Minjin’s patience is wearing thin and Mun Sara's frustrations grow thicker

Minjin, Kim Aecha, and Heo Yeong-hwan were at the computer shop, with Mun Sara standing behind their chairs. Minjin was deeply engrossed in her game, her frustration evident as she pounded the keyboard and maneuvered the mouse with intensity. Although her eyes were fixed on the monitor, she couldn't shake the memory of Minjun's face so close to hers and the way their hands had intertwined.

As she focused intently on the game, she noticed that enemies' sudden appearances were unpredictable, making it difficult for her to hide and anticipate their attacks. Then she realized that, over the past few days, Minjun had become unpredictable as well. He would suddenly start speaking to her and questioning her actions, but his responses often caught her off guard.

The opponent had shot her player, and she needed time to be revived. She hated that he was being mean to her while acting nice to other girls. "That jerk!" she muttered under her breath.

"Wae? Why are you so mad?" Kim Aecha asked, glancing over at Minjin's screen, intrigued by her intense playing style. 

"I hate going to the self-study session," Minjin grumbled as she resumed her game. 

"Then just don't go," Kim Aecha suggested casually. 

Mun Sara noticed that Minjin was playing with a look of annoyance. It became clear to her that Minjin was upset about what had happened between her and Minjun earlier. Mun Sara wanted to believe that Minjin had no feelings for Minjun. This might be another reason for their frequent arguments—Minjin was unconsciously rejecting Minjun's subtle attempts to connect with her.

Mun Sara forced a chuckle. "Minjun chained their hands together so she couldn't escape." 

"Bo?!" Heo Yeong-hwan, sitting next to Minjin, paused his game in disbelief. "Ya, Minjin-ah, just say the word, and I'll teach him a lesson."

"Don't even think about it. I'll beat you up myself if you try," Minjin glanced at him, shooting with a sharp look at him.

"You're being too nice to him," Heo Yeong-hwan said with a shrug as he resumed his game. 

"They fight every day. Minjin-ah is the only person who treats Minjun like that," Mun Sara chimed in, trying to sound casual.

"He deserves it," Minjin replied with a snort, then returned her focus to the game.

Just then, Kim Aecha cheered as their team won the match. "Oh yeah! We won! Come on, let's eat!" She removed her headset and stood up excitedly but noticed that Minjin wasn't as enthusiastic.

With a mischievous smile, Kim Aecha began to act cute, pouting her lips. "Jagiya, I'm hungry," she whined, hugging Minjin's arm and wiggling it playfully.

Minjin didn't respond, as her mind was preoccupied with other thoughts.

"Kajima, Aecha-ah!" Heo Yeong-hwan laughed, raising his arm dramatically. "Look, my hair is standing up because of your aegyo!" 

"Fine, let's go," Minjin finally relented, forcing herself to stand as the group gathered their things and headed out for food. Despite her best efforts, her thoughts of Minjun still lingered, adding to her frustration.

###

Minjin, Kim Aecha, and Mun Sara went straight to Heo Yeong-hwan's Samgyupsal place again. When Minjin arrived at the door, Mrs. Jeong paused in her tasks to greet Minjin and her friends. Everyone paid their respects to her as well. However, Mrs. Jeong seemed more focused on Minjin, casually holding her hand. Mun Sara observed their interaction, noting how comfortable they were with each other now.

If Minjun's father knew Minjin, she was likely also known by his mother and older brother, whom she had never met before. She noticed that Mrs. Jeong was also fond of Minjin. Mrs. Jeong then motioned for them to take a table, indicating that she would be serving them fresh meat.

After Mrs. Jeong served the meat and side dishes, Kim Aecha always grilled the meat and placed it in front of Minjin, while Heo Yeong-hwan offered her the side dishes as they both sat beside her. A sudden realization struck Mun Sara again: Minjin was also skilled at socializing, as all their friends seemed to pay more attention to her. 

She lowered her head as she pretended to wrap her gift. Then she realized how much she lacked compared to Minjin. She sighed deeply, uncertain whether to ask her if she had feelings for Minjin. Deep down, she hoped she would say she didn't.

###

Minjin kept her weekends busy by helping Tae-sung with laundry and household chores. Since neither of them knew how to cook, Tae-sung often ordered takeout for their meals. He apologized to Minjin for being unable to prepare food for her, but she understood because he was a man. They both laughed at her joking comments.

During the night, Minjin continued reading the science books she had brought with her while sitting at her study table. After a while, she lifted her head and turned her attention to her computer. She tried to type in the email website, and as it loaded, she entered her username. However, when she attempted to input her password, it was marked as incorrect. She tried to recall several passwords she had considered, but none matched.

She frowned in frustration and ultimately decided to give up.

She sighed deeply as she leaned back in her chair, her shoulders slumped. She knew it was her fault that she had lost touch with Minjun. Besides being busy with her schoolwork and science-related activities, she had forgotten her password. She wanted to read the messages he had sent over the years and suddenly wondered why he hadn't asked her about her sudden stop in communication.

However, he was more upset about her lack of initiative in reaching out to him. She leaned forward and rested her chin on her palm, thinking that perhaps this was why he was being mean to her.

She suddenly straightened her back as if a rock had hit her head. She realized she was thinking about him again. Frustrated, she lifted her head and groaned, "I don't want to see him on Monday."

###

On Monday, instead of Minjin coming to section one, she went to her previous classroom in section seven. Everyone's head turned to her with their shocked eyes. But Minjin casually sat on her usual desk in the last row near the window. She lay down her head, facing the window, feeling the lightness of the sun through it. She sighed repeatedly as she stared at the light. She could not believe that she had actually come earlier to school today.

She slightly twisted her expression upon realizing that she was unconsciously aware of Minjun's threat of him going to pick her up every morning so they could go to school together. She sighed deeply, feeling conscious of her uneasiness towards him.

Later, Kim Aecha arrived at the classroom. Her eyes widened when she found Minjin sitting in her usual chair. Her head rested on the desk, and her backpack lay beside her. The room fell silent as everyone's gaze fixed on Minjin. Kim Aecha put her backpack down first, but a classmate intercepted her before she approached Minjin. 

"Ya, why is she here?" the classmate whispered with evident surprise. 

Kim Aecha simply shrugged, "Mola." Then she made her way to Minjin. "Minjin-ah, what are you doing here? This isn't your classroom anymore," she said gently. 

Minjin slowly raised her head. "I don't want to go there anymore. Can I just stay here?" 

"Ya, if the teacher sees you here, you're dead," Kim Aecha warned her. 

Minjin reached out, grasping Kim Aecha's arm as if clinging to an anchor. "Aniya, I want to stay here," she said in a soft but firm voice. 

"Wae? Is it because Minjun keeps bullying you?" Kim Aecha asked.

Minjin quickly released her grip, shaking her head. "Aniya! I'm just tired of that place," she lied, her voice revealing a hint of frustration. 

Kim Aecha was not convinced, but she didn't press the issue. Instead, she gently took Minjin's arm and helped her to her feet. "Come on, let me walk you to your classroom." 

The classroom watched in silence as the two girls left together. 

Minjin's expression was both sad and annoyed as Kim Aecha pulled her out of the classroom. As they walked down the corridors, three girls suddenly blocked their path.

Kim Aecha stopped abruptly and asked, "What?" 

The girl in makeup tilted her head toward Minjin. "We would like to talk to her," she said, pointing at her.

Both Kim Aecha and Minjin exchanged confused glances.

"Follow me," the girl with makeup ordered. 

Kim Aecha and Minjin reluctantly followed them to the school's backyard. When they arrived, Minjin felt a sinking feeling in her stomach as she realized this encounter was not going to be pleasant. 

"What do you need from me?" Minjin asked, her voice calm. 

The girl in the middle, wearing makeup, shoved Minjin's shoulder. Kim Aecha instantly reacted, shouting, "Ya! What do you think you're doing?!" 

Minjin raised her hand, signaling for Kim Aecha to stop. "What did I do wrong?" 

The girl with makeup smirked. "You, stop acting mean to Jeoha." 

Minjin blinks in confusion. "J-Jeoha?" 

"That's an endearment they use for Minjun," Kim Aecha explained quietly. 

Minjin laughed, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Do you all really see him that way?" 

The three girls exchanged irritable glances. "You're laughing?" snapped the girl with makeup. 

"What about him?" Minjin asked, unimpressed. 

"You always fight with him. You're treating him badly," the girl with makeup accused, her tone sharp. 

"So? He's mean to me," Minjin replied bluntly. 

"Jeoha isn't like that. He's nice to every other girl. He politely rejects them," the girl with makeup countered 

"Ya, he's like that to you because you all like him!" Minjin shot back, her voice rising slightly. 

"What's not to like about him?" the girl with makeup challenged. 

"All! Every single part of his entire existence!" Minjin replied, her annoyance spilling over. 

The girl with makeup narrowed her eyes, stepping closer. "Ya, be careful what you say." 

"Is that it? Can I leave now?" Minjin asked, holding her brew up.

After Minjin motioned for her to go, the bell rang, signaling the start of the morning self-study session. Minjin cast a sidelong glance at the girl with a smirk before walking past her while Kim Aecha trailed behind. Minjin sighed deeply to herself, feeling a wave of annoyance wash over her. She couldn't believe that Minjun's overly enthusiastic admirers would actually confront her for being mean to him.

She clenched her jaw and tightened her fist in silence.