"Between Us, Silence" | Hwang Hyunjin

Karina never intended to become a part of his life.
It all started with a casual introduction within a mutual circle of friends. At first, Hyunjin barely paid any attention to her, and Karina perceived him as someone far too cold and withdrawn. They rarely spoke, didn't seek each other out, and spent their time in the same company peacefully, each keeping to themselves.
It stayed that way for several months.
Gradually, they began to cross paths more often. Mutual friends, joint events, chance encounters late at night. Sometimes they were left alone together, but even then, nothing special happened between them.
The problem appeared later. Karina started getting close to one of the guys in their group. They laughed a lot, texted constantly, and spent a lot of time together. Hyunjin didn't say anything, but his attitude toward Karina shifted imperceptibly. He became colder, sometimes intentionally avoiding her, and other times watching everything that happened far too closely.
Karina noticed it quickly.
And instead of asking him directly, she started doing the same.
Whenever a girl appeared near Hyunjin, Karina would become unusually quiet. When he deliberately ignored her, she responded in kind. Thus, a strange game gradually developed between them. They could go weeks barely speaking, and then accidentally spend an entire evening together. They could get irritated with each other over completely insignificant things, yet still seek out each other's presence among the others. Neither of them admitted it, not even to themselves.