Evi stood there for a moment before finally turning toward home.
Rex walked in the opposite direction.
The night had grown colder, a quiet chill settling into the air.
Evi exhaled softly and slipped her hands into her jacket pockets—
—and then paused.
Her fingers brushed against something unfamiliar.
She frowned slightly and pulled it out.
A small box.
Her brows drew together.
"…I don't remember this."
She opened it.
The moment the lid lifted—
her eyes widened.
A pair of earrings.
The same ones.
A memory surfaced instantly—
A brightly lit store.
Soft laughter.
No reason—just wandering.
Her gaze had stopped on those earrings.
She had picked them up, turning them gently under the light.
Evi (soft, almost to herself): "These are nice…"
She had wanted them.
But—
she didn't have enough money.
So she had smiled faintly, placed them back, and walked away.
Back to the present—
Evi stared at the earrings in silence.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the box.
How did he know…?
Her lips parted faintly.
And when did he even buy this…?
The cold air brushed past her again—
but she barely noticed.
She closed the box slowly.
She walked home—
but her thoughts refused to settle.
The next day—
with only a few vacation days left, they decided to finish their assignment.
They met at the library.
The space was quiet, filled with the soft rustle of pages and low murmurs.
Rex sat beside Evi, explaining patiently.
Rex (calm): "This part connects to the topic… write it like this."
Evi leaned slightly closer, focusing.
Evi (soft): "Oh… I get it now."
Their conversation flowed easily.
Comfortable.
Natural.
Herry sat across from them.
Silent.
He didn't look at them.
Not once.
As if they weren't even there.
After a while, Rex stretched and stood up.
Rex: "I'm going to get some drinks. Want anything?"
Evi nodded.
Evi: "Yeah… bring me something."
He gave a small nod and left.
The moment he stepped out—
the silence changed.
Heavier.
Evi hesitated.
Then slowly, she took the small box out of her bag.
Her fingers lingered on it for a second before placing it in front of Herry.
Evi (quiet): "You put this in my jacket… didn't you?"
No response.
Not even a glance.
Evi frowned, confusion creeping in.
Why wasn't he saying anything?
Why wasn't he even looking at me?
She gently pushed the box closer.
Evi (low): "Take it back."
Herry finally moved.
Slowly.
He picked up the box—
and slipped it into his pocket.
No words.
No expression.
But inside—
his thoughts tightened.
So now… you don't even want it.
A few moments later, Rex returned with drinks.
He handed one to Evi.
Rex: "Here."
Evi (soft): "Thanks."
Rex offered one to Herry—
but Herry shook his head.
Rex paused briefly, then placed it in his bag.
They went back to work.
The atmosphere had changed.
Quieter.
Heavier.
But they still finished everything.
As they packed up—
Rex spoke lightly.
Rex (teasing): "You didn't forget you still owe me dinner, loser."
Evi blinked, then smiled faintly.
Evi: "Oh… right. We'll decide later."
Rex glanced at Herry.
How is he reacting…?
But Herry didn't react at all.
He zipped his bag, stood up—
and walked away.
Without a word.
Without a glance.
Outside—
the memory replayed in Herry's mind.
Over and over.
That moment.
The closeness.
Her smile.
His jaw tightened.
Herry (low, bitter): "So… she can let him come that close…"
A pause.
"…but not me."
At the bus stop, he stood quietly, hands in his pockets.
His mind wouldn't rest.
A few minutes later—
Rex and Evi arrived.
Talking.
Laughing.
Standing right beside him.
As if nothing had changed.
And then—
suddenly—
THUD—
A child bumped into Evi while running past.
Her balance broke.
She stumbled toward the road—
A Van was coming.
Fast.
Too fast.
For a split second—
everything froze.
Herry moved.
No thought.
Just instinct.
WHOOSH—
He grabbed her wrist and pulled her back sharply.
The force made them both lose balance—
They stumbled—
Evi crashed into him.
The Van sped past, the wind hitting hard—
—and then it was gone.
For a moment—
no one spoke.
Evi's breath shook.
Her fingers clutched his shirt without thinking.
Her heart pounded loudly in her ears.
Too close.
Herry's arm was still around her.
Holding her.
Firm.
As if letting go too soon would change something.
Evi slowly looked up.
Their faces were close.
Too close.
Evi (shaken): "I…"
Her voice faded.
Herry's grip tightened for just a second—
before stilling.
A faint tremor ran through his hand.
Herry (low, unsteady): "Are you trying to scare me to death?"
His voice wasn't angry.
It wavered.
Evi froze.
She had never heard him sound like that before.
For a second—
neither of them moved.
Then Herry stepped back.
Too quickly.
As if he shouldn't have been that close.
Rex rushed forward.
Rex: "Evi! Are you okay?"
He checked her quickly.
Evi nodded.
Evi (quiet): "I'm fine."
Rex exhaled in relief.
But his gaze shifted briefly to Herry.
Something unreadable passed through his eyes.
Herry didn't look at them.
His hands were already back in his pockets.
His expression blank.
Evi glanced at him.
Just once.
Then looked away.
The bus arrived.
The doors opened.
People started getting in.
Herry stepped forward first—
and got on.
Without waiting.
Without looking back.
Rex and Evi followed.
This time—
the space between them felt different.
Heavier.
As the bus moved—
Evi stood quietly.
Her fingers unconsciously touched her sleeve—
right where he had held her.
And for the first time—
her thoughts didn't feel clear anymore.