Chapter 2 – Behind the Silence
(Ha-neul's POV)
The classroom was already loud when I stepped inside. Voices overlapping, desks shifting, the same kind of chaos I'd grown used to pretending didn't bother me.
I always felt like noise was made for other people. Not for me.
I went straight to my desk—my desk now, next to the boy by the window. Kang Minjae. I think That's what the teacher had called him yesterday.
He was already there when I arrived, his notebook open, pen in hand. His hair fell slightly into his eyes, and the sunlight made his skin look softer, warmer than it probably was. He looked the type who'd rather disappear into the background than coming out . Maybe that was why the teacher had paired us.
"Morning," he said quietly, his voice hesitant, like he wasn't sure if I'd reply him or not.
For a second, I almost answered. The word morning rose in my throat, simple and harmless. But then I swallowed it back down.
People always start expected things when you gave them even a little. If you spoke, they wanted to know more. If you opened up, they tried to come closer. And sooner or later, they left.
So I stayed quiet.
I opened my notebook and let my pen hover over the page. I didn't write anything important—just lines. Dark, harsh lines that dug into the paper. The pressure steadied me. It was something I could control.
Still, I felt his eyes on me. A flicker, quick and cautious, but there. He was watching.
The teacher's voice droned in the background. I wasn't really listening. I hadn't listened properly in a long time. School wasn't about learning for me—it was about passing time. About sitting through the hours until I could go home to an empty house, where silence was easier.
"Minjae."
I looked up at the sound of the teacher's sharp tone. He jumped in his seat, nearly dropping his pen. The class giggled, and his face turned pink.
For a brief moment, something stirred in me. Not amusement exactly, but a crack in the monotony. He looked… human. Real. Someone who made mistakes in front of everyone but still managed to breathe through it.
I paused my pen, watching him fumble with his notebook. Then, realizing I'd lingered too long, I lowered my gaze again. The black corner of the page was waiting.
When the bell rang, chairs scraped and footsteps thundered toward the hall. Everyone spilled out in pairs and groups, laughter echoing in the air. I stayed seated. There was no reason to rush.
From the corner of my vision, I saw Minjae moving slowly, carefully, like he didn't want to disturb me. His bag strap slipped, making a soft sound, and without meaning to, I glanced up.
Our eyes met.
He looked startled, almost caught, like he hadn't expected me to look back. His eyes were dark but warm, hesitant yet curious.
For a heartbeat, I forgot to breathe.
Then I turned away, breaking the moment. It was too much, too fast.
I stood, slung my bag over my shoulder, and walked out without a word.
The door closed behind me, shutting away the noise of the classroom, the eyes that lingered too long, the weight of expectations I couldn't carry.
Silence followed me down the hallway.
But for the first time in a while, it didn't feel as empty as it used to.