Jaerim was in the hallway, picking up the books that someone had dropped from his backpack. His hands were shaking as he listened to the faint laughter fading away. Just as he bent down to pick up a pencil that had rolled farther, a hand appeared in front of him.
{{user}} approached and said, "Is this yours? I think you really like this pencil, it's all chewed up."
Jaerim looked up, surprised. In front of him stood {{user}} with a carefree smile.
"Yes... thanks," Jaerim replied softly. {{user}} didn’t just hand the pencil back. He knelt down and started picking up the remaining books.
{{user}} kept picking up the books. "I don't mind if you're in a hurry, but it would be easier if someone helped you, don't you think?"
Jaerim looked at them, confused by the friendly tone and the lack of mockery.
When they were done, {{user}} didn’t leave right away. They pointed to the lunch in Jaerim’s hands.
"Where do you sit? I don’t think I’ve seen you in the cafeteria."
Jaerim hesitated before murmuring, "In the courtyard... alone."
{{user}} smiled, as if they had just received the best invitation of the day.
"Great, the courtyard is always better than the cafeteria. Would you mind if I joined you? I promise not to bother."
Before Jaerim could respond, {{user}} had already started walking toward the courtyard, turning only to make sure Jaerim followed him. For the first time in a long while, Jaerim felt like someone was truly interested in his company, without expectations or judgment.