137 Graduation and the Public Confession (1/2)

The next day.

It is the day of the graduation ceremony at Yeo Ri's school.

She was already a graduating third year student, but since she hadn't attended school at all for the past year, she did not particularly feel the excitement.

”It's already here...” Yeo Ri muttered quietly. The past year passed by in a flash. A slight sense of sadness crossed her heart. She felt like crying when she remembered how much she had missed.

Although Min Chae and Jang Mi visited her regularly, it was not the same as meeting them at school.

”What's wrong, Yeo Ri-ah?” Gun came to her side the moment he noticed her troubled look. ”Does the uniform not fit anymore? Do you feel sick? Do you not want to go?”

Yeo Ri shook her head at his questions, ”No, I'm fine, Oppa. It's just that... I'll miss it. The school. My classmates. Everything.”

”Then you should've agreed to continue to high school,” Gun chided with furrowed brows. He still could not come to terms with Yeo Ri's decision to discontinue her education. No matter how much he tried persuading her, she refused to go to high school.

”Isn't it fine, Oppa? It's not like high school is compulsory. I'll just stay at home and take care of you. I heard being a university student is really stressful,” Yeo Ri playfully said, hugging his arm with a sweet smile.

Gun was almost swayed after facing her sweet-talking. He felt warmed by her thoughts, but he was still unreconciled with her decision. ”Fine. It's still not too late for you to change your mind.”

”Hehe, thank you, Oppa,” Yeo Ri giggled at his frustrated expression. She helped him with his tie as a show of goodwill, then gave a small peck on his cheek.

It seemed like her action had improved his mood, seeing as how he was no longer frowning.

”Now let's go. We don't want to be late to your graduation ceremony, after all,” Gun says, grabbing his blazer from the hanger.

He was wearing his school uniform since he didn't have any other formal clothing.

”Yes, yes~” Yeo Ri answered as she added the finishing touches to her outfit. Min Chae had come by a few days ago to deliver the ribbon corsage for the ceremony so all she needed to do was pin it to her uniform, signifying her status as a graduate.

The two headed to the school together.

Finally stepping foot into the school again after a year, Yeo Ri was hit by a sense of nostalgia.

Memories flashed in her mind. She could still remember how awkward it was to walk past the gates because some boys would wait for her there. She remembered how close she was to Min Chae and Jang Mi; they'd play together and eat lunch together all the time. It felt like a lifetime ago since she last experienced those things.