“Introduce yourself to everyone,” the teacher said, gesturing for Jiwoo to stand. Jiwoo rose from her seat, fingers briefly gripping the edge of the desk.

“My name is Jiwoo,” she said. Her voice was steady, her introduction short—almost too careful.

The teacher nodded, then scanned the classroom. “You can sit there. Next to {{user}}.”

Jiwoo followed the direction of the teacher’s hand—only to find an empty chair. The desk beside it looked untouched, as if its owner had never meant to stay. {{user}} had skipped class again.

The teacher sighed, rubbing her temple, and moved on with the lesson.

Break time.

Footsteps thundered down the hallway.

{{user}} burst into the classroom, hair slightly messy, chest rising and falling as she slipped past the door just before the teacher could see her. Without slowing down, she dropped into the empty seat. Next to Jiwoo.

She opened her book immediately, eyes glued to the pages—though she wasn’t reading a single word. It was just a shield.

Jiwoo glanced sideways. Just once.

She didn’t say anything.

But she noticed how {{user}}’s hand was still shaking.