Changes in Relationships (5)
After lunch, I met up with U Hana separately.
It was near the athletic field. I was heading back to the classroom when I got a message from her, so I came out alone.
As I approached, U Hana lowered the phone she was holding and let out a small sigh.
"I'm gonna cut back on my part-time hours soon."
"Why?"
"No time to study."
Her voice trailed off weakly. Even though she was speaking in her usual playful tone, real fatigue seeped through.
"I don't think I can be a superhuman like you. Sorry I'm so inadequate...!"
I couldn't help but burst out laughing in disbelief.
"When did I ever say you had to be like me?"
She clearly wasn't listening. Sniffling dramatically, she went on.
"Sorry I can't be someone worthy of hanging out with you... I'm such a failure...."
I knew she was hamming it up, but it was still hilarious. That was just her way of showing she was worn out—pure U Hana.
She'd been picking up extra shifts even on weekdays, even before I mentioned the influencer stuff.
Even if she hadn't decided to study on her own this time, it would've been hard to do anything together in her current situation.
I fell into step beside her.
As we walked across campus, I suddenly asked,
"Anything going on with Lee Seol?"
"Because of Jae-hyun?"
"You knew?"
"Impossible not to tell from his face."
True enough. I'd asked because his expression was too obvious to ignore.
Did U Hana know about Lee Seol's situation too?
Just as that thought crossed my mind, U Hana muttered very quietly,
"Kinda worried..."
"About what?"
She flinched, blinking for a second.
"Huh? Oh..."
She trailed off, then quickly looked away, pretending to stare at a corner of the field.
"Nah. Not something to bring up."
I debated pressing her a bit more.
But U Hana beat me to it, lifting the corner of her mouth and changing the subject.
"Oh yeah, when's that photoshoot coming out? Can't wait to see it."
The pivot was so blatant I almost snorted. Still, it wasn't the vibe to pry further.
I smoothly went along with her topic switch.
"Probably next week sometime?"
"That's so soon."
School ended, and as usual, I headed straight to the library.
Soon after, Yoon Seo-ha arrived and naturally took the seat next to me.
...She seemed convinced this was her safe spot now.
But it didn't really matter. We weren't chatting or anything just because she sat there.
Maybe that's why she chose it—she knew that.
We studied like that until it was time for a quick bite.
I set down my pen and stood. She must've heard the faint noise, because Yoon Seo-ha turned her head.
Her pale purple eyes asked silently: Where are you going?
"Gonna grab something to eat. Maybe pick up a snack."
My guess wasn't off—she responded right away. A bit out of left field, though.
"I'll buy it."
"...Huh?"
Why's she offering?
A little thrown, I continued,
"I'll get it. Feels weird letting someone buy for me when I'm earning my own money."
"...Oh. I was gonna buy to thank you for last time with work."
The keychain thing.
I'd quietly returned that keychain to her when no one was looking.
I hadn't thought it was a big deal, but she'd been quietly keeping it in mind.
The conversation dragged on longer than expected, so we ended up leaving the reading room together.
I'd planned to just grab bread from the convenience store, but eating with her meant upgrading.
She was buying as thanks, so I'd let her treat.
"Like tteokbokki?"
"...Yeah."
I already knew. Not just tteokbokki in general, but the super spicy, intense kind.
Menu decided in a second, we headed out.
There was a snack bar right near the library. We didn't talk much on the short walk—just a few curiosities I voiced. Not awkward, just our usual rhythm. Silence with her never felt off.
Maybe because I knew that's how she was...
"The people who picked you up last time—your parents?"
"Yeah."
I'd wondered if it was a secretary or something, but nope, parents.
Yoon Seo-ha asked in turn,
"You... where's home?"
"Close by. Walking distance from downtown over there."
Like a Q&A exchange.
Then my phone buzzed. It was Lee Da-kyung.
I gave Yoon Seo-ha a quick apologetic glance and answered.
She was asking if I'd be late home again. Said she'd fend for herself.
Short chat, then hung up.
"Little sister?"
"Yeah."
"I have a little brother too."
"Oh... cool."
My response sounded half-hearted in hindsight. Could come off like So what?
Sure enough, she glanced at me and added, almost defensively—but her tone wasn't.
"Our talks are different from ours."
I could picture it: Yoon Seo-ha and her little brother.
No bickering siblings vibe. More like him tiptoeing around her, careful not to upset big sis.
"You usually make dinner yourself?"
"Yeah. Parents aren't home much."
"Ah..."
Her face said she'd touched a sore spot, and she quickly smoothed it over, embarrassed.
"...Yeah, that's what I figured."
"Sure."
"For real."
"I believe you. How's it with your brother?"
"Not great."
Figures...
We arrived at the snack bar before long.
We took seats in the back and ordered simply. Tteokbokki was a must.
The ajumma taking orders glanced between us, then grinned.
"Wow, such a handsome couple. Extra on the house from me."
"Thank you."
I smiled and bowed reflexively; Yoon Seo-ha gave a small nod beside me.
The place wasn't empty—plenty of students around.
A few stares, then two girls in uniforms from another school hesitated over shyly.
One spoke up cautiously.
"Um... Lee Min-woo?"
I flicked a quick glance at Yoon Seo-ha, then answered.
"Yeah, that's me."
"Can I get an autograph?"
"Hey, they're eating."
Her friend whispered a mild protest, but the first girl looked desperate not to miss her chance.
"Just an autograph. I'm a real fan."
Even as she said it, her eyes weren't just on me. A quick, subtle flick toward Yoon Seo-ha.
She'll hate this...
But Yoon Seo-ha looked totally unfazed. Didn't she dislike this stuff?
No hint of annoyance or discomfort. Even she would've shown something if she minded.
I took the pen and said,
"Want me to write your name?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah! Hyun-seo. Kim Hyun-seo."
"Got it."
Autograph done.
"Thank you! Huge fan."
"Enjoy your food, you two."
"Uh... yeah."
They bowed a few more times before scurrying back. I could hear them whispering excitedly on the way.
My eyes drifted to Yoon Seo-ha. She was idly rolling her water cup with her fingertips, then spoke calmly.
"Not your fault."
"You read my face too?"
"Means you've been reading mine all this time."
I nearly laughed. What was new about that?
We'd had plenty of these talks already—only possible because of it.
I just looked at her without replying, and she glanced down slightly, fiddling with her cheek.
"Never used to happen before."
"What?"
"People reading my face. Heard 'no expression' a lot. 'Smile more' too."
I could picture those scenes unbidden.
Misunderstood for being expressionless, just sitting quietly and suddenly feeling distant.
But... if I weren't already 'in the know' from the original story, would an average guy feel uneasy under her cool stare?
No guarantee.
Regardless, Yoon Seo-ha muttered to herself, like she'd reached some conclusion.
"That explains it."
"What?"
"Why it's not awkward with you. Feels comfortable."
So straightforward and casual, it left me speechless for a beat.
"Huh... gotcha."
But... she was only realizing it now?
Guess she really did see me as 'safe zone secured' every time.
Mid-conversation, my phone screen lit up on the table.
Message notification.
U Hana should be at her part-time job by now. Probably wrapping up soon. Walking home from her cafe passed by my place, so our timings usually lined up.
We didn't do much when we met—just walk a bit together if we crossed paths, or say hi and part ways quick.
I went to reply casually, then paused.
Won't this look weird? Even typing it felt off. Now I was overthinking this too.
Not guilty or anything—just didn't want to make her worry unnecessarily.
Then Yoon Seo-ha asked flatly from beside me,
"Not replying?"
"...Was about to."
"If it's urgent, go ahead."
I chuckled softly, staring at the screen.
"Not urgent."
"Then?"
"Just... figuring out how to word it without it being weird."
"What's weird about it?"
"Nothing, really."
Yoon Seo-ha didn't pry. Instead, she reached for the tteokbokki with her chopsticks.