Confusions

Chapter 17:

Ji-hyun trudged back to her workplace, feeling drained and defeated. Her conversation with Min-soo had left her feeling wry and uncertain. She couldn't shake off the feeling that she'd made Min-soo feel worse, that she'd somehow pushed him further away.

As she sat at her desk, staring blankly at her computer screen, Ah-rim appeared beside her, a concerned expression on her face.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Ah-rim asked, noticing Ji-hyun's downcast expression.

Ji-hyun sighed, filling Ah-rim in on her disastrous conversation with Min-soo. Ah-rim listened attentively, her expression growing more determined by the minute.

"Don't give up on him, Ji-hyun," Ah-rim said, her voice firm. "Min-soo's just confused, that's all. He doesn't know how to process his feelings."

Ji-hyun raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "You really think so?"

Ah-rim nodded vigorously. "I do! And I think you should keep trying, keep showing him that you care."

Ji-hyun's face brightened, a newfound sense of determination igniting within her. Maybe Ah-rim was right. Maybe Min-soo just needed a little more time to figure things out.

Meanwhile, Min-soo was struggling to make sense of his own emotions. He couldn't understand why Ji-hyun's words had affected him so deeply, why he felt this gnawing sense of emptiness whenever she was near.

Seeking answers, Min-soo began asking his friends subtle questions, trying to gauge their reactions without revealing his true intentions.

"Hey, have you ever felt like you're losing control?" Min-soo asked his friend, Jae-hwan, over drinks.

Jae-hwan raised an eyebrow. "Losing control? What do you mean?"

Min-soo shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "I don't know, just a feeling, I guess."

Jae-hwan's expression turned thoughtful. "Actually, I think I know what you mean. It's like when you're around someone, and you feel like you're drowning in your own emotions."

Min-soo's eyes snapped up, his heart racing. Was Jae-hwan describing exactly what he was feeling?