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. 146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9LCJDNZt0
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJ98Hoax4J
You navigate the crowded school corridor, the weight of the final year at high school pressing down like the heavy textbooks in your bag.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH6vGZqBsa
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWts5si3yvH
Each day molds into the next, marked by In-woo's steady stream of demands.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZceMFmrRIH
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPcbe2yvBW
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDDNSDjzsT
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTe4ERMKGN
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?146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s1CsKCPJV
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvF09qAO7tL
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0cn1V9omz
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzbYXCIHPQ
As you walk away, his next words float towards you, as predictable as the setting sun.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToUKvDB3GN
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbgOUD4oTM
In-woo: Oh, and check the homework for errors. You know how I like it done.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RYkBtsLYH
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLWsBqY7x1
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEDB64zJEt
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmh212JhvV
Shin-woo: (Why does he bother? Is it guilt... or something else?)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjLKGeQ9tv
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59hGsjGw1e
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJUNGeRL6Y
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXqPXrfd74
In-woo: Thanks. And remember, I need the project draft by tomorrow.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraUiciYOKe
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFkiIIsopQ
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuifXDNL3Yc
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiLRdiHA3c
Shin-woo: (One day, I won't be doing this anymore.)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAoW8xVTgT
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG1M3k2AFL
But for now, you move to the next class, the taste of the burger bittersweet on your tongue.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AtyeJ1dGr
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4dGV4JBYY
[Transition]146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4Zo68HdnD
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBrpTmaQta
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYtSJze8a8
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcclok0RSp
Shin-woo: (So it's this again. Might as well get it over with.)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFwnT37x9J
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLNLPMQ2UH
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8ctFEMnsP
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd35LIR3Kbv
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OR9unTfVs
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8NmpY058m
Shin-woo: (Maybe today’s the day he decides he’s had enough of my ramblings.)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwlvJGkKYl
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CImcFT4oz
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pjWafIEUN
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD9wHnVGmZ
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?146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD4kGtWUAA
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbha0aictGN
Shin-woo: (Does he find this amusing, or is it just another way to exert control?)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGhCn139QR
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnKoAn0ZBD
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3AWVPhVAb
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckJEGjPlAW
Finally, without a word, In-woo turns and begins to walk away, his departure as silent and enigmatic as his vigil.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhlYPEOgfy
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡew1oX6lCTT
Shin-woo: (What would he do if I just stopped talking one day?)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKRD7CIOhI
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieUqI6q6lj
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxrfmiyt8Q
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAGATCrRm2
Shin-woo: (Would he still find a reason to keep me around if I no longer played the part?)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLycDWdKWqB
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPc8fIOgmBv
With that thought, you step out into the fading daylight, the mystery of In-woo’s intentions mingling with the crisp evening air.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PjMbs3xek
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pyyGvdqzp
[Transition]146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXBB5hfwth
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXhWvbdoAH
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJdDNDmhuc
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwTWoSMoDs
Shin-woo: (Why does he have to be like this? Why can't I just hate him?)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSEs6TlTzI
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzrYvbA2Bi
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHSkvHEVyS
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqd6ba0n9f
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?)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsmZ1RVdFL
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QAIE0FKYf
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleGSB3KV6W
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNe5kwYI1L
Shin-woo: (Why her? What does she have that I don’t? It’s not like I want his kindness, but...)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBBixJVixV
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrARFNLSEn
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1mB08LsdX
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KQJQom162
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.)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubz8woNpNp
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8K3RBZRUS
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Qu0mGyRDc
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgULBK7uyk
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?)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ibXAbzBrS
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7q9VEJOwx
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06dI41DMWk
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPbUceCK3O
[Transition]146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8bZhnz89c
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesDc3kgtmt
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt1Sgm2SK4
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CjA41Qtut
Dae-hyun: Hyeong! Help me make it bigger!146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH4CgQf6d7
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhLaYVG0Yd
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW1mFvnO5s
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMDmyNKVeT
Shin-woo: (He’s always so full of joy. How can he not make my day brighter?)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSE4o0DUnkS
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1U9w4abLt
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvY05gP0a8J
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiapYs0M7ct
Byung-ho: You gotta help me find the treasure, or walk the plank!146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbmuDdmLe7
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLPbtVhSn9
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbp2eBm9B5n
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTDaXfbLVL
Shin-woo: (His imagination is boundless. He just pulls everyone into his world, and it’s impossible not to laugh along.)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGnx5rWqQP
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc8eRjySmA
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wr0isJUbe
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLHVkdTCRr
You approach, leaning over her shoulder to glance at the problem that’s causing her frustration.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnysjgSjH3f
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkz5ErgOWAx
Shin-woo: Need some help?146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuorNBBmXIh
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwXTcRbiwD
Iseul looks up, her expression a mix of relief and stubborn independence.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU44BYhyCl
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ4BVfYa41
Iseul: Maybe just a little. But I can do most of it myself!146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSHyRwjJGj
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM72Ad7dUBU
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsetuQCsjg
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAKeC9eGYx
Shin-woo: (She’s at that tricky age, trying to be big but still needing her big brother.)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKERGG9eAZw
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0Xd7WntOm
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gj6oa0I8W
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJm8ADEcNA
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprO6eLCWrl
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1Fj1f2Fo7
Shin-woo: (This is home. This is what keeps me grounded amidst everything else.)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrneHrRnSzB
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHJNr3pL7P
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERViWIajut
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG1F2u5mCo
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk3QoLXaVx
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNix5SfNzT6
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLjW8fQxmp
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ij7J0M2K0
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.)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOk71xROue2
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmKpn5LoJl
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPmok0yWre
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhxGj1R2OO
Shin-woo: (I don’t want to bother her with my problems. She’s dealing with enough as it is.)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGUSLPedPX
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvKuTXeMis
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. 146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYGGpINWWm
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD1ZzZU1H8
Eun-ho: Yo, you look like you’re thinking too much again. Time to knock that off.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5KSivxEVP
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc1ySTGs5F
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeAs9iLIvr
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcM0Tke3rn
You roll your eyes at his usual teasing, but there’s comfort in it, in the familiarity of his banter.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4gntWxsX7
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVdMSckA16
Shin-woo: (He always knows how to distract me, even when I don’t ask for it.)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnln2c9fLC
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuIi9gWKtO
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq6MfSb0Di
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUNhCiJ8ra
Eun-ho: So, what’s new with your boyfriend, In-woo? Still making you run all his errands?146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa85exH5xGG
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaMWC8wUqd
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5FbiLub4V
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsirOcUAt9f
Shin-woo: He’s not my boyfriend, and you know it.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6ccawuVuD
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeInKRbqkD
Eun-ho smirks, raising an eyebrow.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCUxvF0YoG
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Uj1XyciO3
Eun-ho: Right, right. So, you’re just his unpaid assistant who happens to be head over heels for him?146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7fL3HUElu
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAuXK1vlHE
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl9AWPxWR2
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVpBLtdMdL
Shin-woo: (He’s only teasing because he knows how I really feel… and because he’s probably right.)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWqpKwWIPb
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1HWVU9gEh
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafzxJBouOm
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPJ78Gfemp
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmXuhe0tWU
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfuWP8CtlR
Shin-woo: (He’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t know I needed him.)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpZfdshgUB
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9luVIpFcV5
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6gIVzWAbo
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuZeTKZffx
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdeobb93xU
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TPyYi4Iu1
[Transition]146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ43AjAcvD
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsG4xSmhXf
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9OEr8Mabm
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmQrDnA9iS
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbf8Likgahc
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3axNqhq7yU
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.)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwR6Dh4793s
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WS9YcHGrt
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvlBN1rrpD
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWvOi78TDr
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKZxQBdnJT
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6uN0QDhBv
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.)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQXWRNE4CR
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG16SLPteBX
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC1gu71FH6
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFBL7kFtTf
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXmyOWBO0k
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ocUtZ8U39
Shin-woo: (One day, maybe, I’ll stop hiding this. But not today.)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1QtH8zqnc
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnAzQWqTTb
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUcQqY5NKO
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH51oMkEIx
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]146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW15rCRKcTA
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn9J9XWieF
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. 146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyyuChRzdz
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xUbX3p7fP
Shin-woo: (Let them look. Let them wonder.)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO59qon3LeD
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxgcSnyp2E
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwieMcjn757
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv99mZmaJX
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. 146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPaHqI3UFA
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaGnxrEvmd
Shin-woo: (Look at him... so confident, so skilled. It’s hard not to admire him—harder still not to want him.)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoNw2PsOpL
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjor46wFaW
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHaJOGCwck
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa3Y3nZ7W1
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.)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb4XJ0Pvku
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFNFiqXmRG
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5oZcw9Qln
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7SJcVYN7U
Shin-woo: (Is it just the game, or is there something more in those quick, fleeting glances?)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAzbqqhuCE
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWR65qVAOl
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOXHjwHNiy
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGLtX6KT8B
His chest heaving from exertion, you quickly stand, the towel and water bottle ready in your hands.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNXrHZNltq
His breathing is heavy, his gaze fixed on the towel you hold.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVruc6rBmQ
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8GwyCK4ps
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIt8qz5Vxz
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ua56Pk47Q
Shin-woo: (Every detail about him catches me off guard, pulls me in deeper than I want to admit.)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VZ6d4s75V
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwUWRvkG39
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1NO6elmGk
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8KXLsVYOV
He pauses drinking, a brow arching as he catches your stare, the corner of his mouth twitching in an unreadable expression.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlWe80OQrH
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GmhmVA1rq
Shin-woo: (Caught. Why do I always get caught?)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmz5XUu1mj4
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3AJC6e0OG
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. 146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaL2gvCMWW
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpKbdRyCau
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.)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDs7TPZIhjC
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdzE85hSiF
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz89j39CA9V
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEpHSfV0dK
Shin-woo: (What does he think in these moments? Does he see me... really see me?) 146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduBrAFOpar
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uS7ALMBvU
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NIXxnKACd
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG64RSnGWeO
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUyLcLcCJj
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOC9zgE7e5
Shin-woo: (Just another game, just another win, hopefully.)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsTBmOnV3a
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WCUsCVN7p
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5Gw94rFpu
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVc1KGOBuEV
Shin-woo: (Why can’t he just play the game without making it personal?)146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxA43CAPb36
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19xT4Bbh6P
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzeswA2REs
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JoxmJG4sO
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.146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjnJiZX61e
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaU6ZfijAB7
Shin-woo: (No, no, no... this can’t be happening.)
