The sun hung high over the lakeside town of Lucerne, glittering over the calm water as boats drifted lazily. The tour group gathered at the pier to take a scenic cruise, cameras ready and excitement in the air. Choi Eun-Seo tried to enjoy the view, but one person kept ruining her mood.
Park Ji-Hoon.
Or more specifically… the girl next to Park Ji-Hoon.
A tall, pretty tourist from another group had attached herself to him the moment they arrived. She laughed at everything he said, even when it wasn't funny. She flipped her hair every few seconds, leaning closer every time Ji-Hoon spoke.
And Ji-Hoon…
He was smiling.
He was actually smiling back.
Eun-Seo's jaw tightened. Is he always this friendly? Does he flirt with every girl he sees?
When the girl touched his arm and giggled again, Eun-Seo felt something boil inside her.
"Wow… so funny," she muttered under her breath, glaring holes into Ji-Hoon's skull.
Ji-Hoon caught her stare and smirked slightly, but didn't push the girl away. Instead, he leaned a little closer — too close.
Oh, he was doing it on purpose.
Eun-Seo crossed her arms, cheeks puffed with irritation. She hated how her heart felt — tight, bothered, jealous. Jealous?! No. Absolutely not. She refused to admit that.
To make it worse, another guy from their tour — a friendly university student named Min-Jae — approached her.
"Hey, Eun-Seo," he said shyly. "Would you like to take a picture with me? The background is beautiful."
"Sure," she blurted out before thinking. Anything to get her mind off that annoying disaster named Ji-Hoon.
Min-Jae stepped closer, holding the camera up. As they posed, he gently placed his hand near Eun-Seo's shoulder — polite but close.
Ji-Hoon's smile vanished instantly.
His eyes narrowed.
His jaw clenched.
He excused himself from the flirty girl and walked toward them, a storm brewing in his expression.
So he's jealous too?
Eun-Seo suddenly felt better.
"Hey," Ji-Hoon said, voice too calm. "What's going on here?"
"Taking a picture," Eun-Seo replied sweetly, smiling at Min-Jae on purpose. "Is there a problem?"
"Yes," Ji-Hoon snapped.
Then quickly corrected himself, forcing a smile. "I mean… no. Definitely not."
Min-Jae took the photo and thanked her, waving before heading to another group of friends.
Ji-Hoon stepped closer, eyes burning into hers. "You were awfully close to him."
"And you weren't?" she shot back.
He blinked. "That girl? She was just being friendly."
"Oh? So friendly that she might trip and fall into your arms any second?"
Ji-Hoon smirked — a low, dangerous smirk. "Why? Did you want to be the one falling into my arms instead?"
Her face flushed violently. "D-Don't say ridiculous things!"
Ji-Hoon leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Then stop glaring every time someone looks at me."
"I wasn't glaring," she lied.
"You were," he said confidently. "It was kind of cute."
She stepped back, flustered. "You're imagining things."
Ji-Hoon tilted his head, eyes softening with something deeper. "You don't like it when I talk to other girls… do you?"
Eun-Seo froze. Her heart slammed against her ribs.
She turned away quickly and boarded the boat, refusing to answer.
Ji-Hoon followed right behind her.
They found a seat near the railing. A breeze swept across the lake, cooling her heated cheeks. For a moment, silence settled — heavy but meaningful.
Ji-Hoon finally exhaled. "Okay. I'll admit it."
Eun-Seo looked up cautiously. "Admit what?"
"I didn't like seeing you with that guy. I wanted to… I don't know… throw him into the water or something."
She gasped. "That's violent!"
"That's jealousy," he corrected.
Eun-Seo's breath caught. He said it so easily. He wasn't hiding it.
"Why?" she whispered. "Why would you be jealous?"
His voice lowered, sincere and unguarded.
"Because I like being the one next to you."
Her heart skipped. Heat rushed to her face.
Ji-Hoon's eyes held hers without wavering.
"And you?" he asked softly. "Do you like being the one next to me?"
Eun-Seo's lips parted… but no words came out.
She wanted to say yes.
She wanted to confess that seeing him with that girl made her want to scream.
She wanted to tell him that he made her feel alive in a way that terrified her.
But instead, she whispered, "I… don't know."
Ji-Hoon nodded slowly, a faint smile touching his lips — patient, understanding.
"That's okay. I can wait. I'm not rushing you."
He placed his jacket on her shoulders as the breeze grew chilly. His hand lingered there, warm and protective.
"But," he added playfully, leaning closer again, "just know… I'm not planning to let anyone else get close to you either."
Her pulse thundered. "Y-You're jealous again," she stammered.
He chuckled. "I told you. I'm terrible at hiding it."
Their eyes met — not with annoyance or anger this time, but with something tender, something blooming between them.
The boat glided smoothly across the lake as the two sat in silent understanding, closer than before. Hands nearly touching. Hearts undeniably aware.
Jealousy had done its job.
Their feelings were no longer a secret — even if they hadn't spoken them out loud.