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. 223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwvyeg906q
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKA3qW6G6gM
You navigate the crowded school corridor, the weight of the final year at high school pressing down like the heavy textbooks in your bag.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0P1rGJeoAs
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMTRn78JdZ
Each day molds into the next, marked by In-woo's steady stream of demands.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCRuRpOWVg
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K5vA8pI5o
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI2kzCIp0g
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43conTia2j
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?223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzxbjxg9V7
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsWroX1Vxh
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hb1Oa7xQt
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWESPPTAvSy
As you walk away, his next words float towards you, as predictable as the setting sun.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FzKwaSugB
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJmlNUACcT
In-woo: Oh, and check the homework for errors. You know how I like it done.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCIw8wdKOs
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn47zKMtNeC
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyBN5ua5ss
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4f4YgfyvT
Shin-woo: (Why does he bother? Is it guilt... or something else?)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna6wAocR4f
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRr9mq6zs1
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJxAuFrxrz
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZi8vagFcB7
In-woo: Thanks. And remember, I need the project draft by tomorrow.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBggxsMxOVm
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ48Z0yWpW
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorZ6MivsVG
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsQlcfMa7z
Shin-woo: (One day, I won't be doing this anymore.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1j6eQvMij
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl8zQTDvYc
But for now, you move to the next class, the taste of the burger bittersweet on your tongue.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgwH3eR3n5
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVQ5qVoZnK
[Transition]223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd6y3ZNTLr
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L0QFK3pSV
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrt3FeJ0Be7
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DjVPZ9Cad
Shin-woo: (So it's this again. Might as well get it over with.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqdTmtxBFP
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61i5L6v5Ra
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYQTjSZ5RU
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRed6BE2Zuu
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qyl5OUiEh
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kuBb780SY
Shin-woo: (Maybe today’s the day he decides he’s had enough of my ramblings.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrS8eGdTCj
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsY0b37m7Xg
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hm7vLYsBx
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JJP9jGVJL
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?223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjETFfC8oxn
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtvm6YgxvM
Shin-woo: (Does he find this amusing, or is it just another way to exert control?)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ2XfjFyxr
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOBwI2k3ZY
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8UlnqdLtL
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVi1aXCYk4
Finally, without a word, In-woo turns and begins to walk away, his departure as silent and enigmatic as his vigil.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9R6vrtI45
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUML9xwK5GX
Shin-woo: (What would he do if I just stopped talking one day?)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UCTE985Fs
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75dEx3RVzv
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFkWWwM8LT
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxsYhdLuA9
Shin-woo: (Would he still find a reason to keep me around if I no longer played the part?)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54hrO9URwo
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH0gW9uoP8
With that thought, you step out into the fading daylight, the mystery of In-woo’s intentions mingling with the crisp evening air.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4efYjmjz4x
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9YSVv0Wji
[Transition]223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLsnx7tPVY
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4EZblGNcL
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtKEYPnh41
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIpexoDj9S
Shin-woo: (Why does he have to be like this? Why can't I just hate him?)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpYCNx7Akw
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKzfwC594Y
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw623Z6Zvjl
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOCi0NDZ6j
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?)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmgN80qpzT
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35WkMhgcEt
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6bRXnYbXU
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMX975C3RXy
Shin-woo: (Why her? What does she have that I don’t? It’s not like I want his kindness, but...)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeSy07GEN4
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89EkE5QJdF
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzytFSytqWw
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4GxvyLTRd
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.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KWDRAGqd2
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wmlyU3ddf
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG3243QN04
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasbH4ffOQf
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?)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LN1vCRsqT
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvTpWjoQx9
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3uikyzwn5
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCI5CGzZEx
[Transition]223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16R5MIUkUD
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NXf8i4xlB
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HzqBmiMFs
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tKTqswPWf
Dae-hyun: Hyeong! Help me make it bigger!223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvmjuiGgsf
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2GhNcwwLM
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupdcVXS83G
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCTUo1sWrn
Shin-woo: (He’s always so full of joy. How can he not make my day brighter?)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaiebso66b
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LDcpQQtL1
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv024snom4Y
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWd2CA3hpG
Byung-ho: You gotta help me find the treasure, or walk the plank!223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswIMPXpydP
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCoUmnspkG
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFJsKF5tcj
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTCu8FkUuZ
Shin-woo: (His imagination is boundless. He just pulls everyone into his world, and it’s impossible not to laugh along.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIpUE4hmrj
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxIHUc1dN1
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTAY8VRIzD
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZB7vu5I5iq
You approach, leaning over her shoulder to glance at the problem that’s causing her frustration.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmAtqRelxM
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2uM4k1Pgs
Shin-woo: Need some help?223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHv6rbYCk3
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNulQHis48Z
Iseul looks up, her expression a mix of relief and stubborn independence.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5F6cfJePng
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeEqFjsCJl
Iseul: Maybe just a little. But I can do most of it myself!223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEJy5eFpeZ
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF2Cisw1u3
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2ZweLDepS
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlhky3YPEb
Shin-woo: (She’s at that tricky age, trying to be big but still needing her big brother.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14ZlfjJigO
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMMRzIGFYS
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpOWbxvC2u
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfh5h4du7M
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsnzsEjKih
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYeFJpUq7L
Shin-woo: (This is home. This is what keeps me grounded amidst everything else.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHTfdcehoe
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeat3OxjXrd
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcz4DQHR0M
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0gMwDE36A
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6TQxUODwv
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXvAd5yt5c
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU1JGcpmZ6
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgsC40KI2K
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.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDBaNpUhN8
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCTrLUNKaT
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywDjU1x3J5
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xZ3vDPGN3
Shin-woo: (I don’t want to bother her with my problems. She’s dealing with enough as it is.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFx27xaU7t
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuH37BafZq
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. 223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWv691gAC7Y
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKtMOSBUXf
Eun-ho: Yo, you look like you’re thinking too much again. Time to knock that off.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8753OLzDHY
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJggPecBK01
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKW4ycmErnU
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU59L5pUKJ
You roll your eyes at his usual teasing, but there’s comfort in it, in the familiarity of his banter.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvstjGzOqNW
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwQmZJQ3YZ
Shin-woo: (He always knows how to distract me, even when I don’t ask for it.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27h7s6XJpT
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkf6NIJlRU6
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt922uOdOK
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjdCmYeQiM
Eun-ho: So, what’s new with your boyfriend, In-woo? Still making you run all his errands?223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuydMGeR59
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuzJ4c8mad
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeF1WQfgme3
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSR21KvgzKi
Shin-woo: He’s not my boyfriend, and you know it.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRm98xPNNa
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLW5aDGCN8
Eun-ho smirks, raising an eyebrow.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuwPzeFqNT
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg78brTrAPJ
Eun-ho: Right, right. So, you’re just his unpaid assistant who happens to be head over heels for him?223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZrzDC6Ygc
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0W5dVfRPuM
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSGnjlFZC1
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIZNnlsjyY
Shin-woo: (He’s only teasing because he knows how I really feel… and because he’s probably right.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeUj6betzj
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel7ciamSh5
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUrz8F8aMY
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mcbL2O1gk
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCOdt5LcZ7
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fNBxw4FWi
Shin-woo: (He’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t know I needed him.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrPxHJfTC0
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzheqK4Q99
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCp1MEDaCl
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJfA7AyVy4
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jbQmllQ3S
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9WayTucno
[Transition]223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSxnqp5wPk
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy5tJA8mug
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp0Kywr9wC
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIJ84juZoy
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCvJPJL9Xu
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e6nCZEWWC
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.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeL45zkWOS
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8YppWmI0r
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VrlwSWsvc
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8BfO0HbxL
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprVhRfyCw3
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzagmJqXts0
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.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezoyAQhDLz
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NtVnDI6El
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDtNgrbDCi
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLR5e1aEcGQ
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLtnXU0qN1
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiN9DfRqvIT
Shin-woo: (One day, maybe, I’ll stop hiding this. But not today.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuro2cVdtq
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtMsiXCQAD
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06AY9EsGLV
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowOxH8lSpi
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]223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlXLEVtQ5A
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJs95swXwQ
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. 223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPBBmMf6iC
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolIxLD10h6
Shin-woo: (Let them look. Let them wonder.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkHJURijhf
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwrZzs9oyi
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvyFZnbSMh
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyLs4sAd1B
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. 223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdHz93iteS
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFuz0XZS6j
Shin-woo: (Look at him... so confident, so skilled. It’s hard not to admire him—harder still not to want him.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp0Exfj84s
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkwsAZuHoe
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6yGygC4BB
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rcJOySX38
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.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUef6R4SjL
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2DMRe82I5
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXKQ4yCpAf
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡay5QKka0rg
Shin-woo: (Is it just the game, or is there something more in those quick, fleeting glances?)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffg34n8eh6
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2EoaqWYSz
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLMazd8JlL
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTQI6uZzXe
His chest heaving from exertion, you quickly stand, the towel and water bottle ready in your hands.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePEbqwWiyl
His breathing is heavy, his gaze fixed on the towel you hold.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5adMSFGIFI
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFCrvqNwg8
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSzGPc9AnZ
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr1mH5LQM6
Shin-woo: (Every detail about him catches me off guard, pulls me in deeper than I want to admit.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKAXoRatBA
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqXjXnGG4G
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvQhvfaWpx
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ujLNEscuQ
He pauses drinking, a brow arching as he catches your stare, the corner of his mouth twitching in an unreadable expression.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHCdNnVmL8
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ993mUAK4Up
Shin-woo: (Caught. Why do I always get caught?)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ipnR0EyC4
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡii0JFbMVut
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. 223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckiW0ytdxT
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLbsY06on6
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.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf4erMcewz
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsy44KkcBg
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8byZum9HB
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD6IqHSAT1
Shin-woo: (What does he think in these moments? Does he see me... really see me?) 223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhX2wBWxll
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eIFhvuJWa
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifKzkr7vt4
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzotHi38kf
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYgX5no1uk
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnhS2PahHI
Shin-woo: (Just another game, just another win, hopefully.)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAPsHOoD8G
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGX1yPnQZo
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40jfNY8lya
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUiDkjYM9o
Shin-woo: (Why can’t he just play the game without making it personal?)223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS7dbyFpgm
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJNwYgPKGY
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRBVaHv4ih
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHY14xvLdS
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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2EhYMp7Oz
223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK86I0GmsJ
Shin-woo: (No, no, no... this can’t be happening.)
