One morning, Im-Su walked into the classroom and stopped when he saw Yun-ji sitting near the window.
She was already studying.
Books were open across her desk, and her eyes were fixed on her notes.
Im-Su smiled.
"You're here already?"
Yun-ji looked up.
"Good morning."
"When did you come?"
"Twenty minutes ago."
He looked at the clock, then back at her.
"Twenty minutes early? Why?"
"To study."
His eyes moved to the books on her desk.
"You're really serious about the term test."
"I am."
Im-Su walked toward her and pulled out the chair beside her.
"Then help me with this chapter."
Yun-ji looked at the book in his hand.
"You haven't even read it."
"That's why I need your help."
She stared at him for a moment before laughing.
"You are lazy."
"I prefer the word efficient."
"That's definitely not the word I would use."
Im-Su grinned.
"Then you're wrong."
Yun-ji shook her head.
Their friendship had developed naturally.
They studied together when they had time.
They shared notes.
They helped each other prepare for tests.
Sometimes they talked during breaks. Sometimes they argued over small things and laughed a few minutes later.
To Yun-ji, it was simple.
Im-Su was her friend.
There was nothing more to it.
But not everyone saw it that way.
Across the classroom, Bora sat quietly at her desk.
Her eyes were lowered.
Her expression was calm.
But her fingers slowly tightened around her pen.
Im-Su was laughing again.
And he was laughing with Yun-ji.
Bora's smile faded for a brief second.
She hated it.
She hated the way boys always looked at Yun-ji when she entered a room.
She hated the way Yun-ji seemed to receive attention without even trying.
Most of all, she hated that Im-Su was rich.
His family had money.
He was popular.
He came from the kind of background Bora wanted to be connected to.
And now, instead of looking at her, he was sitting beside Yun-ji.
Again.
Bora slowly looked away.
That afternoon, Bora was sitting with Mi-Cha and So-Young during break.
Mi-Cha was talking about the term test, but Bora wasn't listening.
Her eyes had moved toward the other side of the classroom.
Im-Su was standing beside Yun-ji's desk.
He bent down slightly and pointed at something in her notebook.
Yun-ji laughed.
Im-Su smiled.
Bora looked down immediately.
Mi-Cha noticed.
"Bora?"
Bora looked up.
"Yes?"
"Are you okay?"
Bora quickly smiled.
"Of course."
"You looked sad."
"Did I?"
"Yes."
Bora gave a small laugh.
"I'm just tired."
So-Young followed Bora's earlier gaze and noticed Yun-ji and Im-Su.
"They're together again."
Mi-Cha also looked in that direction.
Something changed in her expression.
It was small.
But Bora noticed it.
Of course she noticed.
Bora had known about Mi-Cha's crush on Im-Su for a long time.
Mi-Cha had never said it directly, but she didn't need to.
The way Mi-Cha looked at him whenever he wasn't paying attention told Bora everything.
Bora lowered her eyes.
"Oh."
Her voice was soft.
"Maybe they have something to discuss."
Mi-Cha turned toward her.
"About school?"
"Probably."
Bora smiled.
"I shouldn't assume anything."
So-Young frowned.
"Why are you saying it like that?"
Bora immediately shook her head.
"I'm not saying anything."
Then she looked toward Yun-ji again.
"Actually, Yun-ji has been working hard lately. Maybe Im-Su is just helping her."
Mi-Cha's expression darkened slightly.
Bora saw it.
And hid her smile.
Mi-Cha looked at her carefully.
"Then why do you look upset?"
Bora's eyes widened.
"I'm not upset."
She gave a quiet laugh.
"Why would I be?"
Then, after a short pause, she added,
"I just don't want people to misunderstand Yun-ji."
Mi-Cha frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Bora immediately shook her head.
"Nothing."
"No. Tell us."
"It's really nothing."
Bora forced a smile.
"Forget it."
But neither Mi-Cha nor So-Young forgot it.
Bora had said very little.
She didn't need to say more.
Mi-Cha looked toward Yun-ji again.
This time, her eyes stayed on Yun-ji a little longer.
Bora quietly looked down at her desk.
A small seed had been planted.
A few days later, Mi-Cha found Bora standing alone in the corridor.
The lunch break had just ended.
Most of the students had already returned to their classrooms.
Bora stood near the window with her back to Mi-Cha.
"Bora?"
Bora quickly turned around.
"Mi-Cha."
Mi-Cha stopped.
Her eyes moved to Bora's face.
"Are you okay?"
Bora smiled.
"Why?"
"Your eyes are red."
Bora quickly looked away.
"I'm fine."
"Were you crying?"
"No."
"You clearly were."
Bora laughed softly.
"It was nothing."
Mi-Cha walked closer.
"Is this about Im-Su?"
Bora immediately shook her head.
"No."
"Then what is it?"
Bora hesitated.
She looked as though she wanted to speak but was afraid to.
"I just..."
"What?"
Bora lowered her eyes.
"I don't want to cause problems between anyone."
Mi-Cha's expression changed.
"Between you and Yun-ji?"
Bora looked up in surprise.
"No!"
Her reaction came too quickly.
"Don't say that."
"Then what are you talking about?"
Bora took a slow breath.
"Yun-ji is my sister. I don't want anyone to think badly of her."
Mi-Cha frowned.
"But?"
"There is no but."
Bora smiled sadly.
"I just think she should be careful."
"Careful about what?"
Bora hesitated again.
She already knew what Mi-Cha wanted to hear.
But Bora would never say it directly.
Instead, she whispered one name.
"Im-Su."
Mi-Cha's face changed.
Bora quickly raised her hands.
"Not because I think she's doing anything wrong."
"Then why are you worried?"
"I just..."
Bora looked uncomfortable.
"People are already talking."
Mi-Cha's eyes narrowed.
"What are they saying?"
Bora shook her head.
"It doesn't matter."
"What are they saying?"
"I shouldn't tell you."
"Who said something about Yun-ji?"
Bora sighed.
"I don't know if it's true. That's why I don't want to repeat it."
"Repeat what?"
Bora remained silent for a moment.
Then she said softly,
"Some people think Yun-ji is getting too close to Im-Su."
Mi-Cha stared at her.
"Who said that?"
Bora immediately shook her head.
"It doesn't matter."
"Tell me."
"No."
"Bora."
Bora looked down.
Then she quickly added,
"But please don't confront Yun-ji."
Mi-Cha frowned.
"Why not?"
"Because she'll think I'm trying to cause trouble."
"Are you?"
"No!"
Bora looked genuinely hurt.
Her eyes filled slightly with tears.
"I would never do that to her."
She softly wiped the corner of her eye.
"I shouldn't have said anything."
Mi-Cha immediately felt guilty for asking.
"Don't cry."
"I'm not crying."
"You are."
Bora shook her head.
"I just don't want you to misunderstand me."
Mi-Cha's expression softened.
"I don't."
Bora looked at her.
"Really?"
"Yes."
Bora smiled weakly.
"Then please don't say anything to Yun-ji. I don't want her to think I hate her."
Mi-Cha nodded slowly.
But the moment Bora asked her not to confront Yun-ji, something inside Mi-Cha became restless.
Mi-Cha, who had liked Im-Su for so long, couldn't help but think bad of Yun-ji.
The next day, So-Young joined Mi-Cha and Bora during lunch.
Bora said very little.
She didn't need to.
Mi-Cha and So-Young had already started watching Yun-ji differently.
Every time Im-Su spoke to Yun-ji, Mi-Cha noticed.
Every time Yun-ji laughed at something he said, Mi-Cha's mood changed.
Every time Im-Su sat beside her, it felt like another piece of proof.
Bora sat quietly beside them.
She never encouraged the conversation.
She only listened.
When So-Young said,
"They really spend a lot of time together,"
Bora immediately said,
"Don't misunderstand them."