Ordinary Daily Life (4)
I had no intention of letting that opportunity slip away. From then on, whenever a question popped into my head, I asked Yoon Seo-ha without fail, like I'd been waiting for the chance all along.
She answered more sincerely than I'd expected, which let me clear up all my curiosities by the end of each break.
Then, out of nowhere, there was a moment when Yoon Seo-ha just stared at me blankly.
"…."
"……Ah."
I tried to play it off like I hadn't noticed, but it was impossible. A quiet girl like her staring so openly left me with nowhere to hide.
……Had I asked too much? Even so, cornering her every break might've been a bit inconsiderate.
But what she actually said was something else entirely.
"No, I just realized explaining it to someone else helps me too."
I blanked out for a second.
Ah. Not that it was annoying—it helped her sort out her own thoughts.
"Glad to hear that."
She gave a small nod without much else.
But I'd already asked pretty much everything by then. Digging deeper would've just been needlessly bothering her.
Before I knew it, lunchtime had rolled around from all those break-time chats.
This was the first time I'd had such a long conversation with Yoon Seo-ha.
I set down my pen and stood. Right on cue, Seo Jae-hyun and Ji Hyun-su headed my way.
Seo Jae-hyun skimmed the workbook and notes on my desk, then smirked.
"Whoa, you're actually studying hard. Oh yeah, exams are coming up, huh?"
Ji Hyun-su nodded from the side.
"But you've missed so many classes—what're you gonna do? Be nice if you had some pre-made notes to share……."
His voice trailed off awkwardly there. No way—he's not the diligent note-taking type.
Seo Jae-hyun chuckled slyly.
"Asking for help again this time might be pushing it, huh?"
"Were you even considerate before?"
Well, they weren't exactly saints last time either, but this round, I had to shake my head. Things were genuinely different this exam period.
I shrugged lightly.
"Seriously impossible this time."
"Gotcha."
Seo Jae-hyun backed off, convinced.
Exam periods had always been pretty much the same up till now.
Seo Jae-hyun, Ji Hyun-su, U Hana, Lee Seol. We'd huddle in a library corner, and somehow I'd end up explaining everything.
No one planned it that way—it just always happened.
But this time, with all my absences and needing help myself, I wasn't in any position to tutor anyone.
Hmm… maybe it was a little fortunate. Things were still awkward with Lee Seol. Nothing major, but gathering everyone might've made the vibe weird again like last time.
Perfect excuse, basically.
Anyway.
I had lunch with Seo Jae-hyun and Ji Hyun-su before heading back. U Hana must've eaten with Lee Seol separately.
She was already in the classroom when I got there.
Sitting side by side with Lee Seol, chatting about something—the mood actually looked decent. At least they'd patched things up.
U Hana's long hair means she has this habit of tucking stray strands behind her ear now and then. She did it while listening to Lee Seol, then suddenly glanced our way, like she'd sensed our stares.
She flashed her usual bright smile right away, and I gave a casual wave.
We traded light greetings, I sat down, and Yoon Seo-ha asked,
"You study together during exams while helping the others?"
She must've overheard before we left for lunch.
"Yeah. Like you said, teaching helps me too. But this time, I'm the one needing help."
"From who?"
"……No one? Just a figure of speech."
She watched my reaction quietly, then nodded along without a word.
These talks feel natural now, come to think of it.
Probably 'cause we both geek out over studying.
The next class flew by uneventfully. Bell rang, teacher left, and the room erupted in chatter.
Break time hit, and I heard a chair scrape behind me.
U Hana came right over. I half-turned and looked up at her.
"Min-woo, let's go."
Club day today. She'd joined Yeoul theater club, so heading to the club room together wasn't weird.
She's always been quick to befriend anyone, and her natural charm let her blend right into the club.
Of course, being on props duty helped. Acting or directing might've sparked some subtle rivalries.
I stood, and she fell in step beside me naturally.
"Hmm~."
In the hallway to the club room, she hummed softly at my side.
Seemed like she was faking nonchalance to cover the awkwardness. Not just my guess—her humming sounded off-key from nerves.
She kept it up, eyes forward, avoiding mine, until I spoke and it cut off sharp.
"…Talked to Lee Seol?"
"Yeah."
Short reply, but her face said it went fine.
"Not that I'm jealous or anything… she just needs some time."
I nodded.
"Got it."
Honestly, what else was there to say? No clue how long this childish tug-of-war with Lee Seol would drag on, but butting in now felt like it'd just tangle things more.
Anyway, that wasn't why I'd spoken up.
Glanced around—the hall was packed with club-goers. Not the spot for this talk.
I grabbed her arm and steered her to a quieter corner by the central entrance, away from prying eyes. Like when she'd yanked me into that alley during sports day. Roles reversed this time.
"Huh?"
She blinked up at me in confusion once we stopped, having been dragged along.
"…What're you doing?"
Her voice dripped with fluster.
"You did this last time."
"That was to help you."
She insists it was helpful, but it was pure teasing to anyone watching.
I skipped the debate and cut to the chase.
"Got something to tell you. Can't have others overhearing."
"…."
She clamped her mouth shut. The humming carefree girl from seconds ago went dead silent. She'd figured it was about her confession.
"I was too flustered this morning—couldn't say a word, just let you go."
"That was fluster?"
She blinked a few times.
"Your face didn't change at all, so I thought… um… no chance."
"You seemed pretty chill for someone crushed."
"Pretending."
She pouted. Then, super softly, mumbled,
"Why play it cool? You know. …Embarrassing for me too."
I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly.
"That was acting too. Flustered big time once you left."
"Whoa… actor through and through. No clue."
I paused before continuing.
In that brief quiet, distant chatter and laughs from the hall faded away.
She asked first, tentative.
"So, how'd it feel? Why the fluster?"
Super careful tone, but laced with that subtle hope.
"First confession like that."
"Pfft. I've seen you get a bunch myself."
"Not like that."
"Then what?"
I took a breath. Words took time to form.
"After hearing it… couldn't stop thinking about it."
"…Ah. Huh?"
Her face flushed red in a flash. Neck to ears—you could see the heat rising.
She peeked up at me, embarrassed, then looked away.
I pressed on.
"But I'd only vaguely sensed it before. Didn't see it coming."
Still true.
No sudden epiphany or crystal clarity.
I act like I know original-character U Hana inside out, but we've only gotten truly close lately.
No heads-up on the confession, plus actor life and all the mixed advice around me—not something to rush.
That hadn't changed.
Just laying my situation bare honestly. Felt bad sending her off wordless.
And… her trying so hard to play it cool tugged at me.
While I gathered my thoughts, she mumbled hesitantly.
"Wasn't great timing anyway. Regretted it right after."
"Didn't ruin anything."
"…For real?"
Her eyes snapped up. I'd missed it looking away, but they brimmed with hope and nerves.
"Hard to commit to anything definite right now. Situation's… complicated."
"Yeah. I get it."
Small nod—short, but it hit grateful. She was already trying to understand my side first.
"Can't say 'let's date' or whatever yet."
"…Yeah."
"But it's not nothing."
Soft exhale, then straight talk.
"So… wanna take it slow? Get to know each other?"
Not brimming with certainty… but the most honest I could manage. Felt oddly lighter saying it.
She stared blankly, then nodded.
"Got it perfectly."
Small smile, then whispered,
"……That's already huge?"
Hesitated like more on her mind, then ventured,
"So… like, we're flirting? Kinda dating? Right?"
Half giddy, half shy tone.
……Seeking confirmation, huh?
I nodded, and her eyes lit up instantly.