Oh Bomi always looked perfect to everyone.
Pretty, smart, kind.
Students adored her.
Teachers trusted her.
Even alumni still remembered her achievements.
But there was one thing most people never noticed:
She kept too many things to herself.
And that morning, I saw it again.
✦ ✦ ✦
"Bomi, can you help me later?" a classmate asked.
"Just a bit, I promise."
Bomi smiled softly. "Sure. I'll help."
Five minutes later—
"Bomi, can you explain this question?"
"Oh, Bomi, join the class meeting, okay?"
"Bomi, let's go to the cafeteria later!"
And she nodded…
again and again.
Sitting nearby, I watched quietly.
She's tired, but she won't say it, I thought.
She was always like that—
trying to make everyone else comfortable, even if it exhausted her.
✦ ✦ ✦
When the lunch bell rang, I put on my earphones and opened a game on my phone.
But before I could walk out the door, I heard a small voice behind me.
"Hanz!"
I stopped.
Bomi hurried over, cheeks slightly flushed. "Y-you're not going to the cafeteria? My friends invited me but… I wanted to walk alone for a bit."
"…Why?" I asked bluntly.
She fiddled with her hair. "I… just needed some air."
I stared at her for a moment.
She smiled, but her eyes were tired.
"…You don't have to say 'yes' to everyone," I said flatly.
She blinked. "H-huh?"
"It's obvious you're tired."
Her face warmed—not from running. "You… notice things like that?"
"I'm not 'noticing'. It's just obvious."
I shrugged. "Unless people pretend they don't see it."
Bomi fell silent.
Then she gave a small smile—not her usual polite one, but a real one.
"Hanz… you always say things nobody else says."
"That's because everyone else keeps beating around the bush," I replied.
She giggled softly. "I like it, though."
✦ ✦ ✦
Walking down the hallway, whispers followed us.
"Wait, Bomi's walking with him?"
"Since when are they close?"
"Isn't that the cold guy?"
I ignored everything.
But Bomi swallowed nervously.
"You don't like being talked about?" I asked.
"It's not that… I just… don't want you to feel uncomfortable."
"…You don't make me uncomfortable."
"…Really?"
I nodded.
Her shoulders relaxed instantly.
✦ ✦ ✦
We stopped near the quiet back garden.
Bomi sat on the bench while I leaned against the pole.
She took a breath. "Hanz… can I ask you something?"
"Ask. I don't like circling around."
"Why do you… always speak honestly to me?"
I looked at her for a few seconds.
Why indeed?
But there was one thing I knew for sure—
"…Because you don't pretend."
Bomi froze. "M-me? Not pretending?"
"Other people smile because they want to be liked.
You smile because… that's really you."
Her ears turned red immediately.
"I… I've never heard anyone say that before," she whispered.
"That's why I said it."
Silence settled between us.
Then Bomi leaned back, looking up at the sky.
Her smile was soft, full of emotions she kept hidden.
"Hanz… if you keep talking like that… I might misunderstand, you know."
I turned to her. "About what?"
"…About you."
"…I'm just stating facts."
She bit her lip.
Didn't deny it.
Didn't run away from it.
And for the first time—
My chest felt strange.
✦ ✦ ✦
On our way back to class, Bomi walked a little closer than before.
Not enough to touch, but close enough that it felt… different.
"Um… Hanz."
"Yeah."
"If I… look tired or overwhelmed again…"
She glanced at me shyly.
"…can I ask you to tell me the truth again? Like today?"
I sighed softly.
"If you start forcing yourself again, I'll tell you."
Bomi lowered her head, smiling warmly.
"…Thank you."
The midday sun felt a little warmer.
Or maybe—
The popular girl who always held everything in…
was slowly starting to open her heart to me.