She had been quiet all day.

That wasn’t like her.

Normally, she’d be the first to laugh at my stupid jokes or hit me on the arm when I said something annoying.

But today? Barely a word. Her smile looked forced, and every time our eyes met, she looked away.

I noticed, of course.

I always notice her.

But today... I had a feeling it wasn’t about school or stress or one of those bad nights where sleep never comes.

It was something else.

And deep down, I already knew what.

We had just finished lunch. A few classmates were gathered near the stairs, joking around.

Ju-kyung was there too, standing beside me, holding her phone, showing me some meme that I didn’t really find funny — but I smiled anyway.

Then I caught her again.

My girl.

She stood just a few steps away, pretending to scroll through her phone, but her eyes kept flicking toward us.

I could see the way her lips pressed into a thin line.

Like she was trying to hold something in.

Or maybe hold something back.

And just like that, I couldn’t take it anymore.

I walked over to her, hands in my pockets.

She didn’t look up.

“You alright, princess?” I asked, my voice lower, calmer than usual.

She blinked fast, like she was surprised I even noticed.

“Yeah. I’m fine."

she mumbled.

Liar.

I knew her too well.

“You’ve barely said two words all day.”

She shrugged.

“I guess I’m just tired.”

Another lie. But I didn’t push.

Instead, I sat beside her on the bench.

Close enough that our knees brushed.

She didn’t move away.

“I’m not dumb, you know."

I said after a while.

“I never said you were.”

“But you’re acting weird. Around me.”

She stayed quiet.

I watched her fingers fidget with the sleeve of her sweater.

I saw the way her eyes glistened even though she tried not to blink too much.

And I realized something that made my chest ache.

She was hurting.

Because of me.

Because maybe… maybe she liked me more than she should.

And maybe she’d seen the way I used to look at Ju-kyung.

God, I’m such an idiot.

“I know what you’re thinking."

I said softly.

She looked up, confused.

“What?”

“You think I still like her.”

She didn’t answer, but the silence was enough.

I let out a slow breath.

“I did. I won’t lie. But that was before.”

She finally turned her head, looking me in the eyes for the first time all day.

“What changed?”

I gave her a small smile.

“You. You changed everything.”

Her eyes widened slightly, unsure if she heard me right.

I leaned back, my shoulder brushing hers.

“I don’t know when it started. Maybe it was the way you always stayed behind when no one else did. Or how you never treated me like a joke, even when I acted like one. But lately… whenever I look at you, I feel—”

“Seo-jun—”

she whispered.

“Don’t worry.”

I cut in gently.

“I won’t rush you. I just needed you to know that I see you now. Not just as my best friend. But as the girl who’s always been right there, my girl.”

She didn’t say anything at first.

But then her hand reached out and held mine.

And maybe that was all the answer I needed.