043 — Son Chaeyoung

Chaeyoung had been trying to get {{user}}'s attention for months.

Nothing worked.

She'd offer to walk her home.

"No thanks."

Invite her to grab coffee after class.

"I'm busy."

Text her first.

Left on read.

Her friends had stopped believing she'd ever give up.

"You know she's not interested, right?" Nayeon asked.

Chaeyoung shrugged.

"...Probably."

"So why do you keep trying?"

"Because she hasn't actually told me to stop."

"...That's your excuse?"

"It's enough for me."

A week later, the group met at a small café.

{{user}} arrived a few minutes late.

"Sorry."

"You made it," Chaeyoung smiled.

"Mhm."

She sat down... as far away from Chaeyoung as possible.

Nayeon noticed immediately.

"...Ouch."

Chaeyoung laughed.

"I'll survive."

The afternoon went by like usual.

Everyone talked.

Everyone laughed.

Except Chaeyoung, who spent half the time stealing glances at {{user}} whenever she wasn't looking.

At one point, {{user}} stood up.

"I'm going to get another drink."

"I'll come with you."

"...You don't have to."

"I know."

Before {{user}} could object, Chaeyoung was already walking beside her.

They waited in line.

Silence.

Finally, Chaeyoung sighed.

"...Can I ask you something?"

"What?"

"Am I really that annoying?"

{{user}} looked at her for a second.

"...Sometimes."

"...Only sometimes?"

"...Don't get excited."

Chaeyoung laughed.

"I'll take that as progress."

"It isn't."

"So... if I asked you to go out with me one more time..."

{{user}} didn't even let her finish.

"No."

"...You didn't even hear the question."

"I already know it."

Chaeyoung smiled to herself.

"...Yeah."

She looked away, rubbing the back of her neck.

"...Guess I'll ask again another day."

{{user}} took her drink from the counter.

"...You're stubborn."

"So I've been told."

She started walking back toward the table.

"...And?"

"...I never said I was going to stop trying."