Bella swung open her front door, expecting the usual quiet of early morning, her own thoughts as company for the walk to school. But before her, leaning casually against the gatepost, was Yunho. His arms were crossed over his chest, and the morning breeze lifted damp strands of hair from his forehead. He looked up at her as if he'd been waiting there for hours, a boyish grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Good morning," he said, voice calm and steady, but with that familiar edge that made her chest flutter.
Bella blinked, startled. "You're… here."
"Sharp as ever," he teased, pushing off the gatepost. "You thought I'd wait until lunch?"
She stepped out, adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder. "I thought you had morning training."
"I did." He reached over and took her bag from her shoulder before she could protest. He slung it over his own shoulder with ease. "But I had to make sure you didn't run off on me. I mean, you could've tried to make a break for it, and then I'd have to chase you. I don't run that fast in the morning, you know."
Bella's eyes widened, caught between amusement and embarrassment. "You would've… chased me?"
"Absolutely," he said, feigning a mock seriousness that only made him more endearing. "And you know me. I never let you get away."
Her lips twitched, suppressing a laugh, as a small warmth spread through her chest. "You really didn't have to come all the way just to…"
"I wanted to," he cut in smoothly. "Besides, someone's got to make sure you don't run off again."
Bella narrowed her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. "Run off?"
He just grinned, holding out his hand. Fingers curling in a silent invitation.
Her heartbeat stuttered. The thrill was subtle at first, a little spark that raced along her spine. She hesitated for only a moment before placing her hand in his. The warmth of his palm, the secure grip, sent a jolt straight through her.
As they walked toward school, Bella became acutely aware of the subtle stares around them. Passing students would glance quickly, whisper quietly, or give brief nods. Some were curious, others incredulous. Still, Yunho seemed impervious. He walked with her hand in his, steady, his pace matching hers perfectly, as if he had been doing this his entire life. Not a flicker of self-consciousness crossed his face, and that, more than anything, made her chest swell.
Through the School Day
The morning classes passed in a blur. Bella's thoughts kept wandering back to Yunho's hand brushing hers, the steady warmth, the quiet weight of his presence. Every now and then, she'd catch herself glancing at him across the hallway or in the classroom, and each time, his eyes would find hers and hold them for a second longer than necessary. That small connection made her stomach flutter in ways she hadn't expected.
When the lunch bell rang, she gathered her tray and started toward the cafeteria, expecting the usual seats with Emily and friends. But before she even reached the tables, Emily's voice cut through the hum of chatter.
"Oh my God, there he is. Look alive."
Bella turned, just in time to see Yunho heading straight toward them, his tray balanced expertly in one hand, a carton of chocolate milk perched beside his rice bowl. His focus was entirely on her, and even with the bustling cafeteria around him, he moved like the world had narrowed down to just this moment.
Emily's eyes practically bulged. "Is he seriously… ditching his table for us?"
"She didn't make me anything," Yunho said casually as he approached, sliding the milk toward Bella. "I volunteered. And I'm sitting here now, by the way."
Emily whispered loudly, leaning in with wide eyes. "You know this is the uncharted zone for you, right? The jungle. No sports hierarchy here."
"Cool," Yunho said, popping open the milk carton. "I like the wild."
Bella couldn't help but stare, half amused, half embarrassed. "Aren't your friends going to riot?"
"They'll survive," he murmured with a small smirk.
"You're kind of overdoing it," Bella said softly, trying not to smile too much.
"I'm making up for lost time," he whispered back, just loud enough for her to hear.
Throughout lunch, Yunho stayed close. Every time Bella shifted in her seat, his knee brushed hers. When she laughed at something Emily said, his eyes lingered on her, not possessively, but with a quiet pride that made her cheeks heat. She could feel the subtle weight of him noticing her in ways that mattered, that counted.
By the end of the day, Yunho was still there, waiting outside her class to walk her home. No announcement, no flourish, just a casual, undeniable presence that said clearly: you're mine now.
As Bella and Yunho walked side by side, their fingers still intertwined, Bella silently marvelled at this novelty of feeling so intimate just by being connected to someone, palm to palm.
She slowed. "You don't have to walk me the whole way."
"I know," Yunho said, but he didn't let go.
They stood there for a second longer than necessary. The quiet kind of second that hums.
Bella glanced at him. "You really didn't have to go this far today."
"I wanted to," he said. "You keep acting like I'm doing something crazy."
"You kind of are," she said softly, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her.
Yunho tilted his head slightly, studying her. "Then I guess I'll keep being crazy."
He took a step closer and her breath caught. His hand lifted, brushing lightly along her jaw, then tucking a strand of hair behind her ear like he'd been waiting all day to do it.
"Wait," she said, suddenly breathless. "Are you,"
"Yeah," he said. "I am."
And then he kissed her.
It wasn't hurried. It wasn't practiced. Just... him. Bella felt the world dip sideways as his hand found her waist, grounding her, keeping her close but not too close. Like he knew exactly where her line was and didn't want to cross it, only meet her there.
Her fingers curled against the fabric of his shirt. She didn't mean to lean in, but she did. Just a little.
When he pulled away, it was slow, reluctant.
She stayed close, blinking up at him. Her lips tingled.
"That was…" she whispered.
Yunho smiled, brushing his thumb across her cheekbone like a secret. "Worth the walk."
She couldn't stop smiling.
He gave her hand one last squeeze. "See you tomorrow?"
She nodded, voice stuck somewhere in her throat. "Yeah."
As he turned and walked away, Bella stood for a moment on the corner, heart racing, lips still warm, already counting down the hours.