A Girl I Can See Every Day
Today's entrance ceremony for the girl I could see every day passed without any real classes. But in the free time we were given instead, the students who stayed in the classroom used it to break the ice and build some friendships.
"Nice to meet you. Let's get along well."
"You like soccer by any chance? Wanna play a match on the field after school if you're up for it?"
"You're from the same middle school as me, right?"
"What a coincidence~ Running into everyone here!"
Conversations naturally started with shared hobbies or alma maters. From that perspective, I was at a disadvantage—my middle school was pretty far from here, making it hard to connect. But contrary to expectations, a few students approached me without any pretense.
"Hey~ Top-of-the-class! That speech earlier was awesome~!"
"Got time to chat if you're free?"
"Oh, me too! Can I join!?"
A tall, sturdy guy, a small and delicate boy in stark contrast, and one lively girl. Their friendliness shone through from the first impression, and it didn't feel bad to me at all. After all, I was Kim Manbung through and through—I felt the need to make friends.
"Shall we start with introductions? I'm Shin Jiho. And this little guy next to me is Jin Seohyun."
"And I'm Lee Nari. Nice to meet you, Kim Manbung... Pfft!"
"...Feel free to laugh, but don't tease too much. It's a precious name my parents gave me."
"Sorry, hehe. It's just so unique. Oh, wait—Manbung, so you must like manga, right? Got any favorites?"
"That's a stereotype. Well, I won't say no if someone recommends one."
"Oh yeah? Then big bro here’s gotta hook you up with some recs~"
"...We're the same grade. Why are you suddenly 'big bro'?"
"'Cause I'm the tallest one here!!"
Shin Jiho had a bold vibe to match his large build. Beside him, the small friend Jin Seohyun smiled quietly, while Lee Nari kept recommending manga to me steadily. The fresh, newbie high schooler atmosphere brought a smile to my face too. Yeah, this was youth in its own way. I hoped our friendships would last.
As I dove back into the conversation, I suddenly felt a gaze fixed on us. I turned toward it immediately.
There was Yoo Soeun, now huddled with a group of girls. The distance between us had grown quite a bit, but her eyes were locked straight on me.
She seems to have found her group... but what's up? Why does she keep staring at me?
"Manbung, what're you staring at?"
While I was locked in that staring contest, my three new friends noticed and followed my gaze. Yoo Soeun quickly looked away, leaving me looking like I was glaring at her unilaterally. Perfect setup for misunderstandings.
"Oh, it's the top student."
"To snag top rank at this school, she must be some study monster."
"But why's second-place Manbung glaring...? Jealousy maybe?"
"Or could be love. Hehe, I smell pure romance~"
...Why do high school girls love shipping couples so much?
"Not like that. Drop it."
It was absurd. Sure, coincidences piled up, but that was it. Even if things progressed, the line for any connection with her would stop at friends. That was my firm conclusion as I tried to get back to chatting with my friends.
"......"
But Yoo Soeun, still in her group, kept glancing my way. Her silent staring pulled so many thoughts into my head that I couldn't focus on the conversation.
-Ding, dong, daeng, dong.
After making new friends, school ended early since there were no proper classes. The path home was filled with chattering students bonding with their new connections from today.
Ironically, my new friends' routes home didn't match mine, so I figured it'd be a lonely walk. But unexpectedly, a familiar face appeared beside me.
The owner of the face that had been etched deeply in my mind through various morning coincidences.
"......"
She still said nothing, but her gaze stayed fixed on me. I got that we took the same train to school, so paths home matched too—but she could've looked elsewhere. Yet she kept staring only at me.
Why? Did I mess up somehow? Or... does she like me?
...Overthinking it. No way a high school girl would catch feelings just from a little help, no matter how innocent.
But even as I dismissed the idea, her enigmatic gaze persisted all the way to boarding the same train. Even with plenty of empty seats, she sat right next to me.
"......"
Yoo Soeun stared at me unwaveringly, ignoring the train's sway. That gaze started feeling eerie, and I finally cracked, asking in a weary voice,
"Um, do you have something to say to me? You've been staring nonstop since earlier."
"......"
At my words, she looked down as if lost in thought. After a long silence, her lips parted slightly.
"Tha... nks."
"What?"
"This morning... tha... nks. You said... you'd hear my thanks later... so......"
...So that's what it was. She'd been timing her thank-you from this morning.
But she could've said it when we became seatmates. How shy could she be?
"Hey, we all help each other out. I didn't do it expecting anything, so don't worry about it."
Either way, as classmates and seatmates, building rapport made sense. With that in mind, I expressed my goodwill as simply as possible.
"If you need help again—today or anytime—just say so. I'll do what I can."
"...Again?"
"We're classmates. We'll see each other every day; it's the least I can do."
Of course, I'd lean on her too. She was the class topper, after all. Smarter than me academically—forming a study group later could boost my grades big time.
-Now arriving at XX Station. Exit to the left if this is your stop...
Ah, time to go. As the doors opened, I grabbed my bag, stood, and waved to Yoo Soeun.
"See ya tomorrow then."
I raised my hand, and she stared intently. No reply came—classic shyness—then through the closing subway door's glass, I glimpsed her faintly. A bit late, but she raised her hand toward me.
Realizing she'd returned my goodbye, I smiled wryly and headed home, thinking,
I've gone and connected with quite the odd girl.
And so, I arrived home after the walk.
"Soeun's home~ How was the entrance ceremony?"
Mom, just finishing dishes, greeted her—but Soeun stared blankly into space, unable to respond as usual.
Her mother immediately sensed it. Something from today's ceremony was on her daughter's mind.
"Oh my, Soeun. Did something good happen?"
"......"
"Hehe, okay. We'll talk about it later. Bath before dinner?"
Led by her mother, Soeun headed to the bathroom. After undressing and wetting herself under the shower, one boy's face lingered in her mind.
The moment he'd taken her hand and led her through the crowd.
His sturdy back as she'd clung to him on the bike through the rain.
And his face, which kept catching her eye ever since.
-Splash.
Submerging in the warm water with those thoughts, Soeun replayed his parting words in her heart.
'See ya tomorrow.'
Yes, not just today. They were classmates—seatmates, even. She'd see his face closer than anyone's, every single day.
"From now on... I can see him every day......"
In a life with no ties to boys, this was her first. His casual kindness etched deeply, making her heart pound fuller than ever.