Yuna stood there—
Arms crossed.
A faint smile playing on her lips.
Harin beside her.
Kyungmin still half-hiding behind the pole.
And in front of them—
Jihun slowly stepped out.
Trying to act normal.
Too normal.
He cleared his throat.
"…Oh wow."
"What a coincidence."
"To meet you here… after school…"
Silence.
Yuna looked at him.
Cold.
Unimpressed.
"…Oh really?"
Jihun froze.
Okay that didn't work.
---
He took a deep breath.
Then suddenly—
He bowed.
Properly.
Sincerely.
"I'm sorry."
Everyone went quiet.
Jihun continued—
"For not believing you."
"For accusing you without thinking."
A pause.
"…And for everything."
His voice softened.
"I was just… annoyed."
"That you didn't tell me you were Scarlet Shadow."
---
Silence.
Then—
A small sound.
Jihun looked up.
Yuna—
Was laughing.
Trying to hold it in.
Covering her mouth.
Her shoulders slightly shaking.
Jihun blinked.
"…What's so funny?"
Yuna tried to stop—
But failed.
"I just…"
"I never thought…"
She looked at him—
Still smiling.
"That the top student of this school…"
"With that much attitude…"
"Would apologize this sincerely."
Jihun straightened.
Back to his usual self.
"…Of course I can."
"What do you think of me?"
---
Yuna finally calmed down.
Her expression softened slightly.
"…Fine."
"I'll forgive you."
Jihun blinked.
"…Just like that?"
Yuna raised a finger.
"One condition."
Jihun narrowed his eyes.
"…What?"
Yuna's tone turned serious.
"You will never look down on scholarship students…"
"Or anyone from a lower background."
A pause.
"And next time—"
"You won't jump to conclusions…"
"Without listening to the full story."
Silence.
Jihun didn't hesitate.
"…Okay."
"I promise."
His voice was firm.
"From today onwards."
---
A small smile appeared on Yuna's face.
But then—
Jihun suddenly spoke again.
"…Wait."
Yuna looked at him.
"…What?"
Jihun crossed his arms slightly.
"…Don't you want my forgiveness?"
Yuna blinked.
"…Why would I?"
Jihun stepped closer—
Dramatically.
"You lied to me the whole time."
"And—"
He pointed at her.
"You embarrassed me in front of everyone in the cafeteria."
"Remember?"
Yuna's expression changed.
Not amused.
"First of all—"
"You deserved that."
"You humiliated me first."
"Just because I was new."
"And a scholarship student."
"Without even listening to me."
A pause.
"And you believed Chaeyoung so easily."
Jihun went silent.
---
Then Yuna sighed slightly.
"…But."
"I agree."
"I was wrong too."
"For lying to you."
Her voice softened.
"…So I'm sorry."
"For that."
---
A pause.
Jihun looked at her—
Then suddenly—
"I'm not forgiving you."
Yuna's eyes widened.
"…What??"
"WHY??"
Jihun smirked slightly.
"If…"
"You become my real friend."
A beat.
"Not for investigation."
"Not for tricks."
"Just… normal friends."
"Then I'll forgive you."
---
Silence.
Then—
Yuna smiled.
"…Deal."
Jihun smiled back.
"…Deal."
And the two—
Once enemies—
Reached out.
Shook hands.
---
Behind the pole—
Choi Kyungmin was still hiding.
Peeking.
Watching everything.
Yuna and Jihun talking…
Apologizing…
Smiling…
Finally…
Kyungmin let out a small breath.
All misunderstandings are gone…
---
Then—
From Yuna's side—
Harin suddenly spoke.
"…Wow."
"Why are you still hiding there, Choi Kyungmin?"
Kyungmin froze.
Caught.
Yuna tilted her head.
"Yeah… did you get hurt or something?"
Before Kyungmin could react—
Jihun walked over—
And pulled him out from behind the pole.
Kyungmin stumbled forward.
"I—I'm totally fine!"
He straightened his uniform quickly.
Trying to act normal.
---
Then—
His eyes met Harin's.
For a second—
Everything froze.
Why…
Why is Haru so…
Kyungmin suddenly turned—
Walked straight to the wall—
And placed his hand on it dramatically.
"…Why is Haru so beautiful and cute…"
"…even if he's a boy…"
A pause.
"…Not fair."
"That's why girls like him…"
He held his chest.
"…And even me—the prince—ohh…"
---
Yuna blinked.
"…Is he really okay?"
She looked at Jihun.
Jihun rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"…I guess."
Yuna crossed her arms—
Looking at both of them.
"Since you're already here…"
She paused.
"Why don't you come with us?"
Jihun and Kyungmin looked at her.
Yuna continued casually—
"Me and Harin were going to check out a new noodle restaurant."
Harin nodded proudly.
"It's apparently famous."
---
Kyungmin immediately took out his phone.
Scrolling quickly.
"…Hmm…"
A second later—
He looked up.
"I'm free."
"My guitar classes aren't today."
He smiled.
"I'm in."
---
Now—
Everyone looked at Jihun.
He stayed silent for a moment.
Then slowly—
He took out his phone.
Checked something.
His expression turned slightly serious.
"…I have a meeting with my dad."
A pause.
Then—
He locked his phone.
"…But I can manage."
He looked at them.
"Let's go."
---
Yuna blinked.
Looking at both of them.
Guitar classes…
Meetings with dad…
Schedules like this…?
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
Are these two already some kind of businessmen…
Or celebrities or something…?
Going through their schedules—
Just to eat at a small noodle shop with friends?
---
Harin suddenly leaned closer to Yuna.
Smirking.
"Thinking too much?"
Yuna sighed.
"…Maybe."
---
And just like that—
The four of them started walking together.
Toward a simple noodle shop.
But somehow—
It didn't feel simple at all.
The four of them walked side by side—
The evening breeze calm—
The streets slowly lighting up.
For a moment—
Everything felt… normal.
---
Then suddenly—
Jihun spoke.
"By the way…"
Yuna looked at him.
"…What?"
Jihun glanced at Harin—
Then back at Yuna.
"When you asked us to come…"
A pause.
"You called him Harin."
Silence.
---
Both Yuna and Harin froze.
Oh no.
Yuna's mind went blank.
I messed up.
That just slipped out—
---
Jihun raised a brow.
"…Isn't it 'Haru'?"
Yuna forced a laugh.
"…Wow."
"You really notice everything so easily, huh?"
She scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"It just… slipped off my tongue."
Then she looked at Harin.
"Sorry, Haru."
"For not pronouncing your name properly."
---
Harin laughed awkwardly.
"…It's okay."
But for a split second—
Their eyes met.
A silent understanding passing between them.
---
Jihun narrowed his eyes slightly.
Something felt…
Off.
But before he could think further—
Kyungmin suddenly jumped in.
"HEY LOOK!"
"There's the restaurant!"
---
And just like that—
The moment passed.
But not completely unnoticed.