As soon as practice ended, the swimming pool area burst into noise and excitement.
Several swimmers gathered around Jinu, patting his shoulder and praising his unbelievable speed.
"Man, where did you learn to swim like that?"
"That dive was insane!"
"You completely destroyed the competition!"
Some of them spoke with genuine admiration, but not everyone looked pleased. A few boys stood nearby with tight smiles, their eyes filled with quiet jealousy.
Jinu could feel his heart pounding inside his chest.
He was happy.
But at the same time, a little nervous.
After all, it had been years since he had stepped into the water like this. For a moment during the race, memories had rushed back to him—memories he had kept buried for a long time.
When he finally climbed out of the pool, water dripping from his hair and shoulders, he instantly felt dozens of eyes on him.
Girls whispered to each other as they watched him.
Some openly stared.
His tall frame, strong build, and calm expression had suddenly turned him into the center of attention.
But Jinu didn't notice any of them.
His eyes were searching the crowd for only one person.
Jia.
After a moment, he finally spotted her.
She was standing quietly in a corner near the bleachers. Her arms were crossed, and her expression was strange—part shock, part anger.
Jinu immediately walked toward her, ignoring the curious looks from everyone else.
When he stopped in front of her, he shook his wet hair lightly and asked with a playful smile,
"So… are you going to keep staring at me like that, or should we leave?"
Jia's eyes narrowed.
Instead of answering, she crossed her arms tighter and turned her face away.
"Why would I go anywhere with you?" she replied coldly.
Before Jinu could say anything else, Jia grabbed Shini's hand and started pulling her away.
"Come on, Shini. Let's go."
They quickly walked out of the swimming area, leaving Jinu standing there.
Outside the building, Shini looked confused.
"Jia, what just happened?" she asked.
"He was talking to you, and you just walked away like that."
Jia puffed her cheeks in frustration.
"Yes, and I didn't want to talk to him!"
"But why?"
Jia stopped walking and turned toward Shini with an annoyed expression.
"Because he lied to me!" she said.
Shini blinked. "Lied?"
"Yes!
He never told me he could swim like that. Not once!" Jia complained.
"He hid something so big from me!"
Just then, a calm voice came from behind them.
"So you're this angry?"
Both girls froze.
Jia slowly turned her head—
And realized Jinu was standing extremely close behind her.
Too close.
He was practically beside her ear.
Startled by his sudden presence, Jia instinctively stepped backward.
But she forgot she was standing near the edge of the walkway.
Her foot slipped.
For a split second, her body tilted backward.
She was about to fall.
Before she could even react—
A strong arm wrapped around her waist.
Jinu pulled her forward in one swift movement.
Jia gasped softly as she felt herself being pulled against him.
The world seemed to pause.
Her hands instinctively grabbed his shoulders for balance.
Their faces were only inches apart.
Jinu's grip was firm but gentle, holding her steady.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Their eyes locked.
Jia could feel her heartbeat racing uncontrollably.
Jinu looked calm, but there was a softness in his gaze she had never noticed before.
Behind them, Shini watched the scene unfold.
Her eyes widened for a moment.
Then a slow smile spread across her face.
"Well… this looks like a moment," she murmured to herself.
Quietly, without making any noise, Shini turned around and slipped away, leaving the two of them alone.
After all—
Some conversations were meant to happen without witnesses.
And right now…
Jia and Jinu clearly had a lot to say.