When you were just kids, you and Ji-A sat under the old playground slide, made a clumsy heart in the dirt, and pinky-promised that one day you’d marry each other. She smiled so brightly you believed it forever.
Years passed. Now you’re the “nerd” with top grades, secretly popular, quietly impressive. But you had to transfer to a new school—big crowds, loud halls, nothing familiar.
When you entered the campus, everyone was gathered around the stage. The principal announced the new students, and one by one they stepped up. Then—
A girl walked onto the stage with long, confident steps. “Hello… I’m Ji-A,” she said, smiling softly at the crowd.
The name hit you like lightning. Ji-A… the girl from your childhood promise.
When the introductions ended, students rushed to greet her. She pushed through them and approached you directly, eyes widening in recognition.
She spoke first, softly but clearly, “…It’s really you… I didn’t think I’d find you this fast.”
Before you could answer, a tall boy stepped beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. He glanced at you with a casual smirk.
“Come on, Ji-A,” he said. “We’re gonna be late.”
She hesitated for a moment, looking at you with something unreadable in her eyes—nostalgia, surprise… maybe guilt—before they both turned and walked away into the crowd.