TWO DAYS LEFT FOR THE TRIP
The notice board screamed excitement.
"SEONHWA HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL TRIP — CONSENT FORMS DUE IN 48 HOURS."
Students talked louder.
Laughed brighter.
Planned harder.
Only one person stood still.
KIM HOUSE — NIGHT
The living room lights were harsh.
Junghan stood near the dining table, holding the consent form in his hand.
The paper was slightly crumpled — not because he was careless, but because his fingers wouldn't stop tightening around it.
His mother noticed.
Her eyes narrowed instantly.
"What is that?" she asked sharply.
Junghan answered quietly.
"School trip consent form."
Her spoon clanged loudly against the bowl.
"A trip?" she scoffed.
"So now you want to enjoy yourself?"
Junghan swallowed.
"It's… a school activity. Just three days."
His mother laughed — a cold, bitter sound.
"Three days of wasting money?"
"Three days of pretending you're normal?"
His father looked up.
"Enough."
She ignored him.
"You think you deserve a trip?" she continued, voice rising.
"After destroying this family?"
Junghan's shoulders stiffened.
"I didn't—"
"You DID," she shouted.
"You think I forgot? I remember every single day."
His father stood up.
"Stop it. Not again."
She pointed at Junghan.
"Because of him, my son is gone."
"Because of him, this house became silent."
Junghan's voice trembled.
"Mom… please."
She stepped closer.
"You should be studying. Competing. Becoming something useful."
"Not laughing on trips like nothing ever happened."
His father tried again.
"He's still a child."
She turned on him.
"And you're weak."
"You protect him too much."
Junghan's chest tightened.
"I'll pay for it myself," he whispered.
"I won't ask you for anything."
She laughed again.
"You think money is the issue?"
"No, Junghan."
"You are."
Silence.
His father looked at Junghan — helpless, apologetic.
Junghan slowly folded the consent form.
"I'm not going," he said softly.
His mother smirked.
"Good."
His father's eyes widened.
"Junghan—"
"It's fine, Dad," Junghan said, forcing a smile.
"I need to study anyway."
He turned and walked to his room.
Behind him, the sound of his mother complaining didn't stop.
JUNGHAN'S ROOM
The door closed.
The world went quiet.
Junghan sat on the bed, staring at the folded paper in his hand.
I shouldn't want this, he told himself.
Trips are for people who belong somewhere.
He opened his drawer.
Inside were old photos.
One with his brother.
One with Haeyoung — laughing, messy-haired, fearless.
His thumb hovered over the photo.
"I can't," he whispered.
"I can't lose you too."
He slid the consent form deep into the drawer and shut it.
Decision made — not with logic,
but with years of hurt.
HONG HOUSE — MORNING
Sunlight flooded the kitchen.
Haeyoung skipped down the stairs, half-asleep, hair a mess.
Her mother laughed.
"You're going to school like that?"
Haeyoung grabbed a toast.
"I'll fix it later!"
Her father handed her the consent form.
"Trip form. Signed."
She beamed.
"You didn't even read it?"
Her mother shrugged.
"You're responsible."
Her father smiled gently.
"Make memories. They matter."
Haeyoung hugged them both.
"I will!"
She ran out — light, loud, loved.
-: GRADE 12 :-SEONHWA HIGH
Forms piled on Teacher Myung's desk.
One by one, names were checked.
"Kang Sera."
"Submitted."
"Park Daeho."
"Submitted."
"Hwan Dojin."
"Submitted."
Teacher Myung paused.
"Kim Junghan?"
Junghan stood up.
"I won't be submitting."
The class went quiet.
Teacher Myung frowned.
"Why?"
"I need to study for competitive exams."
Teacher Myung looked at him closely.
"This is your last year."
Junghan bowed slightly.
"I understand."
Teacher Myung sighed.
"We'll talk later."
CORRIDOR — DAEHO & DOJIN
Daeho grabbed Junghan's arm.
"You're kidding, right?"
Junghan shook his head.
Dojin frowned.
"You always say you're fine. But this—"
"I said no."
Daeho snapped.
"You don't get these days back!"
Junghan looked away.
"I don't belong there."
Daeho softened.
"You belong with us."
Junghan didn't answer.
GRADE 11 — HAEYOUNG
Forms submitted.
Excitement everywhere.
Hana squealed.
"I'm bringing snacks!"
Ji Eun smiled.
"I just want photos."
Haeyoung laughed — then paused.
"…Junghan submitted too, right?"
Ji Eun hesitated.
"I… don't think so."
Haeyoung's smile faded.
LUNCH TIME — CANTEEN
They sat together as usual.
Daeho broke the silence.
"Junghan's not coming."
Haeyoung turned sharply.
"What?"
Junghan avoided her eyes.
"I need to study."
She stared at him.
"That's it?"
"Yes."
She leaned forward.
"You always study."
"This is important."
"So are memories," she said quietly.
"When was the last time you let yourself be happy?"
He finally looked at her.
"I don't need happiness."
Her voice cracked.
"That's a lie."
She whispered,
"We remember moments… not marks."
Junghan clenched his jaw.
"I've decided."
Silence fell heavy.
Ji Eun looked down.
Hana bit her lip.
Haeyoung stood up.
"Then don't come," she said softly.
"But don't tell me you don't want to."
She walked away.
Junghan watched her go —
and for the first time,
his decision hurt more than his home.
NEXT DAY!!!!!
MORNING — SEONHWA HIGH
Haeyoung didn't look at Junghan.
Not once.
She walked into the school gates with Hana and Ji-eun, laughing loudly, talking about the trip — the bus seats, snacks, music — everything except him.
Junghan noticed immediately.
Usually, she would wave from far away.
Or shout his name like she owned it.
Or walk backward just to tease him.
Today — nothing.
He slowed his steps, watching her braid swing as she walked away.
She's upset, he thought.
No.
She's hurt.
That realization hit harder.
GRADE 12 — CLASSROOM
Junghan sat down quietly.
Daeho leaned over.
"She still not talking?"
Junghan shook his head.
Dojin sighed.
"She's not mad. She's disappointed."
That word burned.
Sera watched from her seat.
She saw everything — the way Junghan kept looking at the door, the way his shoulders drooped, the way Haeyoung passed the classroom without even glancing inside.
Sera smiled faintly.
This is how cracks begin, she thought.
GRADE 11 — HAEYOUNG
Haeyoung slammed her bag onto the desk.
Hana whispered,
"You're really not talking to him?"
Haeyoung crossed her arms.
"He's being stupid."
Ji-eun hesitated.
"He probably has reasons."
Haeyoung snapped,
"Everyone has reasons. That doesn't mean you stop living."
She looked out the window.
"This is his last trip," she said quietly.
"My last trip with him."
Her voice cracked just a little.
BREAK TIME — CORRIDOR
Junghan waited near the stairs.
As Haeyoung passed, he stepped in front of her.
"Haeyoung."
She stopped — but didn't look up.
"What."
He smiled gently.
"Are you angry?"
She laughed — sharp, bitter.
"No."
"That's worse," he said softly.
She finally looked at him.
"You're not coming."
"I—"
"You're not coming," she repeated.
"And you think I'll just… accept that?"
Junghan lowered his voice.
"It's just a trip."
Her eyes burned.
"Then why does it hurt so much?"
He had no answer.
The bell rang.
She walked away.
ALL DAY — JUNGHAN TRYING
He brought her juice from the canteen.
She gave it to Hana.
He saved her a seat at lunch.
She sat somewhere else.
He passed her notes in class.
She didn't open them.
Once, when he tripped slightly in the hallway, she reached out instinctively — then stopped herself.
That hurt the most.
Sera watched it all.
Every failed smile.
Every rejected attempt.
No matter what, she thought,
she will drag him to that trip.
And if Junghan went…
Sera's fingers curled around her pen.
That's where I'll act.
LUNCH — CANTEEN
Everyone sat together — except Haeyoung, who sat slightly turned away.
Dojin whispered,
"Give it time."
Dabin nodded.
"She'll explode soon."
Hana muttered,
"She's stubborn. He's stubborn. Someone will cry."
Junghan finally spoke.
"Haeyoung."
Silence.
"I don't want to fight."
She stood up abruptly.
"Then don't give me a reason."
She left.
Junghan followed.
ROOFTOP — LONG TALK
Wind brushed past them.
Haeyoung stood near the railing.
Junghan spoke carefully.
"I can't come."
She laughed hollowly.
"You keep saying that like it's a fact, not a choice."
"My mom—"
She turned sharply.
"So that's it."
He froze.
"You could've told me earlier."
"I didn't want to burden you."
She stepped closer.
"I am your burden?"
"No."
"Then why do you shut me out every time it hurts?"
He swallowed.
"She doesn't let me," he admitted quietly.
"She… makes it impossible."
Haeyoung's anger softened — just a little.
"So you're just giving up?"
"I'm protecting what little peace I have."
She shook her head.
"You're shrinking yourself."
Her voice trembled.
"You have to come."
"I can't."
"You have to."
Silence stretched.
The bell rang.
AFTER SCHOOL — WALKING HOMEAFTER SCHOOL — WALKING HOME
Everyone walked together.
Laughter. Plans. Noise.
One by one, they split off.
Hana waved.
Ji-eun smiled.
Dabin and Dojin argued about snacks.
Soon…
Only Haeyoung and Junghan remained.
Junghan slowed.
"…You didn't leave."
She nodded.
"I'm coming with you."
"With me?"
"Yes."
"For what?"
She took out the consent form from her bag.
"To get this signed."
His heart skipped.
KIM HOUSE — EVENING
Junghan opened the door.
"Mom—"
Haeyoung walked straight in.
She stood in front of his mother and held out the form.
"Sign this, aunty."
The room froze.
His mother stared.
"Why won't you leave my son alone?"
Haeyoung met her gaze.
"Because he's my best friend. Since childhood. You know that."
His mother scoffed.
"I didn't know you were so mannerless."
Haeyoung nodded.
"Yes. I am."
Junghan tried to intervene.
"Haeyoung—"
She raised a finger at him.
"Quiet."
His mother stood up.
"You disobedient girl—"
"If you don't sign this," Haeyoung said calmly,
"I will break every plate in your kitchen."
Junghan bit his lip.
She's insane, he thought — and smiled inside.
"You think I'm joking?" Haeyoung added.
"I'm not."
His mother pointed.
"Stay away from my kitchen!"
Haeyoung crossed her arms.
"No."
Junghan laughed softly.
His mother glared at him.
"Are you enjoying this?"
He lowered his head — still smiling.
Finally, with a dramatic sigh, she signed.
"There. He can go."
Haeyoung corrected instantly.
"He has to go."
His mother rolled her eyes.
"Fine. He will."
Haeyoung clapped.
"Great."
She hugged his mother suddenly.
"Thank you, aunty!"
Then she ran to the door.
"Oh — and if he's not on that bus," she called,
"I'll come back and break everything."
She winked.
"Bye!"
Door slammed.
Silence.
Junghan stood there — stunned, relieved, happy.
His mother sat down, speechless.
For the first time in years…
Junghan felt light.
OUTSIDE — NIGHT
Haeyoung stopped walking.
Junghan caught up.
"You're unbelievable," he said softly.
She turned.
"And you're coming."
He nodded.
"Yeah."
She smiled — bright, victorious, gentle.
"Good."
They walked side by side.
For once…
Neither felt alone.