somewhere between almost and always [so junghwan treasure completed]

Chapter 3: The Accidental Encounter

The next few days after lunch with Junghwan passed in a blur. Ji-eun found herself trying to juggle her growing curiosity about him with the normal chaos of being the new girl. Despite his cold demeanor, there was something magnetic about Junghwan that made her want to keep pushing, keep finding out what lay beneath that stoic exterior.

But, of course, the more she thought about it, the more she realized she didn't even know if he cared one way or the other. He wasn't the type to act like he did. He didn't smile much, and his words were always measured, often curt. But there were moments—small, fleeting moments—when Ji-eun caught a glimpse of something else in his eyes, something softer, more uncertain. It was enough to keep her coming back for more.

That Friday afternoon, Ji-eun found herself walking toward the library after school, a stack of books in hand. She had promised herself that she wouldn't let her curiosity about Junghwan distract her from her schoolwork, but she had a nagging feeling in the back of her mind that she needed to figure him out. She was sitting in the library, deep in her studies, when she heard the softest sound—footsteps, barely audible, yet distinct enough to catch her attention.

She looked up from her book, scanning the rows of tables. And there he was—Junghwan.

He was standing near the entrance, a book in hand, his usual aloofness still evident, but this time, there was something different. His shoulders were tense, and his eyes darted around the library like he was searching for something—or someone.

Ji-eun raised an eyebrow, noticing how out of place he seemed in the quiet, studious environment. Junghwan wasn't the type to hang around places like this. And yet, here he was, standing as if he didn't belong.

As she watched him, a small smirk formed on her lips. This was her chance.

She stood up, walking casually toward him, and deliberately bumped into him as she passed.

"Oops, sorry!" Ji-eun exclaimed, her tone sweet but mischievous. "Didn't see you there."

Junghwan glanced up at her, his eyes flashing with mild irritation. "Can't you be a little more careful?"

Ji-eun just smiled, letting the playful nature of the moment sink in. "I could, but where's the fun in that?"

He sighed, rolling his eyes. "You're relentless."

"And you're mysterious," she shot back with a shrug. "What are you doing in the library? Studying for once?"

His expression tightened for a moment before he recovered. "I'm here for a book," he muttered, glancing at the book in his hand. "Not that it's any of your business."

"I see," Ji-eun said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "A book, huh? How very... unexpected."

Junghwan stared at her for a moment, his eyes narrowing in what almost seemed like suspicion. "What do you mean, 'unexpected'?"

Ji-eun couldn't help but grin. "You don't seem like the type who would frequent the library. I thought you were more of a 'sit in the corner and brood' kind of guy."

For the first time in a long while, Ji-eun saw a small crack in his armor. His lips twitched ever so slightly, and his eyes softened, just for a fraction of a second.

"I'm not brooding," he muttered, though his tone lacked the sharpness it usually carried.

"Sure," Ji-eun replied, raising her hands in mock surrender. "Whatever you say."

She took a step back, giving him some space, but not before giving him a quick, teasing look. "Anyway, don't let me interrupt your literary adventure, Mr. Mysterious."

She turned to leave, but as she did, she caught a glimpse of something odd. Junghwan had placed his book on a nearby shelf, but he wasn't picking it up. Instead, he was standing there, as if frozen in place, staring at the book like he was unsure of what to do next.

Curiosity gnawed at Ji-eun. She hadn't missed the way he looked at the book—like he wanted to reach for it but was stopping himself. She hesitated for a moment, torn between wanting to leave him alone and the strange impulse to understand what was going on in his head.

She took a few steps back, pretending to be busy with some books on the nearby shelf, but she kept an eye on him from the corner of her vision. And that's when she saw it—a flicker of something almost vulnerable in his expression.

Before she could think twice, Ji-eun walked back over to him. "You're not going to get that book?" she asked, trying to sound casual, though there was a hint of curiosity in her voice.

Junghwan shifted uncomfortably, his gaze flicking to her briefly before looking away. "It's nothing," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Just forget it."

Ji-eun raised an eyebrow, her instincts kicking in. There was something about the way he acted that didn't add up. He wasn't the type of person to show weakness, yet here he was, looking almost conflicted.

"Okay, then," she said, pretending to let it go. "But if you're not going to get that book, I might as well."

Before he could protest, she reached out for the book on the shelf. Junghwan's hand shot out, grabbing her wrist gently but firmly, his fingers brushing against her skin in a way that made her heart skip a beat.

"Don't," he said, his voice low, almost hesitant.

Ji-eun's heart pounded in her chest. She didn't expect the sudden surge of warmth that rushed through her when his hand touched hers. There was something about the way he spoke, the way his eyes seemed to search hers, that sent a wave of something unexpected through her.

She slowly looked up at him, her pulse quickening. "Why not?"

Junghwan's gaze dropped to their hands, and for a split second, his usual indifference seemed to falter. He pulled his hand away quickly, as though he hadn't meant to make contact in the first place.

"It's fine," he muttered, stepping back. "I don't need the book. I'll find something else."

Ji-eun watched him for a moment, a mix of confusion and curiosity swirling in her chest. There was something more to this—something deeper. He wasn't just being aloof for no reason. There was a reason he had hesitated, a reason his touch had felt... intentional, even though he immediately pulled back.

She could feel the tension in the air, thick and heavy. Junghwan was pushing her away, but at the same time, he was drawing her in. The game had just gotten more complicated. And Ji-eun loved every second of it.

"Well," she said after a long pause, breaking the silence, "I'll let you off the hook this time, but I'm watching you, Junghwan."

He didn't respond. Instead, he just walked away, leaving Ji-eun standing there, still trying to make sense of what had just happened.

And for the first time, she wasn't sure if she was chasing him, or if he was starting to chase her.

Either way, she knew one thing: the game had officially begun.