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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbnEGFxUuQ
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNSKCyFKtk
You navigate the crowded school corridor, the weight of the final year at high school pressing down like the heavy textbooks in your bag.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgq98BYaYU
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikvS1QFeEg
Each day molds into the next, marked by In-woo's steady stream of demands.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAgHLP5OfK
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1FrDMtyLo
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqjThrpW2Q
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6V9JVEjUnL
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?278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspUBNBXxpe
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEKb3A0QZv
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZjktKvpeS
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGqJXmYH1T
As you walk away, his next words float towards you, as predictable as the setting sun.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdyqMFtrCs
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEwEeRIelO
In-woo: Oh, and check the homework for errors. You know how I like it done.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aG0ILF8Ma
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI8szqYim9
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBxDsqaghl
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiRT4MOTqI
Shin-woo: (Why does he bother? Is it guilt... or something else?)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNvZuUwl2b
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18n67Fq0pO
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXi4nS08iW
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77iSLa6zUp
In-woo: Thanks. And remember, I need the project draft by tomorrow.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXF2WQpKayr
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnTvADtm2x
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagcLT8CAx3
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmD6IU2zi5v
Shin-woo: (One day, I won't be doing this anymore.)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfWKdw8ErN
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhSOh5qvMC
But for now, you move to the next class, the taste of the burger bittersweet on your tongue.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuBwG6TtQB
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzZmVRbIBp
[Transition]278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj16j7YHPU0
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPUo0ifPu7
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrCobmhU77
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2Y68Ky9qx
Shin-woo: (So it's this again. Might as well get it over with.)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4a8tMQiwR
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LgvF9EDLZ
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFM2nZZbc4
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdw6nFLLI8
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FK4fFERLl
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NmuWwnDoj
Shin-woo: (Maybe today’s the day he decides he’s had enough of my ramblings.)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgm902GytX
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICZ6sMdkZ1
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DemhuuLHZ
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLw4I086Qjq
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?278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VoMyJ9tlS
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0S7JwjIwrH
Shin-woo: (Does he find this amusing, or is it just another way to exert control?)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW2xfJrind
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10iZIbQQLF
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wotP6i8Jb
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF0yeylhCS
Finally, without a word, In-woo turns and begins to walk away, his departure as silent and enigmatic as his vigil.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFtGnxooQ4
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8su25Qq1U
Shin-woo: (What would he do if I just stopped talking one day?)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE2KOzzwo4
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kdC3xnUUi
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRjCIN5NTn
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dbE5SUlYx
Shin-woo: (Would he still find a reason to keep me around if I no longer played the part?)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jZWNBBkx0
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODJ4n7DE4n
With that thought, you step out into the fading daylight, the mystery of In-woo’s intentions mingling with the crisp evening air.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGK48PxQ1a
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyqz5inntb
[Transition]278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5j3T30DPK
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnEjR9Xle1
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoHwBfcPVz
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl7catsANm
Shin-woo: (Why does he have to be like this? Why can't I just hate him?)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJF7AWrzPfN
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZauGic9gux
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYhNLCU2Xx
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9oq2OS5qn
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?)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJgaujqB3E
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd64aujZOM
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXIy6sm2Jr
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hqiWjfuG7
Shin-woo: (Why her? What does she have that I don’t? It’s not like I want his kindness, but...)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOpE73MVQs
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuw818DoQW
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmaCIut1uc
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYuzxcZVBr
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.)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JuqD1zBvc
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlgxYzITlr
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQk3n3MQ27
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjucURTiueg
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?)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUcN1CFFbD
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwVD8uJIvR
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74kbU0YEWS
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUFa23pTwp
[Transition]278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7WGPvXPWe
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs0ftfdiWT
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcl0zSWSEH
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdesQNhNPve
Dae-hyun: Hyeong! Help me make it bigger!278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ23mPXPGTu
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMTRkehA58
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMjxO6dyNU
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi38sE9kOB
Shin-woo: (He’s always so full of joy. How can he not make my day brighter?)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9VBvTb5s2
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTpRwOOFMc
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o2fZZCxmZ
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdYDR9B8ZI
Byung-ho: You gotta help me find the treasure, or walk the plank!278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFmHTkt51Z
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyEoHAvRYY
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpZmpXa0QH
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7Jtxv3nWM
Shin-woo: (His imagination is boundless. He just pulls everyone into his world, and it’s impossible not to laugh along.)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBXWlfKYn1
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JI5wnYzPZ
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpokjcHY5g
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKRah07Nbo
You approach, leaning over her shoulder to glance at the problem that’s causing her frustration.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6v8fDOagll
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvre0x5fVgr
Shin-woo: Need some help?278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6gLCzjux8
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7qEqaSGh8
Iseul looks up, her expression a mix of relief and stubborn independence.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNZFywq3WB
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1TQsf0IHJ
Iseul: Maybe just a little. But I can do most of it myself!278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlK50EnLWJ
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0w3TDxWvb
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlVMAFcwXm
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5J2p7uBmN
Shin-woo: (She’s at that tricky age, trying to be big but still needing her big brother.)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Gpa4E9OtY
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaV38T9M8g
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRwJn7HhDT
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljsscxmgUs
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Hrzy2CtGU
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5WC2udLWJ
Shin-woo: (This is home. This is what keeps me grounded amidst everything else.)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDe5q2Gxb2
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFG4R31Tu5
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR8Ga78bIr
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCmOuw8Smi
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44sO287bV9
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDRdbHij88
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nkqpYudBW
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHoJPoJnCK
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.)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WNwX928Z4
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6rlSDejvH
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9fec5GFRQ
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZj1vWj5Zs
Shin-woo: (I don’t want to bother her with my problems. She’s dealing with enough as it is.)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgaa5PO8Qh
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoc6131xm7
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcI51d5jtq
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvT1kr4ObKO
Eun-ho: Yo, you look like you’re thinking too much again. Time to knock that off.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ggXIZJy8b
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSd1LEpPy8A
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU03bfZm1zp
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwj2h7wJ8y
You roll your eyes at his usual teasing, but there’s comfort in it, in the familiarity of his banter.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡar2vYMpn1a
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau7LMBA390
Shin-woo: (He always knows how to distract me, even when I don’t ask for it.)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ804pmAn7K9
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTa3Swy7rZ
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUDReVwqs3
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuUFuNvwyi
Eun-ho: So, what’s new with your boyfriend, In-woo? Still making you run all his errands?278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWUG5C1vNh
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQBQiJI5b0
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgOV1UJxXn
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uM5PCvr38
Shin-woo: He’s not my boyfriend, and you know it.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3CYCLzqt9
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGcD5u41R9
Eun-ho smirks, raising an eyebrow.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgISW0DPHP
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJsDBfkvwY
Eun-ho: Right, right. So, you’re just his unpaid assistant who happens to be head over heels for him?278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6gTPzP9UO
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9C19mMy3ef
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NYdNlJrBD
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sCAhU0Eyv
Shin-woo: (He’s only teasing because he knows how I really feel… and because he’s probably right.)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAmWKCBI9Y
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zQkrojYVS
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHKU3Ee6pz
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAO3NI8FGu
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67U5QwWBGg
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7Js4Gfo8o
Shin-woo: (He’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t know I needed him.)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ312Qziozl6
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyBth1i95L
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddAQVvURSq
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTvGaNeML4
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡti9SLE9Cnh
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DOrGHgmEa
[Transition]278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn0mTONsPX
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZthqltOLN1
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1lo6bLRdy
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwGboE42px
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnxnJ9aQaV
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCFpuec85x
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.)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9psA23jDu
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4FjxlCJUs
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH6RV9XuZR
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPlLyjTpuh
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXbfNNpfO3
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMK6W6TrkS
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.)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNnE8iojmG
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSWVjspo3i
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZQvLe0I8N
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJO92z2XjL
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTK2tpJreEg
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ2sLuvl21
Shin-woo: (One day, maybe, I’ll stop hiding this. But not today.)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBhR9Nq9TI
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8mrnGucqS
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB1D5ZOoIH
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwlerDaUek
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]278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLCozmXpzN
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpBhTGIv6y
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgIlHYxF6K
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaw1xcIpgg
Shin-woo: (Let them look. Let them wonder.)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsIKi0IwW7
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFl2WoCFed
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfirf0d4zv
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2hiqhPVpa
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6PWjMWkP3
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cEUzwqskV
Shin-woo: (Look at him... so confident, so skilled. It’s hard not to admire him—harder still not to want him.)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPcY4PbPGM
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiAwy8CR6I
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4DAFZTdH2
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIBDj7tFwn
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.)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXgG84LoN3
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0VSYn85pu
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTshoQ8r40S
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS76iNw75oy
Shin-woo: (Is it just the game, or is there something more in those quick, fleeting glances?)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54PbHJUCEt
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh7bjEovQO
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXxTqNUw7f
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyP9f5l1e2
His chest heaving from exertion, you quickly stand, the towel and water bottle ready in your hands.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51Qzl9owLB
His breathing is heavy, his gaze fixed on the towel you hold.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRElPwEpBH
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnp3RUDXStM
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXgWcwZDVw
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5CtPXICyv
Shin-woo: (Every detail about him catches me off guard, pulls me in deeper than I want to admit.)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b41lgm8zO
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlG5JKOe3C
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfRkAyqWDk
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCccDGCtit
He pauses drinking, a brow arching as he catches your stare, the corner of his mouth twitching in an unreadable expression.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEYI5R15J0
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0oL6cQjwd
Shin-woo: (Caught. Why do I always get caught?)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbais9fF18h
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXwoBDEVvz
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlUnm3juZ6
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8hHiFTJ5f
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.)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMz8U8VFSd
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWw0IYDKPL
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEjAC9RBmd
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJqR0ySUiD
Shin-woo: (What does he think in these moments? Does he see me... really see me?) 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauiXuMBtIA
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FSynIpMhw
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLIjGgClDZ
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrWtpZQM5d
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarbgFoTB4Y
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9F9dIooHuY
Shin-woo: (Just another game, just another win, hopefully.)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iokcJ8eH1
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDZUv7Ocer
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RFduc1KOi
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSYwhepNid
Shin-woo: (Why can’t he just play the game without making it personal?)278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tGYetjAIO
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux5G1pSnOu
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jyHtXDESH
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76gtWvA8mM
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.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkNbQEoiAe
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPqBnPyROD
Shin-woo: (No, no, no... this can’t be happening.)
