The night felt heavier than usual.
Jisoo sat alone on the stairs outside her apartment.
Her eyes were swollen.
Her hands still trembling.
"Why does it always happen to me…" she whispered.
"JISOO!"
She looked up.
Minji ran toward her, worried.
"I've been calling you! Are you okay?"
Jisoo forced a small smile.
"I'm fine…"
Minji sat beside her.
"No, you're not."
Jisoo looked down.
"…I didn't want you to worry."
Minji held her hand.
"I'm your best friend. It's my job to worry."
Jisoo's eyes softened slightly.
Footsteps approached.
"Jisoo."
Kevin.
Minji looked at him, a little confused.
"…Who is he?"
Jisoo wiped her tears quickly.
"My classmate."
Kevin nodded slightly at Minji.
Minji crossed her arms a little.
She didn't trust him yet.
Kevin sat down near Jisoo.
"You shouldn't sit here. It's cold."
Minji noticed his tone.
Soft.
Not rude.
Jisoo gave a weak smile.
"I've been through worse."
Minji looked between them.
Something felt… different.
Kevin spoke again—
"You should have told me."
Jisoo frowned.
"Told you what?"
"About your work… about everything."
Minji's eyes widened slightly.
"…You knew?"
Kevin nodded.
Jisoo looked down.
"It only gave them a reason to laugh."
Minji held her hand tighter.
"Let them laugh. They don't matter."
Kevin added quietly—
"I'm not them."
Jisoo's eyes filled again.
"I try so hard… but it still hurts…"
Minji pulled her into a small hug.
"It's okay… I'm here."
Kevin watched silently.
Then he gently placed his jacket over Jisoo's shoulders.
Minji noticed.
Her expression changed slightly.
"…Thank you," Jisoo whispered.
Minji looked at Kevin again.
Now… a little less doubtful.
Jisoo asked softly—
"Why did you defend me?"
Kevin looked away.
"…I didn't like seeing you hurt."
Jisoo's heart skipped.
Before the moment could settle—
"Jisoo!"
Min Ho arrived.
He looked worried.
Then his eyes moved—
To Kevin.
To the jacket.
To Minji.
"…You're okay?" Min Ho asked.
Jisoo nodded.
"I'm fine."
Minji stood up.
"I'm Minji. Her friend."
Min Ho nodded.
"Min Ho."
Kevin stayed silent.
Tension slowly filled the space.
Min Ho looked at Kevin.
"I was looking for her."
Kevin replied calmly—
"She's fine."
Min Ho's tone sharpened—
"I wasn't talking to you."
Minji stepped in quickly.
"Okay, stop. This is not the time."
Silence.
Jisoo stood up slowly.
"I'm tired…"
Minji held her arm.
"I'll take you inside."
Jisoo nodded.
Before going—
She looked back once.
At Kevin.
At Min Ho.
Both standing there.
Both watching her.
Her heart felt heavy.
👉 For the first time—
She wasn't alone.
But everything was getting more complicated.