somewhere between almost and always [so junghwan treasure completed]

Chapter 9: The Unspoken Bonds

The days that followed seemed to stretch out before Ji-eun in slow motion. After her conversation with Junghwan by the fountain, things didn't change drastically, but they didn't stay the same either. There was a quiet tension between them now, like two people who were on the verge of something but still unsure whether to take the leap.

Ji-eun had to admit, she wasn't sure where things were heading. Every time they crossed paths at school, there was a moment of eye contact, a brief acknowledgment, but no words. The unspoken understanding that lingered between them was both comforting and frustrating. Comforting because it felt like they were both on the same wavelength, but frustrating because neither of them was willing to take the next step.

She found herself replaying their conversation by the fountain over and over in her mind. Junghwan had said he didn't know if he could let anyone in—not yet. But the way he had looked at her, the way his gaze had softened just the slightest bit, made her think that maybe he was just waiting for the right moment.

The week passed, and things stayed the same. Ji-eun found herself growing increasingly frustrated with the silence, and even Soo-ah had noticed her lack of focus. "You're not listening to me at all," Soo-ah said one afternoon, giving Ji-eun a playful shove as they walked to class. "You're so wrapped up in your head these days. What's going on?"

Ji-eun gave a half-hearted shrug. "Nothing's going on. Just... school stuff."

Soo-ah raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, sure. If 'school stuff' means obsessing over Junghwan, then okay, I guess that's what it is."

"I'm not obsessing!" Ji-eun protested, though she couldn't help the blush that crept up her neck. "I'm just... I don't know what's going on with him, okay?"

"Still?" Soo-ah's tone was more serious now. "You know you can't just sit around waiting for him to change, right? If you want something to happen, you're going to have to make it happen."

Ji-eun bit her lip, looking down at her feet. "I don't want to push him. I don't want to make him uncomfortable. I just want him to be... honest with me."

Soo-ah sighed, her voice softer now. "I get it. But you're not going to know what he's thinking if you don't talk to him. And trust me, guys like Junghwan? They don't make the first move. You have to give them a little push."

The next day, Ji-eun found herself standing outside the school gates again, staring at Junghwan as he stood with his friends, laughing at something Seungmin had said. It wasn't the first time she had watched him from a distance, but today something felt different. She was tired of waiting, tired of the games, tired of wondering if there was anything more between them.

Without really thinking, she walked over to him, her heart pounding in her chest. The closer she got, the more her nerves kicked in, but she pushed through it. This was the moment. She had to know, once and for all, if there was something between them—or if she had just been imagining it.

"Junghwan," Ji-eun called out as she approached, her voice a little unsteady.

His head turned almost immediately, and for the first time in a long while, there was no awkwardness in his expression—just a look of surprise and, maybe, curiosity. "Ji-eun," he said, his voice soft but warm. "Hey."

The others were still talking among themselves, but Junghwan seemed focused on her now. It felt like the world had shrunk down to just the two of them.

"I need to talk to you," Ji-eun said, the words coming out before she could stop them. It wasn't a question, and she wasn't going to back out now.

Junghwan's brow furrowed slightly, but he nodded, stepping away from the group. "Okay. What's up?"

They walked a little farther away from the others, the noise of their laughter fading behind them. Ji-eun could feel the weight of the moment settle around them, and she took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart.

"Why are you so distant?" she asked, her voice quiet but firm. "I don't get it. I thought we were getting somewhere, but every time I try to talk to you, it feels like you're pulling away again."

Junghwan hesitated, his hands tucked into his pockets as he looked at the ground. For a moment, it felt like the distance between them was as vast as the ocean.

"I'm sorry if I've been distant," he said finally, his voice low. "It's not because of you. It's just... I don't know how to handle this. I don't know how to handle you."

Ji-eun frowned, not fully understanding. "What do you mean?"

Junghwan met her gaze then, and for the first time, she saw something in his eyes—something vulnerable. "I don't want to hurt you," he said quietly. "I don't want to get close to someone and then mess it all up. I've seen it happen before, and I'm scared of it."

Ji-eun's heart softened, and she took a step closer to him. "Junghwan... you don't have to be scared. I'm not going to run away."

He gave a dry laugh, shaking his head. "It's not that simple. People don't always stay, Ji-eun. And I don't want to be the reason you leave."

She reached out and touched his arm lightly, trying to offer some comfort. "You're not the reason I'd leave," she said softly. "And I'm not going anywhere."

There was a long silence between them, and for a moment, Ji-eun wasn't sure if he believed her. But then, slowly, he looked up at her, his expression still guarded but less distant than before.

"You're different," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Different how?" Ji-eun asked, her heart skipping a beat.

"Different from everyone else," he replied, his eyes locking with hers. "You actually want to understand me. You don't push me away."

Ji-eun smiled softly, her fingers still resting on his arm. "Maybe that's because I'm not afraid of getting to know you. I just want you to trust me, Junghwan. That's all."

He looked at her for a long time, his gaze flickering between her eyes and her lips. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he spoke again.

"I don't know if I can trust anyone," he admitted, his voice thick with emotion. "But... I think I can try with you."

Ji-eun's heart swelled at his words, and for the first time, she felt like they were standing on the edge of something real. Something that had the potential to grow into something beautiful, if they both gave it a chance.

"Then let's try," she said, her voice steady. "One step at a time."

Junghwan gave a small nod, his expression softening. "Okay," he said, his lips curving into a faint smile. "One step at a time."

And in that moment, Ji-eun felt like they had finally taken the first step toward something more—something that had the potential to be everything she had ever wanted.