Seungmi woke up with the same expression as she did every other day. These days she seemed to get some light back, though. After she brushed her teeth and finished the rest of her morning, Seungmi decided today would be a nice day to walk to school instead of riding her bike. She hitched her backpack up higher  as she proceeded down the road.

"Hey, Seungmi," Myungsoo greeted her with the same bright smile. She returned his welcome with a small smile and slight bow of the head. Myungsoo's eyes crinkled up with delight. Seungmi had been warming up after several attempts from Myungsoo. Recently, she started reacting to his words with more than a spark in her eyes; she smiled, she bowed, sometimes if he were lucky she would lift her hand up in an abstract wave. It was little by anyone's standards, but it was a big improvement compared to before. Myungsoo didn't want to be greedy with her, however; Seungmi needed time to open up to him, but he couldn't he hope for a conversation soon? 

His friends were impressed yet confused by his actions. They admired him for being so gentle and caring to a girl, especially to Seungmi who was once friends with Hoya. They were popular and could spend their time with anyone they wanted; now, that doesn't mean they did, Myungsoo and his friends were still nice people--attractive, nice people. 

Today, during lunch, Myungsoo had decided, he would approach Seungmi, after following her to her mysterious hiding place, and ask her to the rooftop of the school. There was nothing but air conditioning machines and gravel up there, but he had been told by the shows on television and stories his cousin read online that this was romantic and adventurous. 

Myungsoo's friends already knew about his plan so they did their best to allow him an easier path to the girl he wanted so desperately. For once, Myungsoo successfully tailed Seungmi. Sure, it was pretty creepy that he would go far enough as to almost stalk Seungmi and what she did during lunch, but it was cute no less.

He ended up in the school garden, much to his amazement. When Myungsoo first came to the school, he was given the opportunity for a quick tour. The tour group past by the garden briefly but did not enter because of some of the allergies people had. He had regret never having the chance to visit it afterwards; it was beautiful and he felt as if he understood why Seungmi came here every day.

In his marveling in the scenery, Seungmi had slipped away like a breeze on a fall day. Myungsoo pursed his lips together and scanned around himself before continuing on the dull, multi-colored pebble path. It was three minutes later when he reached Seungmi, who was sitting a mere five feet away, but he couldn't see her through the leaves. However, she could see him.

Seungmi was shocked. She was so close to being found, but she wasn't sure how to react. If this were anyone else, Seungmi wouldn't hesitate to hold her breath and wait for the person to pass, but Myungsoo wasn't any other person. She wasn't sure how, but he had gotten closer to her than anyone else in the past year.

Just while Myungsoo was turning back, he heard a rustle in the leaves and Seungmi emerged. He watched with great delicacy as she ducked her head under the top of the veil while her hand created an opening for her to slip through. Seungmi shyly focused on a green pebble in the path; Myungsoo wasn't sure what to do. The garden was and would probably forever be more romantic and adventurous than the dull roof, so that detail would be thrown out. 

Without thinking, Myungsoo blurted out,"I heard about why you don't talk." He flinched when he saw Seungmi visibly tense up. To try and fix the even more uncomfortable atmosphere, he spoke again in a rushed, quick pace,"I mean, I don't know the whole story but I just know that well... I know you can talk but all you say is," Myungsoo drifted off slowly, with his mouth still hanging open, when Seungmi lifted her head and her eyes begged for him to not continue. Seungmi knew she brought this upon herself and eventually someone would confront her about it--without malicious thoughts--but it hurt. It hurt so bad to even think about how messed up she had become.

Myungsoo started turning around and walking away; Seungmi lit up with panic. She didn't want him to leave her. He needed to see this through or else she might just die from the stress of it all. To her relief, Myungsoo stopped and planted himself on a bench not too far away. He looked over to her expectantly and Seungmi's legs started moving without much thought. When she sat down next to him, she saw Myungsoo's lips curve up in a small smile. 

They just sat there. For the next fifteen minutes both of them did nothing but sit there. Of course, Seungmi was thinking, as was Myungsoo, but physically they sat there. When the bell rang, the two of them walked back. This repeated tomorrow. And again the next day. Soon enough, Myungsoo would bring food and eat it hurriedly so it didn't disturb the peace. Some days, Myungsoo would work on an assignment while Seungmi watched his figure write characters on the page. Occasionally, Myungsoo would tell her stories like he did on that rainy day. This continued for a time that neither of them cared to count. 

One day, Seungmi had arrived earlier than Myungsoo had; they had taken to walking together, also. It seemed as if it were just another normal day, and it would be. Days like this one would eventually take over the silence from before.

"Sorry, I took so long, Seungmi. I forgot to bring my lunch so I had to buy it today." Myungsoo explained with a kind smile. He wasn't expecting a response.

"It's," Seungmi started off slowly and quietly,"it's okay." She then offered him a kind smile of her own.