When Two Worlds collide

That night, after finishing his workout at the gym, Ji Hoon walked out with a towel around his neck. The cold night air greeted his sweaty body. He looked up, staring at the star-filled sky, trying to calm his mind that was still filled with images of Soo Jin.

"Why does she keep coming to my mind?" muttered Ji Hoon as he walked towards his motorcycle. He shook his head softly, feeling a little annoyed with himself.

Just as he was about to put on his helmet, his cell phone rang. He opened the screen and saw his mother's name on it. Ji Hoon let out a long sigh before answering the call.

"What's wrong, Mom?" he asked in a casual tone.

"Ji Hoon, aren't you home yet?" his mother's voice sounded stern on the other side of the phone. "What time is it already? You know there's another family meeting tomorrow, right?"

Ji Hoon frowned. Another family gathering? He was already quite fed up with such events. "I'm at the gym, ma'am. I'll be home in a bit," he replied casually.

"Make sure you're not late tomorrow. And don't try to run away like last time," his mom said before hanging up.

Ji Hoon let out a long sigh. He knew tomorrow would be another long day, but his thoughts kept returning to Soo Jin. Unconsciously, his hand moved to the messaging app and typed something for Soo Jin.

Ji Hoon: "Are you home yet?"

He waited for a while, hoping for a reply. A few minutes later, his phone vibrated.

Soo Jin: "Yes, I'm home. What's wrong?"

Ji Hoon smiled, feeling a little relieved to hear from her.

Ji Hoon: "It's nothing. Just wanted to make sure you were okay."

Soo Jin: "I'm fine. But... why are you suddenly asking me that?"

Ji Hoon was silent for a moment. He typed and deleted several times before finally sending the message.

Ji Hoon: "Because you're important."

After sending the message, Ji Hoon immediately put his phone in his pocket, feeling nervous himself. He knew it sounded weird, but at least he had said it, even if it was just through a message.

At home, Soo Jin read the message with raised eyebrows. Her cheeks were flushed, and she bit her lip, trying to hold back a smile. Ji Hoon is strange, but that kind of small attention makes her heart flutter a little.

However, Soo Jin hurriedly shook her head, trying to dismiss the thought. "No way... he's just joking around as usual," she muttered, though a small smile still remained on her face.

The next day, Ji Hoon entered the school with his usual leisurely pace. He tried to be calm, although his heart was still pounding thinking about the message he sent last night. As soon as he entered the classroom, his eyes immediately searched for Soo Jin.

Soo Jin is already in her seat, talking to one of her friends. Ji Hoon watched from afar, then walked over in a casual manner.

"Good morning, Soo Jin," he said in a casual tone, as if nothing had happened.

Soo Jin turned her head, a little surprised, but trying to maintain her demeanor. "Morning, Ji Hoon," she replied with a faint smile.

Ji Hoon sat in his chair, staring at Soo Jin for a while before saying in a teasing tone, "Did you think about my message last night?"

Soo Jin glanced at him sharply. "What do you mean? I didn't think about it at all," she said, though the blush on her cheeks said otherwise.

Ji Hoon chuckled, satisfied with her reaction. "Really? Because I thought about you all night."

Soo Jin sighed, trying to hide her nervousness. Ji Hoon was annoying, but there was something about his manner that made Soo Jin's heart beat faster.

When break time came, the classroom became crowded. Ji Hoon sat relaxed in his seat as he stared at Soo Jin who was talking to her friends. His eyes followed her every move, like a magnet pulling him in without his control. Ji Hoon sighed softly, trying to hide the small smile on his face.

However, when Kang Min Jae suddenly walked into the classroom, Ji Hoon's smile vanished instantly. The man walks confidently towards Soo Jin, carrying a piece of paper in his hand. Min Jae seems to have intentionally come to discuss something with Soo Jin.

Ji Hoon raised an eyebrow, a feeling of jealousy starting to run through him.

"Why are you like this again, Ji Hoon?" he muttered softly, trying to calm himself down, even though his heart was burning.

Soo Jin, who was standing in front of the table, looked a little confused by Min Jae's arrival. "What's wrong?" she asked in a polite tone.

Min Jae smiled kindly. "It's about the rehearsal for the festival. I want to make sure our schedules match. You're the vocalist, and I'll be playing the guitar. We need to equalize the time."

Soo Jin nodded. "Oh, okay. When do you want to start practicing?"

Ji Hoon, who heard the conversation from his seat, immediately got up. He walked toward them with a leisurely pace, but the look in his eyes showed something else.

"Hey, Soo Jin," Ji Hoon greeted suddenly, interrupting their conversation. "Didn't you say you wanted to have lunch with me today?"

Soo Jin looked at Ji Hoon in confusion. "Eh? I didn't-"

"Ah, so you forgot your promise to me?" interrupted Ji Hoon in a pretend hurt tone, then he turned to Min Jae with a faint smile. "Sorry, Kang Min Jae, but Soo Jin has plans with me today."

Min Jae raised an eyebrow, slightly confused by Ji Hoon's attitude. "Oh, then... we can talk about this some other time," he said, though there was a slight hesitant tone.

After Min Jae left, Soo Jin folded her arms across her chest, looking at Ji Hoon in annoyance. "What the hell was that? I never said I wanted to have lunch with you!"

Ji Hoon grinned, not looking sorry at all. "I just saved you. You were too nice to say no, so I said it for you."

Soo Jin let out a long sigh. "Ji Hoon, you don't need to do that."

"Of course I did," Ji Hoon replied as he came closer. He looked at her seriously. "I don't like her being too close to you."

Soo Jin was silent. Ji Hoon's words made her heart flutter, but she tried to ignore it. "Ji Hoon, what's wrong with you? You're too weird these days."

Ji Hoon smiled a little, then said in a casual tone, "I just want to make sure you don't forget me, Soo Jin."

Those words left Soo Jin at a loss for words. She could only stare at Ji Hoon who casually walked out of the classroom, leaving her in confusion. However, deep inside, there's a warm feeling that starts to grow whenever Ji Hoon is near her.

After leaving the class, Ji Hoon walked leisurely towards the school garden, trying to calm his mind. However, the ignorant smile on his face wouldn't go away. Although he knew his actions earlier might be considered childish, he didn't care. For him, protecting Soo Jin from Min Jae is the priority.

Meanwhile, Soo Jin is still in class, staring out the window. Ji Hoon's words kept ringing in her head. "I just want to make sure you don't forget me, Soo Jin." Although she tried to ignore it, her face slowly turned red.

When class was over and the dismissal bell rang, Soo Jin cleaned up her books quickly. She had to pick up her sister at school before it was too late. With hurried steps, she walked out of the classroom, not noticing Ji Hoon standing at the door, leaning against it with his hands in his pants pockets.

"Where are you going in such a hurry?" asked Ji Hoon suddenly, making Soo Jin a little surprised.

Soo Jin stopped her steps, then turned around. "I have to pick up my sister. Don't bother me, Ji Hoon," she replied as she walked away.

However, Ji Hoon, being the prankster that he is, immediately followed behind. "I'm coming," he said in a casual tone.

Soo Jin stopped her steps and looked at Ji Hoon with a sharp gaze. "What are you coming for? You don't have anything else to do, do you?"

Ji Hoon just shrugged with a smile. "I don't. Anyway, I'm curious. You rarely talk about your sister."

Soo Jin let out a long sigh. She knew that arguing with Ji Hoon was often a waste of time. "Suit yourself," she said finally.

When they reached the school parking lot, Soo Jin got on her simple bike and put on her helmet. Ji Hoon, who looked a little hesitant, finally said, "Don't tell me you want to go on that ride."

Soo Jin rolled her eyes. "Yes, this is my bike. Is there a problem?"

Ji Hoon chuckled, then quickly climbed into the back seat. "Alright, I'm riding too."

"You're really annoying, Ji Hoon," Soo Jin muttered as she started the bike.

Their ride was filled with silence, though Ji Hoon seemed to be enjoying every moment. The cool afternoon breeze made him feel more relaxed. Once they arrived in front of Soo Jin's sister's school, a little boy was waiting at the gate. His face immediately brightened when he saw his brother coming.

"Sister!!!!!" Soo Jin called with a smile, then approached her sister. The boy ran straight to him.

Ji Hoon got off the bike and watched carefully. Soo Jin's little brother, looked like a small version of Soo Jin-his face was innocent, his eyes were big, and his smile was warm. However, Ji Hoon soon realized that the boy didn't say anything. He just nodded and smiled.

Soo Jin knelt down, gently stroking her sister's hair. "Are you okay? Are you hungry?"

The boy nodded again, then pointed at Ji Hoon, as if asking who the man was. Soo Jin chuckled. "He's just your friend. Don't mind him."

Ji Hoon, who heard that, pretended to be offended. "Just a friend? I'm more than that, deck. I'm... what, huh? Soo Jin's sister likes to say I'm annoying."

Min Joon smiled a little, though he didn't make any sound. Ji Hoon finally asked Soo Jin quietly, "She... can't talk?"

Soo Jin nodded. "Yes, Min Joon was mute from birth, but he's a very smart and independent boy."

Ji Hoon looked at his brother with softer eyes. He squatted down and took out a candy from his jacket pocket. "This is for you. This candy will make your day sweeter."

The boy accepted the candy with a big smile, then bowed slightly in thanks. Soo Jin watched the interaction with a little warmth in her heart. Ji Hoon might be annoying, but he could be nice too.