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"I LIKE YOU, JURIN." I looked up at him, standing in a quiet spot just for the two of us. The gentle wind swirled around us, wrapping the moment in a peaceful embrace. My mouth fell open, caught off guard, unsure of how to respond. I stared down at my feet, feeling my cheeks heat up in a rush of embarrassment. "I..." My voice trailed off, lost in my swirling thoughts.
"Jurin, you don't have to answer right now—" he started, but I interrupted him, my words spilling out before I could stop them.
"I'm sorry, but I cannot return your feelings, Beomgyu." I spoke bluntly, the weight of my honesty settling heavy in the air. I hesitated, then added softly, "I have feelings for someone else." My eyes widened in shock at my own admission, surprised by the truth that slipped from my lips.
"Oh," Beomgyu replied, the sorrow evident on his face as he looked down at the ground. For a moment, the silence hung between us like an unspoken promise. Then, he looked up again, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "That's okay. I won't force any feelings upon you," he said, his voice tinged with sadness.
I nodded, guilt washing over me as I offered a sheepish smile, nervously fiddling with the ends of my skirt. The air around us felt thick with tension and awkwardness, a fragile reality that could shatter at any moment. Just then, a rustling in the bushes nearby startled us both. We exchanged wide-eyed glances, our hearts racing in fear, until a figure suddenly emerged and dashed away. We couldn't make out who it was.
Embarrassment crept over us, knowing someone had overheard our private conversation. "Who was that?" Beomgyu asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I don't know..." I replied, worry etching itself into my features as I gazed into the depths of the forest. 
"Let's just head back," Beomgyu suggested, his tone uncertain. I nodded, feeling relieved to escape the tension. We walked side by side, the silence gradually shifting from awkwardness to a comfortable companionship, taking in the beauty of our surroundings—the tall trees swaying gently, the soft rustle of leaves, and the warm sunlight filtering through the canopy.
As we reached the camp, we exchanged shy smiles before parting ways. The moment I separated from him, my friends rushed over. 
"Ahhh, Juju!" Danielle squealed, shaking my shoulders excitedly. 
"What did you say?" Minji asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"I said I don't like him back," I answered, my voice steady but my heart racing. "And that I like someone else..." I mumbled the last part, but they caught every word and erupted in a loud chorus of screams.
"Shh!" I shushed them, quickly covering Danielle and Hyein's mouths as they were the loudest. Heads turned our way, confusion etched on their faces. We exchanged sheepish glances before ignoring the stares.
"Is it Jungwon?" Haerin asked, her tone teasing.
"Come on, it's obviously Jungwon," Hanni chimed in, her voice playful.
"Wonrin!" Danielle exclaimed again, and I covered her mouth for the third time, laughing.
"I'm just gonna keep my hand here at this point," I sighed, and she planted a playful kiss on my hand, causing me to giggle and pull away slightly.
Hyein draped her arm around my shoulder, and we walked together, engrossed in a teasing conversation about my feelings. We settled in a cozy sitting area, the laughter softening the earlier tension.
"Oh, there was also someone eavesdropping on the confession," I mentioned, and gasps erupted from my friends.
"Who?" they asked in unison, their eyes wide with excitement.
"I'm not sure. He ran away before we could see him. All I know is that it was a guy," I replied, a sigh of embarrassment escaping my lips.
"I bet you money that it was Jungwon," Minji stated, and Hanni nodded in agreement.
"No, I doubt it," I said, placing my hand on my face, growing increasingly stressed. Just then, I felt a sudden tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see Jungwon standing there, an expression of slight anger etched across his features. I couldn't help but find his anger strangely attractive.
He grabbed my wrist and pulled me away from my friends. My breath hitched at his firm grip, and I shot a worried glance back at the girls. We walked to the cottage, and he shut the door with a hint frustration.
"Who do you like?" Jungwon asked suddenly, his eyes reflecting a hint of jealousy that caught me off guard. I opened my mouth, ready to respond, but the intensity of his gaze left me momentarily speechless. There was something about the way he had shifted from casual to serious that intrigued me, and I couldn't quite understand why I found it so appealing.
"Nevermind," he muttered, frustration evident in his voice. With a quick motion, he ran his fingers through his hair, a gesture that seemed to emphasize his annoyance. He turned and strode toward the kitchen, where he rummaged through the cupboards and pulled out a pack of instant ramen. I remained rooted in my spot, unsure of how to react to the sudden change in atmosphere.
"Sit," Jungwon commanded, glancing back at the small table that stood nearby. His tone was firm, yet there was an underlying softness that made me comply without hesitation. I walked over and took a seat, my mind still swirling with thoughts about our earlier exchange.
As I waited in silence, I could feel the weight of drowsiness creeping over me. My eyelids grew heavy, and I fought to keep them open, my head bobbing gently side to side as if I were caught in a constant battle against sleep. Just as I felt myself drifting off, a delicious aroma wafted through the air, jolting me awake. I blinked my eyes open to see a steaming bowl of instant ramen placed in front of me, with Jungwon sitting across the table, his resting expression portrayed.
He handed me a pair of chopsticks, and we began to eat together. The warmness of the ramen enveloped me, wrapping me in a cocoon of comfort and solace. I savored the first bite, the rich flavor of the broth awakening my senses. However, the soothing warmth of the meal combined with my fatigue made it increasingly difficult to stay alert. As I lifted the noodles to my mouth, I felt my eyelids growing heavier again, and I fought to keep myself from succumbing to sleep, my body yearning for rest.
 *___________* 
A\N
To be honest, what makes me most motivated to write is when I see messages on my message board. So take that information and do as you please! I would appreciate some encouraging words that will allow me to push forward and write more chapters.
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