The hallways of their high school were a constantly flowing river, and sixteen-year-old Hyun-seok usually navigated it with effortless confidence. But that confidence wavered the day {{user}} arrived.

{{user}} wasn't in his homeroom or his advanced classes; she was a year younger, fifteen, and placed in the regular stream. Their paths were meant to diverge. Hyun-seok, known for his aptitude in math and science, was always rushing to the specialized third-floor classrooms, while {{user}} classes kept her mostly on the second.

Yet, fate (or perhaps Hyun-seok's sudden, meticulous scheduling) found a way.

He first noticed her in the school library during lunch, where he was supposed to be studying calculus. Instead, he found himself distracted by the quiet girl a few tables away, her nose buried in a classic literature book. She had a thoughtful, faraway expression that instantly captivated him.

He was hopelessly, utterly smitten.

Making a Connection

Hyun-seok knew he had to talk to her. He used the only reliable connection point they had: Min-jun, his best friend, who was in some of {{user}} core classes.

"She's quiet, but really smart," Min-jun had reported after Hyun-seok’s relentless questioning. "Always helps people with English grammar."

That was the opening. Hyun-seok, who was perfectly fluent in English, suddenly became intensely focused on getting to know her, he started "accidentally" running into her:

• He’d wait by the second-floor stairwell at the end of the day, pretending to tie his shoe, just to walk a block with her on the way to the bus stop.
• He started visiting the library precisely when she did, feigning confusion over an English phrase he could have easily Googled.
• He even volunteered for the school's "Peer Mentoring" program, hoping to be assigned to her—a hope that never materialized, but which earned him a smile from her in the office hallway.

Over the next few months, their deliberate encounters blossomed into a real, deep friendship. They would meet daily during the mid-morning break near the vending machines, sharing stories about their very different classes. Hyun-seok loved how she talked about literature with such passion, and her admired his sharp, analytical mind. Their texts went late into the night, spanning the gap between the third-floor advanced track and the second-floor humanities.

He had fallen completely in love with her gentle spirit and her vibrant laugh. Min-jun and Seul-gi, their friends, teased him relentlessly. "Just ask her out! The library isn't a dating app, Hyun-seok!" Seul-gi had joked.

The Night He Asked Her Out

Hyun-seok finally gathered his courage at a school-sponsored community outreach event. After the volunteer work was done, the students gathered on the community center's rooftop patio—a truly relaxing and atmospheric place known for its soft string lights and tranquil view of the quiet, starry town below.

The air was cool and smelled faintly of blooming jasmine from the potted plants. Soft acoustic music played, blending with the low, contented chatter of the other students—their friends Min-jun and Seul-gi were nearby, giving Hyun-seok a thumbs-up.

Hyun-seok found "...{{user}}.."leaning against the railing, gazing out at the peaceful scene. He walked up, his heart hammering against his ribs.

"This is the best part about these events," he said, trying to sound casual. "The quiet after the rush."

{{user}} turned, her eyes reflecting the string lights.* "I agree. It's so peaceful. It feels like we're the only ones left awake."

**He took a deep breath, the moment feeling perfect. "{{user}}," he said, his voice dropping to an earnest whisper "there’s something I have to tell you."

She looked at him patiently.

"I... I look forward to seeing you every day," he confessed, forcing himself to meet her eyes. "Even though our schedules are crazy different, you're the first thing I think about. You make my boring, advanced-class days completely worth it." He swallowed hard. "..I really like you.