Hana stared at the screen for what felt like forever.
The typing bubble kept appearing… disappearing… appearing again.
Min-jae wasn't someone who hesitated.
So whatever he was about to say… mattered.
Her fingers curled around her phone.
Finally, the message came through.
Do you ever think about what would've happened… if I never noticed you?
Hana blinked.
Her chest tightened in a strange way.
She reread it twice before replying.
Sometimes.
Almost immediately—
What do you think would've happened?
She lay back against her pillow, staring at the ceiling.
Outside, the world was quiet. No rumors. No eyes watching. Just the soft hum of night.
She typed slowly.
I think I would've stayed invisible.
The reply took longer this time.
Then—
That's what scares me.
Hana sat up.
Why?
A pause.
Then the message arrived, shorter than she expected.
Because I don't know how I missed you for so long.
Her breath caught.
Heat rose to her cheeks even though he wasn't here.
She didn't know what to say to that.
So she told the truth.
Maybe you weren't supposed to notice me until now.
The typing bubble appeared instantly.
Or maybe I was just stupid.
Hana smiled faintly.
You're not stupid.
Another pause.
Then—
Hana… can I be honest?
Her heart pounded.
Always.
This time, his response came all at once, like he'd been holding it in too long.
I want to kiss you.
The world stopped.
Hana's breath left her lungs so quickly she almost laughed.
Her hands trembled.
She stared at the message until the words blurred.
Min-jae.
The boy who never lost control.
The boy who always stayed composed.
Wanted to kiss her.
Her phone buzzed again.
I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.
Another message followed immediately.
Forget it. I didn't mean to pressure you. I just—
Hana's fingers moved before her fear could catch up.
Don't take it back.
Silence.
Then—
What?
Her heart raced so hard it hurt.
She typed.
Don't take it back… because I've thought about it too.
The typing bubble stayed for a long time.
Then finally—
Tomorrow. After school. Meet me behind the old auditorium.
Hana swallowed.
Okay.
She set her phone down and pressed her hands to her face, cheeks burning.
Her room felt too small for the way her heart was pounding.
She lay back down, staring at the dark ceiling.
Tomorrow.
The next day crawled.
Every class felt longer than the last.
Hana barely heard the teachers. Barely saw the board.
All she could think about was the space behind the old auditorium.
And what might happen there.
When the final bell rang, her stomach flipped.
She walked slowly, trying not to look suspicious, trying not to rush.
The back of the school was quieter, shaded by trees and old walls.
The auditorium stood like a memory no one visited anymore.
Hana's footsteps slowed.
Then stopped.
Min-jae was already there.
Waiting.
His hands were in his pockets, but his posture was tense.
When he saw her, his eyes softened instantly.
"You came," he said.
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"I said I would."
For a moment, neither moved.
The air between them felt thick, charged with everything unsaid.
Min-jae stepped closer.
"Hana…"
She looked up at him.
"Yes?"
His gaze dropped to her lips.
Then back to her eyes.
"If you want me to stop," he said quietly, "I will."
Hana's breath trembled.
But she didn't step back.
Instead, she whispered—
"I don't want you to."
Min-jae's hand lifted slowly, gently brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
His touch was careful.
Almost reverent.
Then he leaned in—
So close she could feel his breath—
And—
A sharp sound cracked through the silence.
A camera shutter.
Hana froze.
Min-jae's head snapped up instantly.
From behind the trees—
A figure stepped back.
Phone in hand.
Recording.