CHAPTER 17
Saturday arrived faster than Ji-eun expected.
She stood in front of her mirror, staring at her reflection with a mix of excitement and nerves.
It wasn't even a real date — Min-jun had simply said:
> "Let's go somewhere after school. Just us."
But her heart refused to calm down.
She wore something simple: a soft pastel sweater and jeans.
Nothing too fancy.
Nothing too obvious.
When she reached the school gate, Min-jun was already there.
He kept glancing around like he was waiting for someone — and when he saw her, he froze for a second.
Then he looked away quickly, ears turning red.
"You're… early," he said awkwardly.
"You too."
They both laughed softly, still shy from yesterday's hand-holding confession.
Min-jun cleared his throat.
"…Let's go."
He walked beside her — not too close, not too far — like he was figuring out how to exist as someone's boyfriend without saying the word.
Ji-eun waited patiently until he found his courage.
It came five minutes later.
His hand brushed hers.
Once.
Twice.
Then finally — he reached out fully and held her hand.
"…This is okay, right?" he asked without looking at her.
Ji-eun squeezed his hand gently.
"It's perfect."
He exhaled, relieved.
They went to a small café near the school.
Warm lights. Soft music.
Quiet enough that their hearts felt too loud.
Min-jun looked uncomfortable at first — he didn't know where to look, what to order, what to do with his other hand.
Ji-eun giggled.
"You look nervous."
"I'm not nervous," he lied immediately… then muttered, "Okay, maybe a little."
She smiled.
He looked everywhere except at her…
Then finally forced himself to meet her eyes.
And froze.
Ji-eun blinked.
"What?"
He shook his head quickly.
"Nothing."
But his ears were red again.
They sat by the window.
Min-jun tapped the table, trying to act cool.
"So… uh… what do people talk about on dates?"
Ji-eun almost choked on her drink.
"This isn't a date," she said shyly.
"Yes it is," Min-jun said without hesitation.
Then his eyes widened.
"I—I mean… if you want it to be."
Ji-eun lowered her gaze, her cheeks warm.
"…I want it."
Min-jun stopped breathing for a second.
Then he smiled — small, soft, genuine.
Maybe the sweetest smile she had ever seen from him.
The conversation flowed easier after that.
They talked about:
Their childhood stories
Their favorite songs
The teachers they hated
The dreams they secretly had
Min-jun wasn't cold today.
He was quiet, but warm.
Soft-spoken.
Focused on her like she was the only person in the world.
At one point, he reached across the table and gently touched her sleeve.
"Do you know something?" he said quietly.
"What?"
"I… like seeing you smile."
Ji-eun's heart fluttered violently.
He looked embarrassed but didn't pull his hand back.
After the café, they walked home together.
The sun was setting — golden, warm, beautiful.
Ji-eun's fingers brushed his again.
She expected him to take her hand like before.
But instead…
He stopped walking.
She turned around.
"Min-jun?"
He looked nervous again — even more than in the music room.
"I… want to try something," he said softly.
Her breath caught.
"What… what thing?"
He hesitated.
Then slowly, very slowly… he lifted her hand and brought it close to his lips.
He didn't kiss it.
He just let his forehead rest on her knuckles for a moment — gentle, careful, trembling.
A tiny gesture filled with meaning.
Ji-eun's heart melted completely.
When he looked up, his voice was barely a whisper:
"Thank you… for liking me."
Ji-eun smiled, eyes soft.
"Thank you for liking me first."
Min-jun looked away quickly, but she could see the smile tugging at his lips.
They continued walking — hand in hand — the softest silence between them.