? HARD BOY BABY // SIM JAEYUN ?

20

as they walked out of the school building together, the afternoon sun casting a warm glow over the scene, seohyun couldn't help but feel a flutter of anticipation. the walk might be awkward at first, but it felt different. it felt like something new was starting—something she hadn't expected but maybe had been waiting for.

and maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of something more than she had ever imagined.

as they walked side by side, the silence between seohyun and jake was comfortable, but there was an undeniable tension in the air. jake kept glancing at her, his expression soft, but his eyes held an uncertainty, as if he wasn't entirely sure how to act after everything that had happened.

seohyun, on the other hand, kept her gaze ahead, feeling the weight of his presence beside her. it wasn't uncomfortable, but it was new. she wasn't used to being around jake this way—casually, without the distractions of the usual school day or the presence of others around them. just the two of them, walking together like... well, like friends, she supposed.

after a few moments of walking, jake finally broke the silence. "so... um," he started, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly, "how's your day been so far?"

seohyun gave him a small smile, trying to keep things light. "it's been... fine. busy, like usual. how about you?"

jake nodded. "same. just a regular day, really." he paused for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts, then turned to face her slightly. "i, uh, wanted to apologize again for... well, miyeon, and everything that happened the other day. i didn't mean for it to look... i mean, i didn't want to hurt you, i know, i said this the other time but, i just didn't know if u actually forgive me or not."

seohyun blinked in surprise at his sudden sincerity. she hadn't expected him to bring it up again, but it was clear that it had been on his mind. 

her heart softened at his words, though she tried to keep her emotions in check. "it's okay," she said, her voice steady but kind. "i mean, it wasn't your fault. you don't control what miyeon does."

"still," jake said, looking down at his feet for a brief moment before meeting her gaze again. "i know it must have felt... weird. and i just want you to know that it wasn't... you know, what it might've looked like."

seohyun hesitated for a moment, the memory of seeing miyeon kiss him still fresh in her mind. it had stung more than she cared to admit, but she wasn't going to hold it against him. not anymore. not now that they were walking together, having this conversation. she was finally starting to understand that things weren't always as they seemed.

"i get it," she said softly. "it's fine, really."

jake smiled, relief washing over him. "thanks, seohyun. i just wanted you to know." his smile lingered, but then he seemed to hesitate again. "and, um, i think you look... different today. i mean, in a good way. you look... really good."

seohyun's heart fluttered at the unexpected compliment, and she felt her cheeks warm slightly. she hadn't been expecting him to notice, but his words made her feel... seen. really seen.

"thanks," she said, her voice quiet but sincere. she didn't know what else to say—there was a part of her that wanted to brush it off, but another part that wanted to soak in the feeling of him looking at her like that. she had worked so hard to feel better about herself, and hearing him say that made her feel like maybe she had done something right.

they continued walking in companionable silence for a few more moments, the tension slowly easing. seohyun noticed the way jake's hand seemed to hover near hers as they walked, but neither of them made a move to actually touch. it felt like a moment of quiet understanding, the space between them still uncertain but not awkward.

finally, as they reached the corner of her street, seohyun stopped and turned to face him. "thanks for walking me home," she said with a small smile, feeling a mix of gratitude and reluctance to part ways. the day had been nice, surprisingly so, and she wasn't sure if she was ready for it to end.

jake paused for a moment, his expression soft. "anytime," he said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, but it was genuine enough. "i'll see you tomorrow, seohyun."

seohyun nodded. "yeah. see you tomorrow." she turned to head toward her house, but as she did, she heard him call out once more.

"hey, seohyun?"

she turned back to him, curious.

"just... be careful, okay? about everything," jake said, his tone suddenly serious, his eyes focused on her with a depth that made her pause.

seohyun's heart skipped a beat. she wasn't sure if he meant it in a friendly way or something more, but it made her feel both a little confused and strangely protected at the same time. she nodded, offering him a small, reassuring smile.

"i will," she replied softly, before turning once more and walking toward her front door, her mind spinning with thoughts of him, of the day, of everything that had happened.

but then suddenly-