His response hadn’t even made his friend’s expression change. It was as if he hadn’t spoken at all. Although, the Bo-ah did worm its way through to him. It felt as if he had stood next to a warm fire, just for a moment. It wouldn’t sway him. Nor would the bribery (which he recognized as the ploy it was) of snacks.

The selfish part of him that still remained wanted to cling to Jin for as long as possible. But he hadn’t been strong enough to turn down Ha-Eun either. His own selfish need to be cared for kept providing excuses for why he should stay put for her. And now, she was gone.

“Go. Home.” He said again, more firmly this time, fists clenched to keep himself from reaching out for Jin’s still outstretched hand. “I don’t want you here.” It wasn’t entirely the truth, but it wasn’t a lie either.