She Was Waiting for Me
Before I could even get out of bed and stumble to the bathroom, U Hana's phone rang.
"Hey, Min-woo."
"Yeah. Overslept. You went ahead?"
"I'm waiting for you? Hurry up."
"...Huh? You're waiting?"
Something about that made me move faster.
"What if you end up late too? I'll wash up quick and head out."
"Okay."
A bunch of questions popped into my head, but there was no time for that now. Especially since she was waiting. I hung up, rushed through my morning routine, got ready, and bolted out the door.
As I ran, I spotted her standing at our usual meeting spot. She was brushing her hair back, looking off somewhere else, but the moment she turned her head, our eyes met.
She dropped her hand, flashed a bright smile, and came bounding over. Hopping right up to me, she asked in a cheerful voice,
"Not gonna be late after all?"
"You've been out here since the usual time, waiting the whole time?"
"Not that long."
"You could've texted. I figured you'd gone ahead."
"Felt like you wouldn't pick up even if I did. Just ends up piling up notifications like something's wrong."
Her calm logic left me speechless. She was right. If I was gonna answer, I would've when the alarm went off.
...But still, waiting out here like this?
It felt a little off, but guilt outweighed the thought, so I didn't dwell on it.
"I was about to call again earlier. We were really cutting it close."
"Sorry. Went to bed way too late last night."
"Something come up?"
"Nah, just reading script."
"Ah."
Hana nodded like she got it, then suddenly took the lead and started walking.
"Gotta run. You coming, or should I go first?"
"Huh? Not together?"
"Group's big enough."
She dashed off alone, then glanced back with a tease.
"Hurry up! We're gonna be late!"
I took off running too.
*
"So from the speaker's attitude here, you can tell they're keeping a certain distance while observing the subject~ Like this."
It was second period, literature class.
"Now, why do you think that is? Lots of interpretations, but... linking it to romance makes it click faster. One side's drawn in, but the other's anxious. Or maybe they're holding back to avoid ruining things by showing too much. Mostly that dual mindset..."
The teacher's explanation dragged on, until the bell finally rang, ending class.
Seo Jae-hyun, sitting right in front, twisted around immediately.
"First time I didn't doze off in lit class."
"That's your brag?"
New semester was underway, seats assigned.
I'd lucked into sitting with Seo Jae-hyun and Ji Hyun-su.
U Hana was a bit farther off, with Lee Seol somewhere in between.
Lee Seol was chatting with the girl next to her.
Her name was Yoon Seo-ha.
Her near-expressionless face framed by black hair brushing her eyes. Neat bangs showing her forehead naturally.
She appeared in the original story too. Joined the group in second year, not super often but memorable.
Not as emotional as U Hana or as laid-back as Lee Seol, but she had this knack for smoothing out the vibe without saying much.
Class president of 2-4. The rational anchor amid all the feelers.
Kind of gave off haughty lady vibes. Guys found her intimidating—even friendly Seo Jae-hyun steered clear.
She poured her time into studies, so our paths didn't cross much.
"Finally got the gender balance right."
Ji Hyun-su scowled at Seo Jae-hyun's line right away.
"Dude, that was cringey as hell."
"...That bad?"
"Be glad Lee Seol wasn't around."
"Think about it with Min-woo's face."
"Still cringey."
"Hater. Can't be with this face."
"You think?"
These guys hadn't changed since first year.
Yeah, if personalities flipped overnight, something'd be up.
That thought pulled my gaze to Lee Seol naturally.
If I had to pick someone whose attitude shifted suddenly, she'd top the list.
...What's her deal?
If her heart's just weak and she startles easy, sure, I should be more careful...
But no way that's the only reason.
Something's definitely there.
Used to be me pushing her away, now it's reversed. Felt fresh.
So this is what it's like. Kinda nagging at me. Is this how Seo Jae-hyun felt, bugging me more?
Anyway, Lee Seol was talking with Yoon Seo-ha next to her. U Hana joined them soon after.
I pulled my eyes away and turned to Seo Jae-hyun. Casually asked,
"How's it going lately?"
"Lately? Busy."
"Not that."
"...Oh."
He caught on late, smirking as his lip curled up.
"Ooh."
Leaning back in his chair, he grinned meaningfully.
"Getting interested in romance? Related to that chocolate girl from before? Huh?"
"No clue how long you're milking that."
Ji Hyun-su chimed in flatly from the side.
"Min-woo doesn't have time for dating."
"Why not? Not an idol or anything."
"...Not impossible."
From the vibe, Ji Hyun-su thought like my sister—too early for that.
Not curious about my love life, so back to Seo Jae-hyun.
"So, how is it?"
"Probably can't say it confidently yet."
He sighed deeply, spot on.
"...Dunno. Just fuckin' hard."
Ji Hyun-su nodded vigorously.
"Lee Seol looks hella tough."
Almost asked if she was icing him out lately too... but dropped it.
Not a convo for the middle of class.
"She into dating at all? Like me?"
"Kinda feels that way. Something must've happened."
Something did. Tied to a later event, though.
Oh yeah, another one's coming up soon. Sports day.
By then, my shoot should be wrapped.
Sports day's mostly comic relief—no big drama between them.
Then someone approached. Yoon Seo-ha, black hair neatly falling.
She stood by us, looking down at Seo Jae-hyun.
"Survey."
Her stiff tone hit.
"Uh, wha? Survey?"
He panicked at the suddenness—and the tone.
I explained.
"Thinks she means the basic info survey. From last Friday."
"Oh... didn't bring it."
"..."
Yoon Seo-ha's face unchanged.
"Due today."
"Sorry. Swear I'll bring it tomorrow."
"..."
"I'll tell the teacher too."
She nodded, headed back to her seat.
Seo Jae-hyun exhaled long.
"Scary. But... why just me? You guys?"
"Dropped mine this morning."
Ji Hyun-su drawled beside him.
"Me too."
"Why only me...?"
"Blame us and die."
"Yeah."
Bell rang then, class resumed.
Rest of classes passed fine. Soon, lunch.
Ate with Seo Jae-hyun and Ji Hyun-su, heading back, they split for the canteen. I went to class alone.
Opening the front door, friends dotted the seats. Up front, Yoon Seo-ha was pinning stuff to the bulletin board by the blackboard.
New board up, re-posting old notices.
She was on tiptoes, reaching high. I went over.
...Anyone would've reached that easy. How many pass by?
"..."
"..."
I held out my hand; she passed paper and pin.
Took it smooth, aligned the top, pinned it.
Might as well—took half her stack.
"This here?"
"..."
"Like this?"
"Yeah."
"Next to it?"
"..."
"You got this one."
Not much, split even, done quick.
Turned; girls clustered up front staring curiously.
"Anyone get how they even talked?"
"Dropped my overseas dreams, suddenly confident."
Her stiff talk... didn't bug me. Just her personality.
Knew she wasn't cold inside, just quieter with guys.
Glanced; she'd gone back to her seat, sorting books like nothing happened.
...Fast.
Turned back, called to the girl gossiping about us.
"Overseas? Where you headed?"
Didn't expect me; she startled.
"Huh?"
Fussing her bangs suddenly.
"...Ahem, just saying. Uh... w-wanna go together?"
Front-seat girls burst out laughing.
"Crazy bitch. 'Together?' Lmao."
"Ugh, sorry. Forget that."
Someone tapped my back then.
Same-class guy.
"Someone outside calling you, Min-woo."
"Oh, thanks."
Out the door again.
Was hoping the "just wanna see you" summons had died down... wishful thinking.
Stepped out; obvious "waiting for you" face right there.
Black hair nearly covering forehead, ends curling in at chest-length.
Skirt shorter than regs, black hoodie casual over white shirt.
But name tag stood out.
Different color. Not senior—junior.
New first-year. Name, Jang Do-ah.
"Hi."
Smiled big, bowed, eyes locked on me till the end. Bold gaze.
...Feels familiar. Name, look.
Definitely seen before.
Not recently... or original story character.
Not huge role, but stuck in memory...
Then it hit. Spot under her eye, tiny mole.
My face fell naturally.
-------------------------------
(Yoon Seo-ha Illustration)
