AFTER SCHOOL — SAME DAY
The final bell rang.
Students rushed out of classrooms, laughter filling the corridors, bags slung carelessly over shoulders. But Junghan stayed seated for a few seconds longer than usual, staring at his desk as if something invisible was weighing him down.
Daeho noticed.
"You coming?" he asked softly.
Junghan nodded, stood up, and slung his bag over his shoulder.
"Yeah."
Dejin stretched dramatically.
"Ahhh, freedom! Another day survived under academic torture."
Junghan didn't react.
Dejin tilted his head.
"…You okay?"
Junghan answered automatically, "I'm fine."
They all knew that sentence meant nothing.
CORRIDOR — HAEYOUNG WAITING
Haeyoung was standing near the staircase, arms crossed, foot tapping impatiently. The moment she saw Junghan walking out, her face changed — relief, worry, annoyance, all mixed together.
She marched straight toward him.
"Kim Junghan."
He stopped.
Slowly.
"…Yes?"
She pointed at his head.
"Did it hurt today?"
Junghan sighed.
"Haeyoung—"
"Don't Haeyoung me." She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "You didn't eat properly at lunch. You didn't even look at me properly. And you still expect me to believe you're 'fine'?"
Daeho and Dejin exchanged looks.
Dejin whispered, "We should disappear."
Daeho nodded. "Yeah."
They walked away very quietly.
Junghan looked back at Haeyoung.
"You shouldn't worry so much."
Her eyes darkened.
"And you shouldn't hide things from me."
Silence fell between them.
Junghan looked away first.
"…I don't want to talk about it here."
Haeyoung softened instantly.
"Then walk with me."
He hesitated.
She grabbed his sleeve.
"Please."
That word — please — always defeated him.
WALKING HOME TOGETHER
They walked side by side, not touching, but close enough to feel each other's presence.
Haeyoung broke the silence.
"So… principal called you today."
Junghan nodded. "Yeah."
"Trip, right?"
"Yeah."
Her eyes lit up.
"We're going together."
He smiled faintly.
"Looks like it."
She suddenly turned toward him while walking backwards.
"You'll be busy managing everything, right?"
Junghan raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
She grinned.
"Because I'll help you."
He stopped walking.
"…You don't have to."
She stopped too.
"I want to."
He stared at her — really stared — and for a moment his chest felt tight.
"You always say that."
She shrugged.
"That's because I always mean it."
He looked away again.
JISOO INTERRUPTS
"Haeyoung!"
They both turned.
Jisoo was jogging toward them, basketball bag slung over his shoulder.
"Oh," Haeyoung said. "Hi."
Jisoo smiled.
"So… trip together. That's exciting, right?"
She nodded politely.
"Yeah."
Jisoo glanced at Junghan.
"President-nim, you must be under a lot of pressure."
Junghan answered calmly.
"I can handle it."
Jisoo laughed lightly.
"You're lucky. You'll get to spend a lot of time with Haeyoung on the trip."
Junghan didn't respond.
Haeyoung felt the shift instantly.
"Jisoo, I need to go," she said quickly.
Jisoo blinked.
"Already?"
"Yeah. I promised my parents."
She gave him a quick wave and turned back to Junghan.
"Come."
Junghan followed.
Jisoo stood there watching them walk away, something unreadable passing through his eyes.
HAEYOUNG STOPS HIM AGAIN
They reached a quieter street.
Haeyoung suddenly stopped.
"Junghan."
He turned.
"Promise me something."
"…What?"
She stepped closer, eyes serious now.
"If you're hurt… if something is wrong… don't decide alone that I don't deserve to know."
His throat tightened.
"That's not—"
"I know you think you're protecting me," she continued softly, "but sometimes… it feels like you're pushing me away."
That hit harder than anything.
He whispered,
"I'm not pushing you away."
"Then stop walking like you're alone."
His eyes flickered.
"…I don't want you to get dragged into my problems."
She scoffed lightly.
"Too late. I've been dragged since I was five."
He almost laughed.
Almost.
JUNGHAN'S HOME — NIGHT
The house was quieter than usual.
Junghan entered, changed his clothes, and sat on his bed, staring at the floor.
His father knocked gently and entered.
"You okay?"
Junghan nodded.
His father didn't look convinced.
"You don't have to be strong all the time," he said softly.
Junghan replied quietly,
"If I'm not strong… things get worse."
His father sighed, placed a hand on his shoulder, and left without another word.
Junghan lay back on his bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling.
Trip.
Haeyoung.
Together.
His heart felt restless.
HAEYOUNG'S HOME — NIGHT
Haeyoung sat on her bed, phone in hand.
Hana had texted:
HANA:
OMG trip together 😭✨
I'm already planning outfits.
JIEUN:
Be serious. It's a school trip.
HANA:
I AM serious.
Haeyoung smiled, then typed slowly.
HAEYOUNG:
Junghan looked tired today.
Jieun replied quickly.
JIEUN:
He always does when he's hurting.
Haeyoung stared at the screen.
She whispered to herself,
"Why won't you tell me…?"
SERA — SAME NIGHT
Sera stood in front of her mirror, tying her hair differently.
Her phone buzzed.
FRIEND:
Trip next month. Perfect chance.
Sera smirked.
SERA:
I know.
She looked at her reflection.
"On that trip," she whispered,
"I won't let Haeyoung stand between us anymore."
-BOTH THINKING OF EACH OTHER-
Junghan turned on his side, staring at the wall.
Haeyoung hugged her pillow tightly.
Both thinking the same thing.
NEXT MORNING — SEONHWA HIGH SCHOOL
The school buzzed louder than usual.
Posters about the upcoming trip were pinned near notice boards, students crowding around, arguing about rooms, destinations, snacks, and freedom.
Haeyoung ran toward the board with Hana and Ji Eun.
"WAIT—WAIT—WAIT," Hana shouted. "Are grades 11 and 12 really going together?!"
Ji Eun squinted.
"Yes. Same resort. Different floors."
Haeyoung's lips curved into a smile she didn't even notice.
"So… Junghan will be there," Hana sang teasingly.
Haeyoung rolled her eyes.
"Of course he will. He's class president."
Ji Eun glanced at her quietly.
"You sound relieved."
Haeyoung froze for half a second.
"…Do I?"
Ji Eun smiled softly.
"A little."
GRADE 12 — JUNGHAN'S CLASS
Junghan stood near the window, arms crossed, watching the courtyard.
Daeho dropped into the seat beside him.
"So, Mr. President… you ready to babysit two grades?"
Junghan sighed.
"I didn't ask for this."
Dejin leaned over from behind.
"Liar. You didn't refuse either."
Junghan shot him a look.
Before he could reply, Sera walked over, holding a clipboard.
"Junghan," she said politely, "Teacher Myung asked class leaders to help with room arrangements."
Junghan nodded.
"Okay."
Sera smiled.
"We might be working together a lot."
Daeho raised an eyebrow.
"Ohhh."
Junghan ignored him.
HAEYOUNG SPOTS JUNGHAN
Haeyoung entered the corridor to deliver a form. The moment she saw Junghan talking to Sera, her steps slowed.
Hana leaned close.
"Wow. She's bold."
Haeyoung frowned.
"…Why is she so close?"
Ji Eun watched quietly.
"She likes him."
Haeyoung scoffed.
"Everyone likes Junghan. He's boring but reliable."
Hana smirked.
"You sound jealous."
Haeyoung turned sharply.
"I am not."
She walked straight toward them.
AWKWARD TRIANGLE
"Junghan!" Haeyoung called.
He turned instantly.
"Oh—hey."
She noticed it.
How his voice softened.
How his eyes changed.
Sera noticed it too.
Haeyoung glanced at Sera, then back at Junghan.
"You forgot your lunch box."
Junghan blinked.
"I did?"
She handed it to him.
"You always do when you're distracted."
Sera smiled thinly.
"You know him well."
Haeyoung smiled back — sweet but sharp.
"Twelve years will do that."
Junghan cleared his throat.
"Uh… I should go."
Sera nodded.
"We'll talk later."
As they walked away, Haeyoung muttered,
"She scares me."
Junghan frowned.
"Sera?"
"She looks like someone who plans things."
Junghan chuckled softly.
"You're overthinking."
She looked at him.
"You always say that."
Near the lockers, Jisoo appeared.
"Haeyoung."
She turned.
"Yes?"
"You're coming to practice today?"
Junghan stiffened.
Haeyoung hesitated.
"I don't know."
Jisoo smiled.
"I'll wait."
Junghan finally spoke.
"She has study group today."
Haeyoung looked at him.
"I do?"
Junghan met her eyes calmly.
"You said exams are important."
Jisoo smirked.
"Wow. You control her schedule too?"
Junghan replied coolly.
"No. I remind her what she forgets."
Haeyoung swallowed.
Jisoo shrugged.
"Text me later."
He walked away.
Haeyoung exhaled sharply.
"Why did you do that?"
Junghan answered quietly,
"Because you didn't want to say no."
She stared at him.
"…You always know."
His lips curved sadly.
"Someone has to."
QUIET MOMENT — STAIRCASE
They sat on the steps between classes.
Haeyoung spoke softly.
"Do you trust me?"
He didn't answer immediately.
"Yes," he said finally.
"Then stop deciding things alone."
His jaw tightened.
"I don't want you hurt."
She whispered,
"And I don't want you alone."
That sentence sat heavily between them.
From the hallway, Sera watched them sitting together.
Her nails dug into her palm.
"She always stands there," she murmured.
"Like she belongs."
Her friend whispered,
"The trip will change things."
Sera nodded slowly.
"Yes. It will."
EVENING — TEXTS
HAEYOUNG:
Did you eat dinner?
JUNGHAN:
Yes.
HAEYOUNG:
Lie.
JUNGHAN:
…A little.
She smiled at her phone.
HAEYOUNG:
Tomorrow. Canteen. No excuses.
He stared at the screen for a long time.
Then typed.
JUNGHAN:
Okay.
Junghan lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
If I let her closer… will I lose her?
Haeyoung hugged her pillow, whispering,
If I don't push him… will he disappear?
Outside, the city slept —
unaware that a school trip was about to shake every fragile boundary they had built.