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. 149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIf2mQq2Tx
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6jlrh79Un
You navigate the crowded school corridor, the weight of the final year at high school pressing down like the heavy textbooks in your bag.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJWb3CaSaY
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eLJ0AmP0d
Each day molds into the next, marked by In-woo's steady stream of demands.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PeIdvVd6K
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l93Q3maUN
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8Q0zmz4VE
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjp5GTVXKe
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?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8sJUl8Iyj
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCvPLCrdLa
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fM2ZScZ5y
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uSEdjT6nq
As you walk away, his next words float towards you, as predictable as the setting sun.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufJ5DPUNrT
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE1lacA2N6
In-woo: Oh, and check the homework for errors. You know how I like it done.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ0MCnKqlv
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBSB24TMjI
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8NrzQgx7P
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hMIBJNidS
Shin-woo: (Why does he bother? Is it guilt... or something else?)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj1Ab9v3rT
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8xOwP0USE
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZfkJIZL3A
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cUNprAb1v
In-woo: Thanks. And remember, I need the project draft by tomorrow.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptyRc4q1H0
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMB2haONzVE
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfePlzJ1vN
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mp2XrFbuv
Shin-woo: (One day, I won't be doing this anymore.)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnkabsoJeL
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOclmeluDoj
But for now, you move to the next class, the taste of the burger bittersweet on your tongue.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1znOtgrxAV
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[Transition]149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpV7ivnY0P
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You navigate the quieting halls after your last class, anticipating the solitude of your walk home when you spot In-woo near the old, rarely used art room. It's not a surprise—more of a routine encounter.
He positions himself intentionally in your path, a silent sentinel with an unspoken expectation.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRSN0lqHpj
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KkACVzzzD
Shin-woo: (So it's this again. Might as well get it over with.)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBZkKTSoNO
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡga9QUZCAFY
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfySjQl0H1V
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrDO1tpySA
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3usO37RJ7
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSEWjEaYrF
Shin-woo: (Maybe today’s the day he decides he’s had enough of my ramblings.)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlL4sJDkiO
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QAzZeWQaz
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnW0UNx0yjB
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESU3KN0knr
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?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwfy75hPMj
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡho13cUWFMB
Shin-woo: (Does he find this amusing, or is it just another way to exert control?)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6QulabIfc
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqYN6fv02c
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVhn94SFsM
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotQXAlhHOK
Finally, without a word, In-woo turns and begins to walk away, his departure as silent and enigmatic as his vigil.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukBv5Mc6xT
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Il1CS85Xh
Shin-woo: (What would he do if I just stopped talking one day?)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTcNHmuyWi
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f6ocSNIdC
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzXnQtEpY3
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UGZqepKjx
Shin-woo: (Would he still find a reason to keep me around if I no longer played the part?)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ioPxby007
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95SgxqO5nM
With that thought, you step out into the fading daylight, the mystery of In-woo’s intentions mingling with the crisp evening air.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDdnYJjxiC
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqxLOw2Z5Y
[Transition]149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qT4TtcX7i
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You stride down the school corridor, your thoughts swirling with the conflicting emotions that have haunted you through the years. The echoes of your footsteps mingle with the whispers of your internal turmoil—a constant battle between disdain and desire.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtgBEbsF7Y
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoWvTm83fq
Shin-woo: (Why does he have to be like this? Why can't I just hate him?)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYHqeQsK0q
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVFvEzNNpP
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxX35jsvui
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqEtYnEz2M
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?)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfgu1QDPsH
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0yJC2zfKj
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLP0YSSsOVg
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mKqbCXkhT
Shin-woo: (Why her? What does she have that I don’t? It’s not like I want his kindness, but...)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYh583e5ky
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCeaqWxp6v
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuJ2iPcNQZ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBhvfYKxmP
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.)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpH4X6e134
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYWgzvQvop
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZDhWFzEPZ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMppm7quls
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?)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjYsFX8JsG
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhvSQy48Gc
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeW7vdjYr2
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[Transition]149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HbNOpEeT2
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7GMO3Vo50
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQ2IFIUp0D
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNyIa7XBGW
Dae-hyun: Hyeong! Help me make it bigger!149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIzo8tMOkI
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS6HZOYL9x
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUQtfysGq5
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbVlbf3myK
Shin-woo: (He’s always so full of joy. How can he not make my day brighter?)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX52Ky7P1w9
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt1DbiB2G7
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI335HfKjLe
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFGoBbMvNg
Byung-ho: You gotta help me find the treasure, or walk the plank!149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxlpjV3k4h
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmeIvDpbuW
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfBZKzJGBT
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HofdvEGH3
Shin-woo: (His imagination is boundless. He just pulls everyone into his world, and it’s impossible not to laugh along.)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1VJygPz7i
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2hhSNdWPK
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfwnXH3nED
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpxgrUIO2g
You approach, leaning over her shoulder to glance at the problem that’s causing her frustration.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgnI9lxOCl
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnME8cFfbN
Shin-woo: Need some help?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRzXj5Yyks
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRFbKd2udt
Iseul looks up, her expression a mix of relief and stubborn independence.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yyYfZWBoe
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEx3t5w1Ty
Iseul: Maybe just a little. But I can do most of it myself!149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8q7kYvX2fZ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHddgkZ8YJ0
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y4jZ69i5S
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqykuJbfLF
Shin-woo: (She’s at that tricky age, trying to be big but still needing her big brother.)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMQwbzF9d6
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pFjkbRmuV
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEIqA0Ac3W
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6And73ebK
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBntuoz0fs
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNaSlAYgNs
Shin-woo: (This is home. This is what keeps me grounded amidst everything else.)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVi54TGqwt
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZV7KtfO4H
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCQdZHG18u
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90eUnw1NHh
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXT2Mod0MHP
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdjKR1KZfS
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9MQtb8WIQ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh661zHYOXr
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.)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3br7OjFWJK
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElSjkDIWrW
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjiytWmJ51
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aoWbnyIoE
Shin-woo: (I don’t want to bother her with my problems. She’s dealing with enough as it is.)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV3biOxemM
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHfLN6RXS6
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. 149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpccodLB3sG
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwmiGO6PnY
Eun-ho: Yo, you look like you’re thinking too much again. Time to knock that off.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwCMQW64Aw
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0024fNkAh
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHhqVWzBsC
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHRxWsLV3w
You roll your eyes at his usual teasing, but there’s comfort in it, in the familiarity of his banter.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs37kt3UEy
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTZR2s9TOh
Shin-woo: (He always knows how to distract me, even when I don’t ask for it.)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Kj6c6zRrR
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSA9I3KaXV
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGsA3hsYjk
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7VEHSuX9Y
Eun-ho: So, what’s new with your boyfriend, In-woo? Still making you run all his errands?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsU5RfVg0f
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcQRNnwCTc
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnO0wJMoO1M
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda1qpVm9li
Shin-woo: He’s not my boyfriend, and you know it.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kPNQfgD2M
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAgXqgYahP
Eun-ho smirks, raising an eyebrow.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Gle4rPAXg
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXoRIbnskZ
Eun-ho: Right, right. So, you’re just his unpaid assistant who happens to be head over heels for him?149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML6dNmnSfL
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrMWc2acgi
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiw1SVbYV4F
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraabb5vWMa
Shin-woo: (He’s only teasing because he knows how I really feel… and because he’s probably right.)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aeVoYbIT5
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCY3HOD0nh
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjjo4JWYhw
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFMMvbTdGO
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkynq4jUpKD
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9bKtkA3ZY
Shin-woo: (He’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t know I needed him.)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74YxpMrlM7
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uCs81HLuv
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUdoXoUfcI
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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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1n95Y509M
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[Transition]149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmW4yivE3tH
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It's spring, the season when the world outside bursts into color and life. As if on cue with the blooming flowers, In-woo has his own ritual.
Today, like many times before, he leads you to the old cherry blossom tree on the edge of the school grounds. The air is cool, but the sun dapples through the branches, casting playful shadows on the ground.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtVjZwpXAF
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4hpsNSc3C
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5EKxsjMol
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Shin-woo: (Every spring it’s the same, but I never tire of it. It’s the one time I can just look at him, really look, without fear of being caught.)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQZF6SFZga
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWumgr6XpS
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduhB8J6BCD
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTnxrfle0q
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcsIx1WL76
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMnpdWTGSs
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.)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2MSS6NDmr
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7t1dNld3n
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphbGwwHJSR
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopqHu9dgnP
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SoowW9XiK
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYftG69WgrJ
Shin-woo: (One day, maybe, I’ll stop hiding this. But not today.)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidPwobtLck
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TSCmO7vY7
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaMuNAFt8S
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKb8NrViRj
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]149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6Lx7uqNRv
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ejQxsYaEQ
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. 149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnVstsNBwI
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWM8pMB5ct
Shin-woo: (Let them look. Let them wonder.)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS80gbH1pRl
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aXjsH07I2
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLeYEYD1ot
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZP9SRqC9T3
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. 149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQh9NEunzW
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3pUe6m2hN
Shin-woo: (Look at him... so confident, so skilled. It’s hard not to admire him—harder still not to want him.)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOKWxplTcZ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3ogSOQ7WW
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71GrwCNoiI
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwVPkSu0jD
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.)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWPRKElEmS
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPP2JdinjV
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2XIahd5Rm
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBV0JscqbA
Shin-woo: (Is it just the game, or is there something more in those quick, fleeting glances?)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy3QmRxIDZ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAaYB7qShg
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopd04HaPOx
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4RnNb7Y6a
His chest heaving from exertion, you quickly stand, the towel and water bottle ready in your hands.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOe5kdm2BtV
His breathing is heavy, his gaze fixed on the towel you hold.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fM9ZEyLqJ
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdOJ3FxmA4
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE8625lTUN
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe16YGcT71
Shin-woo: (Every detail about him catches me off guard, pulls me in deeper than I want to admit.)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fV2DEKfjn
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5TStp4Rol
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbUN7Ro87E
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsTyUpwPbU
He pauses drinking, a brow arching as he catches your stare, the corner of his mouth twitching in an unreadable expression.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21ZZysWly9
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4ZbeNNmQn
Shin-woo: (Caught. Why do I always get caught?)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTxIAGQxWF
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZJrVNLHvL
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. 149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoznHq9DqJ7
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq00npu0cjc
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.)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiT1ZE2BOR
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNSRUYOMw9
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxsCwlNREl
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsSe9mqH7l
Shin-woo: (What does he think in these moments? Does he see me... really see me?) 149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qOdXy4b3x
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWwzEMgwDR
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4PRbklE9G
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLe84WneQf
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GRCxlPThm
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdjyt2wMtG
Shin-woo: (Just another game, just another win, hopefully.)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MJkpN1YmO
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRL8CmIzqpm
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKPjmvkQ1d
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPkKOM2g3j
Shin-woo: (Why can’t he just play the game without making it personal?)149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3r20pKz0e
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhn4CMTKVu
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesRnb5pOI4
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKYDzZW0zI
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.149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO11aEpuSqD
149Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqddbrpuqc
Shin-woo: (No, no, no... this can’t be happening.)
