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. 224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbppBgSDbGa
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeghszsStB
You navigate the crowded school corridor, the weight of the final year at high school pressing down like the heavy textbooks in your bag.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqhLJXiLJ7
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByZ2snkZ6U
Each day molds into the next, marked by In-woo's steady stream of demands.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4jszU8NeM
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0QT8AwU3H
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnDSWsbBce
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dA8iU14yx
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?224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6RK5jZa9z
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTdDAkzka0
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtwQSSfTSN
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP32Mjo2yW
As you walk away, his next words float towards you, as predictable as the setting sun.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dHJuJJRWC
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYPDr43uqs
In-woo: Oh, and check the homework for errors. You know how I like it done.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRfvEYXpiw
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdfoNLbV94
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MpRUcgYGH
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyvGZTCQqu
Shin-woo: (Why does he bother? Is it guilt... or something else?)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr714ogErLp
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1TnJyGdKh
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcwWO3EWef
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfomPD9RIg
In-woo: Thanks. And remember, I need the project draft by tomorrow.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOR1bPPxWe
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyoIZGXPiG
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZnCDI6MYc
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhocNeL9iJp
Shin-woo: (One day, I won't be doing this anymore.)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtFvItBclu
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtC5RBr2oL
But for now, you move to the next class, the taste of the burger bittersweet on your tongue.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9Ux6k88am
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEVLVBYrCy
[Transition]224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MBZ7gYsx6
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGY9pfRLhC8
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMW9IZHHFb
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdR1qCWinM
Shin-woo: (So it's this again. Might as well get it over with.)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL9nWBxu3n
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFZnsYsIEt
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9eJAozxKC
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpViujw9Yo
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzlxXbBUZz
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJl77gjf6Yz
Shin-woo: (Maybe today’s the day he decides he’s had enough of my ramblings.)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gReyIB4Iy
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgMWhypftu
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhAaC7a9Nr
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC47qL8CN3D
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?224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVWe4jGY6w
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5xdczItxU
Shin-woo: (Does he find this amusing, or is it just another way to exert control?)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wOduzTIuH
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujJwzXQRvZ
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU86q8fpuTi
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxCoE05eAe
Finally, without a word, In-woo turns and begins to walk away, his departure as silent and enigmatic as his vigil.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTzB9WnY2z
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQA8eI1BSc
Shin-woo: (What would he do if I just stopped talking one day?)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLZITQdAhS
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRdDkY8t9v
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHnvQc8noO
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUo49g0WPNr
Shin-woo: (Would he still find a reason to keep me around if I no longer played the part?)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGxcIcLxpk
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Mw0wkpcN6
With that thought, you step out into the fading daylight, the mystery of In-woo’s intentions mingling with the crisp evening air.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBT1TnF1sW
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc4klDAhPm
[Transition]224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aOua232A8
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGysKbLwT3
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfAGVwvIAZ
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwDOrJpTyK
Shin-woo: (Why does he have to be like this? Why can't I just hate him?)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOATvCAZJtG
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMBQcWg9zC
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyujsqZwqk6
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QVqBNWZK7
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?)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP54uUH3K0T
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrpbAfXxtR
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgc6pyzQmN
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PtER5KLXt
Shin-woo: (Why her? What does she have that I don’t? It’s not like I want his kindness, but...)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpBaXiqB7O
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLN4kyvCeU
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQkrWbCOrc
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg63kewdOT1
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.)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhzVPnSc7D
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lt9Z97qrg
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pFDlLdj2W
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsmgYHHECc
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?)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OZaULRkYn
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgRQpGgYIE
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzim9aUJNrd
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGljx3LyNVn
[Transition]224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI86Vk6Tip7
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8wzroD6jr
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T3922ZHQA
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeB8W5ASgTr
Dae-hyun: Hyeong! Help me make it bigger!224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1M7xnDGX9
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxO0gAlo4I
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPokOLcXi4P
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kvZLHog46
Shin-woo: (He’s always so full of joy. How can he not make my day brighter?)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Q1XSjB6bp
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotPZaGVdTD
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2ax3xSZNb
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RSTgDpnJd
Byung-ho: You gotta help me find the treasure, or walk the plank!224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwTvgxI1hZ
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhj1ebZsbhA
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR1QsG6XW0
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4QoejjAnT
Shin-woo: (His imagination is boundless. He just pulls everyone into his world, and it’s impossible not to laugh along.)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftaOQrZUq2
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgpvuGYuxt
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiffNnKFc8
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBYYUQsRjN
You approach, leaning over her shoulder to glance at the problem that’s causing her frustration.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2urFiprAwd
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQY0pAiw4R6
Shin-woo: Need some help?224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8ciZr2nM4
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSImuFpPI9
Iseul looks up, her expression a mix of relief and stubborn independence.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVXDRAMXK3
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nn8Qz1Stc
Iseul: Maybe just a little. But I can do most of it myself!224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHiUnnSXsG
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOolmLvVKA
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4TzzlP7wV
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWXO2KGVqn
Shin-woo: (She’s at that tricky age, trying to be big but still needing her big brother.)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqf6iQ9lcBa
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrSaB1rkMH
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvAdJjPcuD
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmfadDDRVJ
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD27BXPHUfe
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdWFbA4dtI
Shin-woo: (This is home. This is what keeps me grounded amidst everything else.)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvPHjfj2q0
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuizQdXMwUB
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJ2tAz2GS9
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrf0pejZXu
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0E9eOwuqG
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVK7ZpU4R9
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXd1SzZNPn
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUg3gmmAJm
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.)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvucwwETJiK
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnd7Ugq9G5
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3MjLDvU8Q
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UIEcKEWLR
Shin-woo: (I don’t want to bother her with my problems. She’s dealing with enough as it is.)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDKyx4KNXw
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ka2T9Owl0
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. 224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktg9wITDgK
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsDfEYuxHE
Eun-ho: Yo, you look like you’re thinking too much again. Time to knock that off.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cjTXSfOcv
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZo2Ai2hGH
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOWBk8hH7j
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTclyZO6Uw3
You roll your eyes at his usual teasing, but there’s comfort in it, in the familiarity of his banter.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8fp7KH964
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKb4Op0I9L
Shin-woo: (He always knows how to distract me, even when I don’t ask for it.)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIG7w03PXI
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGfijr3F2e
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NCQN9yGMB
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqKr54nf99
Eun-ho: So, what’s new with your boyfriend, In-woo? Still making you run all his errands?224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtrUwSPw7U
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddYKSNhmHe
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3axfEp3vu6
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2ly8iProe
Shin-woo: He’s not my boyfriend, and you know it.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOFkWnfarH
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg0M9a5zhi
Eun-ho smirks, raising an eyebrow.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vG0DaAMY0
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3pbKPULo8
Eun-ho: Right, right. So, you’re just his unpaid assistant who happens to be head over heels for him?224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1fAg6BNh7
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhva6lfJPIq
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrw2E0EHOt
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbp5Qo2BOG
Shin-woo: (He’s only teasing because he knows how I really feel… and because he’s probably right.)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HETFPjMvn
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffZABTC1HE
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC03iCZNVQG
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCo2giJSVO
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYRpTWruQz
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l87LXs0yK
Shin-woo: (He’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t know I needed him.)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd6Am7fVnP
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFl2MbcfmX
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz45yL9aE1
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw0cVA9Qvg
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAriRZNfTc
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq63t1d0zX6
[Transition]224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcUiQdn3Qn
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjg3TpM25zM
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLfHLW7K0J
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRZtJOf67y
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOuAzBhwJp
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVaS7UHpQf
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.)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vvT5fymEk
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV6kcfqIUU
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D1edwqVDH
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0uPHmIMVC
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC354NJNs53
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnVFmsK7Ye
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.)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjX1cpmkSUt
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCShRCZqEP
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTW0gUDfv6B
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz77RaiozVK
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GhZIQ68CR
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6QTkve8Z0
Shin-woo: (One day, maybe, I’ll stop hiding this. But not today.)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyxPmoYPYB
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg9cwmgZ4Z
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98mOAEg9Im
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySeKwMefEL
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]224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnAV1qqL3L
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92e5n9bA2H
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. 224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Jdch59d47
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTVPx2LuDv
Shin-woo: (Let them look. Let them wonder.)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VUllbogzX
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7989CeYEF
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sWbwxp1IG
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq1Qdc6vlA
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. 224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWr3YixU2l
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyofSWwZhvm
Shin-woo: (Look at him... so confident, so skilled. It’s hard not to admire him—harder still not to want him.)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDEURNcz7O
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAJq9DHcif
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf247yJAP4F
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt2cjy5xDK
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.)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpxeZpjmNp
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxVM6pnH7H
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo62bYqAyJ
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2CNHjD5j4
Shin-woo: (Is it just the game, or is there something more in those quick, fleeting glances?)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPxyljpdfC
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCrL3nee70
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaQrvXPgWI
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMYx7J8UMa
His chest heaving from exertion, you quickly stand, the towel and water bottle ready in your hands.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck9Ekruqxs
His breathing is heavy, his gaze fixed on the towel you hold.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9fLLfFhQa
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqMut2CGk7
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLySJk5SoUV
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIMClgTNBF
Shin-woo: (Every detail about him catches me off guard, pulls me in deeper than I want to admit.)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObUeoSbzW3
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV891c95CI
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Vyg0LIquH
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlklxBkyNjl
He pauses drinking, a brow arching as he catches your stare, the corner of his mouth twitching in an unreadable expression.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Hj3zSsON2
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHJILwLYIc
Shin-woo: (Caught. Why do I always get caught?)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1MoGoNx43
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbn4dowEETe
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. 224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb6D6abreJ
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBk7E0xpa8
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.)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrwLnHiOuD
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEjADhYNEG
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnunOTO65im
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoFVsKVush
Shin-woo: (What does he think in these moments? Does he see me... really see me?) 224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW642bZNpr
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPfqJaOVzo
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKRZLjqVLE
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9izYhpzPE
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Kx6nXJVe4
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjpcbdieL4
Shin-woo: (Just another game, just another win, hopefully.)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtUM4115LH
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVNVeLBiNu
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZ0uTNz5gC
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBycrgXXdL2
Shin-woo: (Why can’t he just play the game without making it personal?)224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNtwJtyiy1
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDoijWHBwg
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOM4FzxWMg
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKaSO6WH0d
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.224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoZFGWrb3L
224Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7Wd7d0O85
Shin-woo: (No, no, no... this can’t be happening.)
