Episode 8: Say It Again
1369 Words
The campus was louder than usual.
Maybe because finals were approaching.
Maybe because everyone suddenly had something to prove.
Or maybe—
Because her heart wouldn’t stay still.
—
“…You look better.”
She turned.
“…I *am* better.”
Her classmate smiled, walking beside her.
“I mean it. You disappeared for two days.”
“…I was sick.”
“Yeah, I heard.”
She blinked.
“…You heard?”
“News spreads fast.”
“…That’s embarrassing.”
He chuckled.
“It just means people care.”
She didn’t answer.
Because for some reason—
The only person she thought about during those two days…
Wasn’t him.
—
They reached a quieter part of the campus.
Near the side garden.
Fewer people.
Softer noise.
A little too quiet.
—
“…Hey,” he said suddenly.
She looked at him.
“…Yeah?”
“I’ve been meaning to tell you something.”
Her steps slowed.
“…What is it?”
He hesitated.
Ran a hand through his hair.
Then looked straight at her.
“I like you.”
—
Silence.
Everything stilled.
Her mind—
Blank.
“…What?”
“I like you,” he repeated, a little more nervous now. “I’ve liked you for a while.”
Her heart didn’t react the way it should have.
No flutter.
No excitement.
Just—
Confusion.
—
“I know you’re busy,” he continued quickly. “With graduation, work… everything. I’m not asking for anything big. I just—wanted you to know.”
She looked at him.
Really looked.
Kind.
Genuine.
Safe.
The kind of person she *should* like.
—
But—
“…I’m sorry,” she said softly.
His expression faltered.
“…You don’t feel the same?”
She hesitated.
Because the truth was—
She didn’t know what she felt.
Just that—
It wasn’t for him.
“…I don’t think I can answer you right now.”
“…Because you’re unsure?”
“…Because…”
Her voice softened.
“…There’s someone else I keep thinking about.”
—
Behind the trees—
Someone froze.
—
He hadn’t meant to come here.
He had just finished something nearby.
Just passing by.
Just coincidence.
—
Until he heard her voice.
—
“…There’s someone else…”
His hand tightened slightly at his side.
Unconsciously.
—
“…Do you like him?” the classmate asked.
She looked down.
“…I don’t know.”
“…But you’re thinking about him.”
“…Yeah.”
“…Is it serious?”
She let out a small breath.
“…It’s complicated.”
—
Behind the tree—
His jaw tightened.
Complicated.
—
“…Does he know?” the classmate asked.
“…No.”
“…Then tell him.”
Her heart skipped.
“…I can’t.”
“Why?”
“…Because I don’t even understand it myself.”
—
Silence.
Then—
“I see,” the classmate said quietly.
A small smile.
Bittersweet.
“Well… I tried.”
“…I’m really sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
He stepped back.
“…Whoever he is—he’s lucky.”
—
She watched him leave.
Guilt lingering in her chest.
But something else too.
Something heavier.
—
“…Someone else…”
She whispered it to herself.
Trying to understand it.
Trying to deny it.
Trying—
And failing.
—
Behind her—
A branch snapped lightly.
She turned.
“…Huh?”
But no one was there.
—
—
That evening—
The room felt normal again.
Too normal.
Like nothing had changed.
Except—
Something had.
—
She walked in.
Dropping her bag.
“I’m back.”
“…Mm.”
That was it.
No teasing.
No comments.
No usual energy.
—
She frowned.
“…You’re quiet.”
“I’m always quiet.”
“…No, you’re not.”
“…You’re imagining things.”
She stepped closer.
“…Did something happen?”
“No.”
“…You’re lying.”
“I’m not.”
“…You are.”
He stood up.
“…Why do you care?”
She froze.
“…What?”
“Why does it matter if something happened to me?”
Her chest tightened.
“…Because—”
“Because what?”
He looked at her.
Not teasing.
Not soft.
Something else.
Something sharper.
—
“…Because we’re roommates?” she said unsurely.
A pause.
Then—
“…Right.”
That answer—
Didn’t sit well with him.
—
“…What’s wrong with you?” she asked, frustration rising.
“Nothing.”
“Then stop acting like this!”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re mad at me!”
“I’m not.”
“You are!”
“I said I’m not.”
“…Then look at me and say it.”
Silence.
—
He didn’t.
—
Her heart sank.
“…What did I do?”
“…Nothing.”
“Then why are you like this?”
“…Ask the guy from earlier.”
Her breath stopped.
“…What?”
He laughed lightly.
But there was no humor in it.
“…Garden. Confession. Ring a bell?”
Her eyes widened.
“…You—heard that?”
“I wasn’t trying to.”
“…How much did you hear?”
“Enough.”
Silence.
Heavy.
Tense.
—
“…Then you know I didn’t accept,” she said quietly.
“…That’s not the point.”
“Then what is?!”
“…You said there’s someone else.”
Her heart started racing.
“…So?”
“…So who is it?”
She froze.
“…Why does it matter?”
“Because you said you keep thinking about him.”
“…I do.”
“…Then say it.”
Her breath caught.
“…Say what?”
“…His name.”
The room felt smaller again.
Just like before.
But this time—
He wasn’t teasing.
He wasn’t playing.
—
He was serious.
—
“…Why do you want to know?” she whispered.
“Because I do.”
“…That’s not a reason.”
“…It is for me.”
—
Silence.
Her heart pounding.
His gaze unwavering.
—
“…I don’t know how to say it,” she admitted softly.
“…Try.”
“…It’s not that simple.”
“…It is.”
“…No, it’s not!”
Her voice cracked slightly.
“…Because what if I’m wrong?”
“…About what?”
“…About what I feel.”
A pause.
Then—
“…Then figure it out.”
“…I’m trying.”
“…Try faster.”
“…Why are you rushing me?!”
“…Because I don’t like it.”
“…Don’t like what?!”
“…The idea of someone else.”
Silence.
—
Everything stopped.
—
“…Why?” she whispered.
He didn’t answer immediately.
Because saying it—
Would change everything.
—
“…Say it,” she said, softer now.
“…Why?”
He looked at her.
Really looked.
And this time—
There was no teasing.
No walls.
No distance.
—
“…Because I don’t want you to like anyone else.”
Her breath caught.
—
“…That’s not fair,” she whispered.
“…I know.”
“…Then why say it?”
“…Because it’s true.”
—
Her heart felt like it might burst.
“…You’re making this harder.”
“…Good.”
“…Why?!”
“…Because you keep pretending you don’t feel it too.”
Silence.
—
“…Feel what?” she asked, barely audible.
He stepped closer.
Slow.
Careful.
But certain.
—
“…Me.”
—
Her breath hitched.
Again.
—
And suddenly—
Everything made sense.
—
Why she couldn’t accept the confession.
Why she kept thinking about him.
Why everything felt complicated.
—
Because it wasn’t confusion.
It was him.
—
“…Say it again,” she whispered.
A pause.
Then softly—
“…I don’t want you to like anyone else.”
Her eyes softened.
Heart racing.
—
“…That’s a problem,” she said.
“…Why?”
“…Because I think I already do.”
Silence.
—
“…Who?” he asked.
Even though—
He already knew.
—
She looked at him.
No hesitation this time.
No confusion.
—
“…You.”
—
And just like that—
Everything changed.
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