I blinked in surprise at Yian's words.
"N-No, it's not like that," I said quickly.
Sihoon looked calm as usual, but there was a faint smile on his face.
Yian crossed his arms and laughed.
"Really? Then why were you both arriving together?"
I felt a little embarrassed and lowered my gaze.
"We just met outside the school gate," I explained quietly.
"Hmm…" Yian said, pretending to think seriously.
"I guess that's believable."
Sihoon finally spoke.
"Stop teasing her."
Yian grinned.
"Alright, alright… I'll stop. For now."
During class, I accidentally dropped my pen.
I bent down to pick it up—
but at the same moment, Sihoon reached for it too.
Our hands touched.
Just for a second.
I quickly pulled my hand back.
"…Sorry."
Sihoon gently placed the pen on my desk.
"It's okay."
For some reason—
my heart felt a little uneasy after that.
After class ended, I went to the café as usual.
When I arrived, Mr. Park smiled.
"Jia, someone is waiting for you."
I looked around, confused.
Then—
my eyes stopped.
By the window.
It was him.
Sihoon sat quietly, looking outside.
When he noticed me, he gave a small smile.
"Hi," he said softly.
I walked closer, still surprised.
"You came here again?"
He nodded.
"I wanted some coffee."
Before I could say anything, Mr. Park called out—
"Jia, can you take his order?"
I turned back to Sihoon.
"So… what would you like today?"
He thought for a moment.
"The same as yesterday."
I wrote it down and turned to leave—
but his voice stopped me.
"Jia."
I looked back.
"Yes?"
He smiled slightly.
"Don't work too hard."
The café grew quieter as time passed.
When I finally looked outside—
it was raining.
The rain fell heavily against the windows.
After finishing my work, I stepped outside and looked up at the dark sky.
"I forgot my umbrella…" I murmured softly.
"You're still here."
A familiar voice came from behind me.
I turned.
Sihoon stood there, holding an umbrella.
"You didn't leave?" I asked.
He shook his head slightly.
"I was waiting for the rain to stop."
After a short pause, he lifted the umbrella slightly.
"You can walk with me."
I hesitated—
then stepped closer under the umbrella.
"Thank you," I said quietly.
He nodded, and we started walking.
The rain fell softly around us.
For a while—
neither of us spoke.
The umbrella was small.
Our shoulders were almost touching.
I looked down, feeling strangely nervous.
After a moment, Sihoon spoke.
"You must be tired."
I shook my head.
"It's okay. I'm used to it."
We walked quietly again.
Then I noticed something.
He was holding the umbrella slightly toward my side—
so I wouldn't get wet.
"You're getting wet," I said softly.
He shrugged.
"It's fine."
A cold wind passed through the street.
I shivered slightly.
Sihoon noticed.
Without a word, he took off his shirt and held it out to me.
"Here," he said softly.
"You'll get cold."
I looked at him, surprised.
"But… what about you?"
"I'm fine."
I hesitated—
then accepted it.
"Thank you."
I wrapped the shirt around my shoulders.
It was still warm.
When I looked up again—
he was watching me quietly.
I suddenly felt shy and looked away.
I held the shirt a little tighter.
"Thank you… for the umbrella… and this," I said softly.
He looked at me for a moment.
"It's nothing."
The street was quiet.
Only the sound of water dripping from the trees remained.
After a few steps, I spoke again.
"Do you come to the café often?"
He nodded slightly.
"Sometimes."
I smiled a little.
"You always order the same thing."
He looked at me, slightly amused.
"You noticed?"
I felt embarrassed and looked away.
"Well… I work there."
He chuckled softly.
"Still, most people wouldn't remember."
We walked a little further until we reached a corner.
He stopped.
"This is my way."
I nodded.
"Mine too… just a little further."
For a moment—
neither of us moved.
Then we quietly went our separate ways.
The next morning—
something unexpected happened.
As soon as I entered the classroom—
I felt it.
Whispers.
Everyone was talking.
And when I saw Sihoon—
I understood why.