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The cherry blossom trees, which had only formed buds until now, began to bloom.
There was only one meaning behind this.
Midterms.
“Seriously, shouldn’t they just cancel exams for fourth-year students?”
Between assignments, preparing for graduation projects, and now midterms on top of it all, Hyun-a, who had been working late into the night like it was a regular meal, groaned as she collapsed onto the mattress she had placed in the corner of the studio.
Her movements caused the chair beside her to creak, breaking Ra-on’s concentration. Stretching, Ra-on tilted her stiff neck back, releasing some tension.
Hyun-a, who had claimed she was just going to rest for a moment, pulled a blanket over herself and seemed to have fallen asleep almost instantly.
As the grumbling stopped and the space grew silent, Ra-on pressed down on her dry eyelids with a sigh.
She glanced at the clock.
“It’s already lunchtime…”
Mindlessly scrolling through her phone, Ra-on pulled her cap low over her head and began tidying up her things.
Today was Saturday—a day that would normally have been spent with Do-kyung since morning. But because she had an assignment due next week, they had agreed to meet in the afternoon instead. Do-kyung was supposed to arrive in about an hour.
After finishing up and stepping outside, the quiet Saturday campus greeted her. Even though it was midterm season, there were still about two weeks left until the exams, so the calm atmosphere made sense.
Before heading to meet Do-kyung, Ra-on decided to grab a quick bite and walked toward a nearby café. As she approached, she looked up at the sky.
Clusters of delicate pink buds announced the arrival of spring.
“One iced Americano and a scone, please.”
Sitting down and waiting for her order, Ra-on absentmindedly rested her chin on her hand.
Thoughts that hadn’t crossed her mind while she was absorbed in drawing now rushed in all at once.
Mostly, they were about her assignments, and occasionally about Hye-sung.
Had he eaten properly? Was his tutoring job too exhausting? The usual, natural worries she always had.
And…
Just as she was about to think of someone else, the pager on the table lit up red and vibrated.
At the same time—
A messenger notification popped up on her previously dark phone screen.
Han Do-kyung · 12:47 PM
School?
Ra-on froze halfway out of her seat as she checked the sender. Her expression shifted subtly.
Moments ago, the unfamiliar thought that had flickered through her mind—it was Han Do-kyung.
---
“What? Is this seriously your lunch?”
Do-kyung sat across from Ra-on, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Unlike usual, his hair was neatly combed back, and his appearance was immaculate.
But did that really matter?
Even with his shirt buttoned neatly up to his collar, Do-kyung somehow still didn’t look tidy. It was uncanny.
Muttering to herself that maybe it was his mischievous face that gave off that impression, Ra-on finally spoke.
“You didn’t have to come all the way here.”
Her blunt question—essentially asking why he came when she was just going to go home anyway—was met with a different response.
“I saw cherry blossoms blooming outside. Did you see them?”
“…They haven’t fully bloomed yet,” Ra-on replied, recalling the flower buds she’d seen on her way.
As if he had expected that answer, Do-kyung grinned brightly and stood up.
“Let’s go.”
Caught off guard, Ra-on awkwardly rose to her feet, ignoring the hand he extended toward her.
“Where…?”
With an unconcerned expression, Do-kyung retracted his hand and answered lightly.
“To see the cherry blossoms.”
“Huh?”
---
Ra-on stared blankly out the car window as the scenery blurred past. Before she knew it, they were speeding down the highway.
The wind rushing through the open window no longer felt cold but refreshingly cool—a sure sign that spring had arrived.
Gazing at the elegant curves of the ridgeline beneath the bright blue sky, dotted sparsely with wispy white clouds, Ra-on blinked slowly.
Escaping the relentless cycle of the studio and taking in the vast expanse of nature was far more refreshing than she’d expected. Her chest, which she hadn’t realized had felt stifled, now felt wide open.
The unmistakable warmth of spring brushing against her skin stirred something within her, making her heart flutter for no particular reason.
The cozy, sunny weather made her drowsy.
Everything was peaceful and unhurried.
The fact that Do-kyung was humming a tune in the passenger seat did nothing to disrupt the serene atmosphere.
“…”
The question of why she was even here faded quickly.
After all, it was Saturday, and he had mentioned cherry blossoms earlier, so she assumed they were simply going to view them somewhere.
She hadn’t expected such a long trip, though.
“Where are we going?”
An hour into the drive, Ra-on finally asked. Do-kyung burst out laughing at her delayed question.
“I’ve said this before, but don’t you think it’s a bit late to ask now?”
“…”
“Did you really think I’d take you somewhere bad? Hmm, Ra-on?”
“But you said we were going to see cherry blossoms!”
Her voice turned sulky at his teasing tone.
Hahaha! Do-kyung’s laughter filled the car.
“I was so worried you’d follow me anywhere if I offered you candy.”
Tsk. Ra-on shot him a sideways glare, unamused by the jab about her childhood innocence—or lack thereof.
His narrowed eyes sparkled with amusement from teasing her, and judging by the dimple that appeared on his right cheek, the corner of his mouth on the left side was likely curled up into a mischievous smirk.
“So, where are we really going?”
Still tapping the steering wheel rhythmically, Do-kyung answered.
“Jinhae.”
“…Where?”
Ra-on’s face twisted in confusion.
Of course, Do-kyung’s laughter grew even louder.
When they finally arrived in Jinhae, Ra-on was utterly captivated.
“Wow…”
Ra-on’s mouth dropped open involuntarily at the sight of the crowd before her.
Taking advantage of the gap, Do-kyung shoved a piece of cotton candy into her mouth and grinned.
“Trees are always best in their prime season.”
Ra-on turned to look at him with an expression that seemed to say, What kind of “seasonal fruit” nonsense is this? She unconsciously rolled her tongue, the sugary sweetness of the cotton candy almost stinging her taste buds.
Even though he knew she didn’t like sweets, Do-kyung stubbornly kept pushing the cotton candy toward her lips, his carefree smile unwavering.
“I’m not eating it.”
As Ra-on pushed his hand away and leaned back, he teasingly pressed the cotton candy against her lips.
“You bought it, so how about just one more bite?”
“…Don’t force me when you randomly decided to buy it yourself.”
With an exasperated glare, Do-kyung took a large bite of the cotton candy and clicked his tongue.
“How can you refuse something so delicious?”
“I thought you said you didn’t like sweets?”
“Cotton candy is an exception.”
Isn’t cotton candy even sweeter than a café mocha? Ra-on gave him an incredulous look before turning her head away. She had never intended to try understanding Han Do-kyung.
“Since you like it so much, why don’t you eat more?”
“What do you mean, ‘you’? Isn’t it about time you called me by my name, Ra-on?”
Ignoring his flirtatious tone as if it were white noise, Ra-on reached out her hand to catch a falling cherry blossom petal. But as always, the delicate petal slipped right through her fingers.
Do-kyung chuckled softly, finding her attempts amusing.
“Are you trying to fulfill some old superstition about catching falling petals for love?”
“I stopped believing in that kind of thing a long time ago.”
Ra-on replied indifferently and withdrew her hand.
At that moment, another petal began to drift down.
And then—
A hand suddenly shot out from beside her, catching the petal with effortless precision. The movement was so smooth, it was as if even falling petals couldn’t escape Do-kyung’s grasp.
Shaking the petal gently, he offered it to her with feigned generosity.
“Want it?”
“No thanks.”
Without sparing him a glance, Ra-on brushed past him.
But her steps were short-lived. The crowd was overwhelming. Every slight movement sent her being jostled this way and that.
Just then, a firm hand pulled her close, steadying her shoulder.
“Careful.”
His low voice accompanied the cool scent that brushed past her nose—a fragrance she had grown familiar with after spending so much time around him.
“Ah.”
Ra-on’s eyelashes fluttered faintly as her shoulder pressed against his chest.
For some inexplicable reason, her breath caught in her throat. Reflexively holding her breath, she swallowed hard, slowly closing and reopening her eyes while licking her lips. The scent of Do-kyung filled her lungs deeply before escaping with her exhale.
Her pupils wavered slightly with unspoken tension, but soon Ra-on raised her head slowly.
Glancing briefly at the strong hand still wrapped around her shoulder, she looked up to see Do-kyung scanning their surroundings with his sharp gaze, all traces of humor gone.
“I didn’t expect it to be this crowded.”
He sighed as if lamenting his poor choice, then smoothly softened his expression, returning to his usual playful demeanor.
Trying to avoid looking at him, Ra-on turned her attention to the sea of cherry blossoms beyond the throng of people.
“Why go through all this trouble and bring me here?”
Her own voice sounded strangely hoarse, making her bite her tongue in confusion.
From above, Do-kyung muttered grumpily.
“Is it too harsh to criticize the guy who went through all this effort to bring an art school dropout here?”
After a brief pause, Ra-on let out a soft sigh, smiling faintly without realizing it. Unbeknownst to her, the tension in her eyes softened.
“…I appreciate it, really.”
The cherry blossom outing with Do-kyung hadn’t been uncomfortable or burdensome—in fact, the unplanned trip had lifted her spirits.
Just then, a gust of wind swept through, causing newly bloomed cherry blossom petals to rain down like a shower.
Watching the scene, Ra-on’s smile deepened.
Unaware that Do-kyung was gazing at her with an unfamiliar flicker in his eyes, she reached out her hand again.
This time, half out of determination and half out of stubbornness, she tried once more to catch a falling petal. With so many petals raining down, surely I’ll catch one this time, she muttered, spreading her palm wide.
Suddenly, the sensation of soft hair brushing against her nape and strong arms wrapping tightly around her body interrupted her attempt.
And then—
“…Wait, seriously?”
Turning her head in disbelief, Ra-on’s mouth snapped shut like a clam.
The unexpected pressure pressing firmly against her backside left her flustered.
Though it wasn’t unusual for Do-kyung to get aroused at the sight of her, this felt excessive even for him. Meeting his gaze, which carried a mix of frustration and amusement, Do-kyung chuckled softly, his face still buried against her shoulder.
“I didn’t come all this way just to mess around.”
Slowly lifting his head to meet her eyes, he murmured teasingly.
“This is all your fault, Ra-on.”
Why did you have to smile so beautifully?
Looking at Ra-on, whose eyes trembled with surprise, his gaze burned with undisguised heat.
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