I wasn’t ready for this.

We were just standing there — nothing dramatic, no perfect timing, no background music like in the dramas. It was just… quiet.

Then she said it.

"I like you, Han Seo-jun."

she whispered, voice a little shaky.

"But I know I’m not in the equation."

I froze.

My heart didn’t speed up. It stopped.

She stood in front of me, hands tight at her sides, eyes full of something between hope and pain.

And I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even breathe properly.

She liked me?

I knew, maybe. Somewhere deep down.

The way she looked at me, the way she always showed up. But I never thought she’d actually say it.

And now that she had, I didn’t know what to say back.

So I said nothing.

I just looked at her.

Her eyes searched mine, waiting. Just a second, maybe two. But it felt like forever.

And I still didn’t say a word.

I don’t know why.

Maybe because I do like Ju-kyung.

Or maybe because I’m scared.

Scared of what she means to me.

Scared that I don’t deserve someone like her.

But I couldn’t give her a lie. And I didn’t have the truth.

So I looked at her — really looked.

At her trembling lip. Her glassy eyes. Her brave little smile that was starting to fade.

That smile broke me a little.

Still, I said nothing.

She gave the tiniest nod, as if she’d just heard the answer in my silence. Like she knew.

And then she turned around and walked away.

I didn’t stop her.

I don’t know why that hurt more than anything.

I kept standing there, replaying her voice over and over in my head.

"I like you, Han Seo-jun..."

The way she said it. So honest. So raw.

And I didn’t even give her anything back.

I don’t know if I regret it yet. I don’t know if I ever will.

But I know one thing.

I’ll never forget the way she looked at me right before she left.