The Pen That Changed My Life - Chapter 18 – The Answer I Didn't Expect

11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIF66WUDNn

The pen became part of Narin's daily routine.

Every morning, when he took out his books, he also took out the black fountain pen.

He used it to write notes.

To solve math problems.

Sometimes, he simply spun it between his fingers while listening to the teacher.

Every time I saw it, I smiled to myself.

He really liked it.

That was enough for me.

A few days later, our history teacher asked everyone to exchange notebooks for marking.

By chance...

Mine ended up with Narin.

He flipped through the pages quietly.

"You really don't make mistakes, do you?"

"I do."

"I haven't found one yet."

"Keep looking."

He laughed.

"I don't think I need to."

When the notebooks were returned, he stopped beside my desk.

"You have nice handwriting."

"Thank you."

"I wish mine looked like yours."

"It isn't that bad."

"It looks like ants had a meeting on the paper."

I couldn't stop myself from laughing.

"There it is again," he said.

"What?"

"You're laughing more these days."

I looked down at my notebook.

"Am I?"

"You are."

That afternoon, the teacher announced another group activity.

This time, every group had to prepare a short presentation.

As everyone moved their desks together, one of Narin's friends called out,

"Narin, come join us!"

Before Narin could answer, the teacher interrupted.

"No changing groups."

He looked toward me and shrugged.

"Looks like I'm with you again."

"You don't sound disappointed."

"I'm not."

He smiled.

"I think we make a good team."

I felt my cheeks grow warm.

"I'm just organized."

"And I'm not?"

"You said that, not me."

He laughed so loudly that the teacher looked over.

"Narin."

"Sorry, sir."

The class chuckled.

When school ended, we stayed behind to finish the presentation.

The classroom slowly emptied until only the two of us remained.

The silence felt comfortable.

Narin suddenly stopped writing.

"Can I ask you something?"

I looked up.

"What is it?"

"Do you trust people easily?"

The question surprised me.

"I don't know."

"I think you don't."

"Why?"

He tapped his pencil against the desk.

"Because you've known me for months now..."

"...and you're still careful with me."

I thought about his words.

He wasn't wrong.

I wasn't afraid of him.

But opening my heart—even as a friend—had never been easy.

"I've always been like that," I admitted.

He nodded slowly.

"I figured."

He smiled.

"That's okay."

"I can wait."

I frowned slightly.

"Wait for what?"

"For the day you trust me completely."

He said it so casually that it sounded like an ordinary sentence.

But for some reason...

Those words stayed with me all the way home.

I didn't know why someone would willingly wait for another person.

Back then...

I believed he was talking about friendship.

I didn't realize his heart had already begun waiting for something much deeper.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqQbAgLxEz

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