The next morning felt… different.
I couldn't explain it.
Nothing had really changed—
the same classroom,
the same people,
the same routine.
And yet…
something inside me wasn't the same anymore.
I walked into the classroom quietly.
My eyes moved without thinking—
and stopped on him.
Sihoon was already there.
Sitting near the window.
Just like always.
For a moment…
I just stood there.
He looked at me.
My heart started beating faster.
I quickly looked away and walked to my seat.
As I sat down, I could still feel his gaze on me.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked quietly.
I looked at him for a moment.
Then nodded slightly.
"Yeah…" I replied softly.
There was a small pause.
I didn't know why…
but it felt harder than usual to look at him.
"What about you?" I asked, almost without thinking.
"I didn't sleep well yesterday…" he said.
I looked at him, a little confused.
Then he added—
"…maybe because I was thinking about you."
My heart stopped for a second.
I froze.
Not knowing what to say.
"I—"
Before I could say anything,
he suddenly looked away and let out a small breath.
"…I'm kidding."
There was a short silence between us.
But somehow…
it didn't feel like a joke at all.
I looked down quickly.
"That's not funny," I said softly.
Sihoon didn't reply immediately.
"You believed it for a second," he said, a faint smile on his face.
I frowned slightly.
"I didn't."
"You did," he replied calmly.
I stayed silent.
Because…
maybe I did.
He leaned back in his chair.
"Anyway," he said, changing the topic,
"did you eat this morning.
I felt my face getting warm.
"Anyway…" I said quickly, looking away.
"Did you finish your homework?"
Sihoon looked at me for a second.
Then a small smile appeared on his face.
"Are you trying to change the topic?" he asked.
I shook my head quickly.
"No… I'm not."
He raised an eyebrow slightly.
"You are."
I stayed quiet.
Because…
I didn't know how to answer that.
Just then—
the classroom door opened.
The teacher walked in.
"Everyone, take your seats."
The moment ended.
During the class, I couldn't focus at all.
My mind kept going back to him.
His words…
his voice…
that moment from earlier.
"…maybe because I was thinking about you."
I quickly shook my head.
Why am I thinking about that again…?
My face started to feel warm.
I lowered my head, trying to focus on my notebook—
but my thoughts wouldn't stop.
Suddenly—
my pen slipped from my hand and fell to the floor.
"Ah…"
I leaned down quickly to pick it up.
At the same time—
Sihoon leaned down too.
Our hands touched.
I froze.
For a moment…
everything felt still.
I slowly looked up—
and met his eyes.
My heart started beating faster again.
He didn't move either.
His hand was still lightly touching mine.
I quickly pulled my hand away.
My heart was beating too fast.
I didn't even know why I reacted like that.
Sihoon looked at me.
I hesitated.
I didn't want our eyes to meet—
but they did.
For a moment…
I couldn't look away.
His gaze was calm.
But there was something in it…
something I couldn't understand.
I felt my face getting warmer.
I quickly looked down again and picked up my pen.
"Sorry…" I murmured softly.
The class finally ended.
As I stood up, I didn't know what to do.
My heart was still racing.
That moment…
his hand…
his eyes—
everything kept replaying in my mind.
I quickly grabbed my bag and walked out of the classroom.
Almost like I was running away.
I went straight to the washroom.
I placed my hand over my chest.
My heartbeat wouldn't slow down.
"What's wrong with me…?" I whispered.
I stayed there for a while, trying to calm myself.
Then I turned on the tap and splashed cold water on my face.
Slowly…
my breathing became normal again.
I looked at my reflection.
My face was still slightly red.
After a few seconds, I took a deep breath and walked out.
But the moment I stepped outside—
I froze.
He was there.
Sihoon was standing near the wall…
waiting for me.
"Why did you run away?" he asked quietly.
I hesitated.
I didn't know how to answer that.
My fingers tightened slightly around my bag.
"I… I didn't—"
"Hey!"
We both turned at the same time.
Yian was walking toward us, slightly out of breath.
"So you're both here," he said.
"I've been looking for you for so long."
I blinked in surprise.
"For us?"
"Yeah," Yian nodded.
"You disappeared right after class."
I looked down slightly, feeling a little embarrassed.
Sihoon didn't say anything.
But I could still feel his eyes on me.
Yian looked at both of us for a moment.
Then a slow smile appeared on his face.
"Wait…" he said, crossing his arms.
"Why do you two look so awkward?"
I froze.
"We're not," I replied quickly.
Yian raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
His eyes moved between me and Sihoon.
"Because it really looks like something happened."
"Nothing happened," I said, avoiding his gaze.
Yian let out a small laugh.
"If you say so…"
Then he leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice.
"But you know… from outside, it looks like a scene from a drama."
My face turned warm instantly.
"Yian!" I said, embarrassed.
He laughed again.
"Okay, okay, I'll stop."
I glanced at Sihoon for a second—
but he was just standing there quietly.
Calm…
as always.
But somehow—
that made my heart beat even faster.
Yian stretched his arms casually.
"Anyway, let's go. It's getting late."
We started walking together.
I stayed a little behind them.
Still trying to calm my thoughts.
But it wasn't easy.
Because no matter how much I tried—
I could still feel it.
That moment from before.
His hand.
His eyes.
And the way everything felt different now.
For the first time…
I couldn't ignore it anymore.