Chapter 4: A Seat Beside Me
3077 Words
Opening
The chapter opens the next morning.
Seo-ah wakes up smiling.
She quietly whispers to herself,
"Kang Min-jae..."
Then she blushes.
"I finally know your name."
The Umbrella
The morning sky was covered with dark clouds.
Seo-ah walked carefully along the sidewalk, tapping her white cane against the pavement.
A cold drop landed on her hand.
"...Rain?"
Within seconds, the drizzle became a heavy downpour.
"Oh no..." she sighed, her uniform slowly soaking up water.
"What great timing..."
"I didn't even bring an umbrella."
She hugged her school bag closer and continued walking.
Suddenly...
The rain stopped.
Seo-ah blinked in confusion.
"Huh?"
She tilted her head and smiled.
"I guess it stopped already."
Without another thought, she stepped forward.
The umbrella stayed where it was.
The moment she walked out from beneath it—
Splash!
The heavy rain poured over her again.
"Ahhh!"
She slipped on the wet pavement.
Before she could fall...
A warm hand caught her wrist.
Another hand gently pulled her back beneath the umbrella.
"You clumsy girl."
Seo-ah froze.
That calm, familiar voice...
Her cheeks instantly turned bright red.
"M-Min-jae?"
A small smile appeared on his face.
"You really thought the rain stopped?"
Seo-ah looked down, embarrassed.
"...I couldn't exactly see it."
Min-jae blinked.
Then, for the first time...
He laughed.
A soft, quiet laugh.
Seo-ah's face grew even redder.
"...Don't laugh."
"I'm already embarrassed enough."
He stopped laughing and held the umbrella a little closer so neither of them got wet.
"Let's go."
They began walking side by side beneath the same umbrella.
Only the sound of falling rain filled the silence.
After a few moments...
Min-jae spoke.
"Didn't I tell you..."
"...Whenever you feel silence..."
Seo-ah smiled before he could finish.
"...It's Kang Min-jae."
He looked at her.
A small smile appeared on his lips.
"Looks like you remembered."
She held the strap of her bag tightly.
"I'll always remember."
The two continued walking together beneath one umbrella as the morning rain fell around them.
Ahead of them...
The school gates slowly came into view.
"We're going to be late," Min-jae said.
Seo-ah laughed softly.
"Then we'd better hurry."
For the first time...
They walked into school together.
Classroom
The classroom buzzed with conversation as students chatted before the first bell.
The moment the classroom door slid open...
Every voice stopped.
Min-jae stepped inside first, holding the umbrella in one hand.
Beside him, Yoon Seo-ah carefully followed with her white cane.
For a second...
The entire room fell into complete silence.
Then—
Whispers exploded from every corner.
"...Isn't that Kang Min-jae?"
"He came to school with the new girl?"
"Weren't they sharing one umbrella?"
"No way..."
"I've never seen him walk beside a girl before."
"Did you see him smiling?"
"I swear I did!"
Seo-ah tilted her head slightly, hearing the whispers around her.
She lowered her eyes.
"...Are they talking about us?"
Min-jae glanced at her.
"...Ignore them."
She gave a small nod.
"...Okay."
As they walked farther into the classroom, more students turned in their seats to stare.
Even the boys looked confused.
"...Since when does Kang Min-jae care about anyone?"
One of the girls whispered,
"Yesterday, he carried her."
"And today they came to school together."
"...What's going on?"
Near the window, Na-ri watched everything without saying a word.
Her fingers slowly tightened around the pen in her hand.
Crack.
The tip of the pen snapped.
No one noticed.
Her eyes never left Min-jae.
Why...
Why is he walking beside her?
Yesterday, he carried her.
Today they came together.
And...
Was he smiling?
No.
That couldn't be right.
Kang Min-jae never smiled.
Not at anyone.
Not even at me.
Her chest tightened with jealousy.
What does that blind girl have...
...that I don't?
She forced a sweet smile as Min-jae and Seo-ah approached.
"Oh?"
"So the two of you came together today?"
Her voice sounded cheerful.
But inside...
Her heart burned.
Seo-ah smiled politely.
"It started raining this morning."
"I forgot my umbrella."
"...Min-jae helped me."
Na-ri's smile froze for the briefest moment.
"...I see."
Min-jae didn't even look at Na-ri.
Instead, he quietly pulled Seo-ah's chair back for her.
"Your seat."
Seo-ah smiled brightly.
"Thank you."
She carefully sat down.
The classroom watched in complete disbelief.
One boy rubbed his eyes.
"...I'm dreaming."
Another whispered,
"Did Kang Min-jae just pull out her chair?"
"No..."
"The world is ending."
A few girls exchanged shocked glances.
"...Who is this transfer student?"
Na-ri looked away before anyone could notice the anger building in her eyes.
Fine...
If this is the game you want to play...
I'll make sure she regrets coming here.
At the front of the room...
Han-jo had been watching the entire scene with his mouth hanging open.
He slowly walked over to Min-jae.
"...Bro."
Min-jae looked at him.
"What?"
Han-jo blinked twice.
"...Who are you..."
"...and what have you done with Kang Min-jae?"
For the first time that morning...
A tiny smile appeared on Min-jae's face.
"...Shut up."
Han-jo gasped dramatically.
"You smiled again!"
The entire class turned to look.
Min-jae sighed, rubbed his forehead, and muttered,
"...You're so loud."
Han-jo grinned.
"...Yep."
"Something is definitely going on.
During Class
The classroom fell into silence as the teacher continued writing equations across the whiteboard.
"Everyone, copy these notes into your notebooks," Ms. Kim said.
The sound of pens scratching against paper quickly filled the room.
Seo-ah slowly reached into her pencil case.
With careful movements, she searched for her pencil.
Just as she pulled it out...
It slipped from between her fingers.
"Ah!"
The pencil rolled across the floor.
Seo-ah immediately bent down, reaching around the floor with both hands.
"...Where did it go?"
She smiled awkwardly.
"I'm sorry..."
"I always do this."
The students nearby glanced at her, but no one moved to help.
Na-ri quietly watched from her seat, pretending not to notice.
Seo-ah continued searching.
"...It should be here..."
Suddenly...
A warm hand gently picked up the pencil.
Min-jae quietly placed it into her open hand.
"There."
Seo-ah paused.
A soft smile spread across her face.
"...You always appear before I even ask."
Min-jae looked away, trying to hide the small smile tugging at his lips.
"You drop things a lot."
Seo-ah immediately puffed out her cheeks.
"...I do not."
"You do."
"I don't."
"You dropped your pencil yesterday."
Seo-ah blinked.
"...That only happened once."
Min-jae raised an eyebrow.
"This morning..."
"You almost dropped your school bag."
Seo-ah looked embarrassed.
"...That doesn't count."
"And outside the school gate..."
"You almost dropped your umbrella."
She quickly crossed her arms.
"I was distracted!"
A quiet chuckle escaped Min-jae before he could stop it.
Seo-ah's eyes widened.
"...You laughed."
Min-jae immediately cleared his throat and looked back at the front of the classroom.
"I didn't."
"You did."
"I didn't."
A tiny smile appeared on Seo-ah's face.
"...You sound happier when you laugh."
Min-jae froze for a brief moment.
No one had ever said something like that to him before.
He slowly looked at her.
Seo-ah wasn't looking at him.
She was simply smiling to herself as she held the pencil he had returned.
"...Thank you," she whispered.
Min-jae quietly turned back toward the board.
"...You're welcome."
Across the room...
Han-jo stared with his mouth hanging open.
He rubbed his eyes.
"...No way."
"Did Kang Min-jae just laugh?"
The boy sitting beside him whispered,
"I think we're dreaming."
Near the window, Na-ri watched the entire exchange.
Her nails dug into the palm of her hand.
Why...
Why does he smile because of her?
He has never smiled like that...
Not even once...
Her expression darkened as she turned away.
After School
The final bell echoed throughout the school.
Students quickly packed their bags, chatting excitedly as they rushed out of the classroom.
Seo-ah carefully folded her notebook and reached for her white cane.
Before she could stand...
A familiar voice spoke beside her.
"...Ready?"
A warm smile spread across her face.
"Min-jae?"
He gave a small nod.
"Let's go."
"Okay."
He quietly walked beside her, making sure no desks or chairs were in her way.
The two left the classroom together.
The hallway buzzed with whispers as students watched them disappear down the corridor.
"...They're leaving together again."
"I swear they're dating."
"No way."
"It has to be a rumor."
As soon as they reached the school entrance—
"BRO!!"
Han-jo came running across the courtyard, waving both arms dramatically.
He stopped in front of them, slightly out of breath.
"Kang Min-jae!"
Min-jae sighed.
"...What?"
Han-jo pointed at the umbrella in Min-jae's hand.
"Since when do you share umbrellas with girls?"
Silence.
Min-jae simply walked past him.
Han-jo quickly caught up.
"No, seriously!"
"You?"
"The guy who ignores every girl in school?"
He placed a hand over his chest dramatically.
"My heart can't take this."
Seo-ah let out a small laugh.
Han-jo turned toward her with a bright smile.
"Seo-ah, do you know something?"
She tilted her head.
"Hm?"
"This guy..."
He pointed directly at Min-jae.
"...has rejected every single girl who's confessed to him."
Seo-ah blinked in surprise.
"...R-Really?"
Han-jo nodded so hard it looked like his head might fall off.
"Really!"
"First year..."
"Rejected."
"Second year..."
"Rejected."
"Even the student council president confessed."
"Rejected."
"There were love letters..."
"Flowers..."
"Chocolate..."
"He ignored all of them."
Seo-ah covered her mouth in surprise.
"...Wow..."
She slowly turned toward Min-jae.
"So..."
"You've never walked with another girl before?"
Min-jae rubbed his forehead.
"...Han-jo."
"...Be quiet."
Han-jo grinned even wider.
"Aha!"
"You didn't deny it!"
Seo-ah couldn't help smiling.
"So..."
"I'm the first?"
For a brief moment...
Min-jae looked away, looking almost embarrassed.
"...Yes."
Seo-ah's cheeks turned pink.
Han-jo stared at both of them.
"...No way."
"The Ice Prince actually admitted it."
He looked toward the sky dramatically.
"What kind of miracle is happening today?"
Min-jae sighed.
"You're embarrassing yourself."
Han-jo laughed.
"No..."
"I'm embarrassing you."
Seo-ah giggled softly.
The sound made both boys pause.
Min-jae glanced at her for a moment before a faint smile appeared on his face.
Han-jo's eyes widened.
"...He smiled again."
He pointed at Min-jae in complete disbelief.
"Seo-ah!"
"I've known this guy for years."
"I've never seen him smile this much."
Seo-ah smiled shyly.
"...Maybe..."
"...he just needed someone to smile with."
For a moment...
Min-jae stood completely still.
Her words caught him off guard.
A gentle warmth spread through his chest.
He quietly looked away so neither of them would notice.
"...Let's go."
Seo-ah smiled.
"Okay."
As they walked away together...
Han-jo remained standing at the school gate, watching them disappear into the crowd.
He scratched the back of his head.
"...Who exactly are you, Yoon Seo-ah?"
"...And why are you changing Kang Min-jae?"
The breeze carried away his words as he watched the two figures walk side by side.
Lunch Break
The lunch bell echoed throughout the school.
Students immediately poured out of their classrooms, laughing and chatting as they rushed toward the cafeteria.
Seo-ah carefully stood from her chair, holding her white cane.
She smiled to herself.
"I think..."
"I can find him."
Slowly, she walked through the busy hallway.
She couldn't see...
But she listened.
Hundreds of footsteps echoed around her.
Students talking.
Lockers closing.
Chairs scraping.
Then...
She heard one pair of footsteps.
Steady.
Calm.
Unhurried.
A small smile spread across her face.
"...Min-jae."
She quietly followed the sound.
Just as the footsteps stopped...
Seo-ah smiled brightly.
"Kang Min-jae?"
Min-jae turned around in surprise.
"...Seo-ah?"
She nodded happily.
"I finally found you."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"...How?"
She laughed softly.
"I recognized your footsteps."
Min-jae blinked.
"My footsteps?"
"Mhm."
"They're quiet..."
"...but somehow, I always know it's you."
For a moment...
He couldn't find the right words.
His heart skipped a beat.
Seo-ah held her lunch tray with both hands.
After a small pause, she asked shyly,
"...Can I eat with you?"
Min-jae looked at her for a second.
Then he quietly nodded.
"...Okay."
Seo-ah's face immediately brightened.
"Really?"
"Mhm."
"Thank you!"
The two walked toward an empty table near the window.
Min-jae gently pulled out a chair.
"It's here."
Seo-ah carefully reached out until her fingers touched the chair.
She smiled.
"Thank you."
As they sat down...
A loud voice suddenly echoed across the cafeteria.
"WAIT A SECOND!!"
Both of them turned.
Han-jo stood frozen a few steps away, holding his lunch tray.
His eyes were wide open.
He looked at Min-jae.
Then at Seo-ah.
Then back at Min-jae again.
"...No way."
He slowly walked over.
"...You two..."
"...are eating together?"
Seo-ah smiled warmly.
"Yes."
Han-jo stared at Min-jae in complete disbelief.
"Bro..."
"You've known her for..."
He dramatically held up one finger.
"...ONE DAY."
Min-jae calmly picked up his chopsticks.
"So?"
Han-jo almost dropped his tray.
"...'So?'"
"'SO?!'"
He pointed at Min-jae with shaking hands.
"You don't even eat lunch with ME half the time!"
Seo-ah couldn't help laughing.
"Really?"
Han-jo nodded dramatically.
"Really!"
"Sometimes I have to search the entire school just to find him."
"And now..."
"He willingly came to eat lunch with a girl."
He placed a hand over his heart.
"I've been replaced."
Seo-ah giggled.
"I'm sorry."
Han-jo sighed dramatically.
"It's okay."
"I'll survive."
"...Probably."
Min-jae finally looked up.
"You're being noisy."
Han-jo gasped.
"See?!"
"He's talking more, too!"
Seo-ah smiled.
"I think it's nice."
Han-jo blinked.
"What is?"
"You two."
She tilted her head.
"You make each other smile."
Han-jo looked at Min-jae.
Then at Seo-ah.
A slow grin spread across his face.
"...You know what?"
"I like you."
Seo-ah laughed.
"I'm glad."
Han-jo pointed at Min-jae.
"But this guy..."
"...He's impossible."
Min-jae sighed.
"...Finish your lunch."
Han-jo chuckled.
"Yes, sir."
As the three of them continued eating...
Across the cafeteria...
Na-ri stood quietly with her friends.
Her eyes were locked on one table.
Kang Min-jae.
Laughing.
Talking.
Eating lunch.
With Yoon Seo-ah.
The tray in Na-ri's hands trembled slightly.
One of her friends noticed.
"Na-ri?"
She forced a smile.
"...I'm fine."
But deep inside...
Her jealousy quietly began to grow.
Why...
Why is she the only one who can make him smile?
The question echoed in her mind as she watched them together.
After School
The final school bell echoed through the hallways.
Students quickly packed their bags and hurried out of their classrooms, eager to go home.
The once-noisy corridors slowly grew quieter.
Outside, the afternoon sky was painted with soft shades of orange and gold as the sun began to set.
A gentle breeze rustled through the trees lining the school entrance.
Seo-ah stood quietly near the front gate, holding her white cane with both hands.
She wasn't walking.
She was waiting.
Minutes passed.
Students continued leaving one after another.
Then...
She heard it.
Steady footsteps.
Calm.
Unhurried.
A small smile slowly appeared on her face.
"...Min-jae?"
The footsteps came to a stop.
"...Yeah."
Relief spread across Seo-ah's face.
"I knew it was you."
Min-jae looked at her curiously.
"...How?"
She laughed softly.
"I'm getting better at recognizing your footsteps."
"They're always so quiet..."
"...but somehow..."
"I never mistake them."
For a brief moment...
Min-jae couldn't help smiling.
"...You're amazing."
Seo-ah blushed slightly.
"I just listen carefully."
Silence settled between them.
But it wasn't awkward.
It was the kind of silence that felt comforting.
Seo-ah gently tightened her grip on her cane.
"...Min-jae?"
"Hm?"
"...Can I ask you something?"
He looked at her.
"...What is it?"
She hesitated for a moment, nervously fidgeting with the strap of her school bag.
Then, gathering her courage, she smiled.
"...Can we..."
"...be friends?"
Time seemed to stop.
Min-jae's smile slowly disappeared.
Her words echoed inside his mind.
Friends...
Suddenly—
Blood.
Jagged rocks.
A frightened little girl is crying.
"You did this!"
"I... I didn't..."
His breathing became uneven.
His fingers clenched into fists.
How could he become her friend...
...when he believed he was the reason her world had gone dark?
He slowly looked back at Seo-ah.
She stood there patiently, wearing the same gentle smile.
No hatred.
No fear.
Only kindness.
His heart tightened.
Very quietly...
Almost like a whisper...
"...We already are."
Seo-ah blinked.
Then her face lit up brighter than the evening sky.
"Really?"
A warm smile spread across her lips.
"I'm so happy."
She slowly reached one hand toward him.
"Then..."
"...let's be good friends."
Min-jae looked at her outstretched hand.
He hesitated.
His mind told him to walk away.
His heart told him to stay.
After a long moment...
He gently placed his hand in hers.
Their fingers met.
A simple handshake.
Yet somehow...
It felt like the beginning of something much bigger.
Seo-ah smiled so brightly that even though she couldn't see...
It felt as if she was lighting up the world around her.
"...Thank you, Min-jae."
He looked at their joined hands.
For the first time in years...
The smile on his face wasn't forced.
It was real.
A quiet, genuine smile.
Seo-ah tilted her head.
"...Are you smiling?"
Min-jae blinked.
"...How did you know?"
She giggled softly.
"I can't explain it..."
"...But I can hear smiles."
For a moment...
Min-jae simply stared at her.
Then he laughed.
A soft, genuine laugh that even surprised himself.
Seo-ah laughed along with him.
The setting sun bathed the two of them in warm golden light.
Neither of them realized...
That this small promise of friendship...
Would one day become the most precious bond either of them had ever known.
For a moment...
Neither of them spoke.
Then Seo-ah smiled again.
"You know..."
Min-jae looked at her.
"...What?"
She lowered her head for a moment before speaking softly.
"I don't think..."
"...silence feels lonely anymore."
Min-jae blinked.
"...Why?"
A gentle smile spread across her face.
"Because..."
"...whenever everything becomes quiet..."
She turned slightly toward him.
"...I know you're beside me."
Min-jae froze.
His heart skipped a beat.
No one had ever trusted him so completely.
No one had ever made silence feel so warm.
Seo-ah smiled one last time.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Min-jae."
She gave a small wave before carefully walking toward her home.
Min-jae remained where he was.
Watching her disappear little by little down the quiet street.
A faint smile slowly appeared on his face.
For the first time in years...
He realized something.
He didn't regret walking beside her.
Not for a single second.
As the evening breeze carried away the silence between them...
It no longer felt empty.
It carried the promise that neither of them would ever have to walk alone again.
Chapter End
To Be Continued...
- Writer
