The First Step

The days that followed were nothing short of surreal for Ji-eun. She tried her best to navigate her new reality without drawing too much attention. It wasn’t easy. Her sudden interest in Jae-min had already sparked whispers among her classmates. Ji-eun Kang, the wealthy heiress who usually kept to herself, was now seen sitting with the quiet scholarship student during lunch breaks and occasionally walking with him after school.

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Ji-eun found herself waiting outside the library one afternoon, knowing Jae-min would show up to study. The warm spring air carried the scent of blooming flowers, and Ji-eun smiled faintly, marveling at how vivid everything felt compared to her memories.

When Jae-min arrived, he looked as he always did—slightly disheveled, with his bag slung over one shoulder and a stack of books in his arms. He froze when he saw her.

“You’re here again,” he said, a hint of suspicion in his voice.

Ji-eun nodded, brushing off his skepticism with a grin. “I thought you might need a study buddy.”

Jae-min’s brow furrowed. “You don’t strike me as someone who studies much.”

Ouch. Ji-eun laughed awkwardly, realizing she couldn’t argue with that. In her previous life, academics had been the least of her concerns. She had relied on her family’s wealth to breeze through life, something she now regretted deeply.

“Maybe not before,” she admitted, “but I’m trying to change.”

Jae-min’s expression softened slightly, though he still seemed wary. “Why?”

The question caught her off guard. She hesitated, searching for the right words. “Because I realized I’ve been wasting my potential. And… I think I can learn a lot from you.”

Jae-min stared at her for a moment before sighing. “Fine. But don’t expect me to do all the work.”

Ji-eun grinned, feeling a flicker of hope. This was progress.

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Over the next few weeks, Ji-eun made it a point to spend more time with Jae-min. At first, their conversations were brief and awkward, limited to schoolwork and the occasional small talk. But slowly, the walls between them began to crumble.

She learned that Jae-min worked part-time at a convenience store to help support his family. His father was a factory worker, and his mother ran a small laundromat. They didn’t have much, but Jae-min spoke about them with pride and love.

Ji-eun found herself drawn to his sincerity. In her previous life, she had been surrounded by people who only cared about appearances and money. Jae-min was different. He was grounded, hardworking, and genuine—a stark contrast to the shallow world she had once inhabited.

One afternoon, as they walked home together, Ji-eun couldn’t help but ask, “Do you ever feel bitter about… you know, not having as much as others?”

Jae-min glanced at her, his expression thoughtful. “Sometimes,” he admitted. “But my parents taught me to focus on what I do have, not what I don’t. Besides, feeling bitter won’t change anything.”

Ji-eun was silent, struck by his perspective. She had spent so much of her life chasing things that ultimately didn’t matter, only to find herself empty and regretful.

“You’re amazing,” she said before she could stop herself.

Jae-min blinked, clearly caught off guard. “What?”

“Nothing,” Ji-eun said quickly, her cheeks flushing. She looked away, embarrassed by her sudden outburst.

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Despite her growing feelings, Ji-eun couldn’t forget the purpose of her regression. She wasn’t here to fall in love—not yet, at least. She was here to make things right, to ensure that Jae-min didn’t have to carry all the burdens alone.

But the more time she spent with him, the harder it became to separate her intentions from her emotions. Jae-min’s quiet determination and subtle kindness were chipping away at the walls she had built around her heart.

And though he didn’t say it out loud, Ji-eun could tell that Jae-min was beginning to see her differently too. The cautious smiles, the way his gaze lingered on her just a little longer than necessary—they were small, almost imperceptible signs, but they meant the world to her.

For the first time in her life, Ji-eun wasn’t chasing after status or approval. She was chasing after something far more precious: a connection worth fighting for.

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