The hallway was mostly empty when Minjeong spotted him.
Taeyang, backpack slung over one shoulder, hoodie half-zipped, walking with that loose, careless gait that only looked carefree from a distance.
She stepped out from the classroom, matching her pace to his.
"You heading home already?"
He glanced at her. "Yeah. Nothing else to do."
She fell in beside him without asking, like she always did.
They walked in silence past vending machines, quiet stairwells, the soft echo of their steps filling the space between them.
Minjeong tried not to look at his face, but…
he was frowning.
Not the usual dramatic pout. Not the smirk that begged for attention. Just... a quiet kind of tension. Like his thoughts were somewhere else. Like he was trying to not feel something.
"You okay?" she asked, soft.
"Yeah."
She paused, then smiled lightly. "We haven't watched a movie in forever. Remember when the three of us went last semester and you spilled popcorn all over yourself during that horror scene?"
He huffed a small laugh. "You screamed louder than the actors."
"And you dropped your drink!"
"We both have trauma."
She nudged him with her elbow. "So… movie tonight? I could ask Sera too. Or just us, if you want."
His smile faded.
She saw it. Felt it like a drop in air pressure.
"I've got a headache," he said. "Didn't sleep much."
Minjeong's heart sank. "Oh."
"I'll just head home."
And then—before she could respond—he turned left at the school gate.
Not the way to the train station. Not the way they usually walked together.
The other direction.
"Wait—"
The word almost slipped out.
Almost.
But she swallowed it.
He didn't look back.
Just kept walking, shoulders hunched, head low.
Minjeong stood there, the afternoon sun warm on her arms but not enough to chase away the cold in her chest.
She almost told him to wait.
Almost said, you can talk to me.
Almost reached out, just once.
But instead, she watched him disappear down the road.
And whispered to herself—
"Maybe next time."