Unfamiliar Feelings
934 Words
The rest of the day passed in an uneasy silence.
After the incident on the rooftop, rumors spread through Haneul Academy once again.
This time, they were worse.
"Did you hear? Min-jun went to the rooftop because of her."
"I heard he was worried about her."
"Impossible."
"But why else would he go there?"
Seo-yeon lowered her head as she walked through the hallway.
She could feel everyone's eyes on her.
Again.
It was exhausting.
She had only been at this school for a few days, yet somehow, she had already become the center of attention.
And she hated it.
As she opened her locker, she let out a soft sigh.
Why couldn't everyone simply leave her alone?
"You're becoming famous."
Seo-yeon jumped slightly.
Turning around, she found Lee Ji-ho standing behind her with a smile.
"Sunbae."
Ji-ho chuckled.
"You look stressed."
"I'm fine."
He raised an eyebrow.
"You say that a lot."
Seo-yeon blinked.
For some reason, those words sounded familiar.
It was exactly what Min-jun had said earlier.
Ji-ho smiled softly.
"You don't always have to pretend to be okay."
For a brief moment, Seo-yeon didn't know what to say.
Before she could answer, a group of girls suddenly passed by.
Their eyes immediately landed on her.
One of them scoffed.
"Unbelievable."
Another crossed her arms.
"First Min-jun. Now Ji-ho?"
"She's really something."
The girls walked away, whispering among themselves.
Seo-yeon sighed.
Ji-ho looked amused.
"You really are popular."
She looked at him.
"This isn't popularity."
"True."
A small smile appeared on her lips.
For the first time that day.
Ji-ho noticed.
And smiled as well.
Unfortunately—
someone else noticed too.
Near the staircase, Kang Min-jun stood silently.
His eyes were fixed on them.
More specifically—
on Seo-yeon.
And the fact that she was smiling.
For some reason...
he didn't like it.
His brows furrowed slightly.
Why?
Why did it bother him?
Ji-ho was simply talking to her.
That was all.
Then why did he suddenly feel irritated?
"Min-jun?"
A friend standing beside him looked confused.
"What are you looking at?"
Min-jun looked away immediately.
"Nothing."
The friend followed his gaze.
Then his eyes widened.
"Oh."
A grin slowly appeared on his face.
"I see."
Min-jun frowned.
"You see what?"
The boy chuckled.
"I've known you for years."
"So?"
"So I've never seen you stare at someone for this long."
"I wasn't staring."
"Sure."
Min-jun's expression darkened.
"I wasn't."
The boy laughed.
"If you say so."
Without another word, Min-jun walked away.
Yet his expression remained cold.
Something felt strange.
Ever since Han Seo-yeon had entered his life...
everything had become strange.
The familiar feeling.
The blurry memories.
And now—
this irritation.
He didn't understand any of it.
---
After classes ended, Seo-yeon headed toward the library.
The campus had become quieter.
The setting sun painted the sky in shades of orange and pink.
She loved this time of day.
It reminded her that no matter how difficult the day had been—
it would eventually end.
As she walked, she suddenly heard footsteps behind her.
Thinking it was another student, she ignored it.
But the footsteps continued.
She slowly turned around.
Then blinked.
Kang Min-jun.
He had his hands in his pockets as usual.
His expression remained unreadable.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
"...Do you need something?"
Min-jun looked at her.
"...No."
"...Then why are you following me?"
Silence.
Even he didn't know.
Seo-yeon looked confused.
Min-jun sighed softly.
"I wasn't following you."
"...Really?"
"..."
"..."
She didn't look convinced.
For some reason, that annoyed him.
"Believe whatever you want."
Seo-yeon quickly shook her head.
"No, that's not what I meant."
Again.
Silence.
A soft breeze passed by.
Cherry blossom petals drifted gently through the air.
For a brief moment—
everything felt strangely peaceful.
Seo-yeon looked up at the petals.
"They're pretty."
Min-jun unconsciously followed her gaze.
The petals slowly fell around them.
Then—
something flashed.
Pink.
Warm sunlight.
Children laughing.
And a soft voice.
A voice he couldn't understand.
The image disappeared immediately.
Min-jun frowned.
Again.
Why did these strange feelings keep appearing?
"...Are you okay?"
Seo-yeon's voice pulled him back.
He looked at her.
Her eyes were filled with concern.
Concern.
For him.
Strange.
Most people approached him because of his family.
Because of his status.
Because they wanted something.
But this girl...
She looked at him as if he were just another person.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
"...I'm fine."
Seo-yeon stared at him.
Then—
a tiny smile appeared on her lips.
"Liar."
Min-jun blinked.
"...What?"
"You don't look fine."
Silence.
For some reason—
those words made his chest tighten.
Because she was right.
He wasn't fine.
Not at all.
And for the first time in a long while—
someone had noticed.
The two stood there quietly.
Neither of them said anything.
Yet somehow—
the silence didn't feel uncomfortable.
It felt...
nice.
Then suddenly—
"Min-jun!"
A voice called out.
The moment was broken.
Yoo Na-ri walked toward them.
Her smile immediately faded when she saw Seo-yeon.
Again.
It was always her.
Na-ri forced a smile.
"I've been looking for you."
Min-jun's expression immediately became colder.
"What is it?"
"I just wanted to talk."
She glanced at Seo-yeon.
"But I guess you're busy."
Seo-yeon immediately stepped back.
"I should go."
Before anyone could stop her, she turned and walked away.
Na-ri watched her leave.
Then she looked at Min-jun.
"...Why her?"
Min-jun frowned.
"What?"
"Why do you keep paying attention to her?"
Silence.
Because honestly—
he didn't know either.
And that answer frightened him the most.
- Writer
