The conversation at the cafeteria table was getting more exciting.
"But seriously, huh… you're like a character in a drama," Minho said while pointing at Jieun with his chopsticks. "Pretty, smart, good at talking, perfect grades… if there was a list of the most perfect students in Haneul, your name would definitely be at the top."
Dahyeon laughed amusedly. "Hahaha, yeah. I feel inferior sitting next to you, Jieun."
Jieun shook her head with a thin smile. "Ah… don't exaggerate. I'm also a normal human being. Still lazy to study, still like to answer questions wrongly."
Sooyeon sneered softly. "Well, that's just a lie."
"Eh, seriously," Jieun replied, her tone calm but sincere. "I also like to fail, you know. It's just… maybe I prefer studying rather than just staying quiet."
Minho nodded. "Wow, that's cool. Then, teach me sometime. My math grade…" she raised her hand to make a 'zero' sign with her finger, "… like this."
Jieun chuckled, her eyes glancing at the clock on the wall. "Hmm, by the way, I think I'll get some salad. The menu looks delicious."
"Oh yeah, in the corner, near the dispenser," Dahyeon said quickly. "I want some too, but I'm too lazy to line up again."
Jieun stood up, straightening her uniform. "I'll get some, just a moment."
"I'll leave some for you!" Minho exclaimed.
"Hey, not all of them!" Dahyeon joined in.
"I'll leave some odeng too!" the boy at the next table replied.
Jieun laughed, waving her hand. "I'll get some if there's any left."
She walked away from their table, heading to the corner of the cafeteria where the salads and drinks were. The cafeteria was still crowded, the sound of people talking, the sound of trays, chairs being moved… all mixed together.
Jieun queued for a while. While waiting, her eyes looked around again.
At the end of the room, right near the window, sat a male student with slightly messy hair, wearing earphones, while reading a thick book. His gaze was focused, as if he didn't care about the crowd around him.
There he was again.
Lee Seunghoo.
For some reason… that figure always caught her attention.
Jieun took a deep breath, looking away. She took a small tray of salad, holding it carefully.
But when she turned around…
SLIP
Her foot stepped on a puddle of water from a leaking dispenser.
"A—ah!"
Her body swayed, almost falling backward. Several students around her turned their heads in panic.
"Be careful!!" someone shouted.
And in a split second, a hand caught hers. The hand was strong, warm, and… somehow familiar.
Jieun opened her eyes wide.
In front of her, Lee Seunghoo.
The figure who had been sitting reading, now stood right in front of her, one hand holding Jieun's arm, while the other held the salad plate that was about to fall.
Seunghoo stared at Jieun expressionlessly. His eyes were deep, calm, but seemed to hold something unpredictable.
"Next time be careful when walking," he said softly, his voice low, a little hoarse, but clear.
Jieun froze for a few seconds. Her breath was still labored, her face red.
"A—ah… y-yes… thank you…" she whispered nervously.
Seunghoo slowly released his grip. "Your salad."
Jieun hurriedly took her plate. "Thanks… sorry… I didn't mean to…"
Seunghoo nodded slightly. "It's okay."
Without saying anything further, Seunghoo walked back to his desk, put his earphones back in his ears, and opened his book as if nothing had happened.
Jieun was still standing there, staring at Seunghoo's back. Her heart was beating irregularly. Her hands were shaking slightly.
"What happened just now… why did I become… like this…"
She bit her lip, trying to control herself. Then she hurriedly returned to the table with Dahyeon and the others.
Dahyeon greeted her with wide eyes. "OH MY GOD JIEUN! ARE YOU OKAY?!"
"You can see it from here! You almost fell!"
Minho panicked too. "I thought you were really going to slip!"
Jieun smiled awkwardly, putting her salad plate on the table. "I'm okay… don't worry."
"Who helped me?" Sooyeon asked quickly, her eyes sparkling.
Jieun was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Lee Seunghoo."
"HAAA?!" they exclaimed in unison.
Minho slapped his forehead. "Wow, that's the most mysterious student in Haneul! The one who rarely talks to people!"
Dahyeon looked at Jieun with a curious look. "How come? She's… the type of person who doesn't care about anyone. But she helped you instead."
Sooyeon immediately approached, whispering. "Jieun… do you know her?"
Jieun shook her head quickly. "No… I… don't know. It's just… I think…"
"I think?" Dahyeon was also curious.
"I think… I've seen her before. But I don't remember where."
The three of them looked at each other.
Minho immediately exclaimed. "Wow… it's getting more exciting! The Haneul Academy drama is starting!!"
Everyone laughed, except Jieun who just stayed silent, looking down, looking at her hand that Seunghoo had held earlier. There was a strange feeling… a feeling she had never felt before.
Like… something buried in the past, slowly wanting to reappear.
**
The sun was still bright that afternoon. But in Han Jieun's heart... there were shadows that slowly moved aside.
Their story had just begun.