The days following their trip to the arcade felt like a strange new rhythm. Ji-eun had never been the type to reach out to others, never been the kind of person who sought attention or longed for company. But Min-jae had a way of breaking through her walls, slowly but steadily, with his constant presence and easy confidence. Each day, he found a way to surprise her, to make her feel like maybe just maybe she could belong somewhere outside of her small, quiet world.

The next Monday, when Ji-eun arrived at school, she couldn’t help but look around for him. It had become a habit now, this unconscious search. Min-jae wasn’t at the gate like usual, but she noticed him leaning against the far wall near the lockers, looking unusually thoughtful. It wasn’t like him to be so still, so quiet. He was always moving, always talking, always teasing.

She walked past him, not acknowledging his presence, hoping he wouldn’t see her. The last thing she wanted was to feel the weight of his gaze on her. But, as if on cue, he straightened and called out to her.

“Ji-eun!” His voice rang out, and her heart skipped a beat. He was calling her again. He had started doing that more often, and she didn’t know how she felt about it.

She turned around, trying to sound indifferent. “What?”

Min-jae smiled, but there was something different in his expression today, something softer, more serious. “I’m glad you came to the arcade with me the other day.”

Ji-eun blinked, surprised by the sudden shift in his tone. “It was just... a one-time thing,” she said quickly, trying to keep the conversation light, but her words came out colder than she intended.

Min-jae didn’t seem bothered by it. In fact, he looked almost amused. “You’re a tough one, you know that?”

She didn’t answer him, unsure of how to react. His words made her feel exposed, but at the same time, there was a part of her that didn’t mind the way he saw through her. He could tell she was avoiding something, but he didn’t push her on it.

Instead, he nodded toward the hallway. “Anyway, I’ve been thinking. If you ever want to do something again, no pressure, just... you know, something fun I’m here.”

Ji-eun swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his words. She wasn’t sure why his invitation made her chest tighten. She’d always kept her distance, always been content to live in her own quiet world. But with Min-jae, it was like that world was slowly being pulled apart.

“I’ll think about it,” she said quickly, and before she could second-guess herself, she turned and walked away.

The day dragged on, but Ji-eun couldn’t shake the feeling of Min-jae’s eyes on her every time she turned a corner. It wasn’t like he was actively following her, but she could always feel his presence, like a shadow trailing behind her. She wasn’t used to it, this feeling of being seen, and it made her uncomfortable. She tried to focus on her classes, but his words from earlier kept replaying in her head.

“I’m here.”

It was simple. Casual. And yet, it felt like something more. Something that made her wonder if he genuinely cared about her. Not in the way people usually cared about someone out of obligation or duty but in a way that made her question her own feelings.

By the time school let out, Ji-eun was exhausted. Her head was spinning, and her thoughts were a mess. When she stepped outside the school gates, she was relieved to see that Min-jae wasn’t waiting for her. She had expected him to be there, like he always was, but today, the space between them felt... different.

But just as she was about to leave the gates, she heard his voice.

“Ji-eun!” Min-jae called from behind her. She stopped, and, with a small sigh, turned around.

“What now?” she asked, trying to sound less affected than she really was.

Min-jae smiled at her, though this time, it was a little less playful and a little more... serious. “I’ve been thinking. We should talk.”

“About what?” Ji-eun asked, confused by his sudden shift in demeanor. He wasn’t the type to ask for deep conversations. He was the kind of person who would distract you with jokes and silly comments, not with serious discussions.

Min-jae paused, then took a step closer, his expression unreadable. “About us.”

Ji-eun froze, her mind going blank. Us? She didn’t even know how to respond to that. They weren’t... an “us.” She had no idea what he meant by that.

“I don’t—” she started, but Min-jae interrupted her, holding up a hand.

“Just hear me out, okay?” His voice was quieter now, more sincere. “I’ve noticed something about you, Ji-eun. You’re always holding back. You keep everyone at arm’s length. And I get it. I know how it feels to build walls around yourself, to keep everyone out because it’s easier that way. But you’re not like everyone else.”

Ji-eun felt her heart rate pick up. No one had ever said anything like that to her before. No one had ever looked at her and seen the walls she’d carefully constructed. Min-jae was the first person who seemed to understand her, and the idea of him knowing her better than she knew herself was both comforting and terrifying.

“I’m not trying to push you,” Min-jae continued. “But I don’t want you to feel like you’re alone. I just... I want to be here. For you.”

For a moment, everything went silent. Ji-eun could hear her own heartbeat, a loud thrum in her ears. She didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t sure she even knew how to respond.

“I’m... I’m not good at this,” she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. She hated the way she sounded weak, vulnerable and unsure. This wasn’t the way she had planned to have a conversation with him. She had always been the strong one, the one who kept everything under control. But with Min-jae, she felt like she was losing that control.

Min-jae stepped closer to her, his gaze softening. “You don’t have to be good at anything. You just have to be yourself. And I’m okay with that. I like you, Ji-eun. Just as you are.”

His words hit her like a wave, and for a brief moment, Ji-eun felt like the world had stopped turning. The weight of his confession hung in the air between them, and she didn’t know how to process it. She had spent so long avoiding anyone who tried to get close, pushing people away before they could hurt her. But Min-jae wasn’t like everyone else. He wasn’t trying to hurt her. He was trying to make her feel... seen. Wanted.

“Min-jae...” Her voice was barely above a whisper, but it was enough for him to hear.

“Yeah?” He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers.

“I... I don’t know how to do this,” Ji-eun admitted, her voice trembling. “I’ve never let anyone get this close before.”

Min-jae smiled gently, a soft, understanding smile. “I get it. And I’m not going anywhere. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be here.”

That night, as Ji-eun lay in bed, she couldn’t stop thinking about Min-jae’s words. I like you, Ji-eun. They echoed in her mind, over and over again, until she was left wondering whether she could allow herself to feel the same. Could she really let him in? Could she let go of the walls she had spent so long building?

The uncertainty gnawed at her, but there was a part of her that wanted to believe in his sincerity. Maybe, just maybe, Min-jae was the person who could make her feel like it was okay to be vulnerable. Maybe he could teach her that it was okay to trust again.

And maybe... just maybe... she wasn’t as alone as she had always believed.