The next morning, when Shini walked into school, Jia's excitement burst like sunlight after a storm.
"Shini!" Jia ran toward her the moment she spotted her from across the courtyard and wrapped her in a tight hug. "Why didn't you come yesterday? Do you know how bored I was without you?"
Shini hesitated for a brief second.
Should she tell her about the accident?
The memory flashed in her mind, sharp and sudden. But just as quickly, she pushed it away. If Jia found out, she would only worry endlessly.
"It's nothing," Shini said lightly, forcing a casual smile. "I just wasn't feeling well."
Jia immediately pulled back and examined her face with concern.
"What? Then you should've stayed home and rested!"
Shini laughed and gave her a playful nudge. "Hey, why do you overthink everything? I'm completely fine now, okay?"
Jia studied her for another moment before finally nodding. "Fine… but next time, tell me."
The two girls intertwined their fingers and began walking toward the school building, chatting and laughing as if nothing in the world could trouble them.
A few steps behind them, Jinu watched quietly.
He stopped walking for a second, observing the way Jia laughed so freely with Shini. A faint smile touched his lips.
"Ever since she became friends with her… she barely notices me anymore," he muttered under his breath.
But there was no bitterness in his voice. Only a strange sense of relief.
Seeing Jia happy brought him peace.
He adjusted his bag on his shoulder and followed them toward class, his expression softer than it had been in days.
By the time the lecture ended, the classroom had once again filled with excited whispers about the upcoming sports festival.
The Professor gathered his files and addressed the class.
"So," he said, scanning the room, "have you all thought about filling out the participation forms?"
The room immediately went quiet.
"Remember," he continued, "there are only two months left until the sports festival. If you plan to compete, you must train seriously. Discipline.
Practice.
Strength.
Without those, enthusiasm means nothing."
His voice carried authority, but also encouragement.
"I'll give you five more days to decide. After that, you may submit your forms."
The moment he finished, the class erupted into cheers.
Two months.
It sounded like a long time.
But in reality, it wasn't.
During the break, while students crowded the hallways discussing events and teams, Jinu quietly slipped away.
Instead of heading to the cafeteria, he walked toward the school's swimming pool.
The area was empty.
Silent.
The surface of the water shimmered under the pale daylight, gentle ripples reflecting the sky above. The scent of chlorine mixed with the cool breeze created a calm, almost sacred atmosphere.
Jinu stepped closer to the edge.
For a long moment, he simply stood there.
Memories stirred within him—old victories, old failures, things he had once loved but forced himself to abandon.
His reflection trembled in the water.
So did his resolve.
He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.
Two months.
Hospital bills.
Responsibilities.
Promises.
Fear.
Everything collided in his mind.
Then slowly… something shifted.
The fear didn't disappear.
But it stopped controlling him.
He opened his eyes.
The boy staring back from the water no longer looked lost.
He looked determined.
"I'm ready," Jinu said quietly, his voice steady.
The words weren't loud.
But they were firm.
The water remained silent, yet it felt as though it had heard him.
For the first time in days, his chest felt lighter. Not because his problems were gone—but because he had made a choice.
Instead of running from the sports festival… he would face it.
Instead of hiding behind silence… he would fight for something again.
A small but genuine smile appeared on his face.
He took a step back from the pool.
Then another.
And without looking back, Jinu turned around and walked toward the school building.
His steps were different now.
Confident.
Grounded.
Certain.
Maybe the sports festival wouldn't just be a competition.
Maybe it would be his comeback.
And when that day arrived… everyone would see a new side of Jinu.