While sitting down besides Yeji inside the train, I spaced out for a moment as I couldn't stop thinking about what Yeji said to me. 'What did she mean by that? I only see her as a friend. Does she have feelings for me?' I thought to myself.

I looked at the window and I noticed that we are already in Seoul and we are probably 5 minutes away from our stop.

I breathed a sigh of relief as we are going to return without me feeling dizzy or vomitting. Even though I've been riding the train for years, I still get a little nauseous after a train ride.

Yeji, on the other hand, is scrolling down through her phone. She was wearing her glasses with circular frames, black jacket with a white shirt inside, black joggers, black shoes, and her plain black beanie that I find adorable.

'She looks like a cat.' I thought to myself.

I was wearing my blue jacket with white wave-like designs with a white shirt inside, black joggers that help me with the coldness, and white shoes.

"Hey." Yeji suddenly spoke that made me snap out of my thoughts.

I looked at her cat-like eyes with a curious expression on my face. Both of my eyebrows were raised as I switched my attention to her. "What is it?"

Yeji turned off her phone and put it in her pocket. "You're still thinking about what I told you at the beach?" She said. "If you think that every word that comes out of my mouth has a meaning, you're wrong." She chuckled.

"Oh. Okay." I replied with a slow nod.

After that short conversation, we both fell into the voids of silence. It made me a little confused that Yeji is not her usual talkative and energetic self.

I looked around the train and I noticed that there isn't much people around. It was very warm and silent inside the train. I assumed that the train is only full on weekdays.

I started caressing the back of my head as I wanted to ask Yeji a question, but I'm hesitating. I was afraid that my question might make her cry, angry, or confused. I couldn't decide if I should ask or not.

I inhaled and exhaled sharply through my mouth. Without hesitation, I said, "Yeji."

Yeji stopped looking around the scenery outside the window and switched her attention to me. "What is it?"

"It's been a while since I heard about your condition." I looked at Yeji in the eyes. "Tell me, are you fine or not?"

Yeji's eyes widened. I can tell that she was caught off guard by my question. Her eyes slowly wandered around as she tried to think of an answer.

Yeji fixed her beanie and let out a small smile at me. "Don't worry, Ryujin. I'm fine." She tilted her head as her smile formed into an eyesmile that melted my heart.

I let out a sigh of relief. "Alright. I believe you." I said in a calm voice. "B-by the way, we're getting close to our stop. We should get ready."

I tried to stand up, but Yeji suddenly hugged my arm.

I got a little confused because of the cat clinging on to me. I let out an awkward chuckle while looking at Yeji who is pouting while tightly hugging my arm. "Is breaking someone's arm part of your bucket list?"

Yeji chuckled as she let go of my arm and looked into my eyes. "N-no. I just don't want us to get separated yet. I feel like something bad happens when we're not together."

I let out a small laugh amd gave Yeji a pat on the head. "Hey, we will see each other tomorrow at school."

"I know, but..." Yeji couldn't continue her words.

"H-hey, do you want to hangout at my house?" Yeji asked while looking at me with her glowing eyes.

I nodded as I still haven't seen what her house looks like.

"Sure."

--

My eyes wandered around Yeji's room as my foot steps on the wooden floor. As expected, Yeji's room was filled with pictures of cats. She has her own TV with a PS5 that has tons of games.

The wall is covered with white wallpaper and it is filled with stickers and pictures of different breeds of cats. Her bed was really big and it looked like three people can sleep on it.

Her room was really huge for one person.

I looked at the black table on the corner of the room and I saw a giant collection of books for animals. I walked towards it with a curious expression on my face. "Do you like animals?" I asked Yeji who was sitting down on her bed.

Yeji stood up from the bed and placed her hands behind her back as she walked towards me. "Yep. I actually wanted to be a zoo veterinarian." The smile on her face slowly dissolved. "But when I got diagnosed with cancer, I don't study them anymore." She said with a hint of sadness.

I tried to think of something to lighten up her mood. I looked around Yeji's room as I tried to quickly change the topic.

"I-I didn't know that you're into animals." I chuckled softly. "What else are you interested in?" I looked at her.

Yeji slowly looked at me in the eyes. "You." She suddenly hugged me.

I was confused.

I didn't know how to react as my heart was jumping up and down. It was beating so fast for some reason.

I became even more puzzled when Yeji's hug got tighter. I started to feel something else as I was wrapped in Yeji's arms.

"H-hey..." I weakly said.

Yeji broke the hug and gazed upon my eyes. The cheerful and innocent look on her face disappeared. She had a very seductive look on her face that made my mind fall into a pool of questions.

Yeji brought her face closer to my ear. "Your lips are so red. It's been a while since I ate something red."

Yeji suddenly cupped my face with her warm hands. My breathing became unstable as I was completely mesmerized by Yeji's gaze.

Yeji slowly brought her face closer to mine. Her lips were pointing at mine and her eyes were closed.

My lips were shaking. My whole body was trembling out of confusion. I slowly pursed my lips with only one thought in mind, 'Is this going to be my first kiss?'

As our lips were only inches away from each other, I closed my eyes as I prepared my soul for it. It felt like everything was in slow motion. I imagined a romantic piano music playing in the background.

Suddenly, Yeji pulled her face away and giggled.

I opened my eyes and I became even more confused. "W-what?" I looked at Yeji.

Yeji smiled. "That was just a joke, Ryujin." She said. "Did you think I was going to kiss you?" She held her stomach and laughed at me.

I furrowed my eyebrows as I was filled with annoyance. The happy look on Yeji's face didn't make me happy whatsoever.

I was mad at her.

"D-did you bring me here just to toy with my feelings?" I said.

Yeji stopped laughing and the smile on her face disappeared. "H-hey. I'm sorry."

I clicked my tongue and I grabbed Yeji's wrist.

"Hey!" Yeji yelled. "Stop playing, ok-"

I shoved Yeji against the wall while holding her right wrist. I was tightly holding her wrist as I was fueled up with anger. "H-how dare you?"

Yeji's eyes were filled with pain and regret. "I said I'm sor-"

"Do you know how much I'm trying?" I said with a hint of sadness. I was on the verge of breaking down in tears. "D-do you know how much I'm trying not to fall for you?"

"W-what?" Yeji asked. She struggled to have eye contact with me.

"So answer me. How dare you toy with my feelings?!" I yelled. My hand that was tightly holding Yeji's arm started trembling.

Tears started to form in Yeji's eyes. It was the first time I've seen her shed a tear. "P-please, you're hurting me."

My eyes widened and I quickly let go of her.

Yeji dropped to the ground and hugged her knees as her tears started falling down rapidly.

I wanted to comfort her, but I decided not to. I walked towards my bag that was on the floor.

I picked up my bag and looked at Yeji. "I-I..." I struggled to say a word to her.

I fixed my clothes and without hesitation, I left Yeji's room.