MISSING EXAM

The morning of a day off. The sun had just risen, its warm light streaming through my bedroom window. The air was still cool, carrying the faint scent of morning dew from outside.

The clock on my phone showed 08:00.

Suddenly, the ringing of a phone shattered the silence. An unknown number appeared on the screen.

I frowned, trying to recall. It felt... like I had seen this number before. As my mind traced back to a few nights ago, my breath hitched. Right. This was the number that had sent me a message. The same one that had tried to call me that night.

My fingers hesitated over the screen. I paused for a moment, debating whether to ignore it. But when the phone rang a second time, for some reason, I answered it.

“Hello?”

Silence.

Then, a voice. Not unfamiliar.

I tensed. Not because of the sudden volume from the other end, but because I recognized the voice.

“Come out,” he said, his voice deep and slightly hoarse. “I’m in front of your house. Get ready. I don’t like waiting.”

I turned to the window. The curtains were still drawn, but my heart pounded. Slowly, I stepped forward and peeked through the gap.

And there, under the morning sun, stood a figure I knew all too well.

Do Hwan.

So, was it really him who sent me that message that night?

"I'm tired."

The more I got to know this guy, the more I

wanted to know about him.

---

After getting ready, I went downstairs and immediately saw Do Hwan standing beside his car. His arms were crossed, and his face looked impatient. The moment he saw me, he started complaining.

“You took forever to answer the phone, and even longer to get ready.”

I sighed, trying to stay patient. “Sorry,” I said shortly. But I wasn’t going to take all the blame. “But this isn’t entirely my fault. You didn’t even tell me we had a study group today.”

He raised an eyebrow, clearly unwilling to back down. “I told you.”

“No, you didn’t.” I narrowed my eyes. “Proof?”

He opened his mouth, then closed it again, as if realizing I was right. I smirked in victory, but my attention quickly shifted to the car he had brought.

Wait… a car?

I eyed him suspiciously. “Since when do you know how to drive?”

He shrugged casually. “For a long time.”

I stepped closer, squinting at him. “You don’t even have a license yet, do you?”

He sighed, clearly getting annoyed. “You’re overreacting.”

“Of course, I am! I don’t want to die young just because you want to show off your driving skills.”

Before the argument could go on, my father’s deep voice called out from the door. “What’s with the noise?”

I turned quickly, while Do Hwan immediately put on a polite expression. “Sorry, sir. I just wanted to take Narin to a study group at a café.”

Dad looked between us, then finally nodded. “Be careful on the road. I’m heading to work now.”

I stared at my dad in disbelief. “Dad! He’s driving without a license—”

Dad raised a hand, cutting me off. “No more complaints. Just go now.”

I clicked my tongue in frustration, but I had no choice. Reluctantly, I got into the car, and Do Hwan grinned in victory before starting the engine.

---

I stayed silent during the ride.

The sound of the car engine filled the quiet space between us. Every now and then, I stole a glance at him—his calm expression as he focused on driving.

For some reason, my thoughts drifted back to the unknown number that had messaged and called me that night.

I remembered the voice on the other end clearly. It sounded exhausted, yet strangely mysterious.

"I found you."

I bit my lip, feeling a strange unease settle in my chest.

I wanted to ask. I wanted to confirm whether he was really the one who contacted me that night. But every time I opened my mouth, hesitation held me back.

If I asked, would he answer honestly?

Or would he just change the subject like he always did?

In the end, I chose silence. I didn’t say anything. I didn’t ask anything.

I just sat in the passenger seat, letting the quiet linger between us.

---

Once we arrived at the café, we immediately opened our books.

To my surprise, Do Hwan was actually quite patient while teaching me. His explanations were clearer and gentler than I had expected. But every time I struggled to understand something, he would tap my head with the tip of his pen.

I pouted and rubbed my head. "You don’t have to hit me."

"And you don’t have to be this slow at understanding. The final exams are coming soon. You don’t want your scholarship to be revoked, do you? Exam fees are expensive."

I frowned. "How do you even know I’m a scholarship student?"

"The whole school knows. The top two students are scholarship recipients, and you’re ranked second. You’re smart, but also kind of stupid."

I scowled but decided not to argue. He was taking the time to tutor me, after all. With a sigh, I just nodded and muttered, "Fine, I’m sorry."

After a few hours of studying, we finally took a break.

As I sipped my drink, Do Hwan suddenly leaned back in his chair and said, "Come with me later."

I raised an eyebrow. "Where to?"

"I need to buy a gift."

I nodded in understanding. "Oh? For who?"

He took a sip of his coffee before replying casually, "For a woman."

I froze.

A woman?

The first name that popped into my head was—Hana.

Lately, they had been getting closer. They started exchanging messages more frequently. And if Do Hwan was now buying her a gift, that must mean he was serious about her, right?

I forced a small smile. "Alright."

I didn’t mind. Of course, I agreed. After all, Hana was my best friend. I should be happy for her.

I tried to keep smiling, pretending not to be bothered. “I heard that giving a gift can increase someone’s chances of being accepted.”

Do Hwan glanced at me, his expression unreadable. “Is that so?”

I nodded quickly. “Hana will definitely like it.”

He didn’t respond right away, just sipped his coffee slowly.

“Do you really think so?” he finally asked, his voice faint.

I let out a small laugh, trying to ignore the strange feeling creeping into my heart. “Of course.”

---