We started walking back from the beach, the sound of waves fading behind us.
The night air was cool, brushing softly against my skin. Neither of us said much, but the silence between us wasn't awkward, it was calm, almost peaceful.
When we reached the hotel entrance, warm lights spilled from the lobby. A few of our classmates were standing near the doors, laughing about something.
Among them, Seo-yeon spotted me immediately.
"There you are!" she said, walking over. Her eyes moved from me to Min-jae beside me, and her lips curved into a teasing grin.
"You've gotten closer, huh?"
The other girls giggled, whispering to each other.
Min-jae didn't seem to care ,he just smiled, placed his hand on my shoulder, and said casually,
"Yeah, so?"
The girls screamed quietly, full of excitement.
I froze, my cheeks heating up. "Wh–what are you doing?!" I whispered.
Seo-yeon laughed. "Alright, that's enough. Ha-rin, you're coming with us."
She grabbed my hand and started pulling me toward the hotel entrance.
"Wait, Seo-yeon—"
But she and the girls were already dragging me away, leaving Min-jae standing behind.
He lifted his hand and waved with that same calm smile.
I barely managed to wave back before the elevator doors closed between us.
Later that night
When I got back to the room, the girls were waiting.
They all turned toward me at once, their eyes sparkling.
"So?" one of them asked. "How do you two know each other?"
"Is there something between you?" another added, leaning closer.
I blinked, completely caught off guard. "Wha—no! It's not like that."
Seo-yeon rolled her eyes and stepped in. "Guys, stop. She doesn't owe you an explanation."
The girls quickly apologized. "Sorry, Ha-rin."
"It's fine," I said, trying to laugh it off.
A few minutes later, while everyone was getting ready for bed, my phone buzzed.
A message from Joon-ho:
Come to my room for a sec.
I hesitated, then typed back:
Okay. Coming.
When the room finally went quiet and the girls started dozing off, I slipped outside.
His room was right next door. I knocked lightly, and he opened almost immediately.
The light was dim, and it was just the two of us.
I sat on the edge of his bed, and he leaned against the desk, arms crossed.
"What were you doing on the beach with that blonde guy?" he asked quietly.
"Min-jae?" I said. "I was going to go alone, but he saw me and just… joined."
He frowned slightly. "Next time, call me. I'll come."
I nodded. "Alright."
Before I could say anything else, we suddenly heard the door handle turning.
Without thinking, he grabbed my hand and whispered, "Hide!"
We ran into the small bathroom in their bedroom , closing the door quietly behind us.
The room was tiny, barely enough space to breathe.
We were standing way too close,his shoulder brushing mine, the warmth of his breath on my skin.
My heart started racing.
Why is he so close…?! I thought, staring down, afraid to move.
He looked away, his face red.
I shouldn't have called her… this is so embarrassing, he thought.
We both stood there in silence, faces flushed, the sound of laughter faintly coming from outside.
And in that small, crowded space, the air between us felt heavier than ever
To be continued