The afternoon sunlight filtered softly through the classroom windows, but Joya hardly noticed it.
Her mind was elsewhere, replaying every small moment with Sudom—the way he had smiled yesterday, the gentle brush of his hand under the rain. She wondered if he remembered those moments as vividly as she did.
During break, she found herself standing near the lockers, pretending to look for something in her bag, but really hoping he might appear.
Sudom appeared, as if he had known she would be there.
"Hey," he said, his voice low, calm.
"Hi," Joya whispered, surprised that her heart raced again.
A brief pause followed. Neither said much. And yet, the silence felt heavier than words.
Finally, he spoke. "I… um… wanted to ask something."
Joya tilted her head, curiosity and fear mingling.
"Do you… like the rain?" he asked.
Joya blinked. "I… I do. Why?"
He smiled, slightly shy. "Because I noticed you always stand under the tree when it rains. I thought… maybe you like it."
Her heart thumped in a way she hadn't expected. He noticed… small details. Things she thought no one paid attention to.
They walked together after school, side by side, the sky turning pink with the evening light. Neither spoke much, but the presence itself said something—something that words couldn't yet capture.
And Joya realized, with a mix of hope and fear, that some moments were meant to be unseen by others. Just between them.
Sometimes, the quietest moments carry the loudest feelings.
What do you think Sudom really feels? Will he notice Joya's feelings soon?