Part 8 – The Knock at the Door

I threw myself onto the bed with my whole body. For a moment, it felt like all the tiredness and mess of the world left me. My eyes drifted to my bandaged hands, and a small smile touched my lips. The warmth of his hands still lingered on my skin. His breath, his gaze… it was like they had been carved into me. I reached for my pocket to take out my phone—but it wasn't there. Empty. For a second, I froze… but my smile didn't fade.

I told myself, "Nothing can take away this feeling. Nothing…"

The smile came naturally. Not the kind I show others, but one that felt like it came from somewhere darker inside my heart.

---

School. My steps were faster than usual as I reached Yuri.

"Yuri!" My voice was louder than I expected. A few people turned to look, but I didn't care. "I was with him all day yesterday!"

She raised her eyebrows, wearing that half-smile that always meant "Tell me more."

"You were with him?"

I lifted my chin. Pride swelled in me.

"Yeah. Well… almost. He was hurt, I helped him… we talked… he smiled…" The words tumbled out quickly.

Yuri grabbed my hand, glanced at the bandage around my wrist, and smirked.

"He wrapped this?"

I nodded, unable to hide my excitement.

"Then everything's going well."

For a few seconds, the world felt light. Just me and my thoughts. Then suddenly, a voice called out:

"The principal wants to see you."

My heart jumped, like water on a hot pan.

Yuri lowered her head, pretending to be indifferent. She pulled out her phone, the screen lighting up. Her eyes froze on a picture. A quiet sigh escaped her.

She muttered, "What should I do with him…"

But it sounded more like she was talking to herself than to me.

---

The principal's office smelled like paper and soap. I knocked, stepped in.

The principal sat behind his desk, like a statue of order and discipline.

"Why weren't you here yesterday?"

He looked at me over his glasses, straight into my eyes.

"I… wasn't feeling well."

It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either.

He stayed silent for a moment, then said,

"You should inform us before you're absent. Your parents are sensitive about these things."

My head stayed down. All I could say was, "It won't happen again."

---

Restaurant. I hadn't even fully opened the door when my business partner came straight at me.

"You left without telling anyone? We can't work like this."

My breath caught. I shoved my hands into my pockets. The kind woman who always supported me tried to speak, but the man cut her off:

"If you give me my money, you can take my share. Otherwise, we're both stuck with the contract."

I didn't answer. Not because I had nothing to say, but because I couldn't. The hope I'd been holding onto on the way there felt like it was crushed right on the floor.

---

Home. Quiet. Everything quiet.

I went to my room and started tidying the drawer under my desk. When I pulled it out, something slipped and fell to the floor.

The rustle of paper.

I bent down. It was a photo. No frame. Old. A familiar smile. No… more than familiar. Precious.

It was Joon Tae. That smile, those eyes. Time seemed to spill out of the photo and press against my throat. Beside him was me—smaller, more innocent. His hand on my shoulder. I'd felt so safe back then…

I sat on the floor, on the cold tiles.

"Joon Tae…"

My voice was rough, like dry autumn leaves.

"If only… just a few minutes earlier…"

Tears slid down quietly. They made no sound, only a feeling of something emptying out. An old pain that still felt alive.

"They said it was my fault… all of them said…"

But my voice cracked before I could finish. I placed the photo against my chest and closed my eyes.

I whispered, "You always knew, right? You always knew how much I loved you…"

For a moment, behind my closed eyelids, I thought I saw his smile again.

Then, quickly, I put the photo back in the drawer and shut it tight. But that smile… it still shone behind my eyes.

---

Morning. The heavy sleep wouldn't leave my shoulders. It was like the night had taken all my memories and left a shadow on my heart.

I barely made it through school. On the way home, no music played, no passerby caught my attention. I just wanted to be home.

As soon as I got there, I unlocked the door and went upstairs. Closed the door, fell onto the bed. Closed my eyes, stretched out my arms. For a moment, I just wanted to not exist…

Knock knock.

I didn't open my eyes. Thought it was the food delivery.

Knock knock.

I got up, my breathing heavy. I opened the door…

Min Ho.

No words, no greeting, no movement. Just that moment when I saw him, and all the heavy days seemed to vanish.

He reached into his pocket. My phone. He took it out and handed it to me.

My eyes widened. I reached out. The phone was in my hands, but they felt numb.

My lips formed a silent "Thank you."

Min Ho turned to leave. But my legs moved before my mind did.

"Wait…"

He turned back, his gaze softer than usual. Maybe even tired.

"Stay for a coffee… just one cup. A small thank-you."

He hesitated, then gave a quiet, "Okay."

He stepped in. Sat on the couch. The spot where no one but me had ever sat.

I poured two cups of coffee. When I came back, his eyes were moving slowly around the room, as if every corner held a story for him.