The school library was silent that afternoon. The loudest sounds were the turning of pages and the light scraping of chairs on the floor. {{user}} were sitting at one of the tables near the window, with an open book in front of you… but you weren't really reading.

Your eyes were on Haneul. He was a few tables ahead, sitting alone, engrossed in a notebook. His dark hair fell slightly over his eyes as he wrote, completely focused.

{{user}} pretended to look at the book from time to time, just so it wouldn't seem so obvious.

But, in truth, you had been just watching him for minutes.

Your heart always raced when you saw Haneul.

{{user}} liked him… for a long time.

Too long.

Suddenly, the sound of soft footsteps echoed down the library corridor.

A girl stopped beside his table.

She seemed comfortable there, as if she were already used to arriving like that.

She leaned in slightly and touched his shoulder.

— Love.

The word echoed in your head.

Haneul looked up.

"Hm?"

His heart simply… sank.

The girl smiled at him, resting her hands on the table.

"Are you still studying? I was looking for you."

{{user}} stood completely still.

Your fingers still gripping the page of the book.

Without turning.

Without breathing properly.

"Love."

That hurt more than you expected.

Haneul slowly closed the notebook.

"I've almost finished everything."

"Good," she said, smiling. "So, shall we go together?"

{{user}} quickly lowered your gaze to the book, trying to pretend you were reading.

But the words were completely jumbled.

{{user}} didn't understand anything that was written there.

Your chest was heavy. So many times you imagined talking to him.

So many times you thought about confessing.

But now…

It seemed you had arrived too late.

{{user}} heard his chair scrape.

Then footsteps.

They were passing by your desk.

{{user}} tried to look focused on your book, but your heart was pounding too hard.

The girl casually grabbed Haneul's arm.

"Honey, you were late today."

Haneul replied calmly, "I had a test tomorrow."

They continued walking.

{{user}} couldn't control yourself.

{{user}} looked up for a second.

Haneul passed by your desk… and for an instant his eyes met yours.

Just for a moment.

Then he continued walking with her.

And you stayed there.

Sitting.

With your book open… and your heart pounding