a few days later, hyeseong was busy trying to remember the material for the rumored pop quiz her math class was going to have soon. she was walking around in the hallways, glancing every now and then at her phone before closing her eyes to try and test herself with imaginary questions. she would've been studying with yujin like she usually does, but he ditched her to go play basketball with ricky and gyuvin.

ditched was an over exaggeration though, she was just salty before she'd forget about it in the next hour or so.

deep into her studying while walking the hallways, she didn't notice who she had bumped into until her path was immediately blocked. backing up, she glanced up at a boy in light brown hair, looking in a panic with wide eyes and fast lips.

he was definitely talking to her, but hyeseong was lost.

she thought that maybe he'd give up once he noticed she wasn't answering fast enough for someone who looked to be in a hurry, but still, he didn't budge. it looked like he kept repeating the same words after his quick question, as if to beg her to answer him. but hyeseong couldn't do anything, she didn't hear anything he said after all.

so, she pointed at her ear with her left hand, shaking her head while staring at him. deafness.

and it looked to have done the trick when his expression changed from worried to apologetic when he caught on, putting his hands together and bowing constantly. instead of leaving still, the boy pulled his phone out from his pocket, seeming to be typing something before showing it back to hyeseong.

"do you know where the chemistry lab is? i just transferred here ㅠㅠ"

it amazed hyeseong herself to see the efforts he continued in to talk to her, as she nodded, pointing behind him to a classroom at the very end of the hallway. when the boy noticed the room, relief washed over his face as he turned back to her smiling. she could see his dimples clear as day. for a moment, hyeseong was mesmerized by such a smile.

even when he continued talking again, all hyeseong could do was smile and nod in return. she wasn't thinking about it then, but hopefully it was a good thing that she did those gestures.

and, right before he could take off, he pointed down at his nametag clipped onto his uniform while his lips spoke empty words.

kim taerae.

hyeseong couldn't understand anything fast enough though before he ran away, holding his bag on his back as he hurried down the hall to his lab. this left the girl confused in her spot, trying to recall the familiarity of the said name.

strange.

however, hyeseong's mind instantly snapped back to her pop quiz as she turned the other way, heading back to her classroom.

end episode IV.