The following day, Ji-eun couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed. She woke up to the usual 7:00 AM blare of the alarm clock, but today, it didn’t feel like just another morning. There was a sense of anticipation in the air, as if her routine was about to be interrupted in a way she hadn’t planned.

She had spent the entire night tossing and turning, her mind stuck on the image of Min-jae’s grin and the way he insisted on walking her home yesterday.

“He’s just being friendly,” she reassured herself, though it didn’t help that the thought kept coming back.

Her day began like every other. She rushed through breakfast, barely making it out the door before her mother’s quiet reminders about locking up and staying safe.

But when Ji-eun rounded the corner and headed toward the school gate, she found herself looking for him. The moment the thought entered her mind, she tried to push it away. Why should she care? It wasn’t like she was expecting him to show up.

Yet, there he was.

Min-jae stood leaning against the school gate again, the same easy confidence radiating off him as he looked at his phone. The morning light bounced off his black varsity jacket, and his tousled hair caught the breeze just right. Even from a distance, Ji-eun could feel the attention he drew from the few students who passed by.

Ji-eun’s pace slowed, but only for a second. She couldn’t let herself be bothered. She had her routine, and he wasn’t going to change that.

But Min-jae’s gaze lifted from his phone, and his eyes locked onto her almost immediately. The smile that spread across his face was that familiar, grin.

“Morning,” he said, pushing off the gate and walking toward her with casual steps. “You’re running a little late today.”

“I’m not,” Ji-eun answered quickly, then regretted the sharpness in her tone. She adjusted the strap of her bag, looking down at the pavement, unwilling to meet his gaze. “I’m fine.”

Min-jae didn’t seem put off by her response, though Ji-eun noticed the slight pause in his steps. He studied her for a moment, then continued, “So, what’s the plan for today? Another day of pretending I’m not here?”

Ji-eun shot him a glance, unsure of how to respond. His teasing tone made her feel uncomfortable, but there was something in his eyes that made her second-guess herself. She hadn’t even realized how often she kept to herself until now.

“Not really,” she muttered. “Just trying to get through the day, like everyone else.”

Min-jae smiled, but it was more thoughtful than teasing this time. “I get that. Anyway, you’re stuck with me for the day.”

“I didn’t agree to that,” Ji-eun said, her voice sounding slightly annoyed, but she couldn’t help the tug of curiosity in her chest. There was something about Min-jae, his ability to be so unbothered, to take life as it came that was unlike anyone she’d ever met.

He grinned, that same mischievous gleam in his eyes. “Too bad. You’re stuck with me anyway.”

The rest of the day unfolded with Min-jae’s presence like a shadow. Every time Ji-eun turned around, there he was leaning against a locker, offering a quick joke between classes, or simply hanging around, as if waiting for her to acknowledge him.

It was strange. Ji-eun wasn’t used to being so...noticed. People typically left her alone, content to let her blend into the background, where she liked it best. But Min-jae didn’t seem to care about that. In fact, he seemed to enjoy the challenge of drawing her out of her shell.

At lunch, she was sitting alone at her usual spot near the windows when Min-jae appeared once again. He plopped down across from her without asking and grinned like it was the most natural thing in the world. Ji-eun raised an eyebrow but didn’t protest. It wasn’t like she could ignore him now.

“Can’t have you eating alone,” he said, opening his lunchbox with a flourish. “I’ll join you.”

She didn’t understand it. Why did he keep doing this? “I don’t need company,” she replied, her voice quieter this time, trying not to sound rude.

Min-jae just shrugged, his easygoing attitude unwavering. “Maybe I just want to eat with someone who looks interesting. Ever thought of that?”

Ji-eun shook her head, trying to focus on her lunch. It was impossible to keep up this conversation when she had no idea how to respond. She’d never been the type to share much about herself, and yet Min-jae seemed completely at ease doing just that. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d shared a meal with anyone, much less someone who seemed so... open.

“What do you usually do after school?” Min-jae asked after a few moments of uncomfortable silence.

“Go home,” Ji-eun muttered, taking a bite of her sandwich. “Nothing special.”

“Boring,” he said with a playful wink. “You should try something different today. Ever thought about just... walking around the city? Getting out of your comfort zone?”

“I don’t need to get out of my comfort zone,” Ji-eun replied, defensive. She hadn’t meant to snap, but something about his suggestion irritated her. She was fine in her bubble—why couldn’t he understand that?

Min-jae tilted his head, studying her quietly for a moment. “Okay, okay. I get it. But sometimes... it’s nice to shake things up.”

Ji-eun wasn’t sure how to respond. She didn’t want to explain herself to him. She didn’t want to explain why she found comfort in the quiet moments, the routines, the predictable days that held no surprises.

But Min-jae’s presence seemed to challenge her every thought. His insistence on shaking up her world left her feeling exposed, like she was being drawn out into the light whether she wanted to be or not.

The school bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, and Ji-eun gathered her things to leave. As usual, she was trying to avoid looking at Min-jae, but before she could escape, he stood up and followed her toward the door.

“Let’s walk home together today,” he said, his voice casual but with an undercurrent of playfulness. “I’ll be your shadow.”

“I’m serious,” Ji-eun said firmly, turning to look at him. “I don’t need you following me around.”

Min-jae smiled again, that infuriatingly charming smile. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily. You can try, but I’ll still be there.”

Ji-eun stared at him for a moment, her brow furrowed. Why was he so persistent? She didn’t need a shadow. She didn’t need him.

And yet, the idea of having someone walk beside her, someone who was so different from anyone she’d ever known felt oddly comforting. Maybe she could give it a try. Just once.

“Fine,” she said, her voice barely audible. “But just today.”

Min-jae’s grin widened. “Deal.”

As they walked home together that day, Ji-eun couldn’t help but notice how easy it was to fall into step with him. He wasn’t talking much, but his presence was constant, steady, like the sound of waves lapping against the shore.

It wasn’t uncomfortable at least, not as uncomfortable as she expected. And before she knew it, they were standing in front of her apartment building, the day drawing to a close.

“Well, this is my stop,” Ji-eun said, suddenly feeling the weight of the quiet between them.

Min-jae paused, his eyes thoughtful. “I’ll see you tomorrow, right?”

Ji-eun hesitated. Something about his question made her feel... uncertain. He wasn’t asking for permission, just stating a fact. And for reasons she couldn’t quite explain, it made her heart race a little.

“Yeah, I guess so,” she replied, then turned to walk inside.

That night, Ji-eun sat at her desk once more, her thoughts swirling in a thousand different directions. She couldn’t seem to get rid of the image of Min-jae’s face, the way he smiled at her, the way he had so easily become a part of her routine.

Maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t as alone as she thought.