Chapter 28 – The Space Between Us

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1. When Love Feels Like a Ghost

Days passed.

Then weeks.

But Ji-hoon and Hana remained strangers.

They walked the same halls. Sat in the same classrooms. Breathed the same air.

Yet, they never spoke.

Not even a glance.

It was like their love had become a ghost—something that once existed but could no longer be touched.

And Hana hated how much it still haunted her.

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2. A Conversation That Never Happened

Ji-hoon stood outside her classroom.

He wasn't sure why he was there.

Maybe because he still clung to hope.

Maybe because every day without her felt like drowning.

The door opened.

Hana stepped out.

And for the briefest second—their eyes met.

Ji-hoon opened his mouth.

But before he could speak—

Kyung-soo appeared beside Hana, handing her a book.

She smiled at him.

A real smile.

Ji-hoon's chest tightened.

He turned and walked away.

And Hana… let him go.

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3. A Love on Pause

Kyung-soo was good.

Kind. Gentle. Understanding.

Everything Ji-hoon wasn't.

And Hana tried.

She tried to move on.

To let Kyung-soo's warmth erase Ji-hoon's shadow.

But late at night—

When everything was quiet—

It was still Ji-hoon she thought about.

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4. The Mistake That Broke Him

Ji-hoon made it through the days by pretending.

Pretending he didn't care.

Pretending he wasn't still waiting.

Until one night, he overheard something that shattered him.

"Hana and Kyung-soo went on a date."

His world tilted.

His breath caught.

And just like that—

Hope died.

He didn't go to school the next day.

Or the day after that.

For the first time in his life—

Ji-hoon disappeared.

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5. Can a Heart Find Its Way Back?

Hana noticed his absence.

Even if she didn't want to.

And no matter how much she told herself to let go—

Her heart refused to listen.

She walked past the rooftop, stopping at the door.

Ji-hoon's place.

Her place.

Empty.

Cold.

Lonely.

Just like her.

She closed her eyes.

Was this really the end?

Or was their love just waiting—

For one of them to be brave enough to fight for it again?

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End of Chapter 28