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. 43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdA4Fv3mpW
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1pOa6sGbU
You navigate the crowded school corridor, the weight of the final year at high school pressing down like the heavy textbooks in your bag.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6BrQB7FfI
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbupFZvCF3M
Each day molds into the next, marked by In-woo's steady stream of demands.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg5xcivRc1
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8GKT4pjVm
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fKMZBYG0H
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55J6o89urx
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?43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwyBUN9TLg
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPqxrdzKHf
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtuqR8pptp
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqsBjUjAlC
As you walk away, his next words float towards you, as predictable as the setting sun.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDPTwLfjz3
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sGaU6eODI
In-woo: Oh, and check the homework for errors. You know how I like it done.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXM6nn9EWge
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7x6M7lvu4
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfUreBS745
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcGjqG5Qqq
Shin-woo: (Why does he bother? Is it guilt... or something else?)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYYR8veQau
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aEyQojuze
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9Ql6Mon6e
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSrMKrsRym
In-woo: Thanks. And remember, I need the project draft by tomorrow.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWGM7Idk0C
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ5zpRPVk3
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdADYzazUeb
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxC09b0KSxP
Shin-woo: (One day, I won't be doing this anymore.)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKxar4BiYK
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlJn3RpLo2
But for now, you move to the next class, the taste of the burger bittersweet on your tongue.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG11Cu6LLz2
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWOuT4uf5m
[Transition]43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gHSYBGumA
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkjnVxgmoW
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvG73iNh0A
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s4E22U4Pk
Shin-woo: (So it's this again. Might as well get it over with.)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uR1pG0U9h
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK27HFjWv4n
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aGw3Bke8E
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1Z9ebUc0G
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZW6l1nfNAR
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VwA6woXWK
Shin-woo: (Maybe today’s the day he decides he’s had enough of my ramblings.)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldfCdYnb8H
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNj1gMNZIu
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiT3oH4hMUv
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRnkKrol8n
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?43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIupJ0B8ZXk
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi43IsVr9aj
Shin-woo: (Does he find this amusing, or is it just another way to exert control?)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5x3QMoPLf
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOy54hF1IT
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24ih2n3lpv
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE0GZ0ShOW
Finally, without a word, In-woo turns and begins to walk away, his departure as silent and enigmatic as his vigil.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i95EJ0KIp
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHTRJdCU8n
Shin-woo: (What would he do if I just stopped talking one day?)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrapRKItco
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1gW5aP79X
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Y1Gznf4dN
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnq1N65Uwk
Shin-woo: (Would he still find a reason to keep me around if I no longer played the part?)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyW1NkWlmg
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaJE0s75fh
With that thought, you step out into the fading daylight, the mystery of In-woo’s intentions mingling with the crisp evening air.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbaNAQJBtu
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl5qSB6lUe
[Transition]43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ39u5FED2m
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0R3IHMgpzW
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7B8HxUQyFc
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpaL2gG5Kx
Shin-woo: (Why does he have to be like this? Why can't I just hate him?)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKf58eVoDhc
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefEOjyrOeq
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuS4S01MVQ
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUm8ZhEWF6
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?)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtNqSDUKbS
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjK6nTzcjdZ
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYxXIQ2D3W
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVds6ldiDQ
Shin-woo: (Why her? What does she have that I don’t? It’s not like I want his kindness, but...)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T7tlfNT96
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupL3eo1zti
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZVJPHJTyo
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bYcXJK2pK
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.)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFoPeodjgF
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoIfKYOl8n
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXsdUNzVx1
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXLZpNI9wL
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?)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyD6m9Q3Un
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTjJofRAYN
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4dnOg9FOV
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNEfdG5M1U
[Transition]43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47yQLMQlLN
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMknl2E4Hm
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeG3ZBQ9K0
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT6g4N1Yc8
Dae-hyun: Hyeong! Help me make it bigger!43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOizlmEJwc
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoASAMR18T
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7tuS0KLIn
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKwgBoECM3
Shin-woo: (He’s always so full of joy. How can he not make my day brighter?)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXAExZFFns
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45hRppymC1
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwjSGWFWjl
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl54LfQ5t3A
Byung-ho: You gotta help me find the treasure, or walk the plank!43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ugyqf5FSY
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSh4ubfz8zI
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqDkXDT3zm
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPksIfWCY5F
Shin-woo: (His imagination is boundless. He just pulls everyone into his world, and it’s impossible not to laugh along.)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k5TtTtaBU
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9pMpebE7m
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSzI8p3IJv
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrRI7Qz8c6
You approach, leaning over her shoulder to glance at the problem that’s causing her frustration.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryF09Ewv8Y
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kYQOc4WSq
Shin-woo: Need some help?43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCW5AdhfH7
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2HvHCMRBT
Iseul looks up, her expression a mix of relief and stubborn independence.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIhZYr80rb
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmwaoDEwKR
Iseul: Maybe just a little. But I can do most of it myself!43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD583CLcpck
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQUmIkZfNi
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX0Q08CG4y
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LLZiQwcMs
Shin-woo: (She’s at that tricky age, trying to be big but still needing her big brother.)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMf2bIik2S
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyllM6ig9K
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq16tr34Vs
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs46997RYIL
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4GTgRhHiE
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQemRky2qNn
Shin-woo: (This is home. This is what keeps me grounded amidst everything else.)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2LpycDxId
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kJWxuRvct
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLLSLGs76p
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7V8Ovg9NdP
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxL5ycuqaA
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0qQ8xduDM
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4vHBFVkkG
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlA4v6m3e9
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.)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxx3tznE64X
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyRX0rlHSI
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcScQUa7a1K
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAQbqDWzcD
Shin-woo: (I don’t want to bother her with my problems. She’s dealing with enough as it is.)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TF1QoyF2e
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ON3N0OcDo
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. 43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsIvKN8DS9
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhYKSGp5je
Eun-ho: Yo, you look like you’re thinking too much again. Time to knock that off.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPKWTBTa7J
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQwXfAkWYP
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8EWrbI3Yg
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWMR34YN54
You roll your eyes at his usual teasing, but there’s comfort in it, in the familiarity of his banter.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcQNVGgB8z
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWazxjn2jjS
Shin-woo: (He always knows how to distract me, even when I don’t ask for it.)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEFlSlT0w3
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVoI8qH2Ar
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0VIKlfvul
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnQsUNjayR
Eun-ho: So, what’s new with your boyfriend, In-woo? Still making you run all his errands?43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DQsWMChxS
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVEX5LPhkx
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HSpNGABSK
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwm5k5G2su
Shin-woo: He’s not my boyfriend, and you know it.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5A1XnwSlCk
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxdmOgqqtu
Eun-ho smirks, raising an eyebrow.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UOOD33h1e
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNSOzp3hcS
Eun-ho: Right, right. So, you’re just his unpaid assistant who happens to be head over heels for him?43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYv5Sewwt3
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsvWdlyzGE
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yewVMZ2bS
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5YxIdScdN
Shin-woo: (He’s only teasing because he knows how I really feel… and because he’s probably right.)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9Lmj5Ll2a
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdl0ALM8dYc
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOOfwMZKpN
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj28cZO6bDm
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf3c4rtcXw
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9EhqRsKxU
Shin-woo: (He’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t know I needed him.)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZdfkEpXAE
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbQQfFrSUD
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWSQo6qlwV
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlKiC1D4gR
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41aCPK7ZEC
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEXIB9KtpA
[Transition]43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIL8x8Rgb0I
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sdCaAWRhO
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkAjZ0eHTT
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJORtYebbmA
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsJEmODthP
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2nOvHiNB7
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.)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvJNr5euSv
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgcHS5PqO6
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXMsfHHNnM
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8YpFzlaTR
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39XazIEd5S
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vdIQrDEdg
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.)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKAsLuU5kM
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfGlxRpwgs
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2kulluW1f
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJrsSOkbJ3
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qT7ZghWCq
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIUBgYNZOw
Shin-woo: (One day, maybe, I’ll stop hiding this. But not today.)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOxktWGgi4
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8r7zvLqkg
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRhkiWRS3o
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIhfTMjXhb
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]43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeeLKtmXOt
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UTJln56Mj
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. 43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWkEdgFGK0
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLg6772Ztd
Shin-woo: (Let them look. Let them wonder.)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMvyM8K8oW
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp696P0Wf9
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZkygJsh3A
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6gXWOLz2l
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. 43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaXDbS8ICz
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjebWiLqYt2
Shin-woo: (Look at him... so confident, so skilled. It’s hard not to admire him—harder still not to want him.)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN48BGfLW6q
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0I7uokA7b
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKkBn8JuZc
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2EVoMIx2e
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.)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucTLWPl0La
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7ApdIxDhV
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrlbjOLUWD
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxI3prGwyC
Shin-woo: (Is it just the game, or is there something more in those quick, fleeting glances?)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFh1rIpL9eY
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ155V2tMpp2
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDRhvy5OTj
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHcR5gJyLt
His chest heaving from exertion, you quickly stand, the towel and water bottle ready in your hands.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIgVUnQk9m
His breathing is heavy, his gaze fixed on the towel you hold.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLQqHdeqS7
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipEnUmimc6
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtqVR46WPa
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPztqQ0FcO
Shin-woo: (Every detail about him catches me off guard, pulls me in deeper than I want to admit.)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0QUHdhiPa
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtJN5COK4h
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF22xrvpHP9
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡND1ITujmII
He pauses drinking, a brow arching as he catches your stare, the corner of his mouth twitching in an unreadable expression.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrQPHf6rSs
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EEZTzjpYM
Shin-woo: (Caught. Why do I always get caught?)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9sMGr4C7D
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4nRtAp18v
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. 43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYuyUvf8VL
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQGizeo43s
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.)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKBjesO1NP
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5j98BSdEi
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJZSOeQGrW
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvWrEU8mql
Shin-woo: (What does he think in these moments? Does he see me... really see me?) 43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlN6eMRhh6i
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mZhRszhuL
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs4Q7Qsjz9
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvi2siQXzC
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08t9iQI72G
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJo1Txbuey
Shin-woo: (Just another game, just another win, hopefully.)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfZrjtQlaT
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wGAWoZAXC
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqYYVdjB6B
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPKWeTNugn
Shin-woo: (Why can’t he just play the game without making it personal?)43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOZWQ0o052
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9biPRC5ufh
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt45uLFRoph
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAO883be3M
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.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvNtiHrXjL
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7EKvPxahS
Shin-woo: (No, no, no... this can’t be happening.)
