Chapter 10
The next day felt different.
Softer.
Brighter.
Full of a quiet warmth that made Ji-eun's heart flutter with every step.
Because now she knew—
Min-jun had meant to say something important.
Something he wasn't ready to say out loud…
but had already admitted in every way except words.
When she entered class, her friends were chatting, books opening, chairs moving—
but all she could think about was his whisper:
"It's already you."
Her cheeks warmed again.
---
The Unexpected Message
During lunch break, her phone buzzed.
Min-jun sunbae:
Where are you?
Ji-eun blinked.
She typed quickly.
Ji-eun:
In the classroom… why?
His reply came instantly.
Min-jun sunbae:
Come to the music room. I want to talk to you.
Her stomach fluttered.
Talk?
About yesterday?
About the words he couldn't finish?
She stood up so quickly her chair almost fell.
---
The Quiet Music Room
The room was empty when she entered. Dusty sunlight spilled through the windows, landing softly on the piano.
"Sunbae?" she called softly.
He stepped out from behind the piano, wearing a nervous expression she had almost never seen on him.
"Ji-eun."
He walked toward her, slow, purposeful, as if he was afraid she would vanish if he moved too quickly.
"You came," he murmured.
"Of course."
He looked at her for a long moment — studying her, memorizing her — like she was the only thing he could see.
---
The First Time He Can't Hold Back
He took a quiet breath.
"About yesterday…"
His voice was low, careful.
"I meant everything I said. And everything I didn't say."
Her heart jumped.
"I know," she whispered.
For a moment, neither spoke.
The air thickened with tension — warm, sweet, trembling.
Then Min-jun stepped closer.
One step.
Two.
Until there was barely a breath between them.
Ji-eun felt her pulse race.
His hand rose slowly, hesitating— but this time he didn't pull back.
He touched her cheek.
Softly.
Warmly.
As if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Ji-eun's breath hitched.
"Sunbae…"
His thumb brushed her skin gently.
Carefully.
"I keep thinking about you," he confessed.
"When I wake up. During class. When I go home."
A tiny pause.
"I don't know how to stop."
Ji-eun felt her knees weaken.
"You don't have to stop," she whispered.
His eyes widened slightly—
a small, vulnerable crack in his usual calm.
And then—
Slowly, carefully, almost shyly—
he rested his forehead against hers.
Warm.
Close.
Too close.
Ji-eun's heart thundered.
His voice came out in a whisper against her lips—
not touching, but dangerously close.
"Ji-eun… please tell me I'm not the only one who feels this."
She trembled.
"You're not," she whispered. "I feel it too."
His breath shuddered with relief.
He pulled back just a little to look at her face—
her blush, her eyes, the softness in them.
And his expression changed.
A quiet, tender smile.
---
A Moment Almost Too Sweet
He lifted his hand again and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
Then—
His fingers slid down to her jaw, tilting her face up slightly.
Not a kiss.
Not yet.
But closer than they had ever been.
"I want to tell you everything," he whispered.
"But when I say those words to you… I want it to be perfect."
Ji-eun nodded, breathless.
He stepped back only a little, letting the moment linger.
"I'll walk you home after school," he said softly.
"I want more time with you."
She smiled shyly.
"Me too."
Before leaving, he gently placed his hand on the top of her head, a soft, careful touch.
"See you later, Ji-eun."
Her heart nearly burst.