The Breakthrough
There was no hard evidence that the third-years had been causing trouble this time around.
But suspicion had crept in regardless.
Ever since the second-years had stopped provoking us, the third-years had started smoking on campus.
They probably figured they couldn't reach Sia directly anymore, so this was their way of making us feel uncomfortable.
And when I considered the best approach in a situation like this...
“Sia, let’s go on another date.”
“Mmm...?”
“No matter what they do, it’s going to be a mess. So why not make things properly fiery and strike back head-on?”
“Umm... I guess that could work?”
“Yeah. Any time this weekend?”
“Sure! I’m free!”
“Then how about we head somewhere a little farther away?”
“I’m okay with that... but where exactly?”
“There’s just this really nice park nearby.”
“Hmm?”
So we borrowed the weekend and arrived at the park tucked just a bit away from our neighborhood.
As Sia wandered around admiring everything, she suddenly spun toward me, eyes sparkling.
“It’s so pretty here!”
“Right? I thought this would make a great date spot.”
I had scouted it out earlier, and even though the distance wasn’t too far, the scenery was perfect for a couple’s outing.
“So are we taking photos here today?”
“Yeah. But before we do...”
“Mmm...?”
—whoosh
“Let’s put on hats first. I heard the sun is pretty strong today.”
“Oh... thanks.”
I had grabbed a wide-brimmed white hat for Sia just in case...
and the sight of her in that spring-white dress paired with the hat was so naturally beautiful it stole my breath.
Of course I didn’t stare too long.
If I had, I might have let my own expression soften without realizing it, so I forced my eyes away.
“Alright, let’s walk around.”
“Yay!”
We decided to stroll the park paths first.
I wanted to shoot at the famous photo spots, but Sia insisted on capturing our own memories together.
Instead of generic spots, we picked out places just for us.
I meandered slowly, taking in the flower-lined paths, the boardwalk by the pond, the trails winding through bamboo groves, and the rose-covered corridors.
There were so many perfect photo opportunities.
“Siwoo! Can I take as many pictures as I want?”
“Sure, shoot as many as you like.”
“Yup!”
We started snapping photos while exploring the pre-scouted spots.
Along the flower paths we posed with blooms, by the pond we captured lotus reflections, and everywhere else we found new angles.
After filling up memory cards, we bought simple bento from the nearby restaurant and ate it on a bench.
There was a lookout tower too, so we climbed up and shot more photos with the city skyline behind us.
“By the way, you’re not taking a picture of me?”
“Uh... what about the couple bracelet from earlier?”
At the bento shop, we could make custom flower-shaped bracelets as souvenirs.
I thought it would be perfect, so Sia and I each made one, and we took pictures wearing them.
Sia loves tulips, so hers was yellow and red, while mine had iris because I thought the color was so pretty.
We were about to post them on her SNS and call it a day...
“Wait, that’s one thing, but this is different!”
“...Is it?”
“Yeah! It is!”
I hadn’t expected Sia to say that, so I froze, trying to figure out how to respond...
“Come on! Let’s move!”
“Huh...!”
Somehow I ended up being pulled along by Sia.
We arrived back at the spots we’d shot earlier, and Sia dashed up to the nearby couple and started chatting.
“Excuse me.”
“Eek—uh, yes?!”
“If it’s not too much trouble, could you take just one photo for us?”
“Ah... yes... sure.”
The guy’s energy dropped instantly.
Seeing his tension ease, Sia glanced at the girl, but the guy didn’t notice and kept focusing on Sia.
I secretly prayed that this couple would break up tonight.
“Okay—yes, we’ll take a photo!”
But the girl shot the guy a sharp look, then softened her tone and smiled at us.
Yet...
“Hehe, your boyfriend is really stiff. Relax a little.”
“Ah... yes...”
Sia standing beside me like this, taking photos together, had only ever happened at graduation.
It felt strangely awkward.
As I struggled to get my footing...
“Come here.”
“Huh...?”
Sia tugged my arm and sat down next to her.
“Ohh! Perfect!”
She snapped photos in quick succession.
While that happened, I glanced at Sia clinging to my arm... and she glanced back at me too.
“Hehe.”
Sia’s bright laugh relaxed me, and I somehow ended up feeling more natural too.
Anyway, after we finished taking all the photos Sia wanted, the afternoon had turned to evening and the sun was setting.
We spread a small mat on the middle of a gentle hill and watched the sunset glow over the landscape.
It was the same view we’d seen earlier, but the warm evening light gave it a whole new feeling.
Just as I was thinking of shooting a photo against that background...
“Siwoo! One photo with the sunset behind me!”
Sia had the same idea, so we both stood up.
“Where should we shoot? What about that bamboo grove earlier?”
“It’s fine, let’s do it here.”
“Okay. Pick a spot you like.”
“Yup!”
Sia wandered around looking for a good angle and climbed to the top of the hill.
“Hmm, this side looks great!”
“Sure.”
When she said that, I turned on my camera and prepared to shoot her...
At that exact moment...
—whoosh~
A gust of wind swept in, and Sia’s black hair fluttered wildly.
“Ah!”
Sia grabbed her hat to keep it from flying away in the wind.
I stood there staring blankly, but my fingers had already pressed the shutter.
—clickclick.
The moment I saw the photo of Sia... I was speechless.
“Huh... doesn’t it look weird?”
Sia touched her messy hair self-consciously and tucked it behind her ear.
I looked at her and said, “No, it’s fine.”
“Hmm... still, let’s take it again.”
“Of course.”
“Hehe.”
After that I did shoot more photos of Sia... but nothing looked like the one we just took.
And I wasn’t going to post this one on SNS.
This feeling... it was my little possessive streak.
◇◇◇◇◇◇
Ever since Sia and I had gone out and I posted more photos on SNS, even the first-years seemed to believe me now.
But the cigarette smell still lingered in the bathroom.
I’d just assumed it was another one of Sia’s pranks to get close to me... but seeing them continue, I still didn’t know what to do.
I wished they would just stop already.
Anyway, I was going about my usual life when Minseong found me halfway through the day.
“Siwoo, come outside for a sec.”
“I’ll be right back. Minseong’s calling.”
“Okay, I’ll wait.”
We stepped out beyond the courtyard...
“...Let’s move somewhere else.”
“...?”
“Yeah.”
As soon as Minseong said that, I followed him without question.
We headed to the second floor, where fewer people gathered, and Minseong’s face looked unusually serious.
“You’re really getting along with Sia, right?”
I blinked in confusion, not understanding what he was asking.
“...You know, since you’re around Sia... nothing’s happened?”
“Oh... um... aside from the shoulder shove from the second-years?”
“...Not that?”
“Not that... is there anything else?”
“...Really?”
“Yeah, nothing else.”
“...So that’s what you mean...?”
“Why? Did your seniors say something to you?”
“Eh?”
“No, you have a wide net of connections, so there must be some seniors you know, right? Are any of them talking to you?”
“Oh... no, nothing.”
“Ah, got it. Good thing—I was worried they were spreading rumors about you.”
“What? What would I do if they said something?”
“What would I do? I’d drag them in and flip the whole situation upside down.”
“...You...”
Minseong stared at me, mouth slightly open.
Then he chuckled.
“Yeah, that’s just how you are. Don’t worry about it. Besides, you can’t even fight.”
“What? I have hidden punch strength?”
“You’ve never even fought, and you’re talking like that.”
“That’s exactly how you are, right?”
“Have I even done any exercise?”
“...I didn’t know... anyway, I’m out of here.”
“Fine. Oh, and if you ever feel anything weird on your body, tell me right away.”
“You’re not my mom, you know.”
“I know, jeez.”
I stepped aside, assuming it was another story about Sia, and held my breath.
But luckily it wasn’t.
Of course he’d said he’d flip everything upside down, but honestly I was a little nervous because all the seniors were delinquents.
Still, if anyone touched my friend, they’d pay for it.
If I hadn’t had that kind of resolve to begin with, I wouldn’t have been able to claim the title of Sia’s boyfriend in the first place.
When we got back to the hallway...
“Why did you call me out?”
“You’re around Sia all the time, and I heard your seniors are starting to get on your case.”
“Hmm... I see.”
Sia received it coolly.
It was like... she felt a bit distant with everyone except me.
...Of course, that attitude was perfect.
A week flew by, and Friday arrived.
This week I had a cleaning duty for the club, so I finished a little late.
I asked Sia if I should go back first.
“I’ll wait.”
Hearing that, I squeezed out every last bit of energy from my tired body and cleaned, gathering trash.
“Sia?”
Sia was nowhere to be found.
Curious, I checked my phone—no messages at all.
Maybe she had gone to the bathroom, I thought, and headed down to the first floor to throw away the trash...
——
——
I heard voices.
From the sound of it, a man and a woman were arguing.
Since the guy’s voice was louder, I figured it was a fight.
Luckily the argument was in the alley I had to pass, so I paused and peeked around the corner.
“Eh?”
There she was—Sia, standing right there.