Chapter 5
The afternoon sun dipped low over the Seoul skyline as classes ended, painting the campus in warm shades of orange. Students walked in groups, chatting and laughing, but Ji-eun barely heard anything.
Because Min-jun was waiting for her.
Not pretending to be busy.
Not acting distant.
Just standing there, hands in his pockets, eyes searching for her in the crowd.
When he spotted her, something in his expression softened instantly.
"There you are," he said, voice low but warm.
Ji-eun's heart fluttered.
---
Awkward But Sweet
They started walking side by side, the distance between them so small she could hear his breathing. Neither spoke at first—both shy, both uncertain, both too aware of each other.
Min-jun cleared his throat lightly.
"So… about this morning."
He looked forward, embarrassed. "I wasn't trying to ignore you."
"I know," she replied softly.
He glanced at her, relieved. "Good… I didn't want you to think I was upset with you."
She hesitated.
"Were you… jealous?"
He stopped walking.
Just—stopped.
Ji-eun turned back to look at him.
His eyes avoided hers for a moment, then locked onto them with surprising sincerity.
"…Yeah."
A quiet confession.
Almost whispered.
Yet powerful enough to make her breath catch.
"I didn't like the idea of you being close to someone else," he admitted. "It bothered me more than it should."
Ji-eun's cheeks burned.
Her heart felt like it was blooming and trembling at the same time.
---
A Small, Beautiful Moment
They continued walking, this time slower.
Closer.
The silence wasn't awkward now—it was warm, comfortable, full of unspoken things.
At one point, Ji-eun's hand brushed against his.
Just a tiny touch.
But Min-jun reacted like he felt electricity.
He stiffened… then slowly let his fingers relax near hers again.
Not touching.
Not holding.
But close enough for her to feel the heat of his skin.
Ji-eun's heart raced.
---
Min-jun's Gentle Side
After a few minutes, he suddenly spoke.
"Ji-eun," he said, his tone softer than she had ever heard it. "You work really hard. Even when you were struggling last week… you didn't quit."
She blinked, surprised. "You noticed?"
"I notice everything about you," he said without thinking.
He froze.
She froze.
His ears turned red instantly.
"I mean— not everything, just— I wasn't trying to sound creepy— I just meant—"
Ji-eun laughed softly.
The sweetest sound he'd heard all day.
"It's okay," she whispered. "I… like that you notice."
Min-jun looked at her like she had just said something incredibly precious.
---
Almost Holding Hands
As they neared her apartment street, she slowed down, wishing the walk were longer.
Min-jun hesitated, then gently reached out—not grabbing her hand, but offering his palm upward… waiting for her to close the distance.
Ji-eun's fingers trembled as she slowly placed her hand into his.
Warm.
Careful.
Perfect.
Min-jun exhaled like he'd been holding his breath for hours.
They walked the last few steps hand in hand.
Not as dance partners.
Not as senior and junior.
But something closer.
Something new.
Something fragile and beautiful.
---
At Her Door
When they reached her building, neither wanted to let go.
Ji-eun slowly withdrew her hand, nerves fluttering.
"Thank you for walking with me," she said softly.
Min-jun looked at her for a long moment, something deep in his eyes.
"Thank you for letting me."
He stepped back, but then paused.
"Can I… walk you home again tomorrow?"
Her smile was shy but full of happiness.
"Yes."
He nodded, cheeks faintly red, and turned to leave.
But before he could go far—
"Min-jun sunbae!"
He turned.
Ji-eun took a breath.
A courageous, trembling one.
"I'm glad… it was you."
His expression softened in a way that made her heart ache.
"Me too," he said quietly.
Then he walked away, but she could tell—
he kept fighting the urge to look back.
He liked her.
Maybe more than he realized.