Seojun sighed. "If you're going to stay here, you have to come to school with me."
Haneul, sitting on the couch, didn't even look up. "I don't have my uniform."
"So?"
She blinked at him, unimpressed. "So, I can't go without it."
Seojun folded his arms. "You're already enrolled. What, you think they'll kick you out just because you show up in normal clothes?"
Haneul didn't respond right away. Instead, she glanced toward the window, as if considering her options. "…It'd be troublesome."
"For who?"
"For me."
Seojun exhaled, rubbing his temples. "Unbelievable."
Bomi, sitting at the table with her breakfast, perked up. "Unnie, can't you just borrow a uniform?"
Haneul tilted her head. "From who?"
Bomi turned to Seojun expectantly.
He scowled. "Don't look at me. I'm not letting her wear mine."
Haneul looked him up and down. "It wouldn't fit."
"Exactly."
Bomi hummed, swinging her legs. "Then Oppa should buy you one."
Seojun shot her a glare. "Are you trying to drain my wallet?"
Bomi just grinned.
Haneul, however, didn't seem interested. "I'll figure it out. I will just stay here."
Seojun eyed her.
"You're not skipping."
Haneul didn't even blink. "It's not skipping if I never planned to go."
Seojun ran a hand down his face. "That's not how it works."
"It is for me."
Bomi giggled. "Unnie, you're funny."
Seojun ignored her. "Look, you can't just stay here all day doing nothing."
"I won't be doing nothing."
"Then what exactly will you be doing?"
Haneul didn't answer. Just stared at him, completely unfazed.
Seojun let out a slow breath. "Fine. Stay here, do whatever. But don't touch my stuff."
"I won't."
He shook his head, grabbing his bag. "Unbelievable."
Bomi slid off her chair, tugging on his sleeve. "Oppa, can she at least walk with us?"
He hesitated.
Haneul, as usual, looked unbothered. "I don't mind walking."
Seojun sighed. "Fine. Just don't disappear halfway."
She hummed in response.
As they stepped outside, Seojun couldn't help but glance at her. She had no uniform, no real belongings, and no place to go—but she acted like none of it mattered.
For some reason, that annoyed him more than anything.
The walk to school was quiet.
Bomi skipped ahead, humming to herself, while Seojun and Haneul walked side by side. She kept her hands in her coat pockets, her expression as unreadable as ever.
Seojun wasn't sure why it bugged him.
"Are you planning to show up in uniform tomorrow, or are you just gonna keep hiding?" he asked.
Haneul glanced at him. "I said I'd figure it out."
"That's not an answer."
She didn't respond.
Seojun clicked his tongue, irritated. "What, are you waiting for me to buy you one?"
"No."
"Then?"
"I'll get it myself, if i wanted to."
Seojun sighed. "You're seriously annoying."
"I get that a lot."
He ran a hand through his hair. This girl—nothing fazed her. She just kept moving forward, like nothing in the world could touch her.
But last night…
The memory of quiet sobs crept into his mind. The kind of sound someone makes when they think no one is listening.
He glanced at her again. Same expressionless face. Same unshakable calm.
If he hadn't heard her himself, he never would've believed she was capable of crying.
Bomi suddenly turned back, grinning. "Unnie, do you want me to hold your hand?"
Haneul blinked. "Why?"
"So you don't get lost."
"I won't get lost."
Bomi huffed. "Still, you're part of our group now. It's a rule."
Haneul tilted her head. "Who made the rule?"
"Me," Bomi said proudly.
Haneul considered it. Then, after a moment, she reached out and took Bomi's hand.
Seojun stared.
Bomi beamed. "See? Now Oppa can't leave you behind."
Haneul glanced at him. "Would he?"
Bomi giggled. "He acts grumpy, but he wouldn't."
Seojun rolled his eyes. "Don't make stuff up."
Bomi just hummed, swinging Haneul's hand as they walked.
Seojun exhaled. This day was already exhausting.
When they reached Bomi's preschool, the little girl reluctantly let go of Haneul's hand.
"Unnie, you'll still be here later, right?" she asked, her big eyes filled with concern.
Haneul nodded. "I will."
Bomi brightened. "Then wait for me! I'll bring you a snack from school."
Seojun raised an eyebrow. "You're stealing from preschool now?"
Bomi puffed up her cheeks. "It's sharing, Oppa. Sharing."
Seojun sighed, ruffling her hair. "Just go. Don't cause trouble."
Bomi giggled, waving as she ran toward her classroom. "Bye, Oppa! Bye, Unnie!"
Haneul watched her disappear inside, her expression unreadable as usual.
Seojun adjusted his bag. "Alright. That's done."
Haneul turned to him. "Now what?"
He gave her a flat look. "Now, I go to school. And you—" He sighed, rubbing his temple. "Help me pick up bomi later."
"no problem."
Haneul didn't argue.
Seojun stared at her for a moment, then let out another sigh. "And don't burn my apartment down while I'm gone."
"I won't."
He rolled his eyes, turning toward the direction of his school. But as he walked away, he couldn't shake the feeling that.
As Seojun walked toward school, he found himself glancing back once.
Haneul stood where he left her, hands in the pockets of her jacket, watching him go. She wasn't lost or hesitant—just still, like she belonged nowhere and everywhere at once.
He clicked his tongue and faced forward again. Not his problem.
Still, the feeling nagged at him.
Haneul said she'd pick up Bomi, but what would she do until then? Wander the neighborhood? Sit in his apartment, staring at the walls?
…Or worse, leave.
Seojun exhaled sharply. She wasn't his responsibility. If she wanted to disappear, that was on her.
And yet—
"Annoying," he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair.
For now, he had school to deal with. Whatever came after… he'd figure it out later.
After School
Seojun's last class dragged on longer than usual, and by the time he stepped out of the school gates, his head was already pounding.
Seojun rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the dull throb of exhaustion settle in. He didn't head straight for Bomi's preschool. Instead, his feet carried him toward his hidden café.
The familiar alleyway greeted him, tucked away from the city's noise. He unlocked the door, stepping inside, and exhaled at the quiet. The scent of coffee and faint traces of pastries still lingered from the morning.
Dropping his bag onto the counter, he rolled up his sleeves and automatically began preparing a drink. It wasn't for a customer—there were none. It was just a habit. A way to clear his mind.
The machine hummed softly, filling the space with warmth. As he poured the drink, his thoughts drifted to Haneul.
Had she really stayed?
He frowned, leaning against the counter. She didn't seem like the type to rely on others. If anything, she seemed like the type to disappear the moment no one was looking.
And yet…
Seojun sighed, grabbing his cup and taking a slow sip. He didn't know what to do with her. She was quiet, unreadable, and strangely stubborn. But she also didn't have anywhere else to go.
The thought sat uncomfortably in his chest.
After finishing his drink, he cleaned up and grabbed his bag. No more wasting time.
He locked up the café and made his way toward the preschool.
As Seojun approached the preschool, he scanned the area for Bomi—and for Haneul.
Sure enough, there she was.
Haneul stood by the gate, hands still tucked in her jacket pockets, waiting. Her posture was relaxed but detached, as if she was merely passing time rather than expecting someone.
Bomi, on the other hand, was beaming. She held something wrapped in a napkin, clutching it like a prized treasure.
"Oppa!" she called, running up to him. "I brought a snack for Unnie!"
Seojun raised an eyebrow. "You actually smuggled food out of preschool?"
Bomi pouted. "It's not smuggling! It's sharing!"
He sighed. "Right, right. And what about me?"
Bomi blinked, then turned to Haneul. "Unnie, do you want to share with Oppa?"
Haneul glanced at the snack, then at Seojun.
"...No."
Seojun scoffed. "Figures."
Bomi giggled, tugging Haneul's sleeve. "Let's eat together at home!"
Haneul hummed in agreement, falling into step beside them.
As they walked, Seojun found himself glancing at her again. She was still here. Despite everything, she hadn't disappeared.
He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.
That night, Seojun lay awake, staring at the ceiling.
Having Haneul in his home felt strange. Not bad—just… different.
Seojun shifted under his blanket, He should be asleep by now. Bomi was curled up beside him, breathing softly. Everything was quiet.
Except, he wasn't the only one awake.
The apartment was small—too small. The sliding door to the living room was slightly ajar, and beyond it was Haneul.
He could hear her movements. The quiet rustle of fabric. The shift of weight against the couch.
Then—
A soft thud. A faint inhale.
Seojun frowned, pushing himself up on one elbow. "You okay?"
Silence. Then, a hesitant voice. "I'm fine."
It didn't sound convincing.
He exhaled, rubbing his face before getting up. Making sure Bomi was still asleep, he stepped into the dimly lit living room.
Haneul was sitting on the couch, one knee bent, the blanket tangled around her legs. Her glasses were on the table. Without them, her violet eyes looked unfocused, slightly narrowed as she turned toward him.
"You're moving around a lot," he said, keeping his voice low.
She blinked, tilting her head as if trying to place him. "…Seojun?"
He sighed. "Who else?"
She didn't answer right away. Then—
"This couch isn't great."
He clicked his tongue. "You should've said something."
"I didn't want to wake Bomi."
He ran a hand through his hair. "You'll get a stiff neck."
"I'll manage."
Another silence. Then, before he could think better of it, Seojun sat down beside her.
She blinked again, as if trying to focus on his face. "…Are you looking at me?"
He smirked. "Why? Do you look weird without your glasses?"
Haneul scowled, reaching for them, but he stopped her hand.
"Relax," he murmured. "It's fine."
She hesitated. Then, instead of pulling away, she sighed and leaned against his shoulder.
Seojun stiffened.
"Hey—"
"You said to relax."
"…Not on me."
She didn't move. Her weight was light, but he could feel the warmth of her. Too close. Too unfamiliar.
His heart did something strange.
"You're warm," she murmured.
He let out a quiet breath. "That's… how body heat works."
Haneul stayed still, her breath even. Seojun swallowed. He should say something. Do something.
But she couldn't even see him clearly right now.
And somehow, that made this moment feel even more fragile.
"…Just for a little while," she whispered.
Seojun exhaled slowly. Then, despite himself, he leaned his head back, staring at the ceiling again.
"…Yeah."
Just for a little while.