“Some people smile because they’re happy.
Others smile because they want someone else to be.”
The final bell rang.
Students poured out of their classrooms like water escaping a broken dam.
Jiwoo stretched her arms.
“…Freedom.”
Jisoo looked at her.
“You said the same thing yesterday.”
“I mean it every day.”
Heosok slung his backpack over one shoulder.
“You’re acting like school is prison.”
“It is.”
“For books, maybe.”
Jiwoo replied.
“I’ve never seen someone lose an argument against homework as often as you.”
“Homework started it.”
Jisoo sighed.
“I don’t even want to know.”
The six of them walked toward the school gate together.
Well…
Almost six.
Yongi was walking a few steps behind, reading as usual.
Jeheon noticed.
“…Does he ever stop reading?”
Heosok laughed.
“Only to turn the page.”
As if on cue—
Yongi turned another page.
Jiwoo smiled.
“I think one day he’ll accidentally read while sleeping.”
Without looking up from his book, Yongi answered,
“I’ve never tried.”
The group burst into laughter.
Even Yongi looked confused.
“…What?”
As they reached the front gate…
Jiwoo suddenly stopped.
“Oh!”
“I almost forgot.”
“Forgot what?”
Heosok asked.
“I’m supposed to meet someone.”
She looked across the street.
Then waved enthusiastically.
“Over here!”
The group turned.
A girl stood beneath the shade of a tree.
She wore simple clothes and carried a small shoulder bag.
As she walked closer…
Everyone froze.
Heosok blinked once.
Then twice.
“…Not again.”
Jisoo smiled knowingly.
Jeheon quietly looked from Jiwoo…
…to the girl…
…then back again.
The resemblance was unmistakable.
Jiwoo laughed.
“I probably should’ve mentioned this earlier.”
She gently took the girl’s hand.
“This is my twin sister.”
The girl gave a small, polite bow.
“Hello.”
“My name is Zaizai.”
Her voice was calm.
Gentle.
Completely different from Jiwoo’s cheerful energy.
Heosok scratched his head.
“Why does everyone around me suddenly have a twin?”
Jiwoo pointed at him.
“Jealous?”
“A little.”
Jisoo rolled her eyes.
“Ignore him.”
“I’ve been trying.”
Zaizai smiled softly.
“It was nice meeting all of you.”
Yongi finally closed his book.
“Nice to meet you.”
Zaizai nodded politely.
“And you.”
Jeheon smiled.
“Jiwoo talks about her friends a lot.”
Jiwoo’s eyes widened.
“Hey!”
“I do not.”
Zaizai looked at her sister with a teasing smile.
“You do.”
“When?”
“This morning.”
Jiwoo covered her face.
“…I suddenly don’t remember this conversation.”
Everyone laughed.
For a moment…
It felt like nothing in the world could disturb such an ordinary afternoon.
Then…
A light breeze passed between the sisters.
Jiwoo laughed loudly at another one of Heosok’s terrible jokes.
Zaizai laughed too.
But only after looking at Jiwoo first.
Jeheon noticed.
Just for a second.
It wasn’t strange.
Not really.
Just…
Different.
He couldn’t explain why.
So he said nothing.
The group continued walking together until they reached the crossroads.
Jiwoo smiled brightly.
“See you tomorrow!”
“Don’t be late.”
Jisoo called back.
“I’ll think about it.”
“You won’t.”
“I won’t.”
Jiwoo laughed.
She and Zaizai walked down a different street together.
For a while…
Neither sister spoke.
Then Zaizai quietly glanced at Jiwoo.
“…Did you have a good day?”
Jiwoo smiled.
“The best.”
Zaizai smiled back.
“I’m glad.”
The two sisters continued walking side by side.
As the evening sun stretched their shadows across the road…
Neither of them noticed…
A black car parked quietly at the end of the street.
Its driver watched them for a long moment.
Then…
Without a sound…
The car disappeared into the traffic.