The early morning sun rose gently over Seoul. It was one of those crisp, lovely mornings where the sky looked like a soft painting and the breeze whispered promises of a good day.
It had been weeks since Sara moved into a new apartment. Though the place was small, it was beautiful and comfortable.
Inside her apartment, Linda stretched under the blanket before sitting up. She blinked at the morning light that filtered through the curtains, then slid out of bed. After a quick brush and a warm shower, she slipped into her school uniform.
By the time she stepped outside into the corridor, the smell of breakfast already teased her nose. As she passed the living room, her eyes fell on Baby Jack, sitting on a soft mat with colorful toys scattered around him.
The little boy looked up and squealed with delight, waving his tiny hands as if calling her.
Linda giggled and walked over, crouching in front of him. "Good morning, little prince," she said playfully.
Baby Jack made a high-pitched sound of joy, raising his arms, his face glowing with expectation. Linda smiled and scooped him up gently, placing him on her shoulder.
"Let's go see what your mama is making," she whispered as she carried him into the kitchen.
Sara stood at the stove, already halfway through preparing breakfast. The scent of grilled meat and spices filled the air. She turned slightly and smiled.
"Morning," she said warmly.
"Morning," Linda replied, rocking Baby Jack gently. "What's for breakfast?"
"Galbi jjim, kimchi pancakes, and a bowl of hot seaweed soup," Sara said proudly.
Linda's eyes lit up. "Whoa. Royal breakfast today, huh?"
Sara laughed.
But before another word could be spoken, Baby Jack let out that small, warning whimper—the kind that comes just before the real crying starts.
Linda glanced down. "Ah, I know that face. Somebody's hungry." She lifted him higher and kissed his cheek. "Sara, go and feed His Majesty before he starts a royal tantrum."
Sara chuckled and walked over, gently taking Baby Jack from her arms. "You finish up in here."
"All right," Linda said as she picked up the ladle and started stirring the pot, humming softly as she stirred. The scent of the food filled the whole kitchen.
After breakfast, she helped clear the table, then waved goodbye to Sara, who balanced Baby Jack on her hip.
"Don't forget Jack's appointment," Linda said, sliding on her backpack.
"I won't," Sara replied with a nod. "Good luck at school!"
With that, Linda headed to the garage where she had left her bike the day before. She inserted the key, and the engine started with a hum. Slinging her backpack over her shoulders, she rode off through the streets toward school.
When Linda arrived at school that morning, the courtyard was already lively with students chatting, laughing, and heading to class. Just outside the building, she spotted Sophia and Alex standing by the entrance, clearly waiting for her.
"Hey, guys," she said with a bright smile.
Sophia waved at her.
"Where's Jae Min?" she asked, glancing around.
Sophia shrugged. "I called him this morning. He said he's not coming to school today."
Linda's brow furrowed a little, but she nodded. "Alright…"
The three of them walked through the bustling corridor and entered their classroom. They had barely settled into their seats when the door opened and their head teacher stepped in.
Mr. Han adjusted his glasses as his eyes scanned across the classroom. Tall and composed, he carried the kind of authority that made students sit straighter in their seats.
"Good morning, class," he greeted with a slight smile.
"Good morning, Mr. Han," the students chorused.
Mr. Han held up a sheet of paper in his hand. "I have an announcement. The 12th Grade Final Examination will commence soon. The full timetable has been released and is already posted on the school group chat. Make sure you check it and start preparing. This is your final stretch, and every moment counts."
He paused, scanning the room with thoughtful eyes.
"Do your best. Focus. These exams will be the gateway to your next chapter."
With that, he turned and exited the room.
As soon as the door shut behind him, the class broke into a familiar wave of chatter. Books shuffled, chairs creaked, and voices rose in excitement and panic.
Linda turned toward Sophia and sighed dramatically. "I guess it's official, our sleepless nights begin now."
Sophia smirked. "Your sleepless nights, you serious nerd."
Linda giggled, nudging her shoulder. "Come on, we've got to pass with style."
"Style? I plan to survive by luck," Sophia said teasingly.
They both laughed, easing into a conversation about subjects they feared the most, teachers they hoped would go easy, and the snacks they'd need for their late-night study sessions.
In the middle of their discussion, Linda noticed Alex sitting nearby, not joining in. He wasn't laughing or reacting, just staring into space.
She tapped Sophia subtly and gestured toward him. "Sophie…"
Sophia followed her gaze, and her eyes narrowed in concern. "Alex?"
No response.
She called his name again, this time a bit louder. Still nothing.
So she yelled, "ALEX!"
The whole class turned around, staring at them, while Alex snapped out of his trance like someone shaken awake.
He blinked. "Huh? What?"
"What the hell were you thinking about?" Linda asked, leaning closer.
"Nothing." He answered too quickly.
"Are you sure?" Sophia pressed.
There was a brief pause before he muttered, "Well… actually… I have a question."
Linda raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
Alex leaned in, lowered his voice, and scooted his chair closer.
"So… I have this neighbor."
Sophia blinked. "A neighbor?"
"Yeah, yeah. His name is… uh… Sung Hoon." He stammered.
He cleared his throat and continued, "So this neighbor of mine, Sung Hoon, is having a bit of a problem. There's this really good-looking guy who became friends with him recently. My neighbor said that he started feeling… strange about this guy.
"Like, his heart fluttered anytime he thought about him. And he thinks about him a lot. He also said that he sees him like… a… woman." The last part came almost as a whisper.
Linda narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
Alex continued. "It's not like he planned it or anything. It just… happened. He said it felt like a, uh… boy-to-girl 'bombayah' feeling. I don't even know what that means. But he wanted advice from me."
As Alex spoke, Linda and Sophia slowly turned to glance at each other.
Linda gave Sophia a raised-brow "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" kind of look.
Sophia's subtle smirk answered.
Linda turned back to Alex and cleared her throat. "Are you sure this is about your neighbor?"
"Of course," Alex said with exaggerated confidence. "Why would I lie?"
"Alright then…" Linda shrugged. "Well, in my opinion, this 'neighbor' of yours might be gay."
Alex's eyes widened, and his heart seemed to skip a beat. "That's not true!" he snapped, louder than necessary.
Sophia blinked. "Wait, didn't you just say it was your neighbor? Why are you getting so defensive?"
Alex blinked fast. "Because I know Sung Hoon. He likes girls a lot. You guys don't know him like I do. Anyway, it's fine. I'll handle it myself."
He stood up abruptly and walked back to his seat.
Linda and Sophia stared after him, exchanging another look.
Sophia whispered, "You don't think…"
"Something's off with him and Jae Min," Linda murmured. "Ever since that awkward thing at your house."
Sophia nodded. "Right? That eye contact was too intense."
Linda tried not to laugh but failed. "Maybe the bombayah feeling got passed around like a flu."
They giggled under their breath, careful not to let him hear them.
A few minutes later, the classroom door opened, and another teacher walked in carrying a textbook.
"Good day, class," he greeted with a warm smile, while the class returned his greeting in chorus. "Settle down," he said as he wrote the new topic on the whiteboard. "In our previous class, we taught about…"
The class was quiet as the teacher continued.
Linda stole one last glance toward Alex. He was staring blankly at his book now, but obviously, his mind was somewhere else.
And Jae Min hadn't called or come to school since then.
Linda couldn't shake the feeling that something strange was unfolding around her.