A warm autumn breeze wandered through her small house, brushing against the curtains as Lian freshened up for class. She carefully packed breakfast into two small boxes, her lips curving into a quiet smile.
She stepped out, the golden sunlight welcoming her.
On the way to college, she spotted Jun at the bus stop. He was seated alone, headphones resting over his ears, lost in his own world.
For a second, she froze.
It felt as if she had just discovered a diamond in plain sight.
Her steps grew slower, softer. Strands of her hair swayed gently as she stopped in front of him.
Jun looked up.
His soft gaze met hers — and he smiled. A small, warm smile that made her chest tighten.
Lian waved.
Jun removed one side of his headphones and asked in sign language, "Why are you here? You don't take this route."
She blinked, then glanced at the empty seat beside him and quickly sat down. Pulling out her phone for support, she attempted to reply in sign language — though she barely knew it.
"I always take this route… maybe we just didn't meet before," she tried to sign, her hands clumsy and uncertain.
Jun chuckled softly.
He reached out and gently corrected her hand movements, repeating the signs properly before giving her an approving nod and a bright smile.
Lian froze.
Her heart pounded violently against her ribs. She inhaled deeply, afraid he might hear it.
Jun noticed.
He tilted his head. "What's wrong?" he signed.
She quickly shook her head.
Just then, the bus arrived.
Inside the crowded bus, they stood close. When a man rose from his seat, both of them looked at it at the same time.
Jun gestured for Lian to sit.
Lian frowned and pushed him lightly toward the seat instead.
He looked confused but sat down anyway. He gestured for her bag, and she handed it to him without protest.
At the next stop, the bus became even more crowded. By some miracle, a seat opened beside him.
She sat down next to Jun.
Her heart wouldn't calm down.
To distract herself, she turned her face toward the window.
Jun, however, was watching her.
The sunlight filtered through the glass, brushing against her cheeks, making her skin glow softly.
He felt something inside him melt.
A quiet smile curved his lips.
At college, they returned to their usual seats. After class ended and lunch break began, students opened their boxes noisily.
Lian took out her lunch and glanced at Jun.
He was seated alone, going through his notes.
She sighed softly.
After a moment of hesitation, she stood and walked toward him. Each step felt heavier than the last.
Jun sensed her presence, closed his notes quickly and turned, one brow raised.
Lian froze like a statue.
He raised both brows this time, waiting.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she signed,
"Why aren't you eating?" Jun replied calmly, "I woke up late. I didn't have time to prepare anything."
She nodded, her gaze dropping to the lunch box in her hands. After a heartbeat of hesitation, she placed it in front of him and signed slowly..."
Jun held his breath.
His expression turned neutral — almost cold — but his eyes betrayed him.
They softened.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
Lian let out a nervous laugh and returned to her seat.
Jun watched her go.
Then he looked at the lunch box. He took a deep breath, picked up the chopsticks — and began eating, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Days passed.
Their bond deepened quietly — naturally — like two souls recognizing each other.
Until one week…
Jun stopped coming to college.
That morning, Lian waited at the bus stop like always.
8:50 a.m.
9:30.
10:00.
An hour passed.
Her fingers trembled as she checked the time again and again. She called him repeatedly.
No answer.
Her chest tightened.
She rushed to his apartment.
When she reached it, the door was locked.
Her footsteps echoed in the hallway as she approached it slowly. She touched the lock. Cold.
Tears welled in her eyes.
Just then, a woman from the building came downstairs.
"Excuse me," Lian asked shakily, "the boy who stayed here… where is he?" "Oh, him?" the woman replied. "Last night, a man came. They packed their luggage and left."
Lian's world went silent.
"Do you know where?" she whispered.
The woman shook her head and walked away.
Lian's bag slipped from her hand.
She slowly sank to her knees.
Tears fell freely now, blurring her vision.
The autumn wind brushed her face, tangling her hair as she whispered,
"Jun… where did you go? Why didn't you tell me?"
She looked at her phone screen.
His picture filled it — captured secretly on a quiet autumn day, laughing softly under falling leaves.
Her lips trembled as she whispered his name again.
And again.