**Chapter 10: "Confronting the Past"**

Minjoo stood outside the school courtyard, her heart racing with anticipation. She had been waiting for what felt like an eternity for the perfect moment to approach Chaewon, and now that the school day was almost over, she knew she had to take her chance. She took a deep breath, smoothing out her skirt and trying to calm her nerves. As she walked through the courtyard, Minjoo scanned the area, her eyes locking onto Chaewon's familiar figure. He was sitting on a bench, staring blankly at the ground, his eyes fixed on some invisible point. Minjoo's heart skipped a beat as she quickened her pace, her legs carrying her towards him as if on autopilot. When she reached the bench, Minjoo hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to broach the subject. Chaewon seemed lost in thought, and she didn't want to startle him. But her desire to talk to him overrode her caution, and she cleared her throat to announce her presence. Chaewon's head jerked up, his eyes narrowing as he took in Minjoo's determined expression. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with tension. Minjoo could see the walls he had built around himself, the defenses that seemed to protect him from the world. But she was determined to break through them, to reach the Chaewon she knew was hiding beneath the surface. "Chaewon," Minjoo said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Can we talk?" Chaewon's expression didn't change, but he nodded curtly, his eyes never leaving hers. Minjoo took a seat beside him on the bench, her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel the distance between them, the unspoken emotions that seemed to simmer just below the surface. As they sat there in silence, Minjoo gathered her thoughts, trying to find the right words to express the emotions that had been building up inside her. She knew she had hurt Chaewon, that she had rejected him in favor of her own desires. But she also knew that she had realized her mistake, that she had come to understand the depth of her feelings for him. "Chaewon, I'm sorry," Minjoo said finally, her voice cracking with emotion. "I'm so sorry for hurting you, for not being honest with you. I was afraid, Chaewon. I was afraid of my own feelings, of what I wanted." Chaewon's eyes flickered, his gaze dropping to the ground as he listened to Minjoo's words. She could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw clenched as he struggled to keep his emotions in check. "I've missed you, Chaewon," Minjoo continued, her voice pouring out her heart. "I've missed you so much. I realize now that I took you for granted, that I didn't appreciate what we had. But I want you to know that I've changed, that I've grown. I know what I want now, and it's you." As Minjoo spoke, Chaewon's expression slowly changed, his eyes rising to meet hers as he listened to her words. She could see the cracks in his defenses, the way his guard was slowly falling. And she knew that she had reached him, that he was finally listening. The air between them was thick with emotion, the silence stretching out like a living thing. Minjoo held her breath, waiting for Chaewon's response, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew that this was it, that this was her chance to make things right. And she was determined to seize it, no matter what the outcome might be. Chaewon's eyes searched hers, as if looking for something. Minjoo could see the vulnerability there, the uncertainty. And she knew that she had to tread carefully, to show him that she was sincere. "Minjoo," Chaewon said finally, his voice low and husky. "Why now? Why did you wait so long to tell me?" Minjoo took a deep breath, her heart racing with emotion. "I was scared," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was scared of my feelings, of what might happen. But I couldn't keep it inside anymore. I had to tell you, Chaewon. I had to try and make things right." Chaewon's eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, Minjoo thought she saw a glimmer of hope there. A glimmer of possibility. And she knew that she had taken the first step, that she had confronted the past and was ready to face whatever the future might bring.