The next few days—
Everything looked the same.
But nothing felt the same.
Jisoo still walked beside Kevin.
Still sat next to him.
But something was missing.
Silence.
Not the peaceful kind.
The uncomfortable kind.
"Are you okay?" Kevin asked.
Jisoo nodded.
"I'm fine."
But she didn't look at him.
Kevin frowned slightly.
"Did I do something?" he asked.
Jisoo hesitated.
Then—
"No."
A lie.
Kevin noticed.
But didn't push.
From the other side—
Min Ho watched.
Tang Lin stood beside him.
"Good," she whispered.
Min Ho didn't reply.
But his eyes stayed on Jisoo.
Later—
Jisoo was walking alone.
Her mind full of thoughts.
Kevin… Tang Lin… everything felt confusing.
"Jisoo."
She turned.
Min Ho.
"…What do you want?" she asked softly.
Min Ho stepped closer.
"Just talk."
Jisoo sighed.
"About what?"
Min Ho looked at her seriously.
"…Are you really okay?"
Jisoo blinked.
"What do you mean?"
Min Ho hesitated.
Then—
"…With Kevin."
Jisoo frowned.
"Yes… why?"
Min Ho looked away.
"I don't trust him."
Jisoo's expression changed.
"That's your problem," she said.
Min Ho shook his head.
"No, it becomes your problem if he hurts you."
Jisoo's voice hardened.
"He won't."
Min Ho looked at her.
"…You're sure?"
Jisoo paused.
Images flashed—
Kevin with Tang Lin.
Talking.
Not explaining.
Her confidence… shook.
Min Ho noticed.
"…See?" he said quietly.
Jisoo looked away.
"Don't do this," she whispered.
Min Ho stepped closer.
"I'm just trying to protect you."
Jisoo shook her head.
"I don't need protection."
Min Ho's voice softened.
"…You always say that."
Silence.
Jisoo didn't reply.
From a distance—
Tang Lin watched.
Satisfied.
That evening—
Kevin waited.
Jisoo was late.
When she finally arrived—
"…Sorry," she said.
Kevin looked at her.
"Where were you?"
Jisoo hesitated.
"…With Min Ho."
Kevin's expression changed.
"…Why?"
Jisoo crossed her arms slightly.
"Why does it matter?"
Kevin frowned.
"Because it does."
Jisoo let out a small laugh.
"Really?"
Kevin looked confused.
"You can talk to Tang Lin," she said,
"But I can't talk to Min Ho?"
Silence.
Kevin didn't expect that.
"That's different," he said.
"How?" Jisoo asked.
Kevin didn't answer immediately.
And that was enough.
Jisoo stepped back slightly.
"See?" she said softly.
Kevin's jaw tightened.
"This is stupid," he said.
Jisoo looked hurt.
"Then explain," she replied.
Kevin stayed silent.
Because he didn't know how.
That silence…
Created distance.
From afar—
Min Ho watched.
Tang Lin smiled.
"Step two," she whispered,
"…complete."
👉 They were still together.
But the distance between them…
Was growing