Bora. No pressure. No lies. Just me."Then, he put the phone away, closed his eyes, and whispered to himself,"Please don't give up on us."