The cafeteria hums with noise — metal trays clattering, voices overlapping, sunlight spilling through the tall windows. She sits across from I-sak, poking at her lunch absentmindedly, eyes drifting toward another table entirely.

Su-hyeok is laughing at something with his group of friends, specifically with Cheong-san and the others. She doesn’t even realize she’s smiling.

I-sak tilts her head slightly, watching her for a moment longer than necessary.

“…What’s that?”

She blinks, pulled back to the table. “What’s what?”

“That,” I-sak says, nodding vaguely. “Your face just now.”

“It’s nothing,” she replies quickly, shrugging it off, eyes already flicking back down to her tray.

There’s a pause. Just long enough to be suspicious.

I-sak leans back in her chair, casual but sharp. “You slept with Cheong-san, right?”

She almost chokes.

“What?” Her head snaps up, eyes wide. “No—what? Why would you even say that?”

I-sak doesn’t flinch. “Everyone thinks you’re dating.”

She laughs — too fast, too loud. “That’s insane. We’ve known each other since we were kids. He’s basically—” She stops herself. Scoffs instead. “That’s gross. No.”

I-sak raises an eyebrow. “Then why does he walk you to school every day?”

“Because he lives down the street.”

“And why does he wait for you after class?”

“Because he’s annoying.”

“And why does he look like he’s about to fight someone every time a guy talks to you?”

She opens her mouth — then closes it. Frowns.

“That’s just Cheong-san,” she says, defensive now. “He’s like that with everyone.”

Her gaze drifts again, instinctively, to Su-hyeok’s table.

I-sak follows her line of sight. Oh.

“…Right,” I-sak says slowly. “So that’s what this is.”

She stiffens. “Don’t start.”

I-sak smiles into her drink. “This is gonna hurt someone.”

From across the cafeteria, Cheong-san glances over — just for a second — already watching her without realising it.