I.  Another year passed by and the last term for second year ended. During the last few months, Namjoo would be spending the days by herself. She started hanging out with Hayoung again but their time together was limited. The latter's got friends, and moreover a boyfriend of her own now. Despite these, she would often visit Namjoo at home and ask her to do indoor stuff—like baking, decorating the house, painting the garden fences, or even just there for dinner or watch television, etc. It was all just so Namjoo wouldn't be bored from time to time, she is alone in the house anyway. But at the end of the day, Hayoung knows that she wasn't fully happy.

It was the end of spring, second term for third year started. The first term was pretty normal, except Namjoo felt unsociable in her class. She never talked to anyone ever since and it was like she's a new, or rather different person—distant, introvert and shy, in a large contrast from the cheerful her back then. Her classmates still talk to her though, and she would just thank them, smile at them or whatever random response she could think of. Also, Hayoung and her would always meet at the school garden to talk, hangout or relax before or after classes. She felt like the younger was the only one she could trust, and could rely on. It was always hard not to have Hayoung by her side to tell her of stuff, just them being in different classes makes her really sad.

"Hayoung, I got something to tell you."

One night, Hayoung received a call from Namjoo and it seems that she had something important to say. She didn't say anything further and told her that she wants to tell her personally. Until now, as usual, the younger—by a year—was always ready to listen and cheer her up whatever it may be. She gave a quick smile and answered, of course.

The very next day, Hayoung arrived at the school garden and to her surprise, Namjoo was already there. She giggled a bit as she saw the other walking in circles, she knew she was eager to tell her what she wants to tell her. She drifted closer and greeted her cheerfully. The latter smiled and quickly gave a hug around her arm, a sign she's very happy to see her. Hayoung gave a tilt of her head and asked if there was a problem. The other heaved a breath.

"Sanghyuk sent me a message on Kakaotalk last night."

Weird, the younger thought as her face soon shifted. The mood changed so quickly too, because even Namjoo's face saddened. Sanghyuk was never a name Namjoo would speak of. She would always refer to him as Hyukkie, or her sunshine—or whatever endearment she'd think of right away. She gave a really puzzled look, instead of a smile.

"Sanghyuk? Why Sanghyuk? I-I'm confused."

T'was only what Hayoung could reply. Namjoo somehow knew she'd react like this and gave a faint smile.

And she told her that Hyuk wanted to see her and talk to her today, later at that very spot. She probably suggested the meeting place since he couldn't care less about anything. Also, Namjoo didn't want to talk to him where people can literally see them talking again after more than a year. Hayoung flinched a bit. By the sound of it, it isn't good news. The other wasn't showing any signs of positivity either and gave a soft sigh. It was as if she's already hurt even when she still doesn't know what Hyuk would like to talk to her about. She shrugged her worries off and shook her head, trying to smile at her as she gazed up.

"I guess it's just about homework, or something school related. He really hasn't talked to me for a long time. It's probably going to feel weird."

At times like this, Hayoung would sense a sort of anxiousness from her. She knows it wasn't what she's thinking. They've been friends for long, she knows Namjoo a lot. She talks about him that much that she knows he isn't really interested in discussing school stuff. But she shouldn't be pulling her friend down and just cheer her up at this rate.

"Don't overthink. Whatever it is that he wants to talk about, just talk an