After checking the clock for the 8^th time this evening, Yoon Bomi gave her arms a good stretch before she rose up from her seat.

She tilted her heard towards the exit as she swung the strap of her school bag over her shoulders, with Park Chorong staring at her every move. “It’s finally time, Chorong-ah! Let’s get going so we don’t have to rush later.”

Although she was clueless to what the tough-looking girl was talking about, Park Chorong remained obedient to her fellow schoolmate and also removed herself from her chair, soon following Bomi out of the café. There was now a mixture of uncertainty and curiosity lingering within her heart.

As the girls walked side-by-side along the emptying streets, one’s hands tucked itself comfortably into her pockets while the other fiddled with her fingers restlessly, with neither of them speaking a word as usual; it was only after a few minutes of silence a voice could be heard- and it was Chorong’s.

She finally spoke up voluntarily for the first time ever, no longer capable of containing the question that had been bugging her since they met up.

“Um… wh-where exactly are we going? It’s going to start getting dark soon…”

“That’s why we’re currently walking.”

“B-But, to where?”

“You’ll find out soon, don’t worry.”

She was worried, but she knew there was no point to urge on.

The other female didn’t seem like she’ll give her any information, so all she could do was blindly trust the delinquent and to pray for a safe journey.

On the other hand, Bomi had resumed her soft hums and was still stealing glances at her crush every now and then.

However, she was no longer caught as Chorong’s gaze were now stuck firmly onto the ground.

They were once again engulfed by silence, hearing nothing but the sound of their own footsteps.

After a while of non-stop walking, they finally arrived at their destination.

It was a small, quiet hilltop that watches over the entire city, a view that was most definitely worth the hike.

The sun was just starting to set, gradually expanding the sky’s palette with combinations that were always unique from other nights.

It was a sight that easily replaced the concerns of one’s mind with calmness, a sight that shares its warmth with anyone who paid it attention.

It’s as if the sun itself was embracing them farewell, calling it a day and kissing them goodnight.

Such a scenery was the reason behind Yoon Bomi’s seemingly abrupt invitation-

To share her ‘secret’ location and her favourite kind of view.

To share it with her favourite person.

Under the sunset, Park Chorong couldn’t help but to gasp out loud in awe, immediately approaching the boarder of the hill and grasping onto the top of the wooden railings, leaning her body towards the breath-taking view as much as possible. “Oh my God, it’s so beautiful…”

It had been too long since the last time she paid any attention to the sunset, having taken its beauty for granted far too often.

It acted as a reminder for her, to stop looking downwards and to pay attention to her surroundings more, for life had so many beautiful things to offer if only she allowed herself to see them. All she had to do was to look further into the distance, away from the negativity that surrounded her.

By now, the timid one was completely mesmerised by the scenery before her, yet she became the only one who paid it any attention.

Although such a marvelous sunset used to be her favourite view out of the entire world, Yoon Bomi wasn’t looking at it tonight; she was far too busy admiring another sort of view, one consisted of an enchanting smile and a pure-hearted gaze.

It seemed like sunset had gotten itself a new competitor within Bomi’s heart-

And it seemed like Chorong was now taking the lead.

‘You don’t realise how you’re much more beautiful’ was what Bomi had planned on replying, yet she ultimately chose to remain mum in order for the other girl to enjoy the view in peace and quiet… which didn’t last very long, in spite of her kind efforts.

Chorong surprised her once more by miraculously initiating a new conversation, currently staring into Bomi’s eyes with an arm hugging onto the other.

“Why… why did you bring me here?” she barely whispered, still in a state of trance from the stunning view before them. “And… why me…?”

Upon hearing those questions, the troublemaker let out a husky chuckle as she took a seat onto the nearest bench, her hands still inside her pockets.

She answered sincerely, “I wanted you to see this in person, because this is my go-to spot for whenever I feel too overwhelmed by life. The view is stunning no matter what time of the day it is, and it helps me forget about my concerns. Even if it’s temporary, it makes me feel a lot better.”

Captivated by the calmness within the girl’s voice, Park Chorong found herself approaching Bomi without giving it a second thought, her fear for the tough-looking student nowhere to be found as she took a seat right next to her on the wooden bench.

Noticing the tiny progress that had been made, Yoon Bomi continued with a soft smile on her lips.

“I don’t know why, but it seems to me that you’re constantly in a state of fear and tension, as if you’re afraid of everyone and everything around you.” she elaborated slowly, mindful of her words. “It’s quite a heart-breaking sight and it makes me want to help you out… even though you might find my ‘help’ burdensome and call me a weirdo behind my back for it- but hey, that’s fine by me. I just want to introduce you to this place so it might be able to help you out with whatever you’re struggling with, just like how it has helped me.”

Chorong was truly blown away by the girl’s words, yet she was still extremely confused by the girl’s intentions.

Knowing the fact that they had only known each other recently, she had no clue to why Bomi was even concerned about her in the first place.

She wasn’t used to getting looked after by people other than from her closest friend, so she honestly had no idea on how to respond.

“B-But… why do you care about me? Why are you even being this nice?” she couldn’t help but to blurt out, “You don’t know anything about me...”

“Well, if I can’t change the way you think about me, I’ll never get you to open up to me.” Bomi explained with her grin still visible on her lips, “If you never open up to me, I’ll never get to know you- and I want that. Even though we had a bad start, I still want to get closer to you, Chorong-ah.”

Silence followed as the sky turned into a new mixture of purple and pink, causing Bomi to look away from her crush and to gaze into the distance instead.

Chorong followed suit, pretending to be composed despite of her heart saying otherwise.

They were both secretly thankful that the colours of the evening sky were camouflaging the hues of their cheeks, the temperatures of their bodies rising while the ones of their surrounding’s decrease without the warmth of the sun.

The duo remained in their positions until a few minutes later, where Bomi decided to break the stillness by jumping up with a slight huff.

She then reached a hand out towards the timid one, who glanced at it for a second before meeting her eyes again.

“Come on, Chorong-ah.” Yoon Bomi called out warmly, “Let’s go get you home before your parents start to worry.”

And thus,

For the first time since the delinquent’s pursuit,

Park Chorong took her hand without a hint of hesitation, their fingers wrapped securely around each other’s.