The school buzzed with the usual morning noise.
Jiwon stepped through the gates calmly, adjusting the strap of her bag.
Before she could take more than a few steps—
"Good morning."
The voice was playful.
She didn't need to turn to know who it was.
Still, she did.
Sungwon stood there, hands casually in his pockets, smiling like he had nowhere better to be.
Jiwon rolled her eyes. "Morning."
"You're looking too beautiful for a morning like this," he added lightly.
"Shut up." Jiwon said frustrated.
He placed a hand dramatically over his chest. "Well… you love my company. Admit that."
Jiwon stopped walking and gave him a dead stare.
"Stop joking."
"Okay, okay," he laughed. "But you can't ignore the fact that I'm cute."
Jiwon inhaled at the wrong moment and almost choked on air.
Sungwon grinned, clearly entertained.
From a distance—
Jinwoo was watching.
His expression was tight.
Annoyed.
Maybe even something more.
Yerim approached him from behind.
"Well," she said casually, "someone looks too serious for a morning."
"Stop teasing me," Jinwoo muttered.
Yerim followed his gaze.
"Ohhh," she hummed. "Looks like they're becoming friends."
Jinwoo's jaw clenched slightly.
"Sungwon doesn't make friends."
Yerim glanced at him sideways.
"Then what is he doing?"
Jinwoo didn't answer.
He just turned toward the classroom.
Yerim followed.
And behind them—
Sungwon and Jiwon walked side by side.
Laughing lightly.
Or at least…
It looked like they were.
Classes began as usual.
Jiwon took her seat.
A few minutes later, Jinwoo entered.
Normally, he would sit beside her.
Today—
He chose the seat behind.
Not far.
But not next to her.
Jiwon noticed.
She didn't say anything.
During class, she turned slightly.
"Did you finish the assignment?" she asked casually.
"Yes," Jinwoo replied.
Short.
Simple.
No teasing tone.
No extra words.
She studied his face for a second.
"You're quiet today."
"I'm listening."
He didn't look at her when he said it.
That was new.
Lunch time.
Usually, they walked together.
Today, Jinwoo walked ahead with Yerim.
Not rushing.
Not avoiding.
Just… not waiting.
Jiwon slowed her steps slightly.
Watching.
Something felt off.
But nothing obvious enough to confront.
When she finally caught up, she walked beside him.
"You're busy?" she asked.
"No."
Again, short.
Again, controlled.
Yerim glanced between them and sensed it immediately.
The space.
The change.
Jiwon tilted her head slightly.
"Did something happen?"
Jinwoo finally looked at her.
For a brief second, something flashed in his eyes.
Doubt.
But it disappeared just as fast.
"No," he said calmly. "Why would something happen?"
Jiwon held his gaze.
Then nodded once.
"Nothing."
They continued walking.
Side by side.
But the invisible gap between them was wider than ever.
The council room was calm.
Too calm.
Eunbyeol stood near the window again, arms crossed, observing the courtyard below.
Students moved in small groups.
Laughing.
Talking.
Living normally.
Sora stood beside her.
"He's pulling away," Sora said quietly.
Eunbyeol didn't respond immediately.
Her eyes were fixed on two figures walking across the courtyard.
Jiwon.
And Jinwoo.
Walking side by side.
But not close.
Not like before.
The gap between them was subtle.
But visible.
A slow smile appeared on Eunbyeol's lips.
"How long?" she asked.
"Since this morning," Sora replied. "He's not ignoring her. Just… colder."
"Good."
Harin, who was sitting at the table, frowned.
"That's it? That's your big plan?"
Eunbyeol turned slightly.
"Emotions don't explode immediately," she said calmly. "They rot."
Silence.
"He won't confront her," Eunbyeol continued.
"He'll think. Overthink. Compare."
Her gaze sharpened slightly..
"And the more he sees Sungwon near her…"
She didn't finish the sentence.
She didn't need to.
Sora watched the courtyard again.
"What if they talk it out?"
Eunbyeol's smile didn't fade.
"They won't."
Her voice was certain.
"Because doubt is louder than trust."
Down below—
Jiwon laughed lightly at something Yerim said.
Jinwoo smiled.
But it didn't reach his eyes.
Eunbyeol noticed.
And she was satisfied.
The afternoon sun was warm.
Students filled the courtyard during break.
Jiwon stood near the vending machine, scrolling through her phone.
She didn't notice Sungwon approaching until his shadow fell over her screen.
"You really don't rest, do you?" he said casually.
She didn't look up.
"Do you?"
"Only when I'm bored." He said.
She sighed and finally faced him.
"What do you want?"
"To talk."
"We already talked."
"Not properly."
Jiwon crossed her arms. "Then talk properly."
Sungwon stepped a little closer.
Not touching.
But close enough to look intentional.
From across the courtyard—
Jinwoo saw it.
His posture stiffened.
"You're interesting," Sungwon said lightly. "Most people try to impress me."
"Should I clap?" Jiwon replied flatly.
He chuckled.
"I like that you don't try."
"I don't like you," she corrected immediately.
Sungwon smiled wider. "That's even better."
Jiwon rolled her eyes. "You're annoying."
"And yet you're still standing here."
"Because you keep blocking my way."
He leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice just enough to make the moment look intimate from a distance.
"You're bold."
She gave him a sharp look.
"And you're delusional."
From where Jinwoo stood—
It didn't look like an argument.
It looked close.
Too close.
Yerim, standing beside him, noticed the shift in his expression.
"You're overthinking," she muttered quietly.
Jinwoo didn't answer.
In the courtyard—
Jiwon stepped back.
"Move."
Sungwon lifted his hands in surrender, laughing softly.
"Relax. I just enjoy your reactions."
She brushed past him without another word.
As she walked away—
Her eyes briefly met Jinwoo's.
He looked away first.
And that—
That hurt more than anything.
From the balcony above—
Eunbyeol watched the entire scene.
Satisfied.