Feeling a need for some space, Eon-jin decides, "I'm just heading to the canteen. I'll grab some water." and leaves her seat.
"Eon-jin! Your tumbler still has water." Min-jung calls after her, but Eon-jin continues to exit the room, leaving an air of unspoken tension lingering among the classmates.
"Min-jung, aren't you going to go after Eon-jin?" Jung-hyun inquired, expressing concern.
"Let her be. She just needs some time alone. The stress is getting to her with the exams approaching." Min-jung responded, intentionally emphasizing the word 'stress' a bit louder, ensuring that Tae-pyung could hear her.
Tae-pyung had just finished explaining when Min-jung's words caught his attention, leaving him intrigued and prompting Ji-won to wonder.
"Um, I need to go to the restroom for a moment. I'll be right back." Tae-pyung quickly announced, dashing outside. Min-jung couldn't help but grin at the scene she had just witnessed.
Upon reaching the canteen, Tae-pyung found no trace of Eon-jin. Undeterred, he walked through the quadrangle, scanning the surroundings, but Eon-jin remained elusive. Just as he contemplated returning to the classroom, a glimpse of Eon-jin entering an alley behind the stage caught his eye, compelling him to follow. Tae-pyung couldn't help but wonder where Eon-jin is heading.
He observed Eon-jin opening a door and disappearing into a remote and somewhat desolate area. The surroundings were filled with dirt, emphasizing the seclusion of the place. Approaching the door, Tae-pyung was about to knock when a cry pierced the air, unmistakably Eon-jin's. Without hesitation, he swiftly opened the door, surprising Eon-jin, who stood up abruptly.
"Tae-pyung... what are you doing here?" Eon-jin questioned, her voice tinged with restrained sobs as she wiped away tears.
Attempting to ease the situation, she suggested, "Come on, let's step outside, someone might see us here." However, Tae-pyung gently stopped her, locking eyes with her.
"Why are you crying? Is something hurting you?" Tae-pyung asked with genuine concern. Eon-jin shook her head, attempting to hold back the tears, a mix of emotions evident in her eyes.
"Then why are you crying like that? What are you doing in this place? Don't you know that I've been looking for you for a while now? What kind of place is this?! You have asthma, Eon-jin! It's going to be bad for you to be here. And what? You're just coming here to cry. Damn it, are you really thinking about yourself?!" Tae -pyung said. His loud words only intensified Eon-jin's tears.
"You told me to forget what you said. So that we won't be awkward with each other and nothing will change in our friendship. But why do you make me feel so different? Why are you avoiding me?" Eon-jin said now sobbing even more.
"You ask what is this place? This is where I find the peace I want. I'm at peace here, Tae-pyung!" The tension between them hung in the air as both struggled with their emotions.
Eon-jin is about to leave when Tae-pyung tenderly drew her into a comforting embrace, and a silence enveloped them before Tae-pyung found the words to speak.
"I was scared after I confessed that night. It felt like I ruined our friendship. I considered taking it back, hoping things would return to normal. But I didn't want to deceive myself. Not hearing anything from you hurt me, so I thought it was best for both of us to forget what I said." Tae-pyung expressed, gently releasing Eon-jin from the embrace. He then locked eyes with her, wiping away the tears that streamed down her face and cheeks.
"I never intended to ignore you. I just didn't know how to act as if nothing happened. I'm sorry, it wasn't my intention." Tae-pyung continued, embracing Eon-jin once more. A genuine smile graced his face as he felt her reciprocate the hug.
chapter six
Start from the beginning
