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. 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHvS3bmHqV
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFedu5Rl6T
You navigate the crowded school corridor, the weight of the final year at high school pressing down like the heavy textbooks in your bag.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD78N0LI8m0
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZ7lZqKp1b
Each day molds into the next, marked by In-woo's steady stream of demands.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YnWBF9Pee
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LzennoODw
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIAlsYeNT9
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x0IUPV05e
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?200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRWXYHhl5f
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCLHPTPEZV
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDx1S4Th6O
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxns1mfWCV
As you walk away, his next words float towards you, as predictable as the setting sun.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0kCLts7wi
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOssTBYkS6
In-woo: Oh, and check the homework for errors. You know how I like it done.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdUQgJpeaZ
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FBkp82o8x
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OeZgOqEmk
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1jlLECvfk
Shin-woo: (Why does he bother? Is it guilt... or something else?)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdLQg4app8
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KMM4nWIJ3
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpF7kH5Buv
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCBonvGKke
In-woo: Thanks. And remember, I need the project draft by tomorrow.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GpUG2RGXl
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTKYdVm1bJ
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cXaHgAxQh
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDQ71WADH6
Shin-woo: (One day, I won't be doing this anymore.)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaLgaQExWX
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUdTIHprXL
But for now, you move to the next class, the taste of the burger bittersweet on your tongue.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenC8wpQfoK
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[Transition]200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bCPVSnDUO
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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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAx7VVNUXUw
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1MXpHezvt
Shin-woo: (So it's this again. Might as well get it over with.)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaFBrJkZsg
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqVz2o8EAo
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqidDoXRVjd
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetCmNilEgG
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUdh0gCmb5
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4exkFG5mLp
Shin-woo: (Maybe today’s the day he decides he’s had enough of my ramblings.)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXok5n3WOx1
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQLKRw6uMK
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VihTEPvlP
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbP4ne2xf4
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?200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbarXxJ4Ax
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VY8KmQdMS
Shin-woo: (Does he find this amusing, or is it just another way to exert control?)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBgdaP8HMr
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHSLHvceoz
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJmvW4jrvR
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLclr9icOvu
Finally, without a word, In-woo turns and begins to walk away, his departure as silent and enigmatic as his vigil.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazd2EVr5Mp
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUa6cj9dGip
Shin-woo: (What would he do if I just stopped talking one day?)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePOrghQnLx
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbnFcCTQPx
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSb8S6gA1y
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDpBFzg2fV
Shin-woo: (Would he still find a reason to keep me around if I no longer played the part?)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtO2SKPgByn
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuCiWLxhnx
With that thought, you step out into the fading daylight, the mystery of In-woo’s intentions mingling with the crisp evening air.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweBF842fSr
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[Transition]200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydEauzQMQk
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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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcxvvN41QL
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxtXgEjYIf
Shin-woo: (Why does he have to be like this? Why can't I just hate him?)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6qG0Qc46F
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ839ldqoHKn
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIWEB9gpsr
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfRMBnQLPx
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?)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRW1T6ar7nG
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITEfrjeLhf
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnmgkIBIRu
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbCKezWwUb
Shin-woo: (Why her? What does she have that I don’t? It’s not like I want his kindness, but...)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6egWkoaYA
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOrgKu2eNX
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG46o2y2Hb
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eXTzVnCwC
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.)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgUFA1ulqx
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdPUPFJKER
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0le2VU1sS6
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwFSmXHjsz
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?)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi3XTfVOSR
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRp2IA2Nv6
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGP7aIF9PPW
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[Transition]200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsagM3Cl4U
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuMkr6WLHO
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAFePJ1jkl
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrqqkoP11k
Dae-hyun: Hyeong! Help me make it bigger!200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKvXNyv577
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGb7lMcdifN
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9agLSlnf2
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxdaK6ojir
Shin-woo: (He’s always so full of joy. How can he not make my day brighter?)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqPlJJQlUy
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9eukqtJ7y
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUT3O96CHBF
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER6iUB00yI
Byung-ho: You gotta help me find the treasure, or walk the plank!200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPfqqH0uOr
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8gm5QbClh
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafqBQZjudz
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbobIMjtFX
Shin-woo: (His imagination is boundless. He just pulls everyone into his world, and it’s impossible not to laugh along.)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8KFKjcvpF
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gJ8vxHENc
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqLPnVyYRe
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrL8WrsqB6
You approach, leaning over her shoulder to glance at the problem that’s causing her frustration.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiUTqTdETV
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKl3UI3s5bB
Shin-woo: Need some help?200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ5Zi96poL
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcD3w4izy2
Iseul looks up, her expression a mix of relief and stubborn independence.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpg9eBwCU7
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH1Lqr4pMG
Iseul: Maybe just a little. But I can do most of it myself!200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraL7RuR40w
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvooAeVr1uC
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hNAzi6AB5
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcHnME2KXU
Shin-woo: (She’s at that tricky age, trying to be big but still needing her big brother.)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OCuh2MMdo
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3ET5sj6SE
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsr38IKSxj
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvj86Md19B
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYS0VBLmiUM
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Seryx3YMG
Shin-woo: (This is home. This is what keeps me grounded amidst everything else.)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKSxOswb4X
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEm6orgl5E
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu1SMR60B2
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYzHfrsDCc
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8UQRTIOhH
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEJ3D9EPef
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe2Mxs9gvh
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyBnmuopge
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.)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAKJFjBOwY
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUxXpQpQow
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTR572D1fRl
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUTc8Mf2bS
Shin-woo: (I don’t want to bother her with my problems. She’s dealing with enough as it is.)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDLnseXu0Q
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvSSCcZyEd
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. 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoUeDMA9js
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIbGzBJbFH
Eun-ho: Yo, you look like you’re thinking too much again. Time to knock that off.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuF0JPpDKu
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzUR92wZrH
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCQ0iq6e64
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiK6LBiXqd
You roll your eyes at his usual teasing, but there’s comfort in it, in the familiarity of his banter.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFsIzlofvU
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLoXn6L15N
Shin-woo: (He always knows how to distract me, even when I don’t ask for it.)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpK8BvNgRU
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQQQ3pqMWU
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qfTNvmCCQ
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThQfnghUeD
Eun-ho: So, what’s new with your boyfriend, In-woo? Still making you run all his errands?200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsmqfTlRf7
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylFMaHU9Kk
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpsnCrZ2cb
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2XT7AE3cD
Shin-woo: He’s not my boyfriend, and you know it.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwK8qeInrt
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW9iwD7Vrh
Eun-ho smirks, raising an eyebrow.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapxTgsdkLy
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWfbdKFE2o
Eun-ho: Right, right. So, you’re just his unpaid assistant who happens to be head over heels for him?200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlni0Rq4Pkt
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEqn7I2GuL
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr367sCil4c
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2enHN5xHl4
Shin-woo: (He’s only teasing because he knows how I really feel… and because he’s probably right.)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLjwhmDRFP
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fp6Pezcau
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurSuGMXYZc
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8yybjKG47
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3SMxcTLrZ
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuS3XHcMPd
Shin-woo: (He’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t know I needed him.)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIRUpGYiYc
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEi6BBABp1
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UEQbHiqKa
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvbt3aFOII
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS77S9fRC6
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[Transition]200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hp2i6R1bQ
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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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYolJ3ofOL8
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsHBSiTWzi
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUBI8lJhyw
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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.)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC9CPKdBYI
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWnnoegR3f
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWtQehztBr
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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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxkBZQXHpG
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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.)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29FL8CFjwT
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR96YzKxrBw
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKR2r3PSrr
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxNTKr8zLP
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw869CJxpx
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBk3uZ08GB
Shin-woo: (One day, maybe, I’ll stop hiding this. But not today.)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE3ZUD3Rhj
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhDRceuemf
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWwmsoFaGx
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRXXH5ij3S
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]200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSl6VGpRLr
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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. 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXpOWGKIao
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Shin-woo: (Let them look. Let them wonder.)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbni0amwd4C
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlM8P37Lsz
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hgnyWd13B
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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. 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJiiWahhsZ
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Shin-woo: (Look at him... so confident, so skilled. It’s hard not to admire him—harder still not to want him.)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0nvOmjD2C
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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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FFfq4NCn7
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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.)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvHqA2QEMp
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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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpuUS2GnjT
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFna3LztPmx
Shin-woo: (Is it just the game, or is there something more in those quick, fleeting glances?)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91vr8BuHBZ
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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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc98vdaU4D
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His chest heaving from exertion, you quickly stand, the towel and water bottle ready in your hands.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobAq1lN884
His breathing is heavy, his gaze fixed on the towel you hold.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2X7tVbGSf8
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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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxw0n3X1Ssi
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Shin-woo: (Every detail about him catches me off guard, pulls me in deeper than I want to admit.)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kAhHb4Ukk
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwqjI3VCAE
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkVg4a8sP3
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He pauses drinking, a brow arching as he catches your stare, the corner of his mouth twitching in an unreadable expression.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00348IJ9RC
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Shin-woo: (Caught. Why do I always get caught?)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zj9j5kZ00
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXtX2Grsn2
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. 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuW6nNJZYA4
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpt9u48PdLh
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.)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpi3XVMNP4
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZb64V4uY5i
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEObBNpnYYz
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuTxZkNU6X
Shin-woo: (What does he think in these moments? Does he see me... really see me?) 200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzhTTZty96
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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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOpJeopt8V
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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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlUoLk0WCz
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Mc6w1lne1
Shin-woo: (Just another game, just another win, hopefully.)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLokDOpOPA
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QK9xgbDs3
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDvZ4bY749
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Shin-woo: (Why can’t he just play the game without making it personal?)200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa5T8YaFYD
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA77zi3Afe5
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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlYClpcWQw
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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.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilkqe3KDSW
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Shin-woo: (No, no, no... this can’t be happening.)
