Our Secret Spring

The Promise Under the Blossoms

The rumors didn't disappear.

If anything, they grew louder.

Everywhere Kang Ji-ah walked, she could feel eyes following her.

Some girls whispered behind their hands.

Some laughed.

Others simply stared.

She kept her head down and focused on her classes.

"Ignore them," Ha-neul whispered as they walked toward chemistry.

"They'll get bored eventually."

Ji-ah forced a smile.

"I hope so."

But deep down, she wasn't sure.

The final bell rang just before noon.

An announcement echoed through the school speakers.

"Attention, students. Due to preparations for next week's Spring Festival, all afternoon classes are canceled."

The hallways instantly exploded with cheers.

"The festival!"

"I can't wait!"

Ji-ah smiled.

The Spring Festival was Haneul High's biggest event of the year. There would be food stalls, games, music, and performances.

She had always loved it.

"Ji-ah!"

She turned.

Seo-jun jogged toward her, holding a basketball.

"Are you free this afternoon?"

She hesitated.

"I promised my mom I'd be home early."

"Oh..."

His disappointment was obvious.

"But..." she continued, "I have an hour before I need to leave."

His face brightened.

"Then let me show you something."

Seo-jun led her to the back of the school.

There was a small hill overlooking the campus.

At the top stood a magnificent cherry blossom tree, its branches heavy with delicate pink flowers.

The petals drifted lazily through the breeze, covering the grass like a blanket.

"It's beautiful," Ji-ah whispered.

"Not many students know about this place," Seo-jun said.

"My grandfather planted this tree when the school first opened."

She looked at him in surprise.

"Really?"

He nodded.

"When I was little, I'd come here whenever I wanted to be alone."

Ji-ah smiled.

"I can see why."

The two sat beneath the tree in comfortable silence.

For the first time in days...

Neither of them felt the pressure of curious eyes.

"So," Seo-jun said after a while.

"What do you want to become?"

"A doctor."

His eyes widened.

"That's a difficult path."

"I know."

She looked toward the sky.

"My mom works two jobs."

"She says if I become a doctor, I'll be able to help people who can't help themselves."

Seo-jun admired the determination in her voice.

"And you?"

Ji-ah asked.

"What do you really want?"

He laughed softly.

"Everyone thinks they know."

"They expect me to become CEO."

"But..."

He looked down at his hands.

"I've never told anyone this."

Ji-ah waited.

"I want to build hospitals."

She blinked.

"Hospitals?"

He nodded.

"My grandmother died because she couldn't receive treatment in time."

"Ever since then..."

"I've wanted to make sure other families don't experience that pain."

Ji-ah smiled warmly.

"I think she'd be proud of you."

Their eyes met.

Neither of them looked away.

Suddenly...

A strong gust of wind swept through the hill.

Hundreds of cherry blossom petals surrounded them.

One petal landed gently in Ji-ah's hair.

Without thinking...

Seo-jun reached out.

His fingers brushed against her hair as he carefully removed it.

Their faces were only inches apart.

Ji-ah's heart raced.

So did his.

Neither noticed someone watching from behind the trees.

Click.

Another photograph.

This time, it clearly showed Seo-jun touching Ji-ah's hair.

The photographer smiled.

"This should make Miss Min-seo very happy."

That evening...

Ji-ah returned home to their small apartment.

The delicious smell of kimchi stew greeted her.

Her mother stood in the kitchen, smiling.

"You're home."

Ji-ah hugged her tightly.

"What was that for?" her mother laughed.

"I just... missed you."

Her mother gently stroked her hair.

"You've had a good day, haven't you?"

Ji-ah smiled shyly.

"I think... I made a new friend."

Her mother noticed the sparkle in her daughter's eyes.

She smiled but said nothing.

Sometimes...

A mother could recognize first love before her child did.

Across the city...

Inside a luxurious mansion...

Choi Min-seo stared at the latest photographs spread across her bedroom desk.

One showed Seo-jun smiling.

Another showed him sitting beneath the cherry blossoms with Ji-ah.

The last one showed him gently touching her hair.

Her hands trembled with rage.

She slowly picked up a lighter.

One by one...

She burned every photograph.

"I warned you," she whispered coldly.

"If I can't have him..."

"...no one will."

The flames reflected in her eyes as a chilling smile spread across her face.

Outside her bedroom door, someone had overheard every word.

And that person quietly reached for their phone.