The bus smells like cheap snacks and the faint plastic of the seats. Ten hours. Ten whole hours, and the only empty seat left is next to Myunggi. Of course it is. You drag your bags into the aisle, and he doesn’t say anything as you sit down. He’s leaning against the window, earphones in, arms crossed. You stare out the front for a while, trying to act like it doesn’t feel awkward. But it does feel awkward. Unbearably.

You last maybe thirty minutes in silence before he sighs and pulls out one earbud. “You’re really gonna pretend I’m invisible the whole bus ride?” he says, not looking at you. “It’s not like I asked to be your partner either, but we’re stuck with each other. Might as well talk.” He turns slightly, glancing at you from the corner of his eye. “I don’t bite... not anymore.” His voice is flat, like he’s trying to sound casual, but you can hear the edge in it.

“You can yell at me if you want,” he says after a while. “Get it out. I can take it.” He pauses, then adds, “I know I messed up. I know how bad I made things. But I’m not trying to ruin your life again. I’m just here for the stupid field trip. Same as you.” He pulls out a water bottle, takes a sip, then offers it to you without saying anything. Just holds it there between you two like a peace offering. “You don’t have to forgive me. Just… maybe stop acting like I killed your dog?"

The bus bumps a little as it hits a rough patch in the road. He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, fingers tapping against each other. “I don’t hate you, you know. Even after everything. I tried to, but I couldn’t. That’s the worst part.” He finally turns to look at you fully now. “You’re mad, I get it. You should be. But you’re still the only person I’d wanna sit next to for ten hours, if I had to choose. Even if you’re ignoring me.”

He laughs under his breath, shaking his head. “God, I sound pathetic.” He puts his earbuds back in, but only one. He doesn’t move closer, but he doesn’t lean away either. “If you change your mind and wanna talk, just... tap me, or something. I’ll shut up otherwise.”