Si-Hun pulled his hand back slightly.
After the handshake, he left, not wanting any further interaction with Yu-Jun.
There were already things bugging him.
The ride back was quiet but flooded.
The street was quiet, with only the faint sounds of the city.
It was a little foggy, not many cars on the road.
The leaves were rustling, and it felt surreally slow.
He was wearing his helmet.
A little further on the street, he noticed a person walking alone with their head low.
It felt like he knew who this was…yes, he did.
He could recognize her from her long coat…the one she always wore before going to university.
"…Su-Yeon?" He muttered.
He remembered her sobs from last night, and seeing her alone didn't settle right with him.
He increased the speed a little more before reaching her level and stopping his bike.
Su-Yeon, seeing someone behind her, stopped and looked at the person.
"…Si-Hun?"
"Walking alone on dark streets again?"
"I..." She didn't say anything, just looked the other way.
His eyes softened a fraction.
He leaned over the bike, and his grip loosened a little.
"Late from university again?"
She nodded, still not meeting his gaze.
"It's…cold. Hop on," He said, adjusting his posture.
She looked at him, a little surprised.
"It's still a long way, and it's cold."
She didn't say anything, but a small smile was visible on her lips.
She stepped forward and hesitantly sat on the back seat.
"Before moving, here…" He said, taking his helmet off and handing it to her.
"Wear this."
She stared at him, but then quickly looked away.
"…But what about you?" She asked, her voice too soft.
"I'll be fine. Don't worry."
She furrowed her brows a little at his stubbornness.
Si-Hun started the bike.
"Just hold on to me tight!"
She hesitated a little, but her hands, which were trembling a little from the cold, found their way on his jacket and gripped it with her small fingers.
He straightened a little when he felt her hands through his jacket.
She was constantly glancing up at him, and he could see her doing it, but didn't mind.
"She looks exhausted." He thought.
"Why did he stop for me?'' She thought.
The ride was quiet, and Si-Hun didn't flee the bike fast, worried if she would like it or not.
They reached their building in some time and got off the bike.
While on the elevator, he could see her fidgeting with her fingers continuously as if something wasn't letting her breathe, and her shoulders looked more tense than usual.
"Why's she so restless?''
When they reached their apartments, he spoke
"…Wanna grab some hot chocolate at mine? I make great hot chocolate…''
She looked at him, then replied
"…Okay." With a little smile.
He invited her in, his apartment warmer than usual.
She sat neatly on his couch, her soft turtle neck almost covering her mouth.
Her hair was open while glowing softly in the dim light.
He went to the kitchen to make hot chocolate.
'He's doing too much…but I wanted it. This burden is swallowing me." She thought.
"His apartment is a little different…maybe more warmth."
He returned with two cups of hot chocolate with some marshmallows dipped.
He handed the cup to her and sat near her.
Suddenly, his phone rang.
She flinched at the sound…and he, he noticed it.
"Whose calling at this hour?''
He picked up his phone, and it was an unknown number.
His eyes darkened, but he cut the call.
"It's just some wrong number."
No one talked after that and just quietly drank their drinks.
Only the soft breathing of Su-Yeon and the steady breathing of Si-Hun was audible.
But Si-Hun broke the silence.
"Sy-Yeon…"
She looked at him and said
"Hmm?"
"…Is something up? You look…exhausted."
She froze at his question, but her hands gripped the cup harder.
"N-no…nothing's wrong…"
"You're not really good at lying…you know?"
She looked down.
He noticed her discomfort at the question, so he decided not to ask anything more.
"It's okay…I won't ask again. I'm sorry."
She glanced at him through the corner of her eyes and saw him a little blunt.
He didn't ask again.
But she felt heavy.
She wanted to let it out now.
"Si…Si-Hun." She called.
"Yes?'' He replied.
"It's…It's…" Before she could say more, a soft sob escaped her lips.
His breath hitched.
''She's crying, again…"
"It's okay…it's okay…Calm down." He said while moving an inch closer, not too close, just letting her know he's here.
"He confessed to me…But I…I didn't like him, so I-I refused. But now h-he's not leaving me. He's been pressuring m-me and blackmailing me. I-I feel scared…H-he doesn't leave me alone in university…" She said in between her sobs, her voice cracked with each word.
Si-Hun just stayed there and listened to her attentively.
His fist clenched, and his eyes grew heavy and dark.
"Who's this guy?" He asked, trying to sound normal when he hated it when guys did this type of stuff.
It made him question their manhood and upbringing.
She didn't dare look at him and spoke softly.
"H-he's my classmate, Lee Hyun-Woo."
Si-Hun breathed through his nose.
"It's okay, you're safe here."
For the first time, she looked up and dared to meet his gaze.
Her cheeks were damp because of crying with fresh tears till escaping, but she wiped them quickly with her sleeve.
"T-thank you…Si-Hun."
"You looked bothered before, when you're always so…cheerful."
Her breath hitched.
It was like he saw through her.
"You…you noticed that?"
"Of course. You were so miserable." He said, chuckling a little.
"You're…teasing me," She said while furrowing her brows and pouting a little.
"No…I'm just trying to make you happy."
"Yeah…trying to distract you from that motherfucker." He thought.
She giggled lightly and smiled a little.
"It feels nice telling it to someone, finally." She thought.
"I cry very easily…I know. Even the smallest things can tear me up." She said with a low chuckle.
"She's nothing like me…I don't even remember the last time I cried."
"S-Si-Hun…?"
"Yeah.."
"N-nothing…"
"About that guy…don't worry. He won't bother you. If you want…I could drop you off at university?"
She stared at him for some time, then smiled softly.
"T-thank you!" She said nervously.
"Alright then. Just text me the timings. I'll drop you off and pick you up." He said, not appearing bothered by her problems.
She cared for him…he did too.
She looked at the clock and said
"It's 10. I should leave now. I've got to do laundry."
"Ah, okay. See you tomorrow…" He said as she got up and walked towards the door.
He got up too and saw her off.
She thanked him for the drink and was about to leave when he remembered something.
"Your bag…you forgot it."
She realized she had forgotten her bag on his couch.
He went and took it from there and handed it to her.
"How come he noticed that before me…? He can notice any small detail I miss.''
"Thanks, I keep forgetting things nowadays…"
"It's fine."
They saw each other off and returned to their houses.
"What was that bastard's name again? Hyun-Woo…I'll teach you what manhood is."