Time passed, and Seon Woo Jin was finally discharged from the hospital.

However, being discharged didn’t mean he was completely healed, and it seemed he would have to keep visiting the hospital for the time being. I didn’t know the details.

“Are you really okay?”

At my question, Seon Woo Jin nodded as if it was truly nothing.

“Don’t worry. It doesn’t hurt.”

How could I not worry when he still had to keep going to the hospital?

But he did seem fine on the outside, so I gradually felt reassured.

‘Thank goodness.’

According to the doctor, it was a miracle for him to recover so quickly and have no aftereffects to this extent. There were no scars either. At this rate, he would almost forget the accident even happened later on.

‘Still, I can’t let my guard down until he’s fully healed.’

This was a scary world where you never knew what might happen. I had to watch over him closely. Though I wasn’t sure if I would be of any help.

‘Alright. Let’s do this!’

I clenched my fists, determined.

“Lee Ju Eun.”

“What?”

“You’re having weird thoughts again.”

“No, I’m not?”

I shouted back, flustered by Seon Woo Jin’s accusation. Seon Woo Jin laughed.

“Liar.”

It wasn’t really that weird…

I grumbled to myself, then quickly shook it off and smiled.

Let’s not fret over trivial things. It was a good day.

That’s right. Today was the first day Seon Woo Jin was returning to school.

As Seon Woo Jin and I entered through the school gate, I could feel everyone’s gazes drawn to us.

People whispered and glanced at Seon Woo Jin. They seemed to want to confirm if the rumors that had been rampant while Seon Woo Jin was hospitalized were true.

‘As expected of a third-generation chaebol.’

When all was said and done, the level of attention was different.

The stares felt burdensome whenever I felt them. I was overcome with the urge to run away, even if I had to do it alone.

But I couldn’t do that. I had just resolved to watch over Seon Woo Jin closely.

Above all else…

“Lee Ju Eun. Why are you drifting away?”

Seon Woo Jin wouldn’t let me go.

I sighed and obediently stood next to Seon Woo Jin again.

“…I really think you’re amazing.”

“In what way?”

“There’s just something about you.”

I strolled through the campus with Seon Woo Jin, feeling as if I had become a celebrity.

Seon Woo Jin strutted confidently as if he didn’t feel any of the stares directed at him at all.

He cheerfully ignored my suggestion to part ways at the stairs and insisted on walking me all the way to my classroom.

“Wait for me after class.”

I smiled and waved, saying I would. Seon Woo Jin said goodbye and disappeared to his own class.

Finally, I was left alone.

‘Now, the problem is…’

I glanced around the classroom. Dozens of pairs of eyes simultaneously turned to me.

‘…these guys.’

Their gazes were filled with curiosity. They seemed to want to ask me what had happened but didn’t know how to bring it up, so they just observed me.

‘Hmm. What to do about this?’

I felt like I should say something.

But I couldn’t just start rambling when no one had asked me anything.

‘For now, let’s act like nothing’s going on.’

I smiled awkwardly, then pretended to be calm and sat down at my seat as if everything was normal.

Every single one of my actions drew blatant stares. It was a hundred times more burdensome than at the school gate earlier. I let out a sigh without realizing it.

At that moment, the front door of the classroom slid open.

“Lee Ju Eun!”

The one who barged in with a loud voice was none other than Yoo Hee Na.

Yoo Hee Na ran over and sat down next to me.

“You… You…!”

It seemed she had something to say but couldn’t get it out. Yoo Hee Na stared at my face and stammered for a while. Then, as if she had finally gathered her thoughts, she whispered in my ear.

“Is it true that you came to school with Seon Woo Jin today?”

I knew it would be about that.

It seemed I was destined to be a superstar all day thanks to Seon Woo Jin. I nodded.

“Yeah.”

“Really?”

Yoo Hee Na’s eyes widened in surprise, then she grinned.

“Then are you two dating?”

Before I could even answer, Yoo Hee Na exclaimed.

“I knew it would turn out like this!”

What would?

“I knew you two would end up together from the beginning!”

The beginning? What did I do with Seon Woo Jin in the beginning? I only remember being his homework slave.

And weren’t you wary of me at first? In case I liked Sung Ji Chan.

Regardless, Yoo Hee Na chattered on. How she had noticed from the start, how it would have been strange if we hadn’t gotten together sooner, and so on…

‘Hmm, I should just stay quiet.’

I smiled serenely and listened to Yoo Hee Na’s words like a good friend.

Why did it seem like Yoo Hee Na was even happier about my relationship with Seon Woo Jin progressing than I was? Was it just my imagination…?

Having heard my conversation with Yoo Hee Na, the other kids also began whispering among themselves. Judging from the words ‘couple’ and ‘dating’ that I caught here and there, it seemed the news of Seon Woo Jin and me dating would spread throughout the entire school by today.

‘Is this because it’s a novel?’

My private life was being broadcast live to the entire student body.

It wasn’t easy being the male lead’s friend, let alone the male lead himself.

And so, I had to endure the torment from Yoo Hee Na and the other kids until the class bell rang.

‘I’m already exhausted without even doing anything.’

I had never realized how scary people’s gazes could be.

In the end, when the second period ended, I declared my surrender.

“I’m going to the infirmary for a bit.”

As I mumbled like a corpse, Yoo Hee Na tilted her head and asked.

“The infirmary? To see Yeon Ho oppa?”

No. The real infirmary, not there.

‘If I go to the second infirmary, I’ll be tormented in a different way.’

There was a possibility of running into Lee Yeon Ho, as well as Sung Ji Chan or Ban Ha Min. I wanted to go somewhere I could rest in peace, not a place like that.

I pretended to be sick to the best of my ability and said.

“Tell the teacher I’m not feeling well.”

Then I trudged my way to the infirmary.

Fortunately, the infirmary was quiet with no students around. Just the fact that I didn’t have to feel anyone’s gaze was satisfying enough. I told the teacher I wanted to stay for an hour, then lay down on the bed.

‘Ah, so comfortable.’

Feeling a moment of peace, I contentedly pulled the blanket over myself.

Lying on the soft bed made me drowsy. The sunlight coming in through the window was warm.

I didn’t originally intend to sleep. But the cozy and snug atmosphere lulled me to slumber without me realizing it.

And when I woke up.

“Hmm?”

Seon Woo Jin was by my side.

What was this? A dream?

Still half-asleep and in a daze, I blinked slowly. But the sight before my eyes didn’t change. I stared blankly at Seon Woo Jin’s face.

Seeing my state, Seon Woo Jin let out a chuckle.

‘…Huh?’

Finally grasping the situation, I cried out in surprise.

“What the. Why are you here?”

Seon Woo Jin raised his index finger to his lips as if telling me to be quiet. I nodded and lowered my voice again to ask.

“How did you know I was here?”

“Yoo Hee Na told me.”

Seon Woo Jin reached out and brushed the strands of hair stuck to my face behind my ear. I covered my flushed cheeks with my hands.

“How long have you been here?”

“Not long.”

“You should’ve woken me up if you came.”

“How could I wake you when you were sleeping?”

Seon Woo Jin’s expression was close to his usual blank one, but his eyes were gentle. Then did that mean he had been watching me sleep this whole time? Somehow, I felt even more embarrassed.

I sat up on the bed and straightened out my clothes.

“Let’s go.”

The school nurse was out, so she wasn’t there. We quietly left the infirmary.

Looking at the clock, it was already close to lunchtime. Did that mean I slept for two hours? I only meant to skip third period, but I ended up missing fourth period too.

‘Whatever, it’ll work out somehow.’

I decided not to think too deeply about it and turned to Seon Woo Jin.

“But why did you come?”

In response to my question, Seon Woo Jin answered.

“Just because.”

It was truly a concise answer. Well, what did I expect from you? It was very Seon Woo Jin-like, seeming to have changed but not changed at all. I playfully said.

“It’s because you missed me, isn’t it?”

At that, Seon Woo Jin made a disgruntled face.

“Didn’t you say not to tell you that I miss you?”

“That’s right. Don’t say it.”

“What’s with that?”

I laughed and took Seon Woo Jin’s hand.

“Let’s have lunch together.”

Seon Woo Jin thought for a moment, then said.

“Want to go out and eat?”

And so, we secretly left through the school gate.

As we left the school, I was overcome with a sense of self-reproach.

‘Lee Ju Eun, you’ve really become a delinquent…’

I used to be a model student who never even thought about cutting class, let alone leaving school without permission. Well, that era might as well be a past life now.

‘It’s fine, I’m already a delinquent. Let’s just enjoy it.’

I tried to convince myself as I asked Seon Woo Jin.

“Where do you want to go?”

After a brief discussion, we decided to head to the bustling area near the school.

Although it was a busy area, the streets were quiet due to it being daytime. Occasionally, students in uniforms caught my eye, but even at a glance, they didn’t seem to be of good quality.

Oh, then did that mean I was also becoming a low-quality person for wandering around at this hour? I couldn’t even deny it…

‘So what? Let’s just live roughly.’

I entered a store with Seon Woo Jin.

Some time later.

We finished our meal and came back out.

“Ah, that was delicious.”

Seeing my satisfied face, Seon Woo Jin smirked. He said it was the happiest he had ever seen me look. I glared at him for a moment.

Anyhow, our stomachs were full, and we cheerfully returned to school.

But as we approached the school gate, Seon Woo Jin suddenly stopped in his tracks. I asked, puzzled.

“What’s wrong?”

Seon Woo Jin rummaged through his pockets and slightly furrowed his brows.

“Wait a moment, I left something behind. I’ll go back and get it.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“No, it’s fine. I can go alone.”

Leaving behind a promise to return quickly, Seon Woo Jin disappeared.

‘Well, he’ll be back soon.’

I thought leisurely and waited for Seon Woo Jin.

That was when it happened.

“Excuse me.”

Someone called out to me.

‘Hmm? What is it?’

I turned around.

And the moment I confirmed the identity of the person who had called me, I froze stiffly.

The man smiled.

“It’s been a while.”

It was none other than Choi Yu Han, wearing a Haeseong High School uniform.