Those words kept echoing in her head, long after the dismissal bell rang.
She's being too dramatic.
If she was tired, why didn't she say it earlier?
Bomi walked away from the crowd without a clear destination. Her hands were clenched tightly at the sides of her uniform, her steps quick—almost as if she were running. Not toward somewhere safe, but away from something that had already lodged itself deep in her chest.
She stopped at the back restroom of the school.
A place rarely used. Quiet. Hidden. Safe for someone who didn't want to be seen.
The moment the door closed behind her, her shoulders collapsed.
"I'm so tired…" she whispered to her reflection in the mirror.
Tears fell one by one. Bomi bit her lip, forcing herself to stay silent. She had cried like this too many times—quietly, secretly. Pretending she was fine simply because she didn't want to burden anyone else.
"Why do I always have to understand everyone else's feelings…"
Her voice trembled.
"…but no one ever asks if I'm tired?"
She wiped her cheeks quickly, but the tears didn't stop.
✦ ✦ ✦
The restroom door opened slowly.
Bomi flinched. "H-Hanz?"
Hanz stood at the doorway. His expression was neutral as always, but his eyes were clearly searching for her.
"You didn't go back to class," he said. "I was looking for you."
"I'm fine," Bomi replied immediately, though her voice betrayed her.
Hanz looked at her for a few seconds.
"You're lying."
The words were simple. Calm. Precise.
Her silence answered him. Her shoulders slumped again.
"I just…" Bomi let out a long breath. "I'm tired. People say things so easily. I try not to hurt anyone, I try to be understanding—but somehow, it's still never enough."
Hanz didn't respond right away. He stayed where he was, not moving closer, but not leaving either.
"If you keep everything to yourself," he said finally, "you'll burn out."
Bomi lowered her gaze. "I don't know how to stop caring."
"You don't have to stop," Hanz replied honestly. "Just choose. Not every voice deserves your attention."
She looked up at him. Her eyes were red, but this time, she didn't feel embarrassed.
"Don't you… get tired of me?"
Hanz shook his head slowly.
"You're not a burden."
Her chest tightened—not with sadness, but with relief.
For the first time that day, she felt it clearly.
She wasn't alone.