CHAPTER 14
The entire day, Ji-eun couldn't focus.
Her mind kept replaying Min-jun's words:
"I don't want anyone else standing where I want to stand."
What did he mean exactly?
Did he want to be the one at her side?
Did he really like her?
By the last period, her stomach was in knots.
Min-jun wasn't any better.
He kept glancing at her, then looking away, then tapping his pen until the teacher scolded him.
He was restless — like something was eating at him.
When the final bell rang, Ji-eun packed slowly, waiting for him to approach.
But he didn't.
He walked out of the classroom without a word.
Her heart sank.
Was he avoiding her now?
She rushed out, almost running — and found him leaning against the wall near the stairwell.
His head was down. His hands were clenched.
As soon as he heard her footsteps, he looked up.
She stopped breathing for a second.
His eyes… were soft. And guilty. And frustrated.
"Come with me," he said quietly.
She followed him to the empty music room — the quietest place after school.
He closed the door behind them.
Ji-eun stood near the piano, nervous.
"Why did you walk out earlier?"
"I needed to think," Min-jun said, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms — though it was obvious he was trying to calm himself down.
"Think about what?" she asked softly.
He exhaled.
"About what I said this morning. About… how I acted."
Ji-eun lowered her eyes.
"You were jealous."
Min-jun froze.
"…Yeah," he admitted.
It wasn't defensive.
It wasn't cold.
Just honest.
"I didn't like seeing him near you," he continued.
"I didn't like how he looked at you. Or how you smiled back."
Ji-eun's cheeks warmed.
"I was just being polite."
"I know."
He looked away.
"That's why I hate myself for acting like that."
Ji-eun stepped closer.
"Why?" she whispered.
He lifted his head.
Their eyes met.
And for the first time, Min-jun didn't hide a single thing.
His voice trembled — not from fear, but from everything he'd been holding in for too long.
"Because… I have no right to be jealous."
"Min-jun—"
"But when I saw you with him…"
He stepped closer.
"I wanted to pull you away."
Another step.
"I wanted you to look only at me."
Ji-eun's breath quickened.
He was standing directly in front of her now.
Close.
Too close.
She whispered, "Why… why do you want that?"
His hand lifted — hesitating — then gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
The softest touch.
The room felt too quiet.
"Because," he murmured.
"I like you, Ji-eun."
Ji-eun's eyes widened.
Her heartbeat seemed to echo through the entire room.
Min-jun swallowed hard, his voice breaking:
"I tried to ignore it. I tried to stay away. I told myself it was nothing."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"But every time I see you… I fall a little more."
Ji-eun's breath trembled.
She didn't move.
She couldn't.
His hand hovered near her cheek — so close, waiting for permission.
"Tell me if I'm wrong," he whispered.
"If you don't feel the same… I'll stop. I won't come near you again."
Ji-eun's chest tightened painfully.
She took a tiny step forward.
Then another.
Her forehead touched his chest.
Min-jun inhaled sharply.
"…Ji-eun?"
Her voice was barely a whisper:
"I don't want you to stop."
Min-jun froze — then slowly wrapped his arms around her.
Gently, carefully, like she might disappear.
She clutched his shirt, eyes burning.
"I… I like you too," she whispered.
His breath hitched.
And in that small, quiet music room, with no one watching—
They finally reached the truth they'd been running from.