중간고사가 끝난 금요일 저녁이었다.

It was Friday evening after midterm exams had ended.

민재와 하은은 학교 앞 편의점에서 컵라면을 먹고 있었다.

Minjae and Haeun were eating cup noodles at the convenience store in front of the university.

밖에는 아까부터 비가 계속 내리고 있었다.

Outside, it had been raining continuously for a while.

"드디어 끝났다… 이번 시험은 진짜 힘들었어."

"It's finally over... These exams were seriously hard."

"특히 경제학 시험은 완전히 망한 것 같아."

"Especially the economics exam. I think I totally failed it."

하은이 젓가락을 내려놓으며 말했다.

Haeun said while putting down her chopsticks.

"넌 항상 그렇게 말하면서도 결국 잘 보잖아."

"You always say that, but you end up doing well anyway."

"아니거든? 이번에는 진짜 틀린 문제가 많았어."

"No way. This time I really got a lot of questions wrong."

"그래도 나보다는 잘 봤을걸?"

"Still, you probably did better than me."

민재는 웃으며 컵라면 국물을 한 입 마셨다.

Minjae smiled and took a sip of the noodle broth.

"근데 너 요즘 동아리 끝나고도 계속 학교에 남아 있더라?"

"By the way, these days you keep staying at school even after club activities end, right?"

하은의 표정이 순간 어색해졌다.

Haeun's expression became awkward for a moment.

"그냥… 연습할 게 좀 있어서."

"Just... I had some things to practice."

"거짓말 하지 마."

"Don't lie."

"뭐가 거짓말인데?"

"What do you mean lie?"

"기타 연습실 앞에서 누구 기다리는 거 내가 다 봤거든."

"I saw everything — you waiting in front of the guitar practice room."

하은은 당황한 표정으로 민재를 쳐다보았다.

Haeun looked at Minjae with an embarrassed expression.

"설마 계속 알고 있었던 거야?"

"Don't tell me you've known the whole time?"

"당연하지. 네가 얼마나 티 나는데."

"Of course. You're so obvious about it."

"진짜 그렇게 티 났어?"

"Was it really that obvious?"

"걔만 나타나면 갑자기 목소리가 작아지잖아."

"Whenever he appears, your voice suddenly gets quieter."

"아… 그건 좀 부끄럽네."

"Ah... that's kind of embarrassing."

민재는 웃다가 문득 진지한 표정을 지었다.

Minjae laughed, then suddenly made a serious expression.

"근데 왜 아직도 말 안 했어?"

"But why haven't you said anything yet?"

"괜히 어색해질까 봐 무서워서."

"Because I'm scared things might become awkward."

"그건 이해는 되는데 계속 숨기고만 있으면 더 답답하지 않아?"

"I understand that, but if you keep hiding it, isn't it even more frustrating?"

하은은 잠시 창밖의 비를 바라보았다.

Haeun looked at the rain outside the window for a moment.

"사실 내일 같이 밥 먹자고 하려고 했어."

"Actually, I was planning to ask him to eat together tomorrow."

"오, 드디어?"

"Oh, finally?"

"근데 자꾸 망설여져."

"But I keep hesitating."

"그럼 지금 문자 보내."

"Then send the text now."

"지금?"

"Now?"

"응, 안 그러면 평생 후회할지도 몰라."

"Yeah. Otherwise you might regret it forever."

하은은 결심한 듯 휴대폰을 꺼냈다.

Haeun took out her phone as if she had made up her mind.

"뭐라고 보내지…?"

"What should I send...?"

"너무 길게 쓰지 말고 그냥 "내일 시간 있어요?" 이렇게 보내."

"Don't write something too long. Just send, 'Do you have time tomorrow?' like that."

하은은 긴장한 표정으로 메시지를 보냈다.

Haeun sent the message with a nervous expression.

그리고 몇 초 뒤 휴대폰이 짧게 울렸다.

A few seconds later, her phone buzzed briefly.

"내일 좋죠. 저도 마침 하은 씨한테 연락하려고 했어요."

"Tomorrow sounds good. I was actually about to contact you too."

문자를 읽은 하은의 얼굴에 천천히 미소가 번졌다.

A smile slowly spread across Haeun's face as she read the text.