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. 222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjR2G0lidr
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX4q12UmXs
You navigate the crowded school corridor, the weight of the final year at high school pressing down like the heavy textbooks in your bag.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LCHGvesHn
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzgC4qfEzk
Each day molds into the next, marked by In-woo's steady stream of demands.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF99Wb4HX5
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfIAQPVZ2G
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ5EVonYZq
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuUFHtNNvP
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?222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHPidF3YVw
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKM4YnEece
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9Fs97h8TK
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ143VXuXPOB
As you walk away, his next words float towards you, as predictable as the setting sun.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnRBxumRM5
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡww27gHvwkM
In-woo: Oh, and check the homework for errors. You know how I like it done.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS23EG5mMm
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkUJkR1tpE
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswhTWFEGor
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jrO1oIr8H
Shin-woo: (Why does he bother? Is it guilt... or something else?)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWADdhhxYKv
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmzVlA0v4e
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNwMWs4pPX
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPZ4AO7onz
In-woo: Thanks. And remember, I need the project draft by tomorrow.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVbdyIriwm
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1u1lyVkx9N
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCqV8222Tx
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFPTuQAkMY
Shin-woo: (One day, I won't be doing this anymore.)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHTx2ISFiI
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt63lw1geW
But for now, you move to the next class, the taste of the burger bittersweet on your tongue.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI41MyA1vJ
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR56XnxAYJ
[Transition]222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDHP6NelcV
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDRcvNOIts
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJa4aDnhin
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9AeN4O6NG
Shin-woo: (So it's this again. Might as well get it over with.)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX1r1dJ1Sp
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBaHDENh9S
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoI9smw2uwU
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqz8d6cy1IH
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwS6YqsZ6e
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZMhdY8ZT0
Shin-woo: (Maybe today’s the day he decides he’s had enough of my ramblings.)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TwKDQMg4Y
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8PdmXSHMX
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7mnJoHqoJ
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjw8llhdnz
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?222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxuvoAjCHW
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH00eVDPCKA
Shin-woo: (Does he find this amusing, or is it just another way to exert control?)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgucPkXslE
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWYJJlYaBN
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmfIRSwvCu
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpo8MAgVyZ
Finally, without a word, In-woo turns and begins to walk away, his departure as silent and enigmatic as his vigil.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RxxaeFalz
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUVS88KoKM
Shin-woo: (What would he do if I just stopped talking one day?)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqECHXbshXF
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aU4GTXPMW
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvCDXmcTEc
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBh45VZq4Zi
Shin-woo: (Would he still find a reason to keep me around if I no longer played the part?)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKRB16Gn6F
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGhSFpTpiU
With that thought, you step out into the fading daylight, the mystery of In-woo’s intentions mingling with the crisp evening air.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJibhxqqOl
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkTwBbReUL
[Transition]222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDM17rRPAw
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hnAmraq59
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAtBYtMPYZ
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoG5sdgPvnV
Shin-woo: (Why does he have to be like this? Why can't I just hate him?)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwE0PBZdKs
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3qTNr9z77
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRjyWLQa52
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgdYyzPceQ
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?)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu5LeYPg4P
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy50OUYWxD
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjL1UYfV4H
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmu0sLeL3HX
Shin-woo: (Why her? What does she have that I don’t? It’s not like I want his kindness, but...)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqP2y9jzIir
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcxKqWjwe6
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYDyrT5rzo
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7NNzqEY1k
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.)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeTVQQpNRk
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fuokE11xn
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8Ft8ucEFp
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKe20IDiIG
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?)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENm4JexPFN
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqCEbB4nh8
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQcDVvLFmt
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WIKbSpkNu
[Transition]222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8fLQ8m1g8
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItDbilTkpj
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsYxKTbcCo
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ilxm8yl02
Dae-hyun: Hyeong! Help me make it bigger!222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWcshRcLlb
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99z3T0Dowh
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzh8bKLq2K
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnwxMQcHSG
Shin-woo: (He’s always so full of joy. How can he not make my day brighter?)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHZN1wLeJy
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiR7S0IOUWs
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZ8rcaziw7
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8vYdMgz7E
Byung-ho: You gotta help me find the treasure, or walk the plank!222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcitQyUEte9
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kuVXW1boL
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumEFdpDUtn
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKU90RuAGv
Shin-woo: (His imagination is boundless. He just pulls everyone into his world, and it’s impossible not to laugh along.)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUly2lMIy8H
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntsaKIfZT7
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphhQPPBqbz
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5HjPn0omy
You approach, leaning over her shoulder to glance at the problem that’s causing her frustration.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7FVOE4M8L
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgKa847H64
Shin-woo: Need some help?222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAGSmXpirP
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtcFjizSDI
Iseul looks up, her expression a mix of relief and stubborn independence.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV97nWBBWPD
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡispOqqzS8k
Iseul: Maybe just a little. But I can do most of it myself!222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaatExzdRZk
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu8DQPsoQw
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7nsZNzOII
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFGi14Zrr2
Shin-woo: (She’s at that tricky age, trying to be big but still needing her big brother.)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYhmEGeGrH
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPDB1zwHv6
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTnz3DnwRo
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiZlQdxNHD
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEBpbjEH9n
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzJcWRrE7p
Shin-woo: (This is home. This is what keeps me grounded amidst everything else.)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JIS5vIBkB
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIBJU4Xng3
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV64WZNkhXo
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQk7g7wKyx
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gSJ1VUWgN
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqLCKA3Tc3
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhprCmeTge
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXrsL5ZiAq
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.)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5wzi2kEZA
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMhpH1BmWQ
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlW4W2RO5T
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLLz8aEZz2
Shin-woo: (I don’t want to bother her with my problems. She’s dealing with enough as it is.)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZwxWld5dg
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uKodaMCrV
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. 222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWHwRetHy9
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyiFxH1mbd
Eun-ho: Yo, you look like you’re thinking too much again. Time to knock that off.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsG71JebC8x
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9ujU1LDJR
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRH3VwIQAe
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ9RsboEZF
You roll your eyes at his usual teasing, but there’s comfort in it, in the familiarity of his banter.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4kZQzGSIs
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNVg4KanX5
Shin-woo: (He always knows how to distract me, even when I don’t ask for it.)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHU5HJGr1b
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FGSrXcuNg
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uJgAUkAP3
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsevHwUeEXh
Eun-ho: So, what’s new with your boyfriend, In-woo? Still making you run all his errands?222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCG55oWQ8E
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7Set6kBCi
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgTWkD9WVb
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhBZF99hAj
Shin-woo: He’s not my boyfriend, and you know it.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzaf9UTfm0
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGuL83aqJf
Eun-ho smirks, raising an eyebrow.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFp0BwSUjRl
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLX4N8a6khI
Eun-ho: Right, right. So, you’re just his unpaid assistant who happens to be head over heels for him?222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3OVEDTYPz
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rqzIOvnu7
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmscj0CtBCw
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9L00pVKxfB
Shin-woo: (He’s only teasing because he knows how I really feel… and because he’s probably right.)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz7RDLUP3n
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzqFQSULSw
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztl9e5OX0N
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXTB5z06eQ
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHAeg73M3f
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiu8Ungxmd
Shin-woo: (He’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t know I needed him.)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iogPMUnH7
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw6ojEa0Kh
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3I4NhO9mG
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZhnkh67DA
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYCctSOST9
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9g2jip6vq0
[Transition]222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9BVNzos4x
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinTH3flEct
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMUJdi8dtR
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWMxTNyUz4
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEtRbHTsAE
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UzsoENai3
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.)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cSbeGvr6i
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxGRd4VLve
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81hzj3uqSD
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6DS8zAWJH
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CMfBqcqSM
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLrilMbUXg
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.)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcMm0I8nvW
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVrbLOdTg2
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn0N9FtcCp
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ2P8OLEK3
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3j0Fmog2g
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyzBaqYXd7
Shin-woo: (One day, maybe, I’ll stop hiding this. But not today.)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhykZeKixhE
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJiZxWB8a2
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mXFdai3of
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51SXfYJDo1
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]222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlAhUYet4h
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBfyJHsc3A
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. 222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87P0NZprLX
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ253dvZA3Sx
Shin-woo: (Let them look. Let them wonder.)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTojtkDryWq
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTBItGFYB4
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNj89WNEpp
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOqpoOX831
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. 222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAebjFXJXxQ
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EyTIDjbyM
Shin-woo: (Look at him... so confident, so skilled. It’s hard not to admire him—harder still not to want him.)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ731TiQOwlt
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqb4MpycOs
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBAOSYBvkq
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCpgSiduvF
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.)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0dpyVKHrp
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUWHDkJGlO
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXEaYFfaTL
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8dHKxaF2h
Shin-woo: (Is it just the game, or is there something more in those quick, fleeting glances?)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGS4Y5Ur8M
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYbbzCFwYY
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV132YSpFQ
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnp4xK9hlhH
His chest heaving from exertion, you quickly stand, the towel and water bottle ready in your hands.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7pF0bZFO5
His breathing is heavy, his gaze fixed on the towel you hold.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmS8JVTQyj8
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bWqJA7TBE
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWq1FhKB7L
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEjX7CfPW7
Shin-woo: (Every detail about him catches me off guard, pulls me in deeper than I want to admit.)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxIcVD4Lf8
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO0hKP3jkp
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sbX3ecOy8
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPXpeuETmy
He pauses drinking, a brow arching as he catches your stare, the corner of his mouth twitching in an unreadable expression.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvCk65BMbN
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKdHYl3jV9
Shin-woo: (Caught. Why do I always get caught?)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70wEU1VWsn
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQLrxbQwwV
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. 222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhyx8PLsbs
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8IYWutrN5
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.)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRt8MmPGjZ
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zM8yKMyTO
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6RvfYflG2
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeISojyHrg
Shin-woo: (What does he think in these moments? Does he see me... really see me?) 222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6xMqF5l4v
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUiCKRH3ET
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIWx7YqWNx
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZWUjmMKWS
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8TssKorRA
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKFKeqMZzb
Shin-woo: (Just another game, just another win, hopefully.)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FDqEDAmWL
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNGBvvMmFf
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PPOoj35AG
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusMbiYljr1
Shin-woo: (Why can’t he just play the game without making it personal?)222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MarDCY4Ne
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYbBZd2kQy
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKZFflPPN6
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeJ9By5zfz
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29XAtA20m1
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTdIl1z59n
Shin-woo: (No, no, no... this can’t be happening.)
