Friday arrived with a cold, biting wind that whistled through the hallways of Saebom High. Jae-wook spent the entire day in a daze, feeling Yoo-na's presence like a physical weight. Every time they passed each other during the group project, the air crackled with unspoken questions.
At 4:30 PM, Jae-wook stood before his mirror. This time, the transformation felt different. It wasn't just about looking "handsome" or "stylish"—it was about putting on armor. He styled his hair back, swapped his glasses for contacts, and put on a dark, oversized denim jacket over a black turtleneck.
He looked like the legendary sniper, Gun. But inside, he felt like the fragile Jae-wook.
The Blue Moon Café was crowded, filled with the aroma of roasted beans and the low hum of chatter. Yoo-na was already there, sitting in the same booth as before. She looked stunning in a navy blue dress, her eyes fixed on the entrance.
When Jae-wook stepped inside, he saw her breath hitch. He walked over with a steady stride, though his hands were shoved deep into his pockets to hide their trembling.
"You came," Yoo-na said, her voice a mix of relief and challenge.
"I keep my word," Jae-wook replied, sitting across from her. He didn't order coffee. He just looked at her.
"You look even better than last time," she whispered, leaning forward. "But you also look like you're hiding something. Is it hard, Gun? Living two lives?"
Jae-wook leaned back, his eyes narrowing. "Everyone lives two lives, Starry. You're the perfect, popular girl at school, but online, you're a ruthless warrior who swears when she loses a kill. Which one is the real you?"
Yoo-na laughed, but it wasn't her usual bright laugh. It was soft, almost sad. "Both. But at least I use the same face for both. Why don't you?"
"The world treats 'Gun' better than it treats the person behind him," Jae-wook said coldly.
Yoo-na reached across the table. Her fingers brushed the back of his hand. Jae-wook flinched but didn't pull away.
"I did an experiment today," she said, her voice dropping to a low, melodic tone. "I paired up with a boy in my class. Kim Jae-wook. He's quiet, awkward, and wears these huge glasses. Most people think he's invisible."
Jae-wook felt his heart stop. He remained silent, his face a mask of stone.
"But when I looked at him," Yoo-na continued, her eyes locked onto his, "I noticed he has a habit. When he's nervous, he taps his index finger against his thumb in a three-beat rhythm. Exactly like you're doing right now under the table."
Jae-wook immediately stopped his hand. A slow, bitter smile spread across his face. "You're very observant, Starry. Too observant for your own good."
"Why, Jae-wook?" she asked, her voice trembling now. "Why hide from me? We've played together for two years. I told you things I've never told anyone else. Did you think I was so shallow that I'd only like the 'cool' version of you?"
"It's not about you, Yoo-na," he said, finally looking at her with raw honesty. "It's about how the world works. In that school, I am a glitch. A rumor. A nobody. Here, I am someone. If I merge the two, I'm afraid I'll lose the only place where I actually feel alive."
Yoo-na squeezed his hand. "You won't lose it. You'll just have someone to share it with."
Suddenly, the café door swung open. Choi Min-ji walked in, looking around for Yoo-na. "Yoo-na! Are you here? You forgot your—"
Min-ji froze as she saw Yoo-na sitting with a strikingly handsome boy. She marched over, her eyes wide. "Whoa, Yoo-na! Is this the secret guy you've been meeting? He looks like a celebrity!"
Jae-wook instinctively lowered his head, the old "invisible" habit kicking in.
"Min-ji, not now," Yoo-na said quickly, trying to shield him.
But Min-ji was already leaning in, squinting at Jae-wook's face. "Wait a second... those eyes. That jawline... No way. No freaking way."
The glitch was no longer a secret. It was a full-system crash.