The sky over Seoul was grey by morning, a soft drizzle brushing against the windows of Class 3-2. The sound was soothing—steady, like a whisper the world had forgotten how to hear.
Yoon Sera didn't mind the rain.
She sat at her desk, chin resting in her palm, watching a single raindrop race its way down the windowpane.
"Earth to Sera."
Minjeong leaned over, waving a hand in front of her face.
Sera blinked. "Sorry. Zoned out."
Minjeong grinned. "Zoned out staring at Kang Jisoo again?"
Sera flushed. "I wasn't."
"You were," Minjeong sing-songed. "Don't worry, though. You're not the only one. Eunbi swears he used to model before transferring here."
Sera glanced at the boy in question. He was leaned back in his chair again, earphones in—though they weren't connected to anything. Just in to keep people out.
Still bruised, still silent.
"Maybe he's just tired," Sera muttered.
Minjeong tilted her head. "Of what?"
Sera didn't answer.
Before the conversation could go further, the classroom door slid open again. A tall boy with light brown hair strolled in—loud, late, and unapologetic.
"Kim Taeyang," the teacher sighed. "You're late again."
"Sorry, 선생님. I was... rescuing a cat."
Scattered giggles followed him as he winked his way to his seat, dropping his bag with a dramatic sigh. He was all noise and sunshine, the complete opposite of Jisoo—and as Sera had learned over the past two years, impossible to dislike.
Taeyang spun in his chair to face her and Minjeong. "What's up, geniuses?"
"Working," Sera replied dryly.
"Lame," he said, then leaned closer, voice low. "So... what's Kang Jisoo's deal? He looks like he belongs in a gangster movie."
Minjeong snorted.
Sera said nothing.
The truth was, she didn't know what Jisoo's "deal" was either. But she found herself thinking about it more than she wanted to admit.
By lunch, the rain had turned to fog, cloaking the school courtyard in a soft, pale hush.
Sera stayed behind in the classroom, pretending to organize her notes. She knew he'd stay, too.
Jisoo didn't look up as she approached his desk.
"Still want to work on the project today?"
He nodded.
"After school. Library. Fourth floor."
Jisoo finally met her gaze.
"Do you always talk like you're giving commands?"
Sera raised a brow. "Do you always pretend you don't like being given direction?"
For the briefest second—so fast she almost missed it—his lips twitched upward.
But then he looked away again, slipping his earphones back in.
Sera walked away without another word, but her pulse quickened.
Behind her, Kang Jisoo exhaled slowly…
…and let the corner of his mouth lift into the ghost of a smile.