Chapter 17: The Promise I Didn't Say
The day felt different.
Jisoo didn't know why.
But something in her chest felt… light.
At school—
Everything was normal.
Classes. Notes. Silence.
But her eyes kept moving—
Toward Kevin.
He looked the same.
Calm. Focused.
But not distant anymore.
After class—
"Jisoo."
She looked up.
Kevin.
"Come with me," he said.
Jisoo frowned slightly.
"Where?"
"You'll see."
She followed him again.
But this time—
She didn't ask questions.
They walked quietly.
Through streets.
Past people.
Until—
They stopped.
A small, quiet place.
Near a park.
Jisoo looked around.
"It's nice…"
Kevin nodded.
"I come here sometimes."
Jisoo sat down on a bench.
Kevin stood for a moment—
Then sat beside her.
Silence.
But not uncomfortable.
Jisoo spoke softly—
"You're different here."
Kevin looked at her.
"How?"
"Less cold," she said.
Kevin didn't reply.
A few seconds passed.
Then—
"I don't like crowded places," he said.
Jisoo nodded.
"Me too."
Another silence.
Jisoo looked ahead.
"…Can I ask something?"
Kevin nodded.
"Why do you stay?" she asked.
Kevin frowned slightly.
"Stay?"
"With me," Jisoo said.
"Even when I push you away… even when I'm a mess…"
Kevin didn't answer immediately.
Jisoo looked down.
"You don't have to."
Kevin spoke quietly—
"I want to."
Jisoo's heart skipped.
She looked at him.
"Why?"
Kevin looked away.
Then back at her.
"…Because I don't feel alone when I'm with you."
Silence.
Jisoo's eyes softened.
"I thought I was the only one feeling like that…" she whispered.
Kevin didn't smile.
But something changed in his eyes.
The wind moved softly.
Jisoo hugged her arms slightly.
Kevin noticed.
Without saying anything—
He reached into his pocket.
Jisoo looked at him.
"…What are you doing?"
Kevin didn't answer.
He opened his hand.
A small ring.
Simple.
But meaningful.
Jisoo froze.
"This…" Kevin said slowly,
"I found it a long time ago."
Jisoo looked at it carefully.
"I didn't know why I kept it," he continued.
His voice was calm.
But real.
"But now I do."
Jisoo's heart started racing.
Kevin looked at her.
"I'm not good with words," he said.
Jisoo stayed silent.
Listening.
"But…"
He paused.
"…I want you to have this."
Jisoo's breath caught.
"Why me…?" she whispered.
Kevin's answer was simple.
"Because it feels right."
Silence.
Jisoo slowly reached out.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
Kevin gently placed the ring in her hand.
For a moment—
Their fingers touched.
Both froze.
Jisoo looked at the ring.
Then at him.
"…Is this a promise?" she asked softly.
Kevin didn't look away.
"…Yes."
Jisoo's eyes filled slightly.
"A promise of what?" she asked.
Kevin replied—
"…That I won't leave."
Jisoo's heart shook.
No one had ever said that.
And meant it.
She closed her fingers around the ring.
"…Okay," she said quietly.
Kevin nodded.
A small moment.
But everything changed.
From a distance—
Min Ho stood.
Watching.
His expression slowly darkened.
Behind him—
Tang Lin appeared.
"Well…" she said softly,
"that looks serious."
Min Ho didn't reply.
But his silence said everything.
Tang Lin smiled.
"Let's see how long it lasts."
Back at the bench—
Jisoo looked at the ring again.
A small smile appeared.
👉 For the first time—
She believed someone might stay.