—— Seori

As Jungwon and I arrived at the school's entrance, I stepped out of the car, feeling a wave of nervousness wash over me. Jungwon followed suit, leaning casually against his car as we became the center of attention. Whispers and stares followed us, amplifying the tension in the air.

Before I could fully process the situation, I spotted Daejin making his way towards us. My heart quickened its pace, memories of the mysterious love letters flooding back to me. I glanced at Jungwon, silently conveying my suspicions.

"That's Daejin," I murmured to Jungwon, my voice barely above a whisper. "The one who might be behind the love letters."

Jungwon's gaze flickered with understanding as he turned his attention towards Daejin, who approached us with an eager grin plastered on his face. It was clear that he was thrilled to see his favorite street racer standing before him.

"Jungwon!" Daejin exclaimed, his excitement palpable. "I can't believe it's really you! I've been following your races for ages!"

Jungwon greeted him with a nod, his expression guarded as he assessed the situation. It was clear that Daejin's admiration for him extended beyond just street racing, and I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach.

As Daejin continued to gush about Jungwon's skills on the track, I couldn't help but wonder about his true intentions. Was he really just a fan, or was there more to his infatuation with Jungwon? And most importantly, could he be the one behind the mysterious love letters that had been plaguing me?

As Jungwon engaged in conversation with Daejin, I found myself standing awkwardly on the sidelines, unsure of how to navigate the situation. Daejin's presence only added to the tension, his admiration for Jungwon palpable in every word he spoke.

Before I could retreat from the discomfort of the moment, Jiyeon appeared, her sharp gaze locking onto me like a target. My heart sank as I braced myself for her cutting remarks, knowing all too well the sharpness of her tongue.

However, before Jiyeon could unleash her verbal assault, Jungwon stepped in, positioning himself protectively between us. His protective stance didn't go unnoticed, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude towards him for shielding me from Jiyeon's barbs.

"Is there a problem here?" Jungwon's voice was firm, his gaze unwavering as he directed his attention towards Jiyeon.

Jiyeon smirked, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Just admiring the view," she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

I bit back a retort, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing me flustered. Instead, I focused on Jungwon, drawing strength from his unwavering presence by my side.

"Maybe you should find something else to admire," Jungwon remarked coolly, his tone laced with a warning that didn't go unnoticed by Jiyeon.

With a final sneer, Jiyeon turned on her heel and sauntered away, leaving behind a trail of lingering tension in her wake. I let out a sigh of relief, grateful for Jungwon's intervention in defusing the situation.

Turning to him, I offered a small smile of gratitude. "Thanks for that," I murmured, feeling a sense of reassurance wash over me at his protective gesture.

Jungwon simply nodded, his expression unreadable as he glanced back towards Daejin, who was still chatting animatedly about street racing.

As the bell rang, signaling the start of classes, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Giving Jungwon a grateful smile, I stepped forward and wrapped him in a quick hug, the warmth of his embrace a reassuring presence amidst the chaos of the morning.

"Thanks again," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the sounds of students shuffling past us.

Jungwon returned the hug with a gentle squeeze before releasing me, his expression softening with a hint of warmth. "Anytime," he replied simply, his eyes conveying a silent understanding that went beyond words.

With a final glance back at him, I turned and made my way into the school building, the chatter of students echoing in the halls. Spotting Yeji waiting for me, I quickened my pace to join her, a sense of camaraderie settling over me as we walked together towards our class.

"Hey, Seori," Yeji greeted, a smile lighting up her face as she fell into step beside me.

"Hey, Yeji," I replied, returning her smile with a grateful one of my own. Having a friend like Yeji by my side was a constant source of comfort, especially on days like today when the rumors and drama threatened to overwhelm me.

As we continued on our way, the events of the morning faded into the background, replaced by the familiar rhythm of school life.

—— Jungwon

After dropping Seori off at school, I drove to the racing house, the familiar hum of the engine providing a momentary distraction from the events of the morning. As I walked inside, the lively atmosphere enveloped me, the smell of motor oil and the distant sounds of engines revving, creating a sense of camaraderie.

Sunghoon immediately approached me, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Hey, Jungwon, on Friday, we're hitting up a party club. You in?"

I shook my head, a smirk playing on my lips. "Not really my scene. I'd rather spend time with Seori."

Sunghoon grinned. "That's the perfect opportunity! Take her with you!"

I raised an eyebrow, looking at him in disbelief. "Take a 16-year-old girl to a party club? Are you out of your mind? If her mom finds out, I'll be in deep trouble. And when we decide to make things official, she'll be against it for sure."

Before Sunghoon could respond, Jake chimed in, bringing unexpected news. "Well, Yeji agreed to go with me, and since she and Seori are best friends, Seori will probably come too."

I blinked in surprise. "Yeji's going to a party club? And she will convince Seori?"

Jake nodded, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "Looks like you won't be the only one navigating uncharted territory, Jungwon."

As the realization sank in, I couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and concern. The dynamics were shifting, and the idea of Seori attending a party club was something I hadn't anticipated. It seemed like the road ahead was filled with unexpected twists, both on and off the racing track.

As I shared Seori's heartfelt words from our journal with Sunghoon and Jake, their teasing remarks filled the room, their playful banter adding a lighthearted touch to the moment.

"Looks like Jungwon's gone from a bad boy racer to a hopeless romantic for his little Ramen Queen," Sunghoon teased, a smirk dancing on his lips.

I couldn't help but chuckle at his words, though there was a kernel of truth to them. Seori had a way of bringing out the softer side of me, a side I hadn't known existed until she came into my life.

"It has to be exactly like she wrote it down," I insisted, my voice filled with determination. "It's her first kiss, after all."

Jake joined in on the teasing, his grin widening as he added his own commentary. "I'm just glad that Yeji and I already had our first kiss."

I shot him a playful glare, unable to resist the urge to push back. "Don't flex, man," I retorted, my tone teasing but with an underlying seriousness. "Have you even introduced Yeji to your parents yet?"

The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of my question hanging in the air. We both knew the challenges that came with dating someone younger, especially with an age gap like ours. And while Jake and Yeji may have taken that leap, Seori and I were still navigating the complexities of our relationship without a label.

Jake shrugged, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Not yet, but I'll get around to it," he replied, his tone casual but tinged with uncertainty.

I nodded in understanding, knowing all too well the delicate balance we were trying to maintain. Dating someone younger meant navigating not only the intricacies of our own feelings but also the expectations of those around us, including our families.

To be continued...