Clad in an oversized hoodie, your dark curly hair tumbles forward, concealing your eyes and most of your face, a welcome barrier against the surrounding bustle. 65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3n6RbnLCc
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7tWCyj6i5
You navigate the crowded school corridor, the weight of the final year at high school pressing down like the heavy textbooks in your bag.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVoSaMSbit
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fr1pcfapE
Each day molds into the next, marked by In-woo's steady stream of demands.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKRmBPxWwP
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAUjf8HqG4
He stands by the lockers, his stance casual yet imposing, his face giving nothing away. He catches your eye with a look that pins you in place.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzitsWoXNKQ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ320YUUHdv0
In-woo: I need you to run some errands, grab my lunch, and don’t forget to pick up my math homework from the printer. Make it quick, okay?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcJGRfwPCO
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCIDgub5Ia
You nod, resigned. There's no escaping the routine. Every task is an echo of the years spent under his quiet dominance. You never use your money for his errands; he makes sure of it, a small token that doesn’t soften the burden of your duties.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrhq7Ykbne
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB30jlff4J
As you walk away, his next words float towards you, as predictable as the setting sun.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8aj9JxEZe
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k1aKkkdD8
In-woo: Oh, and check the homework for errors. You know how I like it done.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0P2YNanvSo
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowYI0ZBxoM
The cafeteria is bustling, a cacophony of adolescent energy and the clatter of trays. You fulfill his lunch order, the familiar pang of annoyance softened by the routine discovery of a burger among the items—a small treat he includes, unspoken, for you.
It's a strange, silent concession from him, a confusing gesture that adds complexity to your tangled feelings.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N35cpMUvV
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYWJUfg0Me
Shin-woo: (Why does he bother? Is it guilt... or something else?)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVNp4jrueL
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvYZJ0oGZA
Back at the lockers, you hand him the neatly stacked papers and the food, his fingers brushing against yours briefly, unintentionally. His expression remains unreadable, his eyes not meeting yours.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgPkWLJZP5
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPqstgsjkT
In-woo: Thanks. And remember, I need the project draft by tomorrow.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2YrK3fgJm
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPvFq9aEvE
You turn away, the frustration simmering inside. His indifference is a mask, the reasons behind his actions as obscured as his emotions. Every favor you do, every task you complete, you’re left with more questions than answers.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltO3TPuW6N
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPfXbzegdZ
Shin-woo: (One day, I won't be doing this anymore.)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipk9WwxmcQ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGslelArjuQ
But for now, you move to the next class, the taste of the burger bittersweet on your tongue.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8dE7LPwEH
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzMpEZa6ik
[Transition]65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PDALNdIWI
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1PGb4uNS8
You navigate the quieting halls after your last class, anticipating the solitude of your walk home when you spot In-woo near the old, rarely used art room. It's not a surprise—more of a routine encounter.
He positions himself intentionally in your path, a silent sentinel with an unspoken expectation.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDTPZAU2Zc
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkW5FRDgGh
Shin-woo: (So it's this again. Might as well get it over with.)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u9lBQr9GP
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlHyQ8a4Pi
With no spoken command needed, you walk over, feeling the invisible tug of his presence. This enforced ritual has turned into a personal challenge for you to fill his silence with a flood of your daily trivialities, hoping to drown him in the mundane details of your life.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85NAwrEspP
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9sfRZbBq5
Today, you launch into an animated recount of your younger sibling’s latest antics, the words pouring out in a relentless stream.
He stands there, a stoic figure, giving nothing away as you chatter about the mess at breakfast, the chaos of getting everyone out the door, and the comedy of errors that followed.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtzCvd732Q
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcqYl7zxRH
Shin-woo: (Maybe today’s the day he decides he’s had enough of my ramblings.)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULUDDRDeus
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZcgXkNBA9
Your monologue drifts to the more tedious aspects of your day—how you nearly fell asleep in history class, the peculiar smell of the school cafeteria, or the peculiar way your pen keeps leaking.
It’s a litany of the profoundly ordinary, delivered with a hope that maybe, just maybe, he’ll grow tired of these one-sided sessions.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2apPZGwoab
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyug98Bzqs
Despite your efforts, In-woo remains as impassive as ever, his face a mask of indifference. Is he even listening, or are you just background noise to him?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlJ2Za8g9a
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpJprEGunC
Shin-woo: (Does he find this amusing, or is it just another way to exert control?)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj35GkSME6l
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUCEwM1pIs
As the corridor empties, leaving echoes in its wake, your stories begin to run dry. You look at him, trying to gauge any sign of boredom or irritation, but his expression is unreadable—locked away behind a façade of detachment.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFS2QpGBex
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKbm4PsCC3
Finally, without a word, In-woo turns and begins to walk away, his departure as silent and enigmatic as his vigil.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTthUjWNKgh
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hma67YHTx
Shin-woo: (What would he do if I just stopped talking one day?)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6buZ0ccMe
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAFmiUiczc
You watch him disappear around the corner, the weight of unspoken questions lingering in the air. Picking up your backpack, you start towards the exit, pondering the peculiar form of attention he gives you, wondering if it means more than you realize.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPwQQZO0iO
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6Td4cXUfp
Shin-woo: (Would he still find a reason to keep me around if I no longer played the part?)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiEPF0d2VW
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhpt7p3Ws2
With that thought, you step out into the fading daylight, the mystery of In-woo’s intentions mingling with the crisp evening air.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRwZ0yGhRP
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vaHntOKrc
[Transition]65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a2aa3Ihdg
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQBOLzbFg7
You stride down the school corridor, your thoughts swirling with the conflicting emotions that have haunted you through the years. The echoes of your footsteps mingle with the whispers of your internal turmoil—a constant battle between disdain and desire.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2XybPWryI
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZpCjMZA9E
Shin-woo: (Why does he have to be like this? Why can't I just hate him?)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYz9JvP0xQ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NUX9zE9TM
As you pass by, your eyes catch sight of In-woo in the library, helping a younger student reach a book on a high shelf. His movements are graceful, effortless.
His face, usually so impassive when he looks at you, softens with a smile that doesn't reach his eyes but lights up his features all the same. The sight tugs at something deep within you.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8haZsWEgF
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxx7UNvDPP
Shin-woo: (Look at him... even when he smiles, it's like he's not really there. But it's enough to make my heart skip, isn't it?)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXSaO0d7oj
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLOi8bCRKU
You lean against the lockers, watching him interact with her—a stark contrast to how he treats you. The girl giggles, thanking him, and he nods with a trace of that unreachable smile.
As they part ways, your heart tightens, the familiar pang of jealousy and longing squeezing tightly.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmJvmiksrM
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3WGyWAzyg
Shin-woo: (Why her? What does she have that I don’t? It’s not like I want his kindness, but...)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FJWnP3lOt
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIehghGlbi
The bell rings, pulling you from your reverie, but the image of his gentle smile lingers in your mind. You push off from the lockers, forcing your legs to move, dragging your tangled emotions along the tiled floor.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhm8ovClIV
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdhL6yRwXj
Shin-woo: (He's so confusing... so frustrating. I hate how much I pay attention, but I can't stop. It's like being stuck in a loop, always back to square one with him.)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLFAX6zUT8
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVgZ1iO8Nh
As you turn the corner, your eyes inadvertently search for another glimpse of him, a habit you despise yet indulge in every time. The complex weave of your feelings tightens with each sighting, each casual interaction he has that you witness from afar.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsRQf1bvIb
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ025naF0O8u
Shin-woo: (And every time he's kind, every time he smiles at someone else, it feels like a small betrayal. Why do I even care? Why can't I just turn off these feelings?)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRa681D9y7r
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6E6GAKq4wM
You head to class, the weight of your unspoken questions and unresolved emotions clouding your mind like a fog that refuses to lift. Each step is a reminder of the turbulent journey through your schooling years, marked by the paradox of resentment and yearning, never quite settling on either.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6xG3gav4R
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXyghg8HTS
[Transition]65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2C9KOqHhp
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1OpGQdopJ
Saturday morning unfolds slowly at your home, the air filled with the laughter and occasional squabbles of your younger siblings.
As you step into the living room, your eyes immediately find Dae-hyun, 5 years old, constructing a fortress out of cushions on the sofa. His eyes light up when he sees you, and a grin spreads across his face.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sRuPstzJ0
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyWNCs3nuD
Dae-hyun: Hyeong! Help me make it bigger!65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05UWtxJ3yN
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUUqzUEaWx
You can’t help but smile at his enthusiasm, bending down to assist him with his architectural endeavor. His small hands clumsily adjust the cushions you strategically place, his giggles infectious.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXftu6HIAVD
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN7V13M9CJ
Shin-woo: (He’s always so full of joy. How can he not make my day brighter?)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47Xn1b1j6m
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHxq1StpUz
Next, you find Byung-ho, 6 years old, engrossed in a makeshift game of pirates, his toy sword swishing through the air as he navigates the treacherous carpet seas. He spots you and immediately recruits you as his first mate.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkslbeAoWC
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKeMpAR9rs
Byung-ho: You gotta help me find the treasure, or walk the plank!65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3IbfAKDu0
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIF8BmJDNh4
His expression is stern, but the twinkle in his eyes betrays his playful spirit. You join his game, following his lead as he outlines the rules with the seriousness of a sea captain.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bbUPeOArC
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1t8oLIftE
Shin-woo: (His imagination is boundless. He just pulls everyone into his world, and it’s impossible not to laugh along.)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTWXmKnwVg
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphfGi5eH28
Meanwhile, Iseul is at the kitchen table, working on her homework but clearly struggling to focus. Her brow is furrowed, and she occasionally scribbles something, then sighs heavily—a pre-teen of 8 years old wrapped up in the drama of schoolwork and growing up.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjNpqP0XLm
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtTcwXDudK
You approach, leaning over her shoulder to glance at the problem that’s causing her frustration.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH0bfQBgyZ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKAsYoYEDv
Shin-woo: Need some help?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMgHx6F1mo
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw1oxkuYlm
Iseul looks up, her expression a mix of relief and stubborn independence.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIHEZT4FGs
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWP67zFxgj
Iseul: Maybe just a little. But I can do most of it myself!65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckGfTd1MBt
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LofIBjhD5
Her tone is a blend of the capricious pre-teen attitude you’re starting to see more often, but her eyes are grateful that you’re there to help.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtFPq6ok1M
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFL2cMPlCC
Shin-woo: (She’s at that tricky age, trying to be big but still needing her big brother.)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUomO6ogS8L
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2ZRW74w6j
As you sit down to guide her through the math problem, explaining the steps with patient gestures, Dae-hyun clambers into your lap, snuggling close. The warmth of his small body and the focus on Iseul’s homework encapsulate the dual role you play in their lives—protector and mentor.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypgfavNkgH
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LTVVrWo9g
Byung-ho’s victorious shout as he ‘finds’ his treasure fills the room, blending with Iseul’s relieved “Ah, I get it now!” and Dae-hyun’s contented sigh as he begins to drift off to sleep in your arms.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6U8GWwpaL
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLG6EIEi2T
Shin-woo: (This is home. This is what keeps me grounded amidst everything else.)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBlVKOQdrJ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81MPzP7BeJ
You balance the weight of your youngest brother in your arms with the weight of your family’s needs, the love you have for them making every challenge worthwhile.
Time passes quietly as you hold Dae-hyun close, his breathing deep and steady as he sleeps against your chest. The day drifts into a peaceful lull, the quiet moments with your siblings grounding you.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxhNurpNRn
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUCZIYylWs
Eventually, the stillness of the afternoon is broken by the soft creak of the front door. Your mom slips out quietly, heading off to another long shift, her departure a familiar routine. The door closes with a soft click that echoes through the now-quiet apartment.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dhXFiqASp
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYl3KYoWjs
It’s a sound you’re all too familiar with, one that signals the start of another stretch where she’ll be at work, trying to keep everything together for the family.
The weight of her absence sits heavily on your shoulders, a reminder of the responsibilities you’ve taken on since your dad passed away four years ago.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMRIS7xfQm
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Vrrn4UXJT
Shin-woo: (She’s always so tired… She never complains, but I can see it. I just wish she didn’t have to work so hard.)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoydGSIBKNe
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nxhlxLnf2
You glance around the small apartment, now eerily quiet without the usual hum of activity. It’s moments like this when you miss your mom the most—not just her presence, but the way she used to laugh more freely before everything became about surviving.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn4HWlyzj5
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOAc6uazX0
Shin-woo: (I don’t want to bother her with my problems. She’s dealing with enough as it is.)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVvML3ZVyW
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46GyF7UIoU
Your thoughts are interrupted by the familiar knock at the door. You already know who it is before you open it. Eun-ho, your childhood friend, stands there with a grin that could rival the sun.
He doesn’t need an invitation, stepping inside like he’s done a thousand times before. 65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1I1oZo1TP
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RbliacVNf
Eun-ho: Yo, you look like you’re thinking too much again. Time to knock that off.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmxV6svcJW
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcysStIJVKh
He drops his bag by the couch, plopping down like it’s his own home. In many ways, it is. The two of you have spent countless weekends and holidays here, filling the silence with laughter and mischief. Eun-ho’s presence always has a way of lightening the atmosphere, his energy infectious.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOoa2MYQjo
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtQ7MG0alq
You roll your eyes at his usual teasing, but there’s comfort in it, in the familiarity of his banter.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yUr6lH8oW
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23QVw0utsg
Shin-woo: (He always knows how to distract me, even when I don’t ask for it.)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfH1DmA4lbn
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzRW5aps4p
You join him on the couch, and he immediately starts goofing around, poking you in the ribs until you’re both laughing like kids again. This is your escape—a brief reprieve from the worries that usually occupy your mind.
He throws an arm around your shoulders, his voice dropping into that playful tone he uses whenever he wants to get a rise out of you.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwFgRLr3Gv
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXdROqBcIk
Eun-ho: So, what’s new with your boyfriend, In-woo? Still making you run all his errands?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Xdyr7mOsj
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR4eZVjRkl
You freeze for a second, shooting him a glare, but it lacks real heat. He’s the only person who knows about your complicated feelings for In-woo, and he’s never let you live it down.
But you also know it comes from a place of understanding, not judgment.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8JFXthUpT
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaxuS5B7xU
Shin-woo: He’s not my boyfriend, and you know it.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXkdOhRvx9
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46nSFoWlYp
Eun-ho smirks, raising an eyebrow.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIbLvc3ewc
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2i34GBRGQo
Eun-ho: Right, right. So, you’re just his unpaid assistant who happens to be head over heels for him?65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOzuMT8noF
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPRYhhGbOr
You groan, leaning back against the couch, trying to will away the flush that creeps up your neck. He’s relentless, but that’s just who Eun-ho is. He knows how to push your buttons, but it’s also his way of showing he cares.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRp5sKsyGF
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15N7wq9fsS
Shin-woo: (He’s only teasing because he knows how I really feel… and because he’s probably right.)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbT9zPqtp6
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSypdxi4ZZt
The two of you settle into your usual routine—talking about everything and nothing, playing video games, and just enjoying the rare moments of peace when life doesn’t feel so heavy.
It’s these weekends that remind you you’re not alone, even when it feels like the world is on your shoulders.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKkDjhmR8f
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh8pHpdMRZ
As the evening draws on, Eun-ho eventually falls asleep on the couch, his arm draped over his eyes to block out the light. You watch him for a moment, the steady rise and fall of his chest calming your own racing thoughts.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2CSoxH3QL
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTAI4skuGo
Shin-woo: (He’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t know I needed him.)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgN0s7X0a2
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZDVIrrL2I
You pull a blanket over him before heading to your room, the apartment now filled with the quiet sound of Eun-ho’s soft snores.
It’s not much, but these moments are enough to keep you going, to remind you that, no matter how tough things get, you’ve got someone in your corner.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hAhkU9D19
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIT9mPomHs
And with that thought, you let yourself relax, knowing that tomorrow will bring its own challenges, but also knowing you won’t be facing them alone.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVX4waPq4Z2
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV8ZZD44KY
[Transition]65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLenxUkzYq
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs4BvubMOT
It's spring, the season when the world outside bursts into color and life. As if on cue with the blooming flowers, In-woo has his own ritual.
Today, like many times before, he leads you to the old cherry blossom tree on the edge of the school grounds. The air is cool, but the sun dapples through the branches, casting playful shadows on the ground.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lJkMN0lOW
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD7zyU3NmE
In-woo stretches out beneath the tree, his back against the grass, eyes closed in a serene expression. You settle next to him, not as relaxed, your body tense as you pretend to gaze outward at the scattered petals.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8nt630vvP
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLgAl7U66v
Shin-woo: (Every spring it’s the same, but I never tire of it. It’s the one time I can just look at him, really look, without fear of being caught.)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIC5pdO8ZFF
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7X9HwdaB3
You shift slightly, turning to steal a glance at In-woo. His features are softened by the gentle sunlight, making him look almost peaceful, a stark contrast to his usual stoic demeanor.
The setting is almost too picturesque, him lying there without a care, and you sitting guard, watching over his repose. Your hair falls forward, a convenient veil that completely conceals your face from curious onlookers, allowing you to gaze at him unnoticed.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNF6UAyXqe
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE94tGMkrS3
His chest rises and falls with a rhythm that lulls you into a sense of tranquility you only find here, in these moments. Your heart beats a little faster as you allow your eyes to trace the lines of his face—the curve of his jaw, the gentle arch of his brows.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzdzf7B4U2
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYJ5l40zqD
Shin-woo: (He’s like some character from a story, too perfect to be real. And here I am, close enough to know it’s not all just a façade.)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5P2oQrjOy
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXqfdprFI5
Your hand inches closer to his, a subconscious desire to bridge the gap between fantasy and reality. But you stop halfway, pulling back before a touch can break the spell.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyv1u7CgFX
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl8Hb0Yp2D
In-woo stirs slightly, his eyelids fluttering but not opening, and you quickly avert your gaze, focusing on a random point on the ground. Your heart hammers in your chest, worried for a moment that he caught you staring.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXIiQe6qPM
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKppEVUHI52
Shin-woo: (One day, maybe, I’ll stop hiding this. But not today.)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHe9Qu5Jev
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW9oq5yhS4
You draw in a deep breath, the scent of cherry blossoms filling your lungs, and settle in to enjoy the tranquility of the moment, however fleeting it may be.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o6pDsSsDH
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAadZxXij7
The fleeting serenity of your spring ritual with In-woo comes to an abrupt end as he springs to his feet, full of energy.
With a characteristic tug at your sleeve, he pulls you along to the next event of the day—a basketball match against a rival high school. In-woo's school has never lost to this team, thanks largely to his prowess on the court.
[Transition]65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5AVVKDahq
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4utH8D6kvM
You follow him to the gym, your role during these games well-practiced. You find your usual spot in the front row, armed with a bottle of water and a towel, essentials for In-woo during his breaks.
As you settle down, you feel the weight of numerous stares. Jealous glances from both girls and boys slice through the air towards you, their envy palpable. 65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxqdtxBnuR
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKS7gT99bC
Shin-woo: (Let them look. Let them wonder.)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgXqz1SXur
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwg2PAIm5B9
Your lips curl into a smirk, one that doesn’t quite reach your eyes but serves its purpose. It's a small rebellion, a silent assertion of your place by his side, even if the nature of that place is misunderstood by onlookers.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj9G2rdBqQ
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAithXY3qX
As the game starts, In-woo transforms. On the court, he is not the stoic, unapproachable figure you spend your days with but a dynamic, almost untouchable force.
Each movement he makes is fluid and precise, his athleticism on full display. You can’t help but be captivated. 65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldAYMBYRi3
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YlxHwAkw7
Shin-woo: (Look at him... so confident, so skilled. It’s hard not to admire him—harder still not to want him.)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKSkP1WbjR
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIRpGeZ7kV
Your smile widens as he scores yet another basket, his team pulling further ahead. The crowd's cheers swell around you, a tumultuous sea of excitement and energy, but your focus remains solely on In-woo.
His shirt clings to him, damp with sweat, outlining muscles that shift and flex with every move. The sight sends a warm thrill through you.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SwdkGv91A
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj837eWX71c
Shin-woo: (He’s incredible. Not just as a player... but just him. Every time I think I’ve got my feelings under control, he does something to show me I’m far from over him.)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwmbwsGDIP
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWADP35un7n
You clutch the water bottle tighter, anticipation building with each pause in the game when you know he’ll jog over to you for a quick refresh, his face alight with the thrill of the game, eyes finding yours for that brief moment that seems to stretch and bend in the air between you.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVsMeiB88p
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEsAkMTeGc
Shin-woo: (Is it just the game, or is there something more in those quick, fleeting glances?)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLP4jXTfDV
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lJsB3du4E
The whistle blows, snapping you out of your reverie, and he jogs over again, that same determined, competitive gleam in his eyes that somehow softens just a fraction when he looks at you.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vVgvUYePb
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LJNfg5H97
His chest heaving from exertion, you quickly stand, the towel and water bottle ready in your hands.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtMuXC5Uno
His breathing is heavy, his gaze fixed on the towel you hold.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ7QGIp0aj
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ2HctmUXP
You hand him the towel first, watching as he wipes the sweat from his forehead and neck, his movements precise and calculated. There's an intensity to his actions, a focus that he carries from the court to even the simplest tasks.
You then offer the water bottle, and as he takes a long drink, your eyes are irresistibly drawn to the motion of his Adam's apple, tracking each swallow with a fascination you can't hide.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlg3hfMuuIL
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MRilUXexM
Shin-woo: (Every detail about him catches me off guard, pulls me in deeper than I want to admit.)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojAymJ3F2i
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeigE9bv2w
A droplet of water escapes, tracing a line down from the corner of his mouth to his neck. Your gaze follows the path of the water, lingering a moment too long.
Unconsciously, your tongue flicks out, wetting your own lips as if you could taste the salty sweetness of his effort from across the air between you.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDJMBauW8X
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7nXM6qHCr
He pauses drinking, a brow arching as he catches your stare, the corner of his mouth twitching in an unreadable expression.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCGoic3SAP
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FLqtjT6PM
Shin-woo: (Caught. Why do I always get caught?)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdxDYCPhSE
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQqSf48fMj
His look is a mix of amusement and a challenge, a silent question about what exactly you find so captivating. Flustered, you scramble mentally, looking away briefly before meeting his eyes again, an attempt to regain some composure. 65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6g6ZfT5C1
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiwVtDM8YH
Shin-woo: (Focus. He’s just a guy. Just a guy who happens to throw my world off its axis every time he looks at me.)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBIqqtiZeU
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriRMHF00Ln
As he finishes drinking and hands back the bottle, the moment stretches taut between you. There’s an acknowledgment in his glance, a recognition of the unspoken tension that always seems to dance just on the edge of your interactions.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewevnaCjot
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl33QU1oPv
Shin-woo: (What does he think in these moments? Does he see me... really see me?) 65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiMgBfGxds
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pEu3rQnXn
He returns to the game without another word, leaving you to ponder the brief encounter, your heart pounding a little too loudly in your chest.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OVMr50qYe
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTwdlAbtmR
The game resumes with its usual fervor, the crowd’s energy palpable as the players dart back and forth across the court. You watch, half-lost in the ebb and flow of the match, your nerves tight each time In-woo handles the ball.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVJUSQAex8
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrTDv8X2jK
Shin-woo: (Just another game, just another win, hopefully.)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiGFkZDTIz
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnj8U26LUv
Your focus sharpens as Dylan, a notorious rival from the opposing team, enters into a direct contest with In-woo.
You know Dylan by reputation and unfortunate personal experience; he's the type who bristles at being overlooked, and his interactions with you have been uncomfortably forward, always trying to catch your eye with a wink or a smirk during games.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrMtNKmayz
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrw8qwJ8dzf
Shin-woo: (Why can’t he just play the game without making it personal?)65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQBNlNv4nT
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjfiaT7avC
Today, Dylan's antagonism is more palpable than ever. His taunts seem louder, aimed not just to unnerve In-woo but to draw a reaction from you as well.
However, In-woo, ever the stoic, ignores him, focused solely on the game. This only seems to infuriate Dylan further.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VI9gcbkRk
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCQwwc0asR
As the tension on the court builds, a sudden movement catches your eye—a deliberate, aggressive shove from Dylan. In-woo, caught off-guard, stumbles backward, his balance lost.
The world seems to slow down as In-woo's head makes a sickening thud against the metal basketball post. He crumples to the floor, motionless.65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ENmXb12k2
65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0CasH2y97
Shin-woo: (No, no, no... this can’t be happening.)
