The sun was already slipping behind the school building as Haeyoung and Junghan walked toward the main gate. The air was cool, quiet… except for the way Haeyoung kept staring at Junghan with a suspicious, squinty little smile.
Junghan, who had been pretending to admire the sky for the last five minutes, finally snapped.
"Yah… stop staring at me like that," he muttered without meeting her eyes.
Haeyoung puffed her cheeks. "Then explain why you said 'a long time ago'. What did you mean by that?"
Junghan ran a hand through his hair and looked anywhere but at her.
"I just meant—we've been friends for a long time. Like… since childhood. That's it."
Haeyoung nodded dramatically. "Ahhh, okay okay. Thank you for the explanation. Hehe."
He rolled his eyes, but a tiny smile escaped him.
Suddenly—
"Haeyoung!"
They both turned. Ji Eun was half-running toward them, waving something in her hand.
"You forgot your notebook on the desk. I literally had to follow you all the way here." She laughed, a little out of breath.
"Oh! Thank you so much." Haeyoung took the notebook.
But Ji Eun didn't leave. Instead, she held out something else… a folded paper.
"Actually… take this too."
Haeyoung blinked. "What is this?"
Junghan also leaned forward slightly, curious.
Ji Eun whispered, "Jisoo gave this to me. He said to give it to you."
Haeyoung's heart did a summer-salt flip. "H-He did? Okay—okay. Thanks!"
She quickly walked away, trying to hide her blush. Ji Eun waved and headed home.
As the two continued walking, silence fell again. A heavy, strange one this time. Junghan shoved his hands into his pockets.
After a few seconds, he spoke.
"Do you even remember what happened last time? At the basketball match?" He didn't look at her. "The way he ignored you when you got hurt? Don't… don't go into that line again."
Haeyoung looked down. "I was just a little idiot back then," she said softly. "Maybe he didn't even know me, that's why he ignored me."
That made Junghan stop in his tracks. His jaw tightened.
"Fine then," he said sharply. "Get in that 'line' again. Go to Jisoo. Talk to him all you want. Bye."
He walked off—fast, without turning back.
"Junghan! Listen to me!" she shouted.
But he didn't stop.
🏠 That Evening — Haeyoung's Home
She entered the house quietly.
Her mom was preparing dinner.
"Dad will be late today," her mom said.
Haeyoung nodded and went to her room.
The moment she closed the door, she unfolded Jisoo's letter.
📄 Letter
Hello Haeyoung,
I didn't know you had a crush on me a month ago. Sorry if I ignored you.
But now… I want to be friends with you. You seem interesting.
Here's my number. Message me tonight.
___
Haeyoung's cheeks exploded into red. She threw herself onto the bed, giggling into her pillow like a shaken soda bottle.
🏠 Meanwhile — Junghan's House
The house was quiet. Too quiet.
He saw a note on the table:
We're visiting your aunt. We'll be late. Eat and sleep early. — Mom & Dad
Junghan sighed.
The silence felt heavier today.
He cooked dinner, trying not to think about the walk home… or her smile when she heard Jisoo's name.
But when he glanced at the wall, he froze.
A childhood photo.
Him and Haeyoung, both holding melting ice creams in a park.
A soft laugh escaped him.
Suddenly—
"Ah!" He cut his finger slightly while chopping vegetables.
He rinsed it under water and muttered,
"Why don't you listen to me, Haeyoung… Jisoo isn't good for you. No one is good for you. You're too—"
He stopped, scoffed at himself.
"…What am I saying? I'm also a teenager. Why am I acting like some overprotective old man?"
He shook his head but couldn't stop the restless feeling in his chest.
📱 Late Night — Haeyoung Messages Jisoo
Jisoo was at a party, loud music and neon lights everywhere, when he saw her text.
He smirked.
Jisoo:
So you finally read the letter, huh?
Haeyoung:
Yes… and you hurt me a month ago by ignoring me, okay?
Jisoo:
I didn't know you back then. And a lot of girls have crushes on me, so I usually ignore everyone. But look—you got my attention now.
Haeyoung:
Don't show attitude. I can turn my feelings on or off anytime. And by the way, I don't have a crush on you anymore.
Jisoo:
Okay okay, so… friends?
Haeyoung:
Friends. But don't interfere in my other friends' lives.
Jisoo:
Yes madam.
She giggled and put her phone aside.
But then it hit her.
"Oh no… Junghan is upset with me. I forgot…"
Before she could pick her phone again, her mom called from downstairs.
"Let's go get ice cream! Since Dad is late today!"
Ice cream was her weakness.
She ran down instantly.
🍨 Family Time
They ate ice cream, laughed, talked about school and work.
On the way home, Haeyoung said,
"Dad, can I get one more? Butterscotch flavor."
Her dad raised an eyebrow.
"That's for Junghan, isn't it?"
Haeyoung grinned. "Of course. I'll give it to him at school tomorrow."
They picked up the extra ice cream and went home.
📱 Meanwhile — Junghan
He lay on his bed, staring at his phone.
Waiting.
A 'sorry'.
A 'goodnight'.
Anything.
Nothing came.
🌅 Next Morning — Seonhwa High School
Haeyoung waited at the main gate, clutching the little cold pack containing the ice cream.
When Junghan walked in, she smiled brightly—
—but he didn't look at her, didn't stop, didn't even hesitate.
Her heart dropped.
She ran after him.
"Junghan!"
He didn't turn.
Before she could catch up, Jisoo appeared, stepping in front of her with a smirk.
"Hello, my new friend."
She dodged him. "Later, later. I'm busy—bye!"
Students turned.
Whispers rose.
She sprinted again—
"Junghan Kim!
Hello? My hero!
Stop it!
Forget yesterday—LIVE TODAY!"
Everyone laughed softly, amused.
Even the teachers passing by hid smiles.
Junghan finally heard that one line.
"My hero."
And the corner of his mouth lifted… just a little.
He kept walking, but his steps slowed.
Junghan finally stopped walking.
He turned around slowly, and when he faced Haeyoung, he couldn't hide the smile tugging at his lips.
"Why are you so dramatic?" he asked, folding his arms.
Haeyoung ran up to him, breathing lightly, and stood right in front of him.
"I know you're upset with me… but where am I supposed to go when my only friend — my best friend, my Junghan — gets upset?"
Junghan blinked.
A soft laugh escaped him.
"Your Junghan?"
She nodded dramatically, hand on her chest.
"Of course! My Junghan. My only friend. Now take this!"
She pushed a small cold packet toward him.
Junghan stared. "You're so dramatic—what is this?"
Haeyoung sighed loudly as if explaining to a 5-year-old.
"Actually, I didn't message you last night or say sorry… because I went out with my parents to eat ice cream. And that—" she shook the packet "—is ice cream. Butterscotch, your favorite."
Junghan's eyes widened a little.
"You remember it's butterscotch?"
Haeyoung flipped her hair proudly.
"Haeyoung Hong never forgets birthdays or favorite things of the people she loves."
His heart skipped. He looked at her.
"You… love me?"
She blinked innocently. "Of course I love you! I love everyone in my life. I'm a very loving type of girl, you know."
Junghan pressed his lips together, half smiling, half sighing.
He started walking, and she automatically followed beside him.
"Tomorrow is your entrance exam, right?" she asked.
He stopped again.
"You remember that too?"
"Didn't I say I remember everything?" she said proudly, then squinted at him.
"But today your mood seems great… maybe your monster mom isn't home or she's in a good mood today?"
Junghan gasped dramatically. "Haeyoung!"
She burst laughing.
And in that moment, he looked genuinely the happiest he'd looked in days.
Suddenly, Hana and Ji Eun approached from behind.
Hana punched Haeyoung's back playfully.
"AHH!" Haeyoung dramatically grabbed her back. "What is your problem, Hana? Mental patient??"
Hana cackled. "I thought you needed a wake-up call. Let's go! We'll miss our maths class."
Haeyoung pouted. "One day, maths will miss me."
She looked at Junghan.
"Bye bye, Junghan. I'll see you at lunch! Okay?"
She jogged off with the girls toward the 11th-grade corridor.
Junghan watched her until she disappeared into the crowd…
and the smile on his face didn't fade for a long time.
🏫 Grade 12 — Junghan's Classroom
Junghan walked in with the ice cream in his hand.
His friends Daeho and Dejin were already sitting on his desk like they owned it.
Daeho squinted at the ice cream.
"Yah… you brought ONE? Betraying friendship??"
Dejin poked the packet dramatically.
"What is this? You eat secretly and don't share?"
Junghan rolled his eyes.
"I didn't buy it. Haeyoung gave it."
Both boys exchanged a look—then burst teasing.
"OHHHH from Haeyoung~"
"Our boy is LOVED!"
"Look at him smiling like he won a lottery."
Junghan pushed them away. "Shut up."
But the smile stayed.
Across the room, Seri sat at her desk, chin on her hand, staring.
Her friends nudged her.
"Why can't you move on? He will never look at you like that… didn't you hear him yesterday? 'A long time ago'—he made it obvious."
Seri crossed her arms.
"I don't care. I've liked him since elementary. Actually… I've loved him. He HAS to look at me. One day, he will."
Her friends exchanged a look.
"Everyone in high school knows it," one said gently.
"Junghan Kim never looks at any girl except Haeyoung Hong. They're childhood best friends."
Seri's jaw tightened.
"Maybe she's his best friend… but I'll be his girlfriend. School ends soon. Things can change."
Her friends sighed.
"The only thing that doesn't change is how he stares at her."
Seri turned her gaze back to Junghan, who was laughing at something Daeho said… but his eyes kept wandering toward the door, like he was waiting for someone.
And everyone knew who.
The classroom door swung open.
The professor entered, clapping loudly.
"Settle down, everyone. I have an announcement."
Students straightened.
"After staff discussions, we have selected this year's new class president."
Whispers buzzed.
The professor smiled.
"And it's none other than—Junghan Kim."
The room erupted.
Daeho shouted, "OUR KING! OUR LEADER!"
Dejin whistled dramatically.
Girls clapped, some sighed.
Junghan blinked. "Me?"
"Yes, you," the professor said proudly. "Your grades, discipline, and leadership during last year's events were highly noted. Congratulations."
Everyone clapped again.
Except one person.
Seri looked furious.
Daeho put an arm around Junghan.
"Class president AND Haeyoung gives you ice cream? What a LIFE, bro!"
Dejin wagged his eyebrows.
"So when's the wedding?"
Junghan shoved them away, cheeks slightly pink.
"Both of you shut up before I resign."
They laughed louder.
Seri stood abruptly, slamming her book shut.
Her friends flinched.
"Why him again?" she whispered angrily.
"He gets EVERYTHING without trying."
Her friend murmured, "Seri… please don't do anything stupid."
Seri stared at Junghan's smiling face.
"I'm done waiting. If I want him… I need to take him before someone else does."
Her friends froze.
"What are you planning—?"
But she didn't answer.
☀️ Meanwhile — Haeyoung's Class
In the 11th-grade classroom, Haeyoung was telling Hana and Ji Eun every detail of the morning.
Hana rolled her eyes. "So basically, you were chasing him like a lost puppy."
Ji Eun smirked. "And he ignored you first but smiled after you screamed 'my hero'?"
Haeyoung covered her face.
"Don't remind me… whole school saw!"
Hana grinned.
"Don't act embarrassed. You and Junghan scream childhood-crush drama."
Haeyoung frowned.
"What crush? I don't have a crush on him. He's just my comfort person."
Ji Eun raised an eyebrow.
"Oh really? And he is your 'Junghan'? Just your friend?"
Haeyoung's ears turned red.
"Yah! Don't tease!"
But her small smile didn't hide anything.
☀️ Back in Grade 12
The bell rang.
Junghan packed his pencil case but paused—
and stared at the butterscotch ice cream again.
Dejin elbowed him.
"You gonna thank her properly?"
He shrugged.
"I will. At lunch."
Daeho whispered dramatically,
"Or confess? Huh? HUH? Our class president?"
Junghan blushed hard.
"YAH. Leave!"
They exploded laughing.