Chapter 34: Rooftop Breezes
The rooftop was Hana's escape.
Evening air tugged gently at her hoodie as she sat with her knees pulled up on one of the benches. The city lights blinked to life below—tiny sparks against the deepening twilight.
She heard the creak of the rooftop door behind her.
Jisoo stepped out, two cans of peach soda in hand. "Figured you might need a sweet peace offering."
Hana turned, smiling as he held one out. "Thanks."
He dropped onto the bench beside her, their shoulders almost touching.
"Rough day?" he asked after a moment.
She gave a half-laugh. "Just… long. The kind where everyone's pretending things are normal, but nothing really is."
"Yeah," he said softly, popping his can open. "I noticed."
There was a pause between them—not awkward, just comfortable.
Hana sipped from her drink, the fizz dancing on her tongue. "You're always the first one to notice when something's off."
"I just pay attention."
"To everyone?"
He turned his head toward her, eyes catching hers. "No. Not everyone."
She looked down, flustered for a beat, and then laughed under her breath. "You're unfair sometimes."
"I try," he said with a small grin.
The breeze picked up slightly, carrying the faint sounds of city traffic and a distant siren. Hana closed her eyes for a moment, breathing in the moment.
Then she opened them again. "Do you think… people always know when they're starting to feel something? Or do they just realize when it's already too late?"
Jisoo was quiet for a beat. "Maybe it creeps up. Slowly. Like a song you didn't know was your favorite until you catch yourself humming it."
That made her smile—really smile.
"You've been writing lyrics again," she said, nudging his arm.
"Maybe," he said with a shrug, but his expression softened. "Or maybe I've just been watching someone else figure out her own melody."
She stilled.
That line sat between them, delicate and daring.
Then—
"I think I've been out here too long," Hana said, getting up quickly, brushing her hands on her jeans.
But she wasn't upset—just overwhelmed.
"Hey," Jisoo said gently, standing too. "You don't have to rush."
She gave him a small smile, then turned toward the door.
As she reached it, he called out softly, "Hana."
She turned.
He looked at her for a moment, serious now. "Not everyone sees you the way she does."
"Who?"
"Soyeon."
She blinked.
"She sees you as a threat," he said simply. "But some of us… we just see you."
Her breath caught. Just for a second.
Then the door clicked shut behind her.