Chapter 30 – The Love We Choose
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1. The Taste of Forever
The kiss was fire.
A collision of everything they had held back.
Hana melted into Ji-hoon's arms, her fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer.
He responded like a man who had been drowning—like she was the air he had been searching for.
And maybe she was.
Maybe they both were.
When they finally broke apart, their breaths mingled, hearts racing.
Ji-hoon rested his forehead against hers.
His voice was hoarse.
"You came back."
Hana cupped his face.
"I never left."
His jaw clenched, emotion flickering in his eyes.
"But you chose Kyung-soo."
Hana shook her head.
"I thought I had to. I thought he was the safer choice."
She swallowed.
"But love isn't about playing it safe, Ji-hoon."
Her fingers brushed against his lips.
"It's about choosing the person who makes you feel alive."
Ji-hoon's breath hitched.
Then—
His lips captured hers again.
This time, softer.
Sweeter.
Like a promise.
A beginning.
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2. The World That Fights Against Us
The moment Hana stepped out of Ji-hoon's apartment, she knew trouble was waiting.
Kyung-soo stood at the bottom of the stairs.
His face was unreadable.
His hands clenched into fists.
Hana's stomach twisted.
"Kyung-soo…"
His eyes locked onto hers.
Then, he shifted to Ji-hoon, who had stepped beside her.
"You really went back to him?" Kyung-soo's voice was quiet.
Controlled.
Dangerous.
Hana swallowed hard.
"I'm sorry."
Kyung-soo exhaled, shaking his head.
"I should've known."
His gaze flickered to Ji-hoon.
"You'll just hurt her again."
Ji-hoon's jaw tightened.
"I'd rather die than hurt her."
Kyung-soo scoffed.
"Funny, because that's exactly what she said about me."
Silence.
Thick. Suffocating.
Then—
Kyung-soo turned and walked away.
And just like that—
The war wasn't over.
It was only just beginning.
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3. Whispers in the Hallways
The school was a battlefield.
Whispers followed Hana wherever she went.
"She left Kyung-soo for Ji-hoon?"
"She's just playing with them."
"She'll regret this."
Hana ignored them.
She had made her choice.
And she wouldn't regret it.
But then—
A note slipped into her locker.
Meet me after school.
We need to talk.
Kyung-soo.
Her heart pounded.
She knew this conversation was inevitable.
She just didn't know if she was ready for it.
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4. The Goodbye That Hurts Most
The rooftop was empty when she arrived.
Kyung-soo stood by the railing, staring at the horizon.
She hesitated.
Then stepped forward.
"You came," he murmured.
Hana nodded.
Kyung-soo turned, his eyes searching hers.
"I need to know one thing."
His voice was soft.
Almost broken.
"Did you ever love me?"
Hana's throat tightened.
"I did," she whispered.
Kyung-soo's lips curved into a sad smile.
"But not enough."
Hana closed her eyes.
"I'm sorry."
Kyung-soo exhaled, looking away.
Then—he chuckled.
"You know what hurts the most?"
He met her gaze.
"I thought I was your forever."
Hana's heart ached.
"I thought so too."
Silence stretched between them.
Then, Kyung-soo stepped closer.
Pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
"Be happy, Hana."
And with that—
He walked away.
For good.
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5. The Love That Stays
That night, Ji-hoon found Hana sitting by the river.
Silent.
Lost in thought.
He sat beside her.
Didn't speak.
Just waited.
Finally, she turned to him.
Her eyes shimmered under the streetlights.
"I broke his heart," she whispered.
Ji-hoon reached for her hand.
Laced their fingers together.
Soft. Warm.
"Does that mean you regret choosing me?"
Hana shook her head.
"No."
She squeezed his hand.
"I just don't want to break yours too."
Ji-hoon smiled.
"You won't."
Hana exhaled.
Then leaned into him.
Ji-hoon wrapped his arms around her.
Holding her.
Loving her.
And this time—
Neither of them was letting go.
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End of Chapter 30