Two Weeks Later
Two weeks had passed since that day.
Han was almost always with Jisoo and his friends now.
In class.
In sports.
In the cafeteria.
After school.
Where Jisoo went, Han followed.
Slowly, Han started to understand him.
Jisoo was like a bright star in a dark. In the dark. He laughed the loudest. He talked the most. When everyone was around, he filled the room with noise and energy. But when he was alone… he became quiet. Too quiet.
Sometimes Han would see him sitting by himself, staring at nothing. His eyes looked empty, like his mind was somewhere far away. Like he was carrying too much inside and didn't know how to let it go.
So Han stayed.
Not because Jisoo asked him to.
But because Jisoo had given him something he never had before.
Friends.
Chahyuk was the funny one. Always joking. Always loud. Han liked him because they had one thing in common — they were both terrible at studying.
Minho was serious, almost cold. But when Woohyun was near him, he became soft. They had been friends since childhood, and everyone could see how close they were.
Minho and Woohyun helped Han and Chahyuk with their lessons. Woohyun even gave Han his notes so studying would be easier.
Everyone in Jisoo's group accepted Han.
For the first time in his life, he felt like he belonged somewhere.
Han grew especially close to Woohyun. They were both lazy. They liked to sit quietly while the others walked around, talked, or played.
Sometimes Han would look across the room and see Seungmin sitting alone by the window, just like him.
But Han didn't look back for long.
He was avoiding him.
Every time Han remembered that day — when he had called Seungmin for help and Seungmin walked away — his chest hurt. It felt too embarrassing. Too painful.
That was why Han was learning boxing with Jisoo.
He wanted to protect himself.
But boxing was hard.
Three weeks passed, and Han still couldn't do it right. His hands were weak. His body felt slow. He kept messing up.
One day, he sat in the corner of the club, tired and hopeless.
Jisoo noticed and walked over.
"Han, if it's too hard, you can quit," Jisoo said gently. "I won't be upset."
Han took a deep breath.
"I'm trying, but nothing works. Maybe I'm just weak. I'm such a loser. Look at me. I'm just bones. How can I even fight?"
Jisoo smiled.
"It's not your fault. It's mine. I should have helped you build strength first. Let's stop for now and start again from the beginning."
Before Han could reply, the front door opened.
Seungmin walked in.
Everyone froze.
The club went quiet.
Then people rushed toward him.
He had brought a lot of snacks and drinks for everyone.
Han stared.
So did Jisoo.
They pulled Seungmin to the ring and started talking loudly.
One boy said, "We thought you were dead.
Jisoo told us you died."
Another laughed. "Yeah, we didn't know if he was joking or serious."
Jisoo jumped up and walked over fast.
Someone grabbed his collar.
"Jisoo, why did you lie?"
"Let go of me!" Jisoo shouted.
The boy let go.
Jisoo walked straight to Seungmin.
"Why are you here?" he asked.
Han was still sitting far away, watching everything.
Jisoo had tried very hard to make sure Han never found out the truth — that it was Seungmin who had called him for help that day. Jisoo always changed the topic when someone brought it up. He even told everyone not to talk about it around Han because he was still hurt.
But in his heart, Jisoo wanted one thing.
He wanted Han to hate Seungmin.
And now Seungmin was here all his plan was going to ruin.
"I missed you guys," Seungmin said.
Jisoo laughed in a cold way. He stepped closer and grabbed Seungmin's hand.
"Come with me. We need to talk."
They went outside. The glass walls were clear. Everyone inside could see them.
A boy sat beside Han.
"You see that guy?" he said. "That's Seungmin. He's Jisoo's best friend."
Han's eyes widened.
"They fought last year before high school. I think they hate each other now."
Outside…
"Why are you here?" Jisoo asked again.
"Because I miss you," Seungmin replied.
Jisoo scoffed.
"You're here for Han. Admit it."
"You're doing this because you think I like him," Seungmin said. "But you're hurting him. What if he knew you're keeping him close just to keep him away from me?"
Jisoo snapped, "Stop acting like the world is about you. I'm with Han because he had no one. I brought him here so he could protect himself."
"I know you better than you know yourself," Seungmin said quietly. "Just like you know me."
Those words hit Jisoo hard.
He turned away.
"Believe what you want. But stay away from Han. He hates you. He won't come near you anyway."
Jisoo walked back inside.
The coach stopped them.
"What is going on?" he said. "I won't allow this kind of behavior here. If you can't fix this, both of you are out."
Jisoo spoke quickly.
"Sir, he stole my girl."
Seungmin didn't react.
The coach frowned.
"So this is about a girl?"
Han's heart dropped.
So that's why they hate each other.
Jisoo said, "I will never forgive him. Not even if he begs."
"Then you leave," the coach replied.
"Sir—"
Seungmin grabbed Jisoo's arm.
"I'm sorry for taking your girl," he said calmly. "But she never loved you. That's why she left. I only wanted you to see the truth."
Someone said, "Wow… you're a good friend."
The others started agreeing.
"Forgive him, Jisoo."
"He did it for you."
Jisoo had nowhere to run. He was trapped in his own lie.
He stepped closer to Seungmin. Too close.
Seungmin turned his face away.
Jisoo whispered near his ear,
"I forgive you for stealing my girl."
Everyone cheered.
"Hug! Hug!"
Jisoo hugged Seungmin.
Seungmin stood still.
Han watched.
So Seungmin really was a liar.
A thief.
A jerk.
And Han decided something quietly inside his heart:
I will never trust him.