The next day, I went to class as usual.
The classroom was just like before—noisy, filled with students talking to their friends.
I walked quietly to my seat and placed my bag on the desk.
Just as I was about to take out my notebook—
"Good morning."
I turned my head.
Sihoon was already there, sitting beside me, looking as calm as always.
"You came early," he said with a small smile.
"Yes," I replied. "I didn't want to be late."
He nodded slightly.
"That's good. The teacher doesn't like students who come late."
For a moment, there was a short silence between us.
Then he asked,
"Are you getting used to the class?"
I thought for a second.
"A little… but it still feels new."
He smiled again—the same gentle smile I had noticed yesterday.
"Don't worry," he said softly. "You'll get used to it soon."
For some reason, his calm voice made me feel less nervous.
"Hello! I'm Lee Yian!"
A cheerful voice suddenly came from behind us.
I turned around.
A boy stood there, smiling brightly.
"You're new here, right?" he said.
"I wasn't at school yesterday, so I didn't get a chance to meet you!"
"Hello," I replied politely. "I'm Jia."
"Nice to meet you, Jia!"
Then he glanced at Sihoon and grinned.
"So you already introduced yourself before me?"
Sihoon shrugged slightly.
"You came late."
Yian laughed.
"Well, I guess I'll have to try harder to become Jia's friend then."
I couldn't help smiling a little.
For the first time since I transferred here—
the classroom didn't feel so unfamiliar.
The teacher entered, and the noise quickly faded.
"Good morning, class."
"Good morning, teacher," everyone replied.
The lesson began.
I tried my best to focus on the board—
but it wasn't easy.
The teaching style here was different from my previous school.
After a while, I looked down at my notebook.
I had missed several notes.
I let out a quiet sigh.
Then—
Sihoon gently pushed his notebook closer to me.
"You can look at mine," he whispered.
I looked at him, surprised.
"Are you sure?"
He nodded.
"It's okay. Just copy it."
"Thank you," I said softly.
For the rest of the class, I copied his notes.
His handwriting was neat and easy to read.
It was a small act.
But somehow—
it made me feel a little more comfortable.
Maybe…
this place wouldn't feel so lonely after all.
When the bell rang, I started packing my books.
"Do you want to join us for lunch?"
I looked up.
Sihoon was looking at me.
Before I could answer—
"Yes, you should join us!" Yian said excitedly.
"It's more fun to eat together!"
I hesitated for a moment.
Then I nodded.
"…Okay. Thank you."
Yian smiled brightly.
"Great!"
We went to the cafeteria together.
It was noisy, filled with students talking and laughing.
We sat near the window.
I looked down at my tray.
Vegetables… rice…
and beans.
Quietly, I pushed the beans to the side.
I didn't like them.
Then—
I noticed something.
Sihoon was doing the same thing.
I looked at him.
He noticed.
"You don't like beans?" he asked.
I shook my head.
"No… I really hate them."
He nodded slightly.
"Me too."
Before I could say anything—
Yian suddenly leaned forward and looked at both of our trays.
Then he laughed.
"Wait a second—"
"You two even hate the same food?"
Sihoon frowned slightly.
"So what?"
Yian grinned.
"That means you two are already compatible."
My face grew warm.
"Stop talking nonsense," Sihoon said quietly.
But Yian just laughed even more.
"See? Even your reactions are similar!"
I looked down at my tray.
It was a little embarrassing.
But also…
strangely comfortable.
After lunch, students slowly began to leave.
Yian stood up and stretched.
"Alright, time to go before the teacher starts complaining again."
We walked out together.
Then suddenly—
"Oh, wait!" Yian said.
"I forgot my notebook in the classroom!"
He turned to us.
"You two go ahead—I'll catch up."
Before we could say anything, he ran off.
Now—
it was just the two of us.
The hallway felt quieter.
"…Don't worry about Yian," Sihoon said.
"He forgets things all the time."
I laughed softly.
"He seems very energetic."
Sihoon nodded.
"…He talks too much sometimes."
We walked in silence for a few seconds.
Then he spoke again.
"Are you feeling more comfortable today?"
I thought for a moment.
"A little," I said honestly.
"Yesterday felt unfamiliar… but today feels better."
He smiled slightly.
"That's good."
When we reached the classroom—
I realized something.
I wasn't as nervous as before.
Just as we stepped inside—
"Wow… you two came together already?"
Yian's voice suddenly appeared behind us again.
I turned, slightly surprised.
He was grinning.