somewhere between almost and always [so junghwan treasure completed]

Chapter 2: Breaking the Ice

The following week passed by with its usual high school chaos: teachers droning on, classmates gossiping, and Ji-eun juggling her studies and the small challenges that came with being the new girl. But there was one thing that remained constant, one thing that had become an almost silent obsession—Junghwan.

She found herself thinking about him more than she'd like to admit. Not because she was interested in him romantically—not yet, at least—but because he was like a puzzle, and she loved puzzles. He was distant, almost unapproachable, and yet there was something in the way he held himself, something in the way he looked at her during their brief interactions, that made her want to know more.

Every day at lunch, she sat at the same table, sometimes with new friends she'd made, sometimes alone, but always with an eye on Junghwan. She didn't want to seem too eager, but she couldn't help it. He was the only one who seemed truly untouchable, and that intrigued her more than anything.

It was Wednesday when she decided to try again.

The cafeteria was busier than usual, the clattering of trays and chatter creating a chaotic hum that filled the air. Ji-eun walked in, scanning the room for any sign of her friends. But her eyes inevitably landed on Junghwan, who, as usual, sat alone at the corner of the cafeteria. His back was turned to her, and he seemed engrossed in his phone, as though the world around him didn't exist.

Her friends had already made their way to their usual spot, but Ji-eun hesitated for a moment. Should she sit with them, or should she do something a little more... daring?

She glanced back at Junghwan. He didn't look up. Not even for a second. It was the perfect opportunity.

Ji-eun walked toward the table, her heart beating a little faster than usual. She wasn't nervous, exactly. But there was something about him, something about the mystery he exuded, that made her feel like she was stepping into unknown territory.

As she approached, she paused for a second, taking in the scene. There he was—sitting there, not a care in the world, as if no one else existed in that space. The lone wolf, completely unaware of the subtle pull he had on her.

She cleared her throat before sitting down across from him.

"Mind if I join you again?" Ji-eun asked, her voice light and teasing.

Junghwan didn't even flinch. He simply looked up from his phone, his eyes narrowing as if he were trying to make sense of her. She could feel the weight of his gaze, but she didn't shy away from it.

"Don't you have somewhere else to sit?" he asked, his tone flat, but not rude. He wasn't pushing her away, not exactly, but he was definitely giving her a chance to back off.

Ji-eun didn't take the bait. She smiled, shrugged, and unpacked her lunch as though sitting there was the most normal thing in the world.

"I like it here," she said, her eyes glinting with amusement. "It's peaceful."

He snorted, the corners of his lips twitching upward. "Peaceful? You're the loudest person I've met."

Ji-eun raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk on her lips. "I'm just trying to add a little excitement to your life, Junghwan. You're too serious for someone so young."

Junghwan shifted in his seat, his expression becoming more guarded. "I'm not serious," he muttered, his eyes drifting back to his phone. "I just don't like unnecessary noise."

Ji-eun took a bite of her sandwich, trying to suppress a laugh. She couldn't decide if he was being defensive or just trying to keep up his usual wall. Either way, it was pretty clear he wasn't used to people challenging him, at least not in the way she did.

The minutes ticked by in silence, with Junghwan engrossed in his phone and Ji-eun occasionally sneaking glances at him. She couldn't help but notice the way his fingers moved over the screen, the slight furrow of his brow when he read something. He was intense, even when he wasn't paying attention to her.

"So, what are you really like?" she asked, her voice softer now, as if she were testing the waters.

He didn't answer immediately, and for a moment, Ji-eun thought she'd pushed too far. But then he set his phone down, just for a moment, and looked at her with that half-amused, half-annoyed expression.

"What do you mean?" he asked, his voice still cool, but with a trace of curiosity.

"I mean," Ji-eun leaned in slightly, "you act all indifferent, but I don't buy it. There's more to you than just this cold exterior."

Junghwan's gaze sharpened, his lips tightening. He didn't like being scrutinized, especially not by someone as perceptive as Ji-eun. But what could he do? He wasn't about to get up and leave. It was too late for that. She'd already planted herself here, and despite his instinct to push her away, a part of him didn't want to admit it—he was a little intrigued by her persistence.

"Maybe I like being alone," he said, his voice flat, but his eyes betraying him. He was trying to keep his distance, but Ji-eun could see through it.

"Uh-huh, sure," Ji-eun said, not buying it for a second. "But you wouldn't be sitting here if you didn't want some company."

He scowled, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes. He wasn't angry—he was... conflicted.

"I don't need company," Junghwan muttered, clearly not wanting to admit anything. "I just don't mind it sometimes."

Ji-eun grinned, taking a dramatic bite of her sandwich. "You're so stubborn," she said between chews. "You know that?"

"I don't need to be reminded," Junghwan retorted, his lips twitching again as if he were trying to hide a smile.

There it was again—just the faintest crack in his icy armor. She had caught him off guard, and for a moment, he seemed almost human. She didn't miss the way his posture relaxed just a fraction, the way he stopped checking his phone every few seconds. It was small, but it was progress.

They ate in silence for a while, the sounds of the cafeteria filling the air around them. Ji-eun wasn't bothered by it. She didn't feel the need to keep up the conversation—this was a small victory in itself. She was getting through to him, little by little. And maybe, just maybe, he was starting to let his guard down.

When the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, Ji-eun stood up, brushing crumbs off her lap. Junghwan didn't make any move to leave just yet, his eyes still on the table.

"Well, I'll see you around, Junghwan," Ji-eun said casually, already heading for the door.

He didn't say anything at first, but then, as if remembering he wasn't supposed to care, he muttered under his breath, "Yeah, see you."

Ji-eun smiled to herself as she left the cafeteria. It wasn't much, but she knew she was making progress. And that was enough for now.