Back in Seoul, everything looked the same…
But Han Nari could feel it — nothing was the same.
Hyun barely spoke to her.
He smiled politely, but the sparkle in his eyes was gone.
He walked past her in the hallway like she was a stranger.
And Lee Joon?
Oh, he didn't care about subtle.
He waited outside her classroom.
Walked behind her to the cafeteria.
Sat beside her in study hall, whispering random nonsense just to make her smile.
"You ignoring me won't stop me."
"I'm not ignoring you," she muttered.
"I'm avoiding you. Big difference."
After School – Nari's Phone Buzzed
Private Message from Unknown:
"If people knew what happened in Jeju… would you still smile at him?"
Her blood ran cold.
What did they mean?
Who sent it?
Who was watching?
She looked around.
Too many eyes. Too many smiles hiding secrets.
Later – Rooftop Again
Joon found her there.
Same place. Same wind.
"You okay?" he asked gently.
She didn't answer. Just handed him the phone.
He read the message. His jaw tightened.
"Someone's playing games."
Nari looked at him, eyes full of quiet panic.
"Then what if this game ruins us before we even start?"
He stepped closer.
"Then we stop pretending it's not real."