Episode 12
“I’m… not that close with Na Seungwoon.” Junyoung felt overwhelmed—this was a first for her, and hearing that Seungwoon had been talking about her only made things worse. Before Seungwoon could respond with his downcast gaze, the woman stepped in.
“What do you like? I’m not great with my hands, but luckily someone at home is. I think we can match your taste.”
“No, I…”
“Twelve-thirty sounds good. If you come near Mideum Church, you’ll see the house. If that’s too far, shall I send a car?”
It clearly wasn’t tea she meant. Junyoung frantically shook her head.
“No, I’m fine.”
“Then see you at twelve-thirty on Saturday.”
With a soft smile, the woman tapped her son’s shoulder twice and walked away briskly. Junyoung sighed and turned to Seungwoon, who looked at her with a stiff smile.
“Sorry. My mom’s kind of… her own person.”
No. That wasn’t being ‘your own person.’ That term meant doing what you wanted, not shaping situations to your will.
Junyoung took a deep breath and whispered quietly.
“I can’t just go to your house for no reason. Please tell your mom I’m sorry, instead—”
“But she invited you.”
Seungwoon stopped her like he was trying to hold her in place. Seeing her surprised, he scratched his neck with an awkward cough.
“It’s not like there’s no reason.”
Her blush deepened as she recalled the woman mentioning Seungwoon always talked about her.
“Then I’ll see you Saturday. I’ll wait in front of the church.”
Before Junyoung could reply, Seungwoon turned and walked off. Only then did she notice the students around them whispering and sneaking glances.
Great.
She could already see the gossip spreading like wildfire. Of course, Oh Hyesoo would hear about it—and even if someone was napping, ears could still hear.
Well, who cares if Kwon Beomjin finds out? It’s not like that’s my problem.
Originally, she had thought about going to his house to study over the weekend, but that was clearly off the table now. She didn’t want to run into him yet.
Too many thoughts tangled in her head, and Junyoung let out a sigh that felt like the earth might sink beneath her. Maybe the woman invited her just because she mentioned the gym… Her head began to pound.
—
“Did you hear? Seungwoon’s mom invited Junyoung to their house.” “Kyunghee heard it herself, right? What a shock.” “Why? Why would she invite her?” “She didn’t catch much, but Kyunghee said…”
They were trying to be quiet, but Beomjin always had sharp hearing. Ever since he was little, his senses had been especially keen—his father even bragged about it.
Even if he had been sleeping, this chatter would’ve woken him. It filled his ears like a surround speaker.
Clicking his tongue softly, he sat up. Silence rippled from his presence. As he brushed his messy hair, a wince crossed his face—the hand had touched a fresh wound.
Given how hard her mother hit, it’d be best to avoid giving Junyoung a reason to lash out. She had a temper.
With that hazy thought, Beomjin’s eyes followed a passing figure. He didn’t need to see the face—only one person in school wore such neatly ironed pale-blue polos.
Na Seungwoon’s mom invited Junyoung over? Why? Why was she even at school?
He could’ve grabbed anyone and gotten all the gossip, but he didn’t want attention.
Soon, he heard familiar footsteps. There was a pause behind him, then they moved on. In his line of sight, her ponytail swayed. She sat down and picked up her pen.
Beomjin liked seeing Junyoung in study mode. The atmosphere changed when she concentrated.
The world went still, every floating thought settled like dust, and at the center was Junyoung, eyes focused and pen moving unpredictably. Even the sound of her pen held rhythm.
That’s why he noticed her distraction. Her shoulders were hunched, her movements restless.
She kept scratching her temple and ear with the pen, and her other hand fidgeted with the desk or her clothes.
Beomjin leaned into his hand, amused. It was like watching his favorite movie start.
Junyoung was special—the only one who kept him from feeling alone.
A life of hiding was stifling. Not knowing when it might end made it worse. Junyoung was the only source of interest in his painfully dull world.
In this town, she was more well-known than she realized. Though not a village where everyone knew everyone, there was enough gossip.
But among long-time residents, her family was the only one that stayed isolated.
That was among adults. At school, it was simpler—she was pretty, smart, and stood out. But she had no close friends. Anyone who approached was turned away.
She seemed like someone who wanted to be alone.
Junyoung wasn’t entirely blameless. Some thought she looked down on them. Whether intentional or not.
With a bit of charm, she could’ve gained admirers instead of enemies. But as the math teacher said, she didn’t seem to care at all about social ties.
To her, these were just people she’d never see again. People who lived in a different world.
He hadn’t thought she had any issues beyond poverty. She never showed it.
She was often gossiped about, just like him, but he never paid her any mind—until they became classmates.
Watching the back of her head became routine. No matter how often he napped, she was always upright and scribbling when he woke up.
Does she really like studying? Could it actually be fun for her? Maybe she’s lived here too long and gone a bit mad.
Or maybe…
She sees it as her lifeline.
Just watching her back told him a lot. One thing was how often her gaze lingered toward Seungwoon.
That was disappointing. Maybe she liked the prince charming type, too. But then she’d treat Seungwoon coldly, just like everyone else, and it’d make him smile.
That was all—
Until he saw that familiar back in his hideout one day.
He still smiled thinking about her expression. Always so calm and composed, yet so startled she looked like she’d tumble forward.
Her eyes, wide with fear but unyielding. Her voice steady even as she clenched with tension. She looked radiant.
Normally, he’d have kicked out any intruder, even if they weren’t aiming for his bed. He hated sharing space.
But with Junyoung, he didn’t mind. He liked seeing her. Enjoyed those hours together. Felt normal.
Their secret made it even more fun. At that house, he could relax. Like a regular high schooler.
…So now what?
His head tilted slightly.
If he were in the wrong, it’d be easy. But when no one’s at fault, it’s harder.
Especially when she avoids him like this. And if it’s because he saw something she didn’t want shown…
Junyoung, flushed and shivering from fever, yet refusing to go home.
Junyoung, shielding herself instinctively from violence.
Junyoung, screaming at her mother, then running with clenched teeth.
That pride of hers—she must want to disappear.
“Why’d I have to be the one to see it.”
Muttering through clenched teeth, the kid in front flinched and looked back.
If Beomjin wasn’t asleep, he was terrifying. But he ignored the fear and kept watching Junyoung’s back.
That’s not even something to be embarrassed about.
It’s not our fault we were born to crappy parents.
His sharp eyes narrowed, and the student in front of him scooted forward until nearly flattened against the desk.
Beomjin’s fingers tapped the desk in uneven rhythm, echoing like thunder. Cold sweat slid down his spine.
To be continued…
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