Before Filming (4)
That was where we decided to wrap up for the day. To be honest, I felt bad for taking up so much of her time already. I'd need her help a few more times, but I couldn't keep her tied up for hours each session.
On the way out of the studio, Lee Seol and I walked down the quiet hallway. We were heading to the art club storeroom to put away the tools I'd borrowed.
That's when Lee Seol spoke up.
"How's it going with Hana?"
"…How's what going?"
"Oh. I mean, have you gotten closer?"
"Eh."
Closer? We weren't exactly buddies, but it wasn't awkwardly distant either—just that comfortable middle ground.
Then a memory flashed through my mind.
Come to think of it… U Hana's family situation was about to get rough around now.
The real explosion came in the second year of high school, the main storyline backdrop, of course. But even though it hadn't happened yet, it was hard not to worry in advance. There was a reason for that—her family issues never really got resolved properly in the original story.
Sure, family ties aren't easy to cut off; that's realistic enough. But the original focused squarely on Lee Seol and Seo Jae-hyun's arcs anyway.
And Lee Seol had her own family baggage…
Still, there was nothing I could do about it right now.
*
On my way home after parting with Lee Seol, I picked up a few art supplies. Ordered some online too.
There was a surprising amount to keep track of…
My first lead role, and as I prepped seriously, the list of things I needed just kept growing.
Lucky for me, the character was a student. Otherwise, the prep would've been way tougher.
Is this why agencies matter so much?
I was really feeling it now.
*
The next day at school.
"I heard the most intriguing rumor."
Seo Jae-hyun was bursting with unusual energy first thing in the morning.
Wasn't second period when we usually started dozing off? Why was he so hyped?
As always, Ji Hyun-su was the one egging him on.
"Ahh~ That rumor."
Seeing Ji Hyun-su play along too, it must've been something pretty juicy.
I had a bad feeling.
"The word is you and Hana are… you know."
"People have nothing better to do."
I cut him off before he could finish.
Turned out it was about yesterday. After Lee Seol and U Hana had stopped by, I hadn't gotten straight-up questions like from these two, but I'd overheard whispers in the halls a few times.
"Gave his umbrella to a girl in the rain and ran off into the downpour himself… damn."
"But isn't sharing the standard move?"
"Min-woo-ham operates on a different level from us mortals."
…Had that turned into a rumor this fast?
U Hana had been extra down that day, and she didn't have an umbrella. I'd just helped out since I was right there.
Like Ji Hyun-su said, for a rumor like that, you'd at least expect them to have shared it.
"Why do all the fun stuff happen when we're not around?"
"Man, if I'd seen it, I'd know."
Anyway, this was annoying. If I didn't shut it down, they'd yap about it all day, so I decided to end it there.
"You gonna spread crap you don't even know? I don't care, but what if Hana hears?"
"If Hana hears… hm. Don't think she'd say much… why, scared?"
Ji Hyun-su muttered.
Spot on.
U Hana always had that soft-eyed smile and sweet vibe, but piss her off, and she turned ruthless.
Was it confidence? Or insecurity masking as bravado?
At this point, probably the latter.
Anyway.
I shut down Seo Jae-hyun and Ji Hyun-su's nonsense and warned them not to start dumb rumors…
But after fifth period, during break.
U Hana showed up in our class.
"Min-woo."
"…Yeah?"
"What're you doing after school today?"
She'd come straight for me, ignoring the room. Seo Jae-hyun and Ji Hyun-su shut up and stared.
…Talk about timing.
"Gotta head out right after today."
I had another painting lesson with Lee Seol.
"Oh… okay? Too bad."
Disappointment was plain on her face, but that familiar smile quickly returned.
"Got it. Have a good class."
She gave a light wave and turned away.
…What was that?
"What the hell."
"What's her deal?"
The guys watching felt the same vibe as me.
Though their faces shifted fast—unlike mine.
"Let's see Min-woo's dribble skills. How's he gonna escape this?"
"Probably had some business."
"Aw, kinda disappointing."
Seo Jae-hyun shook his head with a tsk.
"A girl you're not even close to suddenly asks what you're up to after school?"
"That's exactly why she can—'cause you're not close. Could be legit business."
"Hmm… not quite idol tier… maybe model level."
"Jae-hyun, order's off."
"I'm right."
"Crazy. Even top stans don't push dribble that hard."
I left the bickering duo behind and thought about U Hana for a sec.
What could she have wanted, really? That's what I figured, at least.
For the past few days—no, months—she'd barely talked to me.
Then she shows up asking about after school.
Hard not to read into it.
Her face looked super bright… but I couldn't fully buy it.
So you watch her actions instead. When someone changes like that, something's up—no matter how well they hide it behind a smile.
Separate from my worries, things settled down okay. Everyone knew we'd been distant lately; a quick chat wasn't enough to spark anything.
But right before last period.
After PE, heading to the canteen with Seo Jae-hyun and Ji Hyun-su.
That's when we ran into Lee Seol and U Hana.
"Seol!"
Seo Jae-hyun waved wildly as soon as he spotted her. Lee Seol gave a casual hand wave back.
And U Hana… she hurried right over when she saw us.
"Grabbing drinks?"
"Whoa, how'd you know?"
Ji Hyun-su answered, but U Hana pointed at his outfit—sweaty from PE, jacket slung over his shoulder.
"Obvious post-PE look."
"Spot on."
She turned to me with a cheeky grin already forming.
Then she thrust out her hand.
"Drink this."
It was a canned drink.
Not just offering—she shoved it right at my chest, forcing me to take it.
"…Wasn't this yours?"
"I'm good. Figured you'd be busy after, so it's a consolation gift."
Ji Hyun-su grumbled from the side.
"I answered, why only Min-woo?"
"'Cause Min-woo's hot."
"…Wow. Speechless."
"Can't argue, huh?"
"…Sigh. No idea how deep this runs."
Even as he said it, Ji Hyun-su's eyes flicked to me. I couldn't see his face clearly, but that smirk was probably there—mocking my words from an hour ago. What now?
I ignored him, stepped closer to U Hana, and whispered just for her.
"Everything okay?"
"…"
She looked up at me silently for a moment.
"If it's urgent, I can make time."
Her eyes flickered—just briefly. Like she'd heard something unexpected.
…If it wasn't the thing I was worried about, yeah, it'd feel out of left field.
She shook her head.
"Nothing like that."
"…Alright?"
I raised my voice back to normal.
"Thanks, I'll enjoy it."
"Yeah."
Her hesitation bugged me, but she didn't seem keen on showing it.
So I couldn't push further. She'd drawn the line; prying would just be weird.
"But you can make time if it's urgent…"
Then someone sidled up awkwardly.
"Um…"
I turned. New face—same grade by his name tag. Different class.
His eyes flicked to me, then settled on U Hana.
"Can we talk a sec?"
"Huh? Oh… sure."
The guy pulled her aside, and the four of us naturally became spectators.
Seo Jae-hyun and Ji Hyun-su whispered.
"That's gotta be it."
"Confession. No doubt."
They hadn't gone far, so we heard.
"Uh, so… lost rock-paper-scissors with friends."
"Yeah?"
"I've… kinda liked you for a while."
"Me?"
"Yeah. Did you… notice?"
"Notice what?"
"Like, vibes or whatever. Figured you might've picked up on it."
"Nah~ No clue. What's up?"
"Sigh… I like you."
"Oh~ Got it… yeah."
"…That's it?"
"What? So you like me, then?"
"No… it's embarrassing. Not asking you out or anything. Don't wanna pressure you."
That was the gist.
Seo Jae-hyun and Ji Hyun-su reacted.
"Damn, that guy's pitiful."
"You think you could handle her staring you down like that? I'd bail before confessing."
"Same. Terrifying."
Lee Seol chimed in.
"But isn't smiling at him nicer than being cold?"
"Nah, that's a fake smile. Who knows what's going on inside—scarier."
While they chatted, U Hana finished up and trotted back.
Lee Seol linked arms with her casually.
"What'd he say?"
"Wanted my number. Turned him down."
Flat as if she'd just grabbed snacks.
Then U Hana looked my way again.
No idea why. Maybe 'cause I'd been her last convo partner, or just random.
We locked eyes longer than normal, till she broke it first.
"…Something on my face?"
"Nope?"
"Good then."
Ji Hyun-su and Seo Jae-hyun muttered behind us.
"Feels like I just took the red pill."
"That the same girl who scared off a guy with her eyes?"
…So damn chatty.