The classroom felt smaller than usual.
Jia tried to focus on the professor's voice, but her thoughts kept drifting back to last night.
The warmth of his jacket.
The way he had sat beside her without asking questions.
But today—
Jinu hadn't looked at her once.
Not in the hallway.
Not in class.
It was as if the supermarket encounter had never happened.
The silence hurt more than words would have.
___________________________________
During the break, she escaped to the rooftop.
Her sanctuary.
The pale blue sky stretched endlessly above her.
Wind brushed gently against her face, carrying away the noise from below.
Up here, she could think.
"Why are you like this?"
she murmured under her breath.
"Last night you were… different."
"Different how?"
The voice behind her was calm.
Too calm.
She turned sharply.
Jinu stood a few steps away, sunlight framing him in gold.
His expression was unreadable, but his eyes were focused entirely on her.
Her heart skipped.
"I told you before," she said quickly, masking her nervousness.
"This is my place."
"I remember," he replied.
He walked closer, but there was no arrogance in his steps. Just quiet confidence.
"And you never returned my jacket."
Heat rushed to her face.
"I forgot," she admitted. "I'll bring it tomorrow."
Silence stretched between them.
But it wasn't uncomfortable.
It was charged.
"I didn't come just for the jacket," Jinu said after a moment, looking out at the skyline.
"It's quiet here."
He glanced at her briefly.
"You were right about that."
That small acknowledgment felt bigger than any compliment.
Jia swallowed.
Before she could respond, her foot slid slightly on loose gravel near the railing.
Her balance shifted.
Strong fingers caught her arm instantly.
Not dramatic.
Not possessive.
Just steady.
She found herself closer than she expected—close enough to feel the warmth radiating from him.
For a heartbeat, neither moved.
There was no teasing smile.
No playful comment.
Only awareness.
Raw and unguarded.
Jinu released her slowly.
"You should be careful," he said quietly.
Something about his tone felt different.
Gentler.
Jia stepped back quickly, her pulse racing. "I… I will."
The moment felt too intense.
Too real.
She turned and walked toward the door, this time more carefully.
Jinu remained standing near the railing.
The wind moved through his hair as he watched her leave.
He didn't smile.
Instead, his expression softened in a way he didn't understand.
"This is dangerous," he murmured to himself.
Because for the first time in a long while
—
He didn't feel alone.