Love, Once Again

Chapter 4: Love, Once Again

Hyun stood at the edge of the bustling campus festival, his heart pounding in his chest. The crisp spring air carried the scent of fresh blooms and sizzling street food, mingling with the distant laughter of students enjoying the event. His fingers curled into his sleeves as his gaze swept across the crowd, searching—no, yearning—for her.

Then, as if the universe had aligned itself just for this moment, he saw her.

Yuna stood near a booth, her long dark hair catching the golden sunlight as she adjusted a banner for her club. She was smiling—so effortlessly beautiful, so achingly familiar. The sight of her stole the breath from his lungs. Hyun had prepared himself for this moment, had convinced himself that he could handle it. But now, standing here, seeing her again for the first time in years—he felt the same jolt of wonder as he had back then. No, even stronger.

"Yuna…"

The name barely escaped his lips, but it felt like a prayer.

His feet moved before his mind could catch up, weaving through the sea of students until he was only a few steps away. He watched as she struggled with the banner, standing on tiptoe to fix the last corner. A smile tugged at his lips before he could stop it.

"Need some help?"

Yuna turned at the sound of his voice, and for a moment, time seemed to slow. Her deep brown eyes met his, and Hyun felt an inexplicable warmth spread through his chest. It wasn't just attraction—it was familiarity, nostalgia, longing.

She blinked, then tilted her head. "Hyun? Weren't you in the hospital?"

He blinked. Of course. In this timeline, they were already acquainted—not close, but familiar. They belonged to different majors, yet somehow, their paths had always crossed during campus events. It wasn't just chance; it was as if something unseen kept pulling them toward each other, time and time again.

Hyun cleared his throat, forcing a grin. "Yeah, but I'm fine now. Couldn't miss the festival."

Yuna's lips curled into a soft smile. "Still as reckless as ever, huh?"

Something inside him ached at her words. Back then, he had brushed off these small remarks, never realizing the subtle fondness hidden within them. But now, knowing what would happen in the future, knowing how much he had lost, he wanted to cherish even the smallest of moments.

"Yeah… but maybe this time, I'll try to be more careful."

Yuna chuckled, handing him the tape. "Then be careful with this. Hold the banner while I fix it."

Hyun took the tape from her, fingers brushing against hers for the briefest second. A spark ran through him, something undeniable, something real. His grip on the past may have been slipping, but this—this moment, this chance—was solid beneath his fingertips.

As they worked side by side, adjusting the banner under the golden glow of the afternoon sun, Hyun made a silent vow.

This time, I won't let you go.

Chapter 5: Unraveling Threads

The festival had ended, but the memory of that golden afternoon lingered in Hyun's mind. Seeing Yuna again had awakened something within him—an inexplicable yearning, a silent promise he wasn't ready to break. Since then, their interactions became more frequent. It started with casual greetings in the hallways, small conversations in the library, and occasional run-ins at the café near campus.

But Hyun wanted more.

One evening, as he was leaving the library, he saw Yuna sitting alone on the bench outside, her fingers flipping through the pages of a thick textbook. The dim glow of the streetlamp above her cast a soft halo around her figure, making her seem almost unreal.

"You're still studying at this hour?"

Yuna looked up, startled for a moment, before a small smile played on her lips. "I have a quiz tomorrow. Didn't expect to see you here."

Hyun chuckled, sliding onto the bench beside her. "I was about to leave, but I guess fate has other plans."

Yuna rolled her eyes playfully but didn't deny it. They sat together, the comfortable silence stretching between them. The occasional rustle of leaves and the distant sound of traffic were the only noises filling the air. Then, Hyun noticed something—the way her fingers fidgeted, the slight crease between her brows.

"Everything okay?"

Yuna hesitated for a moment before sighing. "It's just… my group project. There's this one person who keeps slacking off, and I have to pick up their part. It's frustrating."

Hyun smirked. "Want me to go have a talk with them?"

She laughed softly, shaking her head. "No need. I just needed to vent."

The way she looked at him then—eyes slightly softened, lips curving into something gentle—made Hyun's heart stutter. It wasn't grand, it wasn't dramatic, but it was real. And he wanted to hold onto it.

As the days passed, their connection deepened. They shared stories about their past, their dreams, their fears. For Hyun, every moment with Yuna felt like rediscovering something he had lost.

But just as he was beginning to feel secure in this growing bond, something happened.

One afternoon, Hyun saw Yuna laughing with another guy outside the campus café. A familiar-looking senior, someone from her department. The way she smiled at him, the way she leaned in slightly—it sent an uncomfortable pang through Hyun's chest.

He wasn't supposed to feel like this. It wasn't like they were dating. But still…

That evening, when they met again by chance in the library, Hyun found himself quieter than usual.

Yuna tilted her head. "You okay?"

He forced a smile. "Yeah. Just tired."

Yuna frowned but didn't press further. Yet, Hyun knew. This feeling—this jealousy—was something he couldn't ignore.

Was he falling for her all over again?