After some time in the library, Katrina and her friends returned to their classroom. Ethan and Eric also went back to class.
The rest of the lectures passed quietly.
When the university day finally ended, students slowly began leaving the campus.
Katrina walked toward the parking area where her car was waiting.
While walking, she suddenly noticed Ethan in front of her. He was walking alone, his bag slung over his shoulder.
Katrina slowed her steps and quietly watched him.
There was something different about him today.
He looked distant… quieter than usual.
Something feels off about him, she thought.
But before she could think more about it, Ethan had already walked away.
Katrina got into her car and returned home.
Evening
After reaching home, Katrina rested in her room for a while.
The evening sky outside slowly turned darker as the sun began to set.
Katrina sighed while lying on her bed.
"Everything is so boring," she murmured.
She suddenly sat up.
"I should go for a walk."
She quickly changed into a comfortable but beautiful dress and got ready to go outside.
When she stepped out of the house, the cool evening air greeted her.
As usual, her eyes instinctively looked toward Ethan's house.
But the door was closed.
This time, she didn't wait.
Katrina simply began walking toward the nearby park.
"The weather is so beautiful today," she said softly to herself.
A Few Minutes Later
Not long after Katrina left, Ethan stepped out of his house.
He had decided to go out to meet one of his friends.
He began walking down the street.
As he reached the corner, his eyes suddenly caught a familiar figure walking ahead.
It was Katrina.
Ethan stopped walking for a moment.
Under the soft glow of the streetlights, Katrina looked peaceful and innocent as she walked slowly along the road, looking around at the evening scenery.
For a moment, Ethan simply stood there watching her.
Then he quietly began walking again.
Katrina didn't realize that Ethan was behind her.
The Road
Katrina took out her phone while walking.
"Maybe I should call Ella and Arice," she murmured.
She dialed Ella's number.
While talking on the phone, Katrina continued walking.
She reached the street crossing.
The traffic signal was about to change.
Still distracted by the phone call, she stepped forward to cross the road.
At that exact moment, the signal turned red.
A car was speeding toward the crossing.
Ethan saw everything from behind.
His eyes widened in shock.
"Katrina!"
Without thinking, he ran toward her.
In the next second, he grabbed her arm tightly and pulled her back.
Katrina lost her balance and stumbled straight into him.
Ethan held her firmly.
Just then, the car rushed past them at high speed.
The force of the wind made Katrina's hair fly across her face.
Katrina's eyes were tightly closed.
Her heart was pounding with fear.
Slowly, she opened her eyes.
Ethan was standing right in front of her.
He was breathing heavily, clearly shaken.
For a moment, he didn't let go of her.
Then he suddenly released her arms.
He was still breathing hard, his hand gripping his wrist tightly.
"What's wrong with you?" Ethan said, his voice sharp with worry.
"You should watch the traffic light before crossing the road! Are you a kid?"
Katrina stood there, shocked and scared.
She had never seen him like this before.
A few seconds later, Ethan realized he had raised his voice.
His expression immediately softened.
"Oh… I'm sorry," he said quickly. "I didn't mean to shout."
He looked at her seriously.
"But you really need to be more careful."
Katrina still couldn't say anything.
She was too shaken.
But she could clearly see how worried he was.
"Please be careful next time," Ethan said quietly.
Then he turned and walked away.
Katrina stood there watching him leave.
The Park
A few minutes later, Ethan sat down on a bench in the nearby park.
He ran a hand through his hair, still feeling anxious.
"How can she be so careless?" he muttered.
"What if something had happened…"
He shook his head quickly.
"No… thank God I was there."
Meanwhile, Katrina slowly walked toward the park.
She had seen Ethan sit down there.
She stopped by a small shop nearby and bought a cold drink.
Holding the bottle tightly, she walked toward him.
For a moment, she hesitated.
Then she stepped closer.
Ethan was staring down at the ground when suddenly someone held out a cold drink in front of him.
"Here."
Ethan looked up.
He was surprised to see Katrina standing there.
"There's no need for this," he said awkwardly.
Katrina sat down beside him on the bench.
"Please take it," she said softly. "And… I didn't even thank you earlier."
She smiled faintly.
"I'd really appreciate it if you accept it."
Ethan looked at her for a moment.
Then he quietly took the drink.
Both of them sat there silently.
After a while, Katrina spoke again.
"Earlier… I was too shocked to say anything."
She looked at him.
"That's why I didn't thank you."
Ethan shook his head slightly.
"You don't have to thank me."
"But you saved my life," Katrina replied.
"It was nothing," Ethan said quietly.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then suddenly, Ethan realized something.
He was sitting beside Katrina.
Talking to the girl he had secretly loved for years.
Meanwhile, Katrina's phone rang.
It was Ella calling.
Katrina stood up.
"I should leave now."
Ethan nodded.
Katrina smiled gently.
"Bye."
Ethan hesitated for a second.
"Oh… bye. Take care."
Katrina smiled shyly.
"Don't worry. I will."
Ethan returned a soft smile.
He watched quietly as Katrina walked away.
And for the first time in a long while…
his heart felt a little lighter.