A Glimpse of the Past

The weeks passed, and Minhyuk found himself slipping deeper into the monotony of his school life. His routine had become almost mechanical: wake up, go to school, sit through the lessons, eat lunch quietly at the back of the cafeteria, and then head home to draw or read in silence.

Though Seoyeon and Yujin occasionally interacted with him, the conversations felt hollow. They were polite, even friendly, but there was a distance between them—one that Minhyuk couldn’t quite bridge. He was a ghost in their world, never quite part of their lives.

However, something changed one chilly afternoon in early October. Minhyuk was sitting in the school library, tucked away in a corner, as he always did after class. He preferred the solitude, the quiet hum of pages turning around him. He had become more comfortable in this space, his sanctuary away from the bustling halls of Seonghwa High.

It was then that Seoyeon found him.

“Minhyuk,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she approached his table.

Startled, he looked up, momentarily disoriented by her presence. She stood there, looking down at him with a curious expression.

“Oh,” he muttered, adjusting in his seat. “Hi, Seoyeon. What’s up?”

“I was just wondering what you were reading,” she said, peeking over his shoulder at the book in his hands. It was a thick novel, one he’d been carrying around for weeks but hadn’t managed to finish. “You always seem to be buried in books.”

Minhyuk smiled awkwardly. “I like reading. It helps me relax.”

Seoyeon tilted her head. “What’s it about?”

“It's a historical fiction novel,” he said, almost shyly. “About a man who time-travels to ancient Korea. It's... kind of complicated.”

“Sounds interesting,” she said, her tone a bit more engaged than usual. “I never really have time to read books like that. My schedule is always packed.” She hesitated for a moment. “You seem different from most of the people here. Quiet. Focused. I like that.”

Minhyuk’s heart skipped a beat at her compliment. “I’m just... I don’t know. I don’t really like standing out.”

Seoyeon nodded thoughtfully, her eyes lingering on him for a moment longer. “Well, I think that's nice. Not everyone has to be loud or be in the spotlight to be noticed.”

The sincerity in her words surprised Minhyuk. For the first time since moving to this town, he felt like Seoyeon wasn’t just being polite. She actually saw something in him that others didn’t.

Before he could respond, Yujin suddenly appeared by the table, her arms full of her textbooks.

“Seoyeon,” she greeted, her usual aloofness softened by a faint smile. She turned to Minhyuk, who was still caught off guard by Seoyeon’s unexpected kindness. “You’re still reading? You’re probably the only one here who does it for fun.”

Seoyeon laughed lightly. “I guess I need to learn a thing or two from him.”

Yujin raised an eyebrow. “You? Reading? That’s a stretch.”

“Hey, I’m a multi-faceted person,” Seoyeon teased, though her smile remained genuine. “We should all make time for things we enjoy, even if it’s just for a little while.”

Yujin didn’t say anything, but her expression softened. For a moment, Minhyuk could sense the tension between the two of them. It wasn’t hostility, but something unspoken—like they were both trying to figure out how they fit into each other’s lives.

“So, Minhyuk,” Yujin spoke up after a brief silence, “Are you going to the festival tomorrow? It’s pretty big. I heard there’s going to be a performance. You should come, at least for a little while. Maybe you can sketch something while you’re there.”

Minhyuk blinked, surprised by the invitation. “Uh... I hadn’t really planned on it.”

Seoyeon glanced at Yujin, who was already walking away. “It’s not a bad idea,” she said, her voice thoughtful. “You don’t have to stay the whole time. But maybe it would be good to step out of your comfort zone for once.”

Minhyuk was torn. He didn’t want to go to an event where he didn’t know anyone, where he’d likely feel out of place. But at the same time, Seoyeon’s suggestion stirred something inside him. Perhaps she was right. Maybe he needed to start breaking down the walls he’d built around himself.

The next day, after school, he found himself standing outside the entrance to the festival. The sound of music filled the air, blending with the laughter and chatter of students. Minhyuk hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. He scanned the crowd, hoping to find a familiar face. It didn’t take long for him to spot Seoyeon, who was chatting with a group of friends by the food stalls.

“Minhyuk!” Seoyeon called out, spotting him from afar. She waved him over with a bright smile. “I’m glad you made it!”

He approached cautiously, feeling out of place in the sea of people. “I didn’t expect it to be this crowded,” he admitted, glancing around at the various stalls and performances.

“Yeah, it’s always like this,” Seoyeon said, her voice light. “But hey, you’re here, so that’s what matters.”

As she spoke, Minhyuk felt something stir within him. For once, he wasn’t invisible. He was here, in this moment, with people who seemed to care just a little bit. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to make him believe that maybe—just maybe—he could find his place here.

Seoyeon led him to one of the benches, where they sat and watched the performances unfold in front of them. The sounds of music, laughter, and voices filled the air, and for a fleeting moment, Minhyuk felt like he belonged. He wasn’t just the quiet transfer student anymore; he was part of something, even if it was just for a little while.

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