Minjin and Minjun's binding roots in the garden

The bell rang for a lunch break, and Minjun was packing his things into his backpack when he noticed Bang Eun-Kyung standing up from his seat. At the same time, he saw Mun Sara walking out the door, holding a lunch box. 

"Aren't you going to eat with us?" Bang Eun-kyung called out to Mun Sara. 

"Ani, this time I'll eat with Minjin-ah," Mun Sara replied. 

Minjun, overhearing their conversation, froze when he heard the name "Minjin." A realization struck him like lightning: Only Minjin knows my favorites. 

Moments later, Bang Eun-kyung walked over to him. "Let's go, Minjun-ah," he said. 

Minjun stood up and stared directly at Bang Eun-kyung. "You... Do you know Park Minjin?" 

Bang Eun-kyung blinked, taken aback. He struggled to find the right words and stuttered, "Um, Park Minjin? Uh... Minjun-ah." 

Minjun noticed Bang Eun-Kyung's unusual reaction made his heart race. "What grade is she in?" he asked, his voice more urgent now. 

Bang Eun-kyung sighed deeply in exasperation. "Just like us." 

Minjun abruptly walked out of the classroom. "Minjun-ah, where are you going?" Bang Eun-kyung asked, following closely behind. 

Through the throngs of students, Minjun spotted Mun Sara in the distance. He began following her as his heart pounded.

Behind him, Bang Eun-kyung continued to trail along. "What's wrong?"

But Minjun did not respond. 

Mun Sara reached the school garden and saw Minjin gazing at the flowers. She approached and sat on a nearby bench while Minjin stood.

"I bought us lunch!" Mun Sara announced cheerfully. 

"Gomawo, I don't need to fall in line for now," Minjin replied with a grateful smile. 

At the same time, Minjun noticed them from afar. He slowed down, attempting to calm his breath as his heart raced uncontrollably. Bang Eun-kyung, still trailing behind, walked in silence. 

Mun Sara and Minjin kept talking, oblivious to the two approaching them. 

"Sara-ah," Minjun suddenly called out. 

Mun Sara turned her head to see who had spoken, her eyes widening in surprise. "Minjun-ah?" she stammered. 

Hearing his name jolted Minjin, sending a chill racing down her spine. Mun Sara looked at Minjin, attempting silent communication, but Minjin signaled that she had to go. 

"Sara-ah, I'll talk to you later," Minjin said hastily, trying to walk away. 

"You, stop," Minjun ordered, his voice resolute. 

Minjin's body came to a stop, instinctively reacting to the well-known authority in his voice. 

"You can't hide from me forever," Minjun said, even though he could feel a sudden wave of weakness wash over him. 

Minjin swallowed hard. She wanted to run to escape this confrontation, but she knew he was right—she couldn't hide from him forever. 

After taking a deep breath, she slowly turned around. 

As Minjun gazed upon her face, his expression softened—a blend of surprise and a hint of relief crossing his features. The whisper of his heart escaped his lips, and he said in a familiar, gentle voice, "Minjin-ah." 

"Do you know each other?" Bang Eun-kyung asked. 

Minjin felt a little chill as she heard Minjun say her name. Her heart raced, and she felt a flutter of uncertainty. 

"A-ah, I forgot, I need something from Kim Aecha. I gotta go!" Minjin stammered, then turned and rushed away. 

Minjun gazed at her as she walked away, a gentle feeling filling his heart. 

### 

During the remaining classes, Minjun couldn't concentrate. His mind drifted to the encounter with Minjin in the garden and the realization of Mun Sara's involvement. His feelings were in turmoil, but he forced himself to focus, knowing that he would soon uncover whatever secrets Bang Eun-Kyung was hiding. 

After classes, Bang Eun-Kyung stood up and waved goodbye to Minjun, who responded kindly but subtly followed him from a distance. Bang Eun-kyung headed straight to the soccer field, where he chatted with his teammates and briefly conversed with their coach. Minjun observed closely, feeling a pang of doubt—perhaps he had been mistaken about Bang Eun-kyung. But when the conversation ended, Bang Eun-kyung started moving again, heading back towards the school building. Minjun's curiosity was reignited. 

He trailed Bang Eun-kyung quietly until they reached the floor where the music club room was located. Bang Eun-kyung knocked on the door with a distinctive rhythm—a secret code. The door opened, and he slipped inside. 

Minjun quickly hid behind the wall near the staircase. Soon after, some senior students approached and knocked with the same secret code before being let in, further convincing Minjun that something was happening in that room.

As the sun began to set, more students knocked in the same pattern and entered while others left. 

Just as Minjun was about to check out the room, he saw Mun Sara approaching and quickly ducked back into his hiding spot. Mun Sara, too, knocked with the secret rhythm and was let inside. Mi-jun's suspicions deepened; even Mun Sara was involved in this mysterious gathering. 

He waited ten minutes before knocking on the door, mimicking the secret code. 

Choi Ye-joon opened the door, his eyes widening in shock. "J-Jeoha? What are you doing here?" he stammered. 

Minjun smirked and pushed his way into the room. As he scanned the space, his gaze landed on Minjin, sitting with a notebook, writing furiously. He slowly walked toward her, noticing a box full of money beside her. 

"J-Jeoha? Why are you here?" Lee Deji asked, her voice tinged with surprise. 

"M-Minjun-ah?" Bang Eun-kyung muttered, clearly caught off guard. 

Minjin noticed the stir around her and, catching sight of Minjun, lifted her head to see him better.

Minjun's voice broke the tension, asking, "What's going on?"

Minjin felt a bit uncertain about how to reply. Then, Minjun spotted the notebooks she was working in, and his frustration bubbled up.

"Come with me," he said firmly. 

Minjin remained motionless, unsure of what to do. 

"Come with me!" Minjun repeated, stepping closer and grabbing her arm. 

"Ya! What do you think you're doing?!" Lee Deji shouted, stepping forward. 

But Minjin stopped her with her hand. "Unnie."

Minjun frowned as he pulled Minjin from the room and into the hallway. He suddenly halted and faced her, his face showing anger and disbelief.

"What on earth were you doing in there?"

"N-nothing," Minjin stammered as her voice quivered. 

"Do you think I'm stupid? You're doing their assignments and taking money for it! Are you out of your mind?" 

Minjin's frustration boiled over. "Yeah! I am out of my mind!" 

Minjun's eyes narrowed. "You're teaching those dumb students to be even dumber!" he shot back, his voice filled with fury. 

Minjin, trying to remain calm but laced with sarcasm, replied, "Minjun-ah, what I do is none of your business." 

"Fine. I'll tell the school about this," Minjun said with a challenging grin. 

"Fine! Tell them! I don't care!" Minjin snapped back defiantly. 

Minjun smirked and turned away from her. "I will," he mumbled as he walked off, leaving Minjin in the hallway, filled with anger.