Chapter 3: The Voice She Couldn't Forget
1112 Words
Rooftop
Seo-ah slowly reached her hand toward the direction of his voice.
"...Can you tell me your name?"
Min-jae's heart tightened, a wave of guilt twisting inside him.
He hesitated, longing to answer, but the weight of his secret pressed down hard.
Every time Seo-ah reached out, he felt both pulled toward her and trapped by the
memory of
what he had done.
Swallowing back the words he wished he could say, he quietly stepped back.
He quietly stepped back.
Her fingers touched nothing but the empty air.
She gave an awkward smile.
"...Did you leave already?"
Silence.
She lowered her head.
"I guess... You don't want me to know."
"...Even so..."
"Thank you."
Min-jae turned and walked away.
The Nurse's Office
Min-jae entered the empty nurse's office.
He searched through the cabinet and picked up a bandage, disinfectant, and an ankle wrap.
As he left, he whispered to himself,
"I'm sorry, Seo-ah..."
I don't deserve to stand beside you.
Every time I look at you, I'm reminded that it was my mistake that took away your sight.
The weight of that truth presses down on me, making me feel unworthy of your kindness.
Back on the Rooftop
The rooftop was quiet.
The afternoon sun painted the floor in warm golden light while a gentle breeze drifted through the air.
Seo-ah sat alone on the bench, gently rubbing her ankle.
"Ah..."
"I really can't walk now."
She laughed bitterly.
"Stupid me..."
A faint sound of bottles and medicine echoed closer.
She turned toward it.
"...Is someone there?"
No answer.
Min-jae slowly knelt in front of her.
Inside, his heart screamed.
I'm the reason you lost your sight...
I don't deserve your gratitude...
I can't let you know who I am.
He carefully reached for her hand.
Seo-ah immediately pulled it back.
"W-Who are you?"
"Please... stay away."
Her voice trembled with fear.
Without thinking...
Min-jae spoke.
"Seo-ah..."
The moment she heard that gentle voice...
Her tense shoulders relaxed.
A small smile appeared.
"...It's you."
"The person who helped me."
She giggled softly.
"Your voice always disappears whenever I ask your name."
Min-jae looked away.
"...Give me your hand."
Without hesitation, she placed her hand in his.
His fingers gently supported her ankle as he cleaned the scrape and wrapped it with a bandage.
Neither of them spoke.
Only the sound of the wind filled the empty rooftop.
The silence wasn't uncomfortable.
It was peaceful.
After a few minutes...
"It's done."
"You shouldn't walk too much today."
Seo-ah looked down with a shy smile.
"Thank you..."
"It's because I'm so clumsy."
"I can't even walk properly now."
She laughed quietly.
"But..."
"I'm happy."
"At least this time..."
"I got to thank you."
"I don't know who you are..."
"But..."
"You're a really kind person."
Min-jae couldn't help smiling.
He lowered his head.
"So..."
"That's still the kind of person you are..."
He whispered so quietly that only the wind could hear.
Just then—
Ring!
The school bell echoed across campus.
Seo-ah sighed.
"Class is starting."
"I guess I'll skip it."
She tried to stand.
The pain shot through her ankle.
"Ah..."
She almost fell again.
Min-jae quickly caught her.
Without another word...
He lifted her into his arms.
"W-Wait!"
"What are you doing?!"
"You'll be late!"
"You don't have to carry me!"
Her cheeks turned bright red.
She hid her face.
"...Am I that heavy?"
For the first time...
A quiet laugh escaped Min-jae.
Inside, he thought,
You really haven't changed.
Hallway
Students stopped walking.
"Is that Kang Min-jae?"
"He's carrying a girl!"
"No way..."
The whispers spread through the hallway.
Classroom
Na-ri was sitting in Seo-ah's seat.
Min-jae stopped beside her.
"Move."
Na-ri looked annoyed.
"What?"
"This isn't her seat anymore."
"And why are you carrying that blind girl?"
"She's just a creepy transfer student."
Inside, Na-ri's thoughts burned with jealousy.
Why her?
Why would Kang Min-jae touch someone like her?
He has never even looked at another girl before...
Min-jae's eyes turned cold.
"I'm only saying this once."
"Move."
"...Or you'll regret it."
Na-ri bit her lip.
"...Fine."
She stood up and slammed her chair.
"Take it."
Min-jae gently placed Seo-ah in the chair.
She smiled warmly.
"...Thank you."
He turned around and left .
Hallway
Han-jo ran after him.
"Bro!"
"The whole school is talking!"
"They're saying you carried a girl all the way here!"
"What happened to you?"
Min-jae kept walking.
"Nothing."
Han-jo frowned.
"You've never helped anyone."
"So why her?"
Min-jae finally stopped.
Without turning around, he answered,
"...Don't ask."
Then he walked away.
Cafeteria
Lunch break.
Seo-ah stood quietly outside the cafeteria.
"...It smells nice..."
"But..."
"I don't know where anything is."
She smiled sadly.
"I guess I'll just skip lunch."
Just then...
A tray was gently placed into her hands.
She looked surprised.
"W-Wait..."
"Is it you again?"
She turned toward the footsteps.
"Thank you!"
"But..."
"Can you at least tell me your name?"
Silence
A small smile appeared.
"...You're strange."
"But..."
"Thank you."
Min-jae silently picked up his water bottle and held it out toward her.
"Here... drink some water."
Seo-ah accepted it with both hands.
"Thank you."
After taking a few small sips, she handed it back with a gentle smile.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, after a brief hesitation, Min-jae finally broke the silence.
"...I'm Kang Min-jae."
Seo-ah's eyes brightened, and a warm smile spread across her face.
"So your name is Kang Min-jae..."
She placed a hand over her heart and bowed her head slightly.
"I'm Yoon Seo-ah."
She smiled softly.
"It's nice to finally know your name."
After a short pause, she let out a quiet laugh.
"You know..."
"You're a very quiet person..."
"...but somehow, you always manage to speak without using many words."
Min-jae looked at her for a long moment before speaking softly.
"...Now you know who I am."
Min-jae looked away.
"...Even if you don't know everything about me..."
"...Trust me."
Seo-ah smiled.
"I will."
He stood up.
Before leaving, he quietly said,
"Whenever you feel silence... it's me."
Seo-ah repeated the words softly.
"...Whenever I feel silence..."
"...It's Kang Min-jae."
Seo-ah smiled warmly.
"I won't forget it."
Han-jo stopped in his tracks, staring at the two of them.
Min-jae... sitting with a girl?
No... this can't be real.
The guy who never even looked at girls is actually talking to Yoon Seo-ah?
What on earth is going on?
Han-jo scratched his head.
Then he looked back at Seo-ah, who was quietly smiling while repeating one name over and over.
"...Kang Min-jae..."
Han-jo frowned.
Who exactly are you, Yoon Seo-ah...
And what happened between you two?
Chapter End
chapter ended
to be continued.
- Writer
