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. 266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqjZnZnEB2
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTbF1psE70
You navigate the crowded school corridor, the weight of the final year at high school pressing down like the heavy textbooks in your bag.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvJQ022zck
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj36SmuvisR
Each day molds into the next, marked by In-woo's steady stream of demands.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUbvra5X4X
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL0G1raMVE
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNObuo7QiPd
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1601ymBQ3k
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?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafHal0Jok8
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyJaMk8xNO
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS25uAEO8sx
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbQOzTIP5v
As you walk away, his next words float towards you, as predictable as the setting sun.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclI6V4oe1x
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSv95mQ18c1
In-woo: Oh, and check the homework for errors. You know how I like it done.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgfkb4IjmA
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINYZsWEih0
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwy3etFhzib
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8tPqPOtir
Shin-woo: (Why does he bother? Is it guilt... or something else?)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR5Np4yqCp
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRt2se0dtZ
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkcw9ZNQRA
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhFzxoTanl
In-woo: Thanks. And remember, I need the project draft by tomorrow.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgchdrlJ5f3
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX677ZKnZC
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ijyRJsO5w
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbWeEe5ZZe
Shin-woo: (One day, I won't be doing this anymore.)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMcmrDnQCv
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvuV0jfHLV
But for now, you move to the next class, the taste of the burger bittersweet on your tongue.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmokbUnJdKy
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf9w8TbXPp
[Transition]266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmYqkBq13Q
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWW6kKpQxT
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWvPopHI4a
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSY6X5qNd6K
Shin-woo: (So it's this again. Might as well get it over with.)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEUbO53FlG
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSXPr8886t
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEuN1fYpw4
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fWE0S7Tlq
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3HzksWOT2
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrT23mDYPp
Shin-woo: (Maybe today’s the day he decides he’s had enough of my ramblings.)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1x1zkaRZ3
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAFKYbxvMU
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPf66zpuoMr
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvPNhXhMRH
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?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6PRtckByt
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb43StIKYe
Shin-woo: (Does he find this amusing, or is it just another way to exert control?)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXIThQJZ1b
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooiFhYX2ZZ
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCWOy7WnB3
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA11xCZtNCu
Finally, without a word, In-woo turns and begins to walk away, his departure as silent and enigmatic as his vigil.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWg4LWSoBNF
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBosuRTR8s
Shin-woo: (What would he do if I just stopped talking one day?)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONYCddYwxh
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BpFvbPgeY
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzSbak4jqh
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72ruUjGSzS
Shin-woo: (Would he still find a reason to keep me around if I no longer played the part?)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqXWOc8bhq
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOY2sEQWkW
With that thought, you step out into the fading daylight, the mystery of In-woo’s intentions mingling with the crisp evening air.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QGWYx0UCh
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ck5q6udwZ
[Transition]266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqEsFTuhJj
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyhUa9oJqJ
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTbbQeXbqU
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoHlsHTc9a
Shin-woo: (Why does he have to be like this? Why can't I just hate him?)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99SfoEQjYi
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBt68FBogi
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjTT0zbRNI
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lzpdn559a
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?)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTP7sqyBj2
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwTAGm5Agh
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmDzgbug6U
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2syIXE6mAS
Shin-woo: (Why her? What does she have that I don’t? It’s not like I want his kindness, but...)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ16b4Er3n
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRvPjfBRHA
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS15nGEyvBF
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEFfl2ryKm
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.)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBsiY26hGj
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD0cb94SDt
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgul3iaF3t
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzFiYqD4B3
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?)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChqMo54Y0f
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAIQBvo2rT
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm9vpNnTpo
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGS1IPF0OVj
[Transition]266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTh1QCkQgL
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBUqcEWRmx
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccK9yhXCVd
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DtpTO0ksD
Dae-hyun: Hyeong! Help me make it bigger!266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyMvqIo1sj
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStLd6kqVTI
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjFetLc8fu
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0kbs8yLXo
Shin-woo: (He’s always so full of joy. How can he not make my day brighter?)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLgrM0MIrK
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWriI3q86g
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfd8ekwOyK
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAeBLsiVMk
Byung-ho: You gotta help me find the treasure, or walk the plank!266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVeOxe5BMJ
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJx3JJn4DY
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Pew9zx1gk
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAV4uLynXP
Shin-woo: (His imagination is boundless. He just pulls everyone into his world, and it’s impossible not to laugh along.)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKchQUTaWJ
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLYxo6WN0o
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAMBRvtRkN
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhuSBrIyBI
You approach, leaning over her shoulder to glance at the problem that’s causing her frustration.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QCibMZEin
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT6d0Jv7jC
Shin-woo: Need some help?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tlQ8GRouQ
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5GgGCZxVv
Iseul looks up, her expression a mix of relief and stubborn independence.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfzbc59BeL
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vtIZ8QUcQ
Iseul: Maybe just a little. But I can do most of it myself!266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1FxrQ8T9o
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSR2T3DvCtq
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisqlBcRUzg
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtggRJCXhi
Shin-woo: (She’s at that tricky age, trying to be big but still needing her big brother.)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndxphPoxkn
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm23jjPj2kZ
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpxheEqyYI
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7FZsX06lS
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hYiZ7bHWy
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugz1MRoAZu
Shin-woo: (This is home. This is what keeps me grounded amidst everything else.)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCA37C8RpGv
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7VsKkCYEd
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqLeQVS0vg
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpVop6PbuD
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0budbWRIh
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRvHF4t4FW
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiYPXviQoY
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxD7uzEAFj
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.)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAC9LzbR9QH
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNJxk6R83a
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vLoKOmxNP
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr33e02JxW
Shin-woo: (I don’t want to bother her with my problems. She’s dealing with enough as it is.)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKmlOefJ1E
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVkeZFvEUD
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. 266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XNOPqb9H0
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjL2jxpUu50
Eun-ho: Yo, you look like you’re thinking too much again. Time to knock that off.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcbNpew7GC
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykUbwTj0Nq
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv74CQudywD
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2TwkruvPL
You roll your eyes at his usual teasing, but there’s comfort in it, in the familiarity of his banter.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPkqnLBYa5
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfoqgMupR2
Shin-woo: (He always knows how to distract me, even when I don’t ask for it.)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYLj0831QK
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRphZNKplv
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl4Bxpj3Nm
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2D8ScP73n
Eun-ho: So, what’s new with your boyfriend, In-woo? Still making you run all his errands?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqLBJ1xBpU
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgA1qWJ3rua
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXCWL4PczW
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCwhdIAhKq
Shin-woo: He’s not my boyfriend, and you know it.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNHMi4nLiK
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcHqdEgYEO
Eun-ho smirks, raising an eyebrow.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKDhoMbe75
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVMGhBANU5
Eun-ho: Right, right. So, you’re just his unpaid assistant who happens to be head over heels for him?266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgk64qAWqv
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJebFXDNSWc
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJf1YfgYNL
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsgq6dK5Va
Shin-woo: (He’s only teasing because he knows how I really feel… and because he’s probably right.)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8TXi6ilER
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRCLnpDRfx
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcwRCEcrA0
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZTrs0ZytB
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRmUEfhzPL
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6g2MHqLWfE
Shin-woo: (He’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t know I needed him.)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8AgzfZUJz
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwva8iOPfq
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4EfCZUciC
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0pECb2f4I
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtolrinf7tC
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22VEp3cmlK
[Transition]266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iNcDLc0HW
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU7Hq6uK9N
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY97Aa27Ezx
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZuY0nHziX
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGvVnvwprq
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwjMZuHHbg
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.)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBD3wp6uman
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOYAZk0rFH
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzdui0ZjW3
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnQD76Kqor
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIH0OVcZzh
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsvL68JJEB
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.)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4GEmvTxIv
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtbr1iT5r0
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4bmISmtKk
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtDzKhGmXr
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgx1iyH5fA
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSZuiNRkYR
Shin-woo: (One day, maybe, I’ll stop hiding this. But not today.)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApV35AGdSj
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXCNmz44UC
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYZDglGegy
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88DGN9zQAD
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]266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8emCVBUew5
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MUmAMC4AX
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. 266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLjrJcyTDb
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJ7TdDt77r
Shin-woo: (Let them look. Let them wonder.)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7O1kRwPKa
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjYTLtevPF
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbH3nvbBkd
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSEz7sHyn8
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. 266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0StZzPtTeb
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvYikEWYYr
Shin-woo: (Look at him... so confident, so skilled. It’s hard not to admire him—harder still not to want him.)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wfdxLaXch
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RQgfTIKzX
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuSXKSoDyK
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgcYiQuXst
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.)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRlUNoVIgI
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoO8VOfWvX
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqz0weKAC4
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOofKpld5Tq
Shin-woo: (Is it just the game, or is there something more in those quick, fleeting glances?)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicumNkEHKZ
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkkIVsg3I7
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKEyHDYDK8
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwzFvpiol7
His chest heaving from exertion, you quickly stand, the towel and water bottle ready in your hands.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqMhsGRngW
His breathing is heavy, his gaze fixed on the towel you hold.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoURp7Q2WQ
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRXBwQjgRE
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUFKMRNWix
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1ski5BSVI
Shin-woo: (Every detail about him catches me off guard, pulls me in deeper than I want to admit.)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0x0upBEDk
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN58Dy9d3RR
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3ZBTm1ukX
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vf7jc0qcR
He pauses drinking, a brow arching as he catches your stare, the corner of his mouth twitching in an unreadable expression.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWqKbdWXQn
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZ64rvBWnK
Shin-woo: (Caught. Why do I always get caught?)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zwdUlPY8g
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF758wBVfbO
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. 266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkmwDr8FMX
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeQ3nV2lJt
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.)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNim1lkPNBe
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoAR8zQOpz
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf5fp4qZLU
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11099jnLQm
Shin-woo: (What does he think in these moments? Does he see me... really see me?) 266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡet94XQhyCn
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUbouT3EsK
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3pA5yfapm
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHZZCOx5dK
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ921NMk7dT8
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RmNtiKmEB
Shin-woo: (Just another game, just another win, hopefully.)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEOMjBJTBI
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBCwkcsQ2W
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vMPtalHr3
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgGntqgZso
Shin-woo: (Why can’t he just play the game without making it personal?)266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD19NkYJR1f
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2Tw3qIN5A
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXVfldoAZw
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrTqKfdnzE
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.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbAYyGQUuu
266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0qStk1N03
Shin-woo: (No, no, no... this can’t be happening.)
