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. 141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE70NEuwva
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPU8AHDKhc
You navigate the crowded school corridor, the weight of the final year at high school pressing down like the heavy textbooks in your bag.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxHmvqSJZv
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVofkhRb1P
Each day molds into the next, marked by In-woo's steady stream of demands.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAwzdYAPZk
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vK2aOZOmS
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp6oVAtBJm
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFuMqElJI8
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?141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJS3z7dVr0
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqoe7nCREe
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreFUL8MrSS
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RFxA9ek7f
As you walk away, his next words float towards you, as predictable as the setting sun.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrop8jz0jz
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXXBreo66w
In-woo: Oh, and check the homework for errors. You know how I like it done.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCvdXXiwEf
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER2N2A9iZv
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWK7y2lFXq
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9SSdwovmJ
Shin-woo: (Why does he bother? Is it guilt... or something else?)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmieDSyH4o
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWSFP8wsjV
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHcrSvsFPb
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n6PCFzpPN
In-woo: Thanks. And remember, I need the project draft by tomorrow.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MhGLTcniT
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeii6P2Hvs
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nWH0TK6rV
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB74MxVgGl5
Shin-woo: (One day, I won't be doing this anymore.)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCaHzyAaNB
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYVS5sR6aA
But for now, you move to the next class, the taste of the burger bittersweet on your tongue.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTlU81e6AG
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3nSOfuC4u
[Transition]141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6BC7GKj7N
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7fex9jJAe
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4NuxLhov1
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFg4hBGDqiO
Shin-woo: (So it's this again. Might as well get it over with.)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EitxFF47m
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCgzh8lRdX
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtdDbdwNtM
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6EZ0IN5Ic
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZXrIm6UT4
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzaIu6GkAC
Shin-woo: (Maybe today’s the day he decides he’s had enough of my ramblings.)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgpWyANF34
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiXYtWYhq8
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmz2UKkHj0z
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQVxYLSl2D
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?141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1D1eBz1opz
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzAmWOplwL
Shin-woo: (Does he find this amusing, or is it just another way to exert control?)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnwpw1ewFE
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRTqI98BRv
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyYFXw5HnG
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8QCtBOhI3
Finally, without a word, In-woo turns and begins to walk away, his departure as silent and enigmatic as his vigil.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzK1DCffli
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUftFB78Bv
Shin-woo: (What would he do if I just stopped talking one day?)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1HFltZddg
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ceUe6VNqC
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkVQXLRAwi
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLxx4OVtFU
Shin-woo: (Would he still find a reason to keep me around if I no longer played the part?)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gAlmjZCTm
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHiAxgJPrs
With that thought, you step out into the fading daylight, the mystery of In-woo’s intentions mingling with the crisp evening air.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWT3gaThSX
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqpkfu8kBk
[Transition]141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9N6Kg9EuH
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepefTrg3tX
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDVn67UdBu
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2N1fOrk8jp
Shin-woo: (Why does he have to be like this? Why can't I just hate him?)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAFV2NgqQk
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBlUEA5r28
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2eDYZhNHt
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfWEs2ElkC
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?)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEjNdrqr9j
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Dud3ypYeq
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4p4MOX52w
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjqCbcm10N
Shin-woo: (Why her? What does she have that I don’t? It’s not like I want his kindness, but...)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6RAYDnpbI
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURUDGfDqQ6
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH8wAcYrjF
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgAJkmiLmm
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.)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17QG0uzdVa
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Mk9eQdaij
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6LGkE8iPI
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhmtqVnWBf
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?)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZ5PsW89bu
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1icM4BpWxx
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8X9mRebkw
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtupoLGPDZ
[Transition]141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJBDJ6yf4I
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseQGllLWcp
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8JgEJccjO
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMYaBgsSUV
Dae-hyun: Hyeong! Help me make it bigger!141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65JUaMus0c
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczMxeSICem
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkItDqhzN2
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxXuW8GqVa
Shin-woo: (He’s always so full of joy. How can he not make my day brighter?)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrAUWu9E1a
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xlrlqL1Kr
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmUa4EieR7
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84sD1yqFO7
Byung-ho: You gotta help me find the treasure, or walk the plank!141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hquLolwfQ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMpP7SYxTn
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVEj6d1Y7Y
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gKkSRYgPS
Shin-woo: (His imagination is boundless. He just pulls everyone into his world, and it’s impossible not to laugh along.)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXN7aEPuoga
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYP3MCHP7p
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXAZpYNwKN
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFqPJzBwyr
You approach, leaning over her shoulder to glance at the problem that’s causing her frustration.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7H9w6LTLv
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxfgITk4Vm
Shin-woo: Need some help?141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TrCfk45Cf
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyWd4LUXTm
Iseul looks up, her expression a mix of relief and stubborn independence.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKWzTAx5rR
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGCKwY2PRF
Iseul: Maybe just a little. But I can do most of it myself!141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadD0PsyIjq
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgnS2ohZrh
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOwwksYPXk
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcQwKBibhF
Shin-woo: (She’s at that tricky age, trying to be big but still needing her big brother.)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvRGff1d1k
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxJKDXnriP
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4GCGkYVTi
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYkGEJrT5o
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0StdvP7y6
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjJoqkL1jy
Shin-woo: (This is home. This is what keeps me grounded amidst everything else.)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuL53JWGIj
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6wk41NK37
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAiQQhIUR9
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiZcpuc5I8
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTblQtt1WU
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBR5XKUty0
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBj2JzCcCX
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3FT7IQAJS
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.)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjRoFhUQUp
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSghLNZ8TeK
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QSx1ZNam6
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiy1O3l4pKr
Shin-woo: (I don’t want to bother her with my problems. She’s dealing with enough as it is.)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogCBR7TlVg
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCvCbFprER
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. 141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4yWfEIzvh
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRGMFwOTBQ
Eun-ho: Yo, you look like you’re thinking too much again. Time to knock that off.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMcm2Bg5kP
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKL6DveDABM
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcXQgi0jAU
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE4g1XvJDj
You roll your eyes at his usual teasing, but there’s comfort in it, in the familiarity of his banter.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNea8GcC8lP
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCdxoDSh02
Shin-woo: (He always knows how to distract me, even when I don’t ask for it.)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYnC52UWCz
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibzGVpMaY2
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm2CxDllk7
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZcbQ92iUk
Eun-ho: So, what’s new with your boyfriend, In-woo? Still making you run all his errands?141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJwumWRb7W
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISUhZKHM7Z
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbYYcSm8CD
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJgrPwZ4rO
Shin-woo: He’s not my boyfriend, and you know it.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCj7qj8e6fA
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdy1axtkfr
Eun-ho smirks, raising an eyebrow.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZh1qPJhAK
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eFr6xkLPv
Eun-ho: Right, right. So, you’re just his unpaid assistant who happens to be head over heels for him?141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjJktaGdcT
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbZ9Fbjihb
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81AaJ7YNgy
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvuMAJsCPX
Shin-woo: (He’s only teasing because he knows how I really feel… and because he’s probably right.)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53yKajp1KW
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnulsPlVGM8
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAvL5sIoIb
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRNpFAGlLl
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvXcjJDOcQ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSzJcdmaUB
Shin-woo: (He’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t know I needed him.)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8m5VQcOQa
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNl5JIeVd6
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTm3Y1YAi8
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JQsiAjLNQ
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJju5vz0lB
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuIorMOqRi
[Transition]141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaQUs6pVMm
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5E97Ncuio
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYW5l7TdqIy
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgeXUdfDbu
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvXzSJz3EO
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSG54iiYfuT
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.)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGy7tB2gQB6
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaVD5XQKux
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYECDmO0dB0
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kUwtCVq51
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzrS13QK4X
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoJKBiabNt
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.)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKm3mx9cUZy
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQlROs8GXs
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsDddf7rLD
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQfuOQC08B
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD3yQIDQMD
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheEYcGfnYr
Shin-woo: (One day, maybe, I’ll stop hiding this. But not today.)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ527u9ct3Sj
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyR7IDiMRP
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6S0jPn195
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYk5OPH4H9u
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]141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19blcv6JHt
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7luGH8fUNO
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. 141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKY89xjUSG
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe842o0SEQ
Shin-woo: (Let them look. Let them wonder.)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFozvhs7U1b
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWfXgHrLyG
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVdRKgobgb
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps7ZiC2Htb
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. 141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMQA51YHOy
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVFT1PVn82
Shin-woo: (Look at him... so confident, so skilled. It’s hard not to admire him—harder still not to want him.)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqc1nskrrE9
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYuvwc7pAa
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR18U0Tn7Pj
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaawmIEYxec
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.)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulyuM3htj7
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2s87sh1XX
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxoxq9fQkv
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIHMUWWaig
Shin-woo: (Is it just the game, or is there something more in those quick, fleeting glances?)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDRBmwWVg7
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Wy4GDSXUJ
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqokVcIoY8x
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllYdUh8E9G
His chest heaving from exertion, you quickly stand, the towel and water bottle ready in your hands.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OieA9CZwp
His breathing is heavy, his gaze fixed on the towel you hold.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXkIvdP6Ik
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvaXgZOlbS
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2TICjWCbL
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoJlgPvzYI
Shin-woo: (Every detail about him catches me off guard, pulls me in deeper than I want to admit.)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1MPSWqV61
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2Sj9hhnRz
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvykoAbi6iG
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATJkpER5go
He pauses drinking, a brow arching as he catches your stare, the corner of his mouth twitching in an unreadable expression.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yDrJZ2GWD
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJui1PPHvF
Shin-woo: (Caught. Why do I always get caught?)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVc2ZAn8yt8
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg99YiTUjuj
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. 141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFykkifNrV
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiEdlT552H
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.)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKDQRwIkrl
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUSpWuabso
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0VTSf4pxr
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92g7282iFM
Shin-woo: (What does he think in these moments? Does he see me... really see me?) 141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZAGCBl1Ep
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7WGHtT4wd
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTPs731FPu
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWoYAktOaX
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgRKWVJC0I
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqfFZip399
Shin-woo: (Just another game, just another win, hopefully.)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGQJnGwrRQ
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyLyCiOXyJ
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOU2BTgOpy7
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJavKA5FOI
Shin-woo: (Why can’t he just play the game without making it personal?)141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2s0wU3Bsm
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpbIhSSo7b
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jZdK5z9WP
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1NUVAHWPC
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.141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPP9aKUKqx
141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJP4naCpmi
Shin-woo: (No, no, no... this can’t be happening.)
