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Junu nodded. “Then maybe I should stay.”

70

MIYOUNG SAT ATher desk on Monday, staring at the crisp page in her workbook. With school started again, she had something to occupy her days now. Though, she’d fallen sorely behind at the beginning of the school year from so many tardies.

Other students mingled around her since it was free period. Many of them were using the time to study since the suneung exams were closer than ever.

Miyoung still wasn’t used to the idea that she was at the same school she’d attended last year.

Usually Miyoung never lasted past a few months, let alone a whole school year.

True, there was that period of time last winter that she’d been gone. Hunting for a cure to her missing yeowu guseul. She rubbed a hand against her chest. There was still a strange hollow feeling beneath her ribs, like a part of her heart had been ripped free. But she felt the beat beneath her palm, and she knew she’d be okay. She was mortal now. Truly mortal. It’s what she wanted. Even if she still missed certain parts of her old life.

She jumped as hands dropped on her shoulders. Then heard Jihoon’s amused chuckle.

Miyoung hadn’t even heard anyone coming up behind her. That would never have happened before. But she supposed there were worse things than having your boyfriend surprise you in themiddle of class. Especially a boyfriend she’d been on the brink of losing a week ago.

She turned in her seat so she could see Jihoon’s dimpled grin.

“Did you get the snacks you wanted?”

“And yours,” he said, holding out the honey-butter chips. Miyoung grinned and ripped into the bag. For some reason, food tasted more delicious now. Funny, she’d have thought it would be the opposite, since so many of her senses were duller after severing her connection to her bead.

“I didn’t hear from you last night,” Jihoon said. His voice was casual but his eyes were unblinking. Like he was watching for any signs of distress.

“I needed some time after visiting my mother,” she admitted. “And I wanted to go shopping for some things for my room.”

“Your room?” Jihoon frowned.

“Yeah, I figured since it’s more of a permanent situation now, I want it to feel more like my space, you know?”

“So, you’re staying there. With him?” Jihoon sounded surprised.

“I figure the guy deserves a break.” She shrugged.

“I’m glad,” Jihoon said.

“Really?” Miyoung asked. “Since when were you Team Junu?”

“I’ve never been anti-Junu.” Jihoon shrugged. “I just didn’t know if we should trust him before. But I guess, when a guy saves your life, you owe it to him to cut him some slack.”

“Iamgrateful to him. I don’t want to think about what I’d do if I’d lost you.” She was still awkward about sharing her feelings with people, even Jihoon. “I guess I’d have hated to lose you before I could tell you...” She choked on the words. They felt thick and uncomfortable in her throat.

Jihoon squeezed her hands. “You don’t have to say it. I know it.”

“No,” Miyoung said fiercely. “I want to. I want to tell you that I love you.” She said it fast. Like someone admitting to a crime instead of confessing their love. But Jihoon laughed, a delighted sound.

“Of course you make love sound like you’re being tortured,” Jihoon said.

“Ya! I’m trying here.” Miyoung scowled.

“I know,” Jihoon said, pressing a light kiss to her nose.

She hunched, her eyes darting toward the other kids in the room. “Don’t do that in the middle of school.”

“What? I can’t kiss my yeo-chin?” Jihoon asked, raising his voice.

Some of the kids looked over, rolling their eyes like they were bored with Jihoon and Miyoung’s relationship antics. Then they turned back to their homework or their conversations, mostly ignoring Jihoon.