I never thought a smile could stay in my heart for four years.
I never understood what to call a relationship that was never spoken out loud.
For four years, we stayed beside each other—
smiling, talking, sharing small moments.
And yet…
I never really knew what we were.
Four years ago, I came to Seoul as an exchange student from Busan.
That morning, the classroom was loud. Everyone was talking before the teacher arrived, voices overlapping like I didn't belong in them.
I stood near the door for a moment, holding my bag a little tighter than usual.
I didn't know where to look.
Or where I fit.
My life had never been like theirs.
I grew up in an orphanage.
Even now, when I think about it, there are things I still don't understand.
But I had learned one thing early—
not to expect too much from anyone.
The door opened.
The teacher walked in, and the noise faded almost instantly.
His eyes landed on me.
"Please introduce yourself."
Every gaze in the room turned toward me.
For a second, I forgot how to breathe.
Then—
"I'm… Choi Jia."
My voice was quieter than I expected, but it didn't shake.
The teacher nodded and pointed toward a seat near the window.
"You can sit next to Kim Sihoon. He's the class president."
That was when I noticed him.
Sharp, clear eyes.
And a calm expression that didn't match the noise around him.
I walked to my seat and sat down carefully, placing my bag beside me.
The lesson began.
I kept my head down, focusing on my notebook, trying not to draw attention.
"Are you new here?"
The voice came from beside me.
Soft. Casual.
I turned my head.
It was him.
Kim Sihoon.
He was looking at me with a small, easy smile.
"Yes… I transferred today," I replied.
He nodded slightly.
"If you need anything, you can ask me."
Simple words.
Nothing special.
Maybe something he would say to anyone.
But for me—
it felt different.
No one had ever spoken to me like that before.
Not like it was natural.
Not like I mattered.
Classes ended, and the noise returned, louder than before.
I packed my things quietly and left without saying much.
After school, I went straight to work.
The café wasn't far—just a small place near the street corner.
Warm lights. A few tables. The smell of coffee that stayed in the air.
"Did you eat?"
Mr. Park's voice came from behind the counter.
"Yes," I replied.
He nodded, like he always did, and didn't ask more.
He never asked too much.
But he always noticed enough.
Maybe that was why I felt comfortable here.
The bell above the door rang.
A customer entered.
"Welcome," I said, stepping forward.
Then I looked up—
and froze for a second.
It was him.
Kim Sihoon.
For a moment, I felt strangely aware of everything—
my uniform, my voice, the way I was standing.
"I didn't know you worked here," he said.
"Yes… after school," I replied quietly.
He nodded.
"That must be tiring."
"I'm used to it."
"You didn't talk much today."
"I'm still new," I said. "So… I felt a little nervous."
He looked at me for a second, then smiled lightly.
"You'll get used to it."
I didn't know if that was true.
But somehow—
I wanted to believe him.
"So… what would you like?" I asked.
"Just coffee."
I turned to prepare it, trying to focus on something simple.
But I could feel his presence behind me.
Not heavy.
Just… there.
When I handed him the cup, our fingers brushed.
Just for a second.
My heart reacted before I could.
I looked away quickly.
That same smile—
the one I didn't understand—
stayed with me.
The café was quiet that evening.
Only a few customers near the window.
I was cleaning when I noticed him again.
Still sitting in the corner.
His cup already empty.
But he hadn't left.
When I lifted a tray, he stood up and walked toward me.
"Let me help."
I blinked in surprise.
"You're a customer."
"It's fine," he said. "You look tired."
I didn't answer.
I didn't know how to.
No one had noticed things like that before.
We placed the cups down together.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
"Do you work here every day?" he asked.
"Almost."
He was quiet for a second.
Then—
"You must be strong."
I looked at him.
"Why?"
He smiled slightly.
"Because you look calm… even when things aren't."
I didn't know what to say.
But something in my chest felt… warm.
For the first time—
someone had seen something I never showed.
That night, I watched him leave the café.
I thought it was just a small moment.
A simple conversation.
But I didn't know—
that from that day on,
Kim Sihoon would keep coming back.
And that one small smile…
would stay with me longer than I ever expected.