Chapter 9

She leaned her head against the glass, letting out a long sigh as she attempted to scrub the footprints off her uniform.

The fabric was still damp and stained, and no amount of rubbing would make it look presentable. Her stomach twisted with dread at the thought of stepping back into class like this.

Cautiously, she stepped out of the bathroom, keeping her head down. She was too drained to face more ridicule, too tired to deal with the stares and whispers.

But her bare feet slapped against the cold floor, a humiliating reminder of how exposed she was.

Lost in thought, she walked straight into someone.

Her heart sank. She didn't want to know who it was, didn't want to see their mocking gaze or hear the sharp words she was sure were coming.

She stared at her bare feet, bracing herself, but then her eyes caught something unexpected: Gucci sneakers.

She looked up, blinking, to see Junwoo standing before her. His expression wasn't mocking or irritated, it was weary, almost concerned.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly.

Hana almost laughed at the absurdity of the question. "Funny you should ask that."

Junwoo's cheeks tinged pink as he glanced away, embarrassed. "Sorry, I can see you're hurt… Who did this to you?"

She shook her head, her voice firm. "I'd prefer you don't ask questions."

His gaze softened, a flicker of sadness crossing his features. Without saying another word, he bent down and took off his sneakers and socks.

"Wear these," he said, his voice gentle. Before she could protest, he removed his blazer and draped it over her shoulders.

"No one will notice it's mine," he continued, almost rambling. "The shoes are a bit big, but it's better than being barefoot. And the blazer can cover-"

Hana's dam broke. Tears spilled down her cheeks, silent at first, then uncontrollable.

Junwoo froze, panicked. "Did I make you cry? I'm sorry!"

She shook her head, clutching the blazer tightly around herself. Sliding her arms through the sleeves, she began to bend down to put on the socks, but pain flared in her stomach. She winced, pausing.

Junwoo dropped to one knee without hesitation. Carefully, he slipped the socks onto her feet, followed by the oversized sneakers.

Hana stared at him, her mind a whirlwind. Was this real? A figment of her imagination? Kindness wasn't something she was used to, it felt foreign, almost suspicious.

"What?" Junwoo asked, catching her gaze.

She hesitated, the words catching in her throat before she managed to croak, "What will you wear?"

He shrugged, nonchalant. "Sports shoes, I guess. No big deal."

The overwhelming kindness made her question everything. Her voice sharpened with doubt. "Who put you up to this?"

He blinked, surprised. "What? No one."

"Why?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing. "Why would someone like you care about someone like me?"

Junwoo shrugged again, his tone casual but sincere. "Maybe I'm just being kind."

The silence between them stretched, heavy and disorienting. Hana's mind screamed one word over and over: Bullshit.