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. 281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFu5KWfTYJM
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDy7iIIhm3
You navigate the crowded school corridor, the weight of the final year at high school pressing down like the heavy textbooks in your bag.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTUIDo0cmz
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZOZc8XPRh
Each day molds into the next, marked by In-woo's steady stream of demands.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrREpnw465h
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemQ98R2K3L
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBP8VVebcU
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcVByUsuCc
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?281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Oc7dewYe2
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9trSQR0FV5
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoRTlIUzrI
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmgPELAtMW
As you walk away, his next words float towards you, as predictable as the setting sun.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEybnGzVjwr
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubYHIa8Kdl
In-woo: Oh, and check the homework for errors. You know how I like it done.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtud6Kr7AQ1
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6ytw3k5XM
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHnvG7rlvx
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXVVN5uTi8
Shin-woo: (Why does he bother? Is it guilt... or something else?)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3r12gD1af
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIYk4kt6gh
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDC34Iku4B
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmVsnNGOv3
In-woo: Thanks. And remember, I need the project draft by tomorrow.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL6x8U0FtC
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KZv3UQXnC
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu38koUueHV
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpLqFuxvEN
Shin-woo: (One day, I won't be doing this anymore.)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRy7cd1pNV
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42slMpzWuu
But for now, you move to the next class, the taste of the burger bittersweet on your tongue.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyxiYadVu6
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjweoejxVec
[Transition]281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYmNND1AFK
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGjrLUj5pn
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKm1fGxBQC
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm5ojYH5oT
Shin-woo: (So it's this again. Might as well get it over with.)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9K7izj4Sj
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3iLxBWbpR
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj8pgAm4uG
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi8vgSl2Px
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdde59b6YYe
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW02evL1yA
Shin-woo: (Maybe today’s the day he decides he’s had enough of my ramblings.)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5ynMJNcr8
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCU0ipePfR7
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHEPTNceUA
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fRAu0GonB
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?281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezvQJw9aM7
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba5y9v5gci
Shin-woo: (Does he find this amusing, or is it just another way to exert control?)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yWkZ1cY1l
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbPzzRGwtA
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIE213yiFX
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT20oNtj8Q
Finally, without a word, In-woo turns and begins to walk away, his departure as silent and enigmatic as his vigil.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx8sy0oY8P
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Wj7zOV3k6
Shin-woo: (What would he do if I just stopped talking one day?)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjd0XorBjF
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb396NibqgM
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DM3wa1UNr
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7s26dm3iM
Shin-woo: (Would he still find a reason to keep me around if I no longer played the part?)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPM5hOCQzr
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYSjWq3dbw
With that thought, you step out into the fading daylight, the mystery of In-woo’s intentions mingling with the crisp evening air.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjX1yPwrYFn
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTepLLJV2S3
[Transition]281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyw6IgQwhje
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XfYqWTHbt
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LNgydjy1Z
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkksSiEhEOm
Shin-woo: (Why does he have to be like this? Why can't I just hate him?)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHFQNIvUSs
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QFQmUJdPt
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwD6qMZUTY
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DvEazVdQN
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?)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB9wwoqkPm
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDIQwDPFQ7
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EQNP4h7HY
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJEyMSOvYU
Shin-woo: (Why her? What does she have that I don’t? It’s not like I want his kindness, but...)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJvtYrOov1
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBe52N1ZJZ
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1t7Qrqu1d
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMvPRw8gwA
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.)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwIT4vml6i
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGkLPFKYlT
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBleLdqyE57
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSA4J1fSobV
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?)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqRjO5W5zP
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxt5rmu1qbb
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCIcV3tsRS
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHa10IRCpX
[Transition]281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5PDtzLn1X
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00UuRMFeIU
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgcUenTruL
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmog1iauIq
Dae-hyun: Hyeong! Help me make it bigger!281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWgviMalwE
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlPdXzuBhj
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY03d9si4p1
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXetsvXNfqM
Shin-woo: (He’s always so full of joy. How can he not make my day brighter?)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68rlnVbxPY
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEEUurBzoR
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7kcM84kaE
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7gMolZ2J7
Byung-ho: You gotta help me find the treasure, or walk the plank!281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrESuevXK6
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kZjD8GLIa
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JNCv25PV2
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1B6oHVz2w
Shin-woo: (His imagination is boundless. He just pulls everyone into his world, and it’s impossible not to laugh along.)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRk9Vb7Z52
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VUQVNwV6V
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DNkGRj3NI
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsfFBOBkM2
You approach, leaning over her shoulder to glance at the problem that’s causing her frustration.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb4OY3ftqP
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5c8A0kKAQm
Shin-woo: Need some help?281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJegmgSv7V
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gsdRmLOgY
Iseul looks up, her expression a mix of relief and stubborn independence.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qS75zE9kF
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONfdjo6fu2
Iseul: Maybe just a little. But I can do most of it myself!281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamGZwl3WgQ
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkeq1Dymp6
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Nt3ClMBv0
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVabWx9ki4u
Shin-woo: (She’s at that tricky age, trying to be big but still needing her big brother.)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dPfBKwLGy
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uyz1aUtxn
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgdS3nPR6F
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhHtmPwxrl
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7zXfQPISO
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjwp8FZYOc
Shin-woo: (This is home. This is what keeps me grounded amidst everything else.)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0e82lbcdw
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYvR3GTqX1
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVnFm6iRTA
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZ3rFYDpL0
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KrpBTwBUy
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAQaWDmiXD
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgAkZp2UkZ
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIcKLyYC8J
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.)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPuoe2in2g
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZAaZDjTrA
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeL4Ss1KZ0
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYm3MpEbGqn
Shin-woo: (I don’t want to bother her with my problems. She’s dealing with enough as it is.)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTge9Fl82L
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMl4HQqmT0B
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. 281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ8q2ZOe0U
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYUgeMKx9T
Eun-ho: Yo, you look like you’re thinking too much again. Time to knock that off.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlct2706qS
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvqVrSwyu7
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7reGmYy68
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8L6E6aElL
You roll your eyes at his usual teasing, but there’s comfort in it, in the familiarity of his banter.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1jSoBNbmq
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4cTUJstCt
Shin-woo: (He always knows how to distract me, even when I don’t ask for it.)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4xxKddI1H
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uR8fvRPVg
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvseSDjhtSj
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUts15XC3t
Eun-ho: So, what’s new with your boyfriend, In-woo? Still making you run all his errands?281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aGYGDFMxC
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpUAuNsSrg
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mksU9BgJ6
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuEGHqEiHl
Shin-woo: He’s not my boyfriend, and you know it.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB2sHwm4FH
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucB5lUwZEZ
Eun-ho smirks, raising an eyebrow.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLf1ePTPHR
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIaEDKGJ8R
Eun-ho: Right, right. So, you’re just his unpaid assistant who happens to be head over heels for him?281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkAnZUhG00
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdo22Inn00Q
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTPaWYaMnM
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvi3sdov1b
Shin-woo: (He’s only teasing because he knows how I really feel… and because he’s probably right.)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYzpDTHMSB
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfk3sjIIfx
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYa46CnIFr
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnK2ke5RaW
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNQiRVmFmp
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrk3NDi3UU
Shin-woo: (He’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t know I needed him.)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkk23ziEn7R
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZXS9b6WmM
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Lf4P8WaSR
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0LpUzTS24
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphiVQnGQRC
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYkwrGBQMy
[Transition]281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡempNJ4UrhG
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBY0wFjc5Vq
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzKqp96mVA
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0J0vnFEyO
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtccpFTQOUn
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9zHcCtFwM
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.)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXb8GYdjYq
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoQfEjv8nI
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylHm0qWbBA
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhAtQuAg94
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO9rAhP7be
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4inCwfdgeT
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.)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HpQyh1BMl
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMIZWeEROw
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTxBHct0G9
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsi3kuRRey
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaE2geqfvWN
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kMy0uTPJi
Shin-woo: (One day, maybe, I’ll stop hiding this. But not today.)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1t2GHm55e9
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuoX3y3AHi
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLcrCoyUem
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzOAEr0KCf
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]281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDIZCHCccn
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPAD1Ys9qH
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. 281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI03O9ttqa6
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4jldl9PjB
Shin-woo: (Let them look. Let them wonder.)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkXESEds2K
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRFEerWec5
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dRk84CPV2
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhEARJgQYn
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. 281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK7FAZbl4d
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiIcOP7VxX
Shin-woo: (Look at him... so confident, so skilled. It’s hard not to admire him—harder still not to want him.)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjZ2qEmYYS
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtx6xY7Y2qI
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwqr1X8Vby
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGxm3OA5wt
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.)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncdVAxtrQa
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGO2CLshRk
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qMibisCGC
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzzan5KjW8
Shin-woo: (Is it just the game, or is there something more in those quick, fleeting glances?)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH78nbZOh4
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYEHQt9vEC
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAB8GhAQZb0
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUQt4zvQRR
His chest heaving from exertion, you quickly stand, the towel and water bottle ready in your hands.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlUlG9qjBj
His breathing is heavy, his gaze fixed on the towel you hold.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbsCy92auo
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuUSwGgU2g
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vgnsRirGn
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2ZjPIbuXO
Shin-woo: (Every detail about him catches me off guard, pulls me in deeper than I want to admit.)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDnTdEv3Oy
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOSYpqJiGj
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwyCMtTDQm
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MsD3fWlNK
He pauses drinking, a brow arching as he catches your stare, the corner of his mouth twitching in an unreadable expression.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbqYh9Ho42
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdW9GAa36t
Shin-woo: (Caught. Why do I always get caught?)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5S6aqJIaa
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnDFnITPmr
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. 281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKhNwajnVn
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2jxjPP8s6
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.)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMltpcQQBCp
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMazo6dtVp
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4PWs94O4n
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhaiXHRHct
Shin-woo: (What does he think in these moments? Does he see me... really see me?) 281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtCR3Iwlef
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejcaWPkaoN
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOi2QJjitS
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyoGbVzGnR
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDAEIUteXl
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsZshm2HwS
Shin-woo: (Just another game, just another win, hopefully.)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZWc0Q91FG
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUBAdrEa0u
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzdmEneBml
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKcz0l0PF5
Shin-woo: (Why can’t he just play the game without making it personal?)281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDa6hk7B8H
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CJZEfwh8Q
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUjFqzS3Zb
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ptCDlsGof
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.281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZM6yeWG3zp
281Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGsK24JaeF
Shin-woo: (No, no, no... this can’t be happening.)
