The morning air carried a refreshing crispness as Jia and Jinu set off for school together.
Jinu remained silent, as usual.
His old bag hung heavily on his shoulder, and his face bore that familiar gravity—a shadow of the struggles life had thrown at him from a young age.
Being an orphan,
he had learned to carry the world's weight on his own.
Though they didn't speak much,
the silence between them was no longer awkward; it was a comforting sanctuary.
Jia felt a growing sense of belonging, knowing she was no longer an outsider in this city.
As they walked through the school corridors, Sana's sharp gaze fell upon them.
Sana, who had harbored a long-standing crush on Jinu, felt a surge of bitterness like a knife to her heart.
She vividly remembered the day she had cornered Jia in the bathroom, bullying her and warning her to stay away from him.
But seeing them together now, Jia's proximity to Jinu only fueled the fire of her jealousy.
She clenched her fists, her face twisting with resentment.
"I warned her,"
she hissed to her friends,
her voice dripping with venom,
"but it seems this girl doesn't learn easily. Jinu was supposed to be mine."
Inside the classroom, Jia had just settled into her seat when a girl approached her.
Her name was Shini, and there was a rare, genuine kindness in her eyes.
Hesitantly, Shini pulled a Strawberry Drink from her bag and placed it on Jia's desk.
"I've noticed you're often by yourself..."
Shini said with a shy, warm smile.
"Could we be friends?"
Jia's heart swelled with joy.
She immediately reached out, took the drink, and shook Shini's hand.
"Yes, I'd love that!" she replied, her voice beaming.
It was the first time another girl had offered her friendship with such simplicity, free from any hidden agendas or social status.
On the walk back home, Jia couldn't contain her excitement.
She was eager to share every detail with Jinu.
"Jinu, you won't believe what happened today!
Shini gave me a strawberry drink, and we're officially friends now!"
Jia chirped, her eyes sparkling with delight.
Jinu looked at her, and for a fleeting moment, a faint glint of warmth touched his stoic expression.
Despite his lonely life and the absence of a family, seeing Jia find a small piece of happiness brought him a strange sense of peace.
He felt relieved that Jia now had someone else to look out for her.
As they walked toward their homes under the golden hue of the setting sun, a new sweetness of friendship filled the air, even as the dark clouds of Sana's envy loomed in the distance.