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. 259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiZoGIGQFE
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvD1QaZGON
You navigate the crowded school corridor, the weight of the final year at high school pressing down like the heavy textbooks in your bag.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJMdsdFjn3
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J7DRnBaJ7
Each day molds into the next, marked by In-woo's steady stream of demands.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCIdiWzTsx
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkxvEJEb4M
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAg7dRnGBX
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX8gn3TqEO
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?259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp1Zngdex2
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvpdnq8mFd
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuwCYcuT0y
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47HjVWz4Hi
As you walk away, his next words float towards you, as predictable as the setting sun.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6GEEm3Thn
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qisXTf7Ng
In-woo: Oh, and check the homework for errors. You know how I like it done.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdkItVxjBW
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyvf6VZUOy
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLmoPtAvTs
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1q8u1KTOCC
Shin-woo: (Why does he bother? Is it guilt... or something else?)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgl3M921AU
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamiDYL4dYV
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh58YyJX2zA
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRqoeuE1S9
In-woo: Thanks. And remember, I need the project draft by tomorrow.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiSrhddRPe
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLV3CnFsm0
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19DhXlnFz3
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vaLwojAFL
Shin-woo: (One day, I won't be doing this anymore.)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tKayHYEnp
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuA634GmMz
But for now, you move to the next class, the taste of the burger bittersweet on your tongue.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf9hbYHvJ6
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCcqeQoUGQ
[Transition]259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMYpIAlMFo
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPndN5Day1
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxvHxC04jq
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgeCnRX5Dx
Shin-woo: (So it's this again. Might as well get it over with.)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTdfypAY90
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ807x21Kx2K
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlNWKkshdg
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGNuoWEhya
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84dZIVffWT
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdCGm3sRj8
Shin-woo: (Maybe today’s the day he decides he’s had enough of my ramblings.)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauMh7F52YI
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wL4wB2cBZ
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabDSKCJevQ
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGmxWOoVVE
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?259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3si1S8CUE
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcHmIZsnxR
Shin-woo: (Does he find this amusing, or is it just another way to exert control?)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EEybcw7mX
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnLM7jkHLg
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVX6CkCVbMA
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMhFSpqQtm
Finally, without a word, In-woo turns and begins to walk away, his departure as silent and enigmatic as his vigil.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7l41HwcOq
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iZ4SN4Zwj
Shin-woo: (What would he do if I just stopped talking one day?)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcyzMtyWYY
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreOEA6FYcW
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUKb79Jjpl
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOcuyS39ik
Shin-woo: (Would he still find a reason to keep me around if I no longer played the part?)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDUWKCrwPf
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXp4VzWapV
With that thought, you step out into the fading daylight, the mystery of In-woo’s intentions mingling with the crisp evening air.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvjzDCBWZB
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPNSFMVBfp
[Transition]259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eqINewNNQ
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoQMe9ddgL
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofKVtqvRRK
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdsqA6wKsu
Shin-woo: (Why does he have to be like this? Why can't I just hate him?)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP0G8ZqmW1
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtelftywYVp
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDhHjOsD5N
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGgd7FtNIg
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?)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZ2jatNOMs
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbEcMbsn8a
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEEjrjjabW
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Y4qINxPij
Shin-woo: (Why her? What does she have that I don’t? It’s not like I want his kindness, but...)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJjI0E7qng
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIgFlZP51Q
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsa2OUfZprJ
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr8q0b1MON
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.)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLhIG7440Y
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK5A7MZrRP
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4uaujI7KO
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNbWTVPdBu
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?)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDjC8Bi7nq
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw3BwXThLB
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1svRDheSsu
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qoLt9jJID
[Transition]259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IElLgVgmA
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMQqqMYGR7
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWaKduzMcd
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yXjMMmqUl
Dae-hyun: Hyeong! Help me make it bigger!259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7DfcxdHiw
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkm8m5gkj1
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGwk4iNUQ2
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXiVBRY27f
Shin-woo: (He’s always so full of joy. How can he not make my day brighter?)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9OtCeVaPa
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirMKCKhYPn
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXNTTdubtO
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIpC0Ls0oc
Byung-ho: You gotta help me find the treasure, or walk the plank!259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjszJJrqaQq
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLoINd7V1L
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbHkPsiLLk
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lnXkHln1a
Shin-woo: (His imagination is boundless. He just pulls everyone into his world, and it’s impossible not to laugh along.)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ3RbUwNby
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0lNIw9Kqv
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkV0PqntSd
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4llfhN6jl
You approach, leaning over her shoulder to glance at the problem that’s causing her frustration.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y0ZCS2okx
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkePyKZS67
Shin-woo: Need some help?259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3y29nL8G1
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kd9tTNyR9
Iseul looks up, her expression a mix of relief and stubborn independence.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GP6Mdmxdv
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Gh0d0OJYr
Iseul: Maybe just a little. But I can do most of it myself!259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogquyelnyK
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPX7tptbwa
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksJ8AhWuS1
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqK9Rg50nm
Shin-woo: (She’s at that tricky age, trying to be big but still needing her big brother.)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohMC0QhjTj
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqDtzRDagP
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa4KX9VwXs
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQX13UFerK
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D0Zaxbsib
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw7nKIDfu2
Shin-woo: (This is home. This is what keeps me grounded amidst everything else.)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RHVc09Fbf
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54B1Hj83wd
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlRSIjwsOZ
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SqHHV4ugH
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNs2cDXbQS
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtJWAJHH6p
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ938wEC4rsE
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiUSArTCVh
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.)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJ724kVbAD
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl0fdCP440
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkzJ98JZgj
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uPCvgTdnb
Shin-woo: (I don’t want to bother her with my problems. She’s dealing with enough as it is.)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJm5yDV1Wb
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYQkCpjwIJ
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. 259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcpVe2AdSI
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtqYM3KW4k
Eun-ho: Yo, you look like you’re thinking too much again. Time to knock that off.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmVYEcMWcZ
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0dG32KgaU
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvysKi7zetD
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrc3sc7crGp
You roll your eyes at his usual teasing, but there’s comfort in it, in the familiarity of his banter.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFHH0R6kMF
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5Bia81yD7
Shin-woo: (He always knows how to distract me, even when I don’t ask for it.)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTNYw11lyS
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPqmWpyMne
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBdrp38nH5
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvfrwxmvAZ
Eun-ho: So, what’s new with your boyfriend, In-woo? Still making you run all his errands?259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5adzCGkkn
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVelT1K7Fc
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxklqEoD9J
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxIyJT7Id9
Shin-woo: He’s not my boyfriend, and you know it.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz8vz1tfn5
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa08HurmqAS
Eun-ho smirks, raising an eyebrow.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRuklWu92d
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc40RgMQ5R6
Eun-ho: Right, right. So, you’re just his unpaid assistant who happens to be head over heels for him?259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXS7Kndvp2
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mq5JPe1Nl
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOz2paXKiC
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNBUjXwH4G
Shin-woo: (He’s only teasing because he knows how I really feel… and because he’s probably right.)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5QZzzLjkH
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfZaq3fpkX
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LF3LcqyUc
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIMJVv8L2A
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LvaiqnPSS
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkdLtXH8qp
Shin-woo: (He’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t know I needed him.)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxBWC3Fvom
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHIG5tiV1z
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyKuTzSsIC
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyXxldTgkR
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ625xWbYr6I
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFFZltX7a6
[Transition]259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSE8Ha65r0
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZA4cIsN0v
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnmwqFcTMK
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4QzDGQ5hm
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig3e65Pxh6
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGk5J8hWGD
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.)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyCNHeEh9t
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRxdfDKJQ9
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJdZFsz9TQ
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDS2S9jJmq
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF3W7JcmZi
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPkSRA2EtD
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.)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx04AV1fjg
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqhtlCLnzW
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRKz8vpqjT
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUqMMSrH6A
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUFfZP7sXc
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡws0SX8EIbJ
Shin-woo: (One day, maybe, I’ll stop hiding this. But not today.)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hgvHdg4B5
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHNvhHOt3b
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFhHrHANNj
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy4E9QaWgx
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]259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoFBMgslGh
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tGhTpayYf
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. 259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkyx4VUhyQ
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xML9tNSKH
Shin-woo: (Let them look. Let them wonder.)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReKuC3CobO
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibTuht0SPr
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡey18ffBBtZ
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEeDuvM4oc
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. 259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfcFdijU72
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77X5GeIp5E
Shin-woo: (Look at him... so confident, so skilled. It’s hard not to admire him—harder still not to want him.)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LZ1vqLmgT
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccaGQqD5ko
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmWsCHhSxm
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW2lYiFmA3
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.)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBm1ncUUl2
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2q4qJ7x63
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVrsnGl4e5
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCrecjfF5Q
Shin-woo: (Is it just the game, or is there something more in those quick, fleeting glances?)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMScLXHAUGI
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXHw5fMOuc
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLw8KzjR4W
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DXQcUUaii
His chest heaving from exertion, you quickly stand, the towel and water bottle ready in your hands.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8GORZy0vH
His breathing is heavy, his gaze fixed on the towel you hold.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4b2DN4iVj
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8UY1pcRq2
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2e93bh301I
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzsetFjYs9
Shin-woo: (Every detail about him catches me off guard, pulls me in deeper than I want to admit.)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSaPLmgRkG
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazQUFwZK62
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFXeIqKqDu
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyawUU3GJnh
He pauses drinking, a brow arching as he catches your stare, the corner of his mouth twitching in an unreadable expression.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvlMjm26xG
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR669mwzPkg
Shin-woo: (Caught. Why do I always get caught?)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iJVyKhWpr
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSN6nY63AY
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. 259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUuNvAgG7C
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ21YOrKLw
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.)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyF6YBdZpAV
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp1EU3wU0X
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5nzPZoteT
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDETxeFZVSw
Shin-woo: (What does he think in these moments? Does he see me... really see me?) 259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xqLalLYWT
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRN3uHzuX96
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8B4YsWiMcc
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEbqz98Ufk
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPfM73BtvR
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5czKtWWR4
Shin-woo: (Just another game, just another win, hopefully.)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCMHkkhmtl
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o58zsmFef
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnEQphRjBt
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdGfNcQqk5
Shin-woo: (Why can’t he just play the game without making it personal?)259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyEEDqmUaD
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8aFNShi7S
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdPgqRrtHK
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2mmfzYR2L
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.259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIBuBTFYuh
259Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYaxuEbKbM
Shin-woo: (No, no, no... this can’t be happening.)
