By Wednesday morning, the classroom carried a strange heaviness. Jae Min had been missing from school for days, and though no one said much aloud, his absence lingered like a weight that pressed on those who knew him best.
Linda noticed it most in Alex. He wasn't himself. During lessons, his mind seemed elsewhere, his gaze drifting far past the whiteboard, only to snap back when the teacher called on him. The sharp, sarcastic remarks he was known for had all but disappeared, leaving behind a silence that didn't suit him.
When the bell rang after the first lesson, Linda caught Sofia's eye. No words were needed; they both crossed the aisle toward Alex's desk.
He sat with his shoulders slumped, arms folded tight against his chest, his eyes resting on his notebook, though it was clear he hadn't read a single line.
"Hey," Linda said softly, keeping her voice low so no one else would hear. "Are you okay?"
Alex glanced up, his expression flat and unreadable. "Yeah," he muttered. "Just tired."
Sofia tilted her head as she said softly, "You've been 'just tired' since Monday."
Alex gave a small shrug, brushing it off. "It's nothing."
Linda and Sofia were about to turn away when he spoke again, quieter this time, almost reluctant.
"Have you heard from Jae Min?"
There it was.
The two girls paused. Linda gave Sofia a knowing glance before answering. "No. His line has been off. Sofia tried reaching him."
Alex's jaw tightened just a little. "That's not like him."
"Exactly," Sofia said, folding her arms. "It's weird. I don't care if it makes me sound nosy, but I'm going to find out what's going on."
Linda arched a brow. "How?"
"I can ping his phone."
Alex turned his head slightly, a flicker of curiosity breaking through his otherwise composed demeanor.
Linda exclaimed, "Ping?"
"Yeah," Sofia said, her voice dropping slightly. "Let's just say I have... a few tricks up my sleeve. Legal-ish."
Alex gave a small snort, the corner of his mouth twitching into a faint smile as he said, "Why am I not surprised?"
"I'm serious," Sofia said, her eyes narrowing playfully. "We're not just going to pretend it's normal for him to vanish without a word. He's part of this group."
Linda nodded in agreement. "We'll check on him after school."
They both looked at Alex.
He hesitated, then exhaled slowly, as if releasing something he'd been holding in for hours.
"Yeah," he said. "We should."
As they continued to discuss, the classroom door slid open and a teacher stepped in. The three of them exchanged brief, understanding glances before returning to their seats, each of them trying to focus.
---
The afternoon sun had begun to soften when Sofia, Linda, and Alex finally stood outside a modest yet beautiful apartment on a quiet street. It had taken some work, mostly Sofia's tracking skills, before they were able to find where Jae Min had been hiding.
The building itself was simple, two stories of clean cream bricks, ivy climbing up one corner, and the scent of someone baking lingering faintly in the air. It didn't match the mystery Jae Min had always carried with him at school.
Sofia knocked lightly on the door.
None of them spoke. Not even Linda, who usually filled silences with something witty or sarcastic. Alex stood a little behind them, arms folded, his body unusually stiff. Neither Sofia nor Linda mentioned it, but they noticed. He'd been different for days—tense, distracted, quieter than usual. Something was clearly on his mind.
They heard the click of a lock, and the door creaked open.
There he was.
Jae Min stood at the entrance wearing a baggy gray sweater far too thick for the mild weather, long loose jeans that pooled around his ankles, a cap pulled low over his forehead, and headphones around his neck. He looked like someone about to head out, though his expression said otherwise. He was surprised to see them.
"Hey," Linda said first, with a very gentle voice.
Jae Min blinked. "What… are you guys doing here?"
"You've been out of school for days," Sofia said, smiling softly. "We were worried. Don't tell me you're not even a little happy to see us?"
He glanced down, his tone barely above a whisper. "No one's ever come just because they hadn't seen me in a while."
Sofia stepped forward. "Well, that ends now. We're your friends, Jae Min. And friends don't wait for permission to care."
There was a pause. Then, slowly, he smiled.
"Come in."
He stepped aside. Linda walked in first, followed by Sofia. As Alex passed him, their eyes met for a brief moment. An awkward flicker of energy passed between them. Alex looked away immediately, but Jae Min's eyes lingered just a second longer before turning away too.
Inside, the apartment was clean and quiet. Very quiet. It was neatly arranged, almost sterile, the furniture minimal and the colors dark. Heavy curtains covered the windows, letting in very little light.
"Whoa…" Linda muttered. "It's… like mine, but lonelier."
Once everyone was in, Jae Min crossed the room and opened the windows. Light spilled in. He blinked as though he hadn't seen sunlight in days.
Sofia raised an eyebrow. "Were you about to head out?"
"No. I was just… resting."
"In that outfit?" she asked, glancing at Linda with a bewildered expression. "You look like you're dressed for a winter storm. And it's thirty degrees out."
"I like being covered up," he said simply.
Linda didn't press. The tension in the room was soft but palpable.
Jae Min brought out drinks from the fridge, smoothies in little glass bottles, and offered them some snacks. They sat in the small living room.
"So…" Linda started, "why haven't you come to school?"
"I've just been tired. Really tired." He said, staring at Alex, while Alex quickly lowered his gaze.
"We missed you," Linda said. "Honestly, Alex missed you the most."
"Stop it," Alex said quickly, cheeks slightly flushed. "I was just… concerned."
Linda and Sofia exchanged knowing looks. "He was freaking out, actually," Sofia teased. "Have you forgotten you almost wrote his name on your notebook?"
Alex scowled. "You guys are annoying."
But Jae Min didn't laugh. His eyes caught Alex's, and for a moment, they held each other's gaze as if pulled together by magnets. Then they quickly looked away at the same time.
Trying to lighten the mood, Linda clapped her hands. "So, what can we play?"
Sofia reached into her bag. "I brought cards!"
"No...!" Alex and Jae Min shouted at the same time.
Sofia blinked. "Whoa, okay… What's going on with you two?"
"Nothing," they both said again, simultaneously.
"Seriously," Sofia said. "Have you guys fought or something?"
Linda leaned forward. "Alright, fine. You two can show us you're not secretly enemies by doing something together. Like… making us lunch."
"What?" Alex sat up. "I can't cook."
"Exactly," Linda grinned. "That's why Jae Min will teach you."
Jae Min hesitated. "I… don't know."
"C'mon," Sofia chimed in. "Guys can cook too. Convince us you're responsible adults."
Eventually, under the pressure of two determined girls, they both gave in.
Jae Min's kitchen was a pleasant surprise, spacious, lined with dark wood cabinets, granite counters, and sleek silver appliances.
A hanging rack carried a few pots and pans, and some wide plates.
"So…" Alex said, rolling up his sleeves awkwardly, "what do we cook?" Immediately they entered into the kitchen.
Jae Min thought for a moment. "How about mandu? They're kind of like dumplings. Easy but good."
They got to work. Flour dusted the counter. Vegetables were chopped. Jae Min moved with ease, folding and filling dough, pan-frying like someone who had done it a hundred times.
Alex watched him. "You're good at this."
Jae Min smiled faintly. "Thanks."
"Your mom teach you?"
Jae Min paused. "I wish she had."
Alex stopped what he was doing, staring at him. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean…"
"It's okay. My parents died before I could even know them."
A cold silence crept in.
Alex swallowed. "Then… who raised you?"
Jae Min didn't look up. "The devil did," he murmured with a sad expression. "I mean, people who weren't supposed to." The last words came almost a whisper.
Alex froze. "What?"
Jae Min finally looked him in the eye, his voice quiet and soft. "I mean it. It could have been better if I died as a child."
Alex felt a twist in his heart. He struggled with his emotions, as he felt like embracing him. He wanted to comfort him but didn't know how.
Without thinking, he placed his hand gently over Jae Min's.
Jae Min stiffened.
"If you have problems, please let us know. Though we are not related by blood, we are good friends. And we care about you."
Jae Min's eyes widened. His heart skipped a beat.
Then, as though realizing what was happening, he pulled back.
"I like my private life to myself, Alex. Please… don't ask again."
Alex blinked, then nodded slowly. "Yeah. Okay. I'll mind my business."
They finished the food in silence.
Later, when they brought out the mandu, Linda and Sofia nearly screamed.
"This is amazing!" Linda cried with a full mouth. "Where have you guys been hiding this talent?"
Sofia grinned. "Ten out of ten."
The afternoon passed with snacks, laughter, and even a reluctant round of cards. They talked, they teased, and for a while, everything felt normal again.
By evening, they packed up, waved goodbye, and left.
Jae Min stood in the doorway, watching them go.
Once alone, he shut the door, closed the windows, and drew the curtains again. Darkness returned like a familiar blanket. He lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling. The memory of Alex's eyes, the closeness, the warmth still lingered.
He pulled the hoodie over his head, curled up, and finally drifted off to sleep.
But his heart wasn't quiet.
Not tonight.