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. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E5Rq8VpeY
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWq0BlmSP9
You navigate the crowded school corridor, the weight of the final year at high school pressing down like the heavy textbooks in your bag.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMnWBpoPFr
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46TnoIHAai
Each day molds into the next, marked by In-woo's steady stream of demands.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3fAahRM1L
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfBseD6LoP
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemnD3fhvmI
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TfMEtrnu4
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?158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3rB01mGIy
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmxSAZJ7D4
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgUBpWINfm
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP3zQLRY7K
As you walk away, his next words float towards you, as predictable as the setting sun.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwEVWcTocy
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdifpr2Rrw
In-woo: Oh, and check the homework for errors. You know how I like it done.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBsQdPjWqN
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcUGfipB8S
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiTOkTlmuI
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXElACbazg
Shin-woo: (Why does he bother? Is it guilt... or something else?)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lePmmsZn4
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBneObL5gy
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3QIJwPzfE
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWtybmIHro
In-woo: Thanks. And remember, I need the project draft by tomorrow.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21RMK8ymM3
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuqLwPVX4i
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYK6BhCatcQ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33w5Tt3DUA
Shin-woo: (One day, I won't be doing this anymore.)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCa0YO348G
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvIxWhC0JA
But for now, you move to the next class, the taste of the burger bittersweet on your tongue.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXt8bG96nv
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8YUZN4Bu5
[Transition]158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7xKWsb80s
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7Xu1HWaO1
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfOiThYd6j
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GZ6QjzU9I
Shin-woo: (So it's this again. Might as well get it over with.)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXbncTSfNA
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuTtUHgZTv
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYVZAu0gP4
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAtpzFVCO1
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcNBsO3D0y
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiPy8er1V8
Shin-woo: (Maybe today’s the day he decides he’s had enough of my ramblings.)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN24J3b3rpb
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqCLZf4xlM
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRl8Qj3kjYS
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27qJHlXQXb
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?158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPiwepcxUl
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZZs9jyqf0
Shin-woo: (Does he find this amusing, or is it just another way to exert control?)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxxRrfMGCl
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvebpkP3mY
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX93uPsM5I
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEi1GfURd2v
Finally, without a word, In-woo turns and begins to walk away, his departure as silent and enigmatic as his vigil.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLOfr081Sr
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ChNO9lT3g
Shin-woo: (What would he do if I just stopped talking one day?)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gdav4AVx0
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNuCvzQNba
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76wV87rU7v
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MjqXM4rWE
Shin-woo: (Would he still find a reason to keep me around if I no longer played the part?)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAINnUI2YSr
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCW1v7yotT
With that thought, you step out into the fading daylight, the mystery of In-woo’s intentions mingling with the crisp evening air.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yEJq9qlwq
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmIVGZmkkB
[Transition]158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8NQVtR2Ti
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdrYEeBP6t
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZIM3nveMU
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tUbVofePt
Shin-woo: (Why does he have to be like this? Why can't I just hate him?)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJpfOPCXme
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OsdvNSa9j
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCuVVg9Kj3
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ2YsK0Skx
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?)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgl8eb46w0
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieeY9M1qFL
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVs2OACzJui
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1ffNwH5u3
Shin-woo: (Why her? What does she have that I don’t? It’s not like I want his kindness, but...)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWfk4ZLyOi
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0mYZA8OJX
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e8iBMK40b
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U3s6658VN
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.)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWziFS9fs0B
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX4BZpFlWs
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvUXiQNjeN
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpKdDu6tps
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?)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzgdLeLL1G
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7aSuw0aqe
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWmcTUIkQs
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwA1nVe7KK7
[Transition]158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHklmZfrwPT
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjNNozUQJr
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8APghdwdqT
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpW25kmyiEJ
Dae-hyun: Hyeong! Help me make it bigger!158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoB474fusEv
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYMD6duFbK
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsIqrl4Qis
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4W9SZJkoq
Shin-woo: (He’s always so full of joy. How can he not make my day brighter?)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdGblmIALN
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2V4ZngHDf
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIBOiBIAc6
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh27lN4ffyW
Byung-ho: You gotta help me find the treasure, or walk the plank!158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93Lw8dTTmc
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvp4cpciNF
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnLWijLPyz
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lYed6ULFF
Shin-woo: (His imagination is boundless. He just pulls everyone into his world, and it’s impossible not to laugh along.)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaSitfeXZQ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSiLv08brj
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFhD2LhNrh
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKCKrtbZIp
You approach, leaning over her shoulder to glance at the problem that’s causing her frustration.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wLM3FJi6R
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9yjeIU5xb
Shin-woo: Need some help?158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM282NRibw
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdiRlPLTR1
Iseul looks up, her expression a mix of relief and stubborn independence.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbchjBCSfL7
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AIWYsBNCu
Iseul: Maybe just a little. But I can do most of it myself!158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O3JfBxuSF
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xk8jnbGSQ
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjG9rMbxvs
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSxTF8ba2c
Shin-woo: (She’s at that tricky age, trying to be big but still needing her big brother.)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZy8qTQW8p
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7Sun0Vy30
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8SLxrNwJ3
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRRQaUk7Si
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGT4eFFdjf1
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYMp5pe7ms
Shin-woo: (This is home. This is what keeps me grounded amidst everything else.)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRwTJTGn37
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmIz5KYf0C
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp3kLMSUBN
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hTx0OJgxw
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlh6Vn3WdT
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCup5Gtdk4c
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKEgws1zoD
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCsC7aAtC9
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.)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8H3KibzOh
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhk2oj9qeS
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiW8ljwxEzj
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrUprmn5Nn
Shin-woo: (I don’t want to bother her with my problems. She’s dealing with enough as it is.)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZVN8xiAIB
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS1yzJIoJo
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. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxaxK5kJpj
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBGRnqSif6
Eun-ho: Yo, you look like you’re thinking too much again. Time to knock that off.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoWeIOa1YE
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2LpgWcz5g
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOgB8l0zuJ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMANVRCCDp
You roll your eyes at his usual teasing, but there’s comfort in it, in the familiarity of his banter.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRoascbyKT
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2aP7tI76s
Shin-woo: (He always knows how to distract me, even when I don’t ask for it.)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5qtacHrBk
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwKn8KKjCZ
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yykxVSD6L
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJIAOLiI7W
Eun-ho: So, what’s new with your boyfriend, In-woo? Still making you run all his errands?158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGhLSylbji
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fIodgIrgF
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnOHAbqxKx
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2vfvs29uJ
Shin-woo: He’s not my boyfriend, and you know it.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuArxVOayn5
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpBzoJouAR
Eun-ho smirks, raising an eyebrow.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyRc0v9nST
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSx6I5Rypm
Eun-ho: Right, right. So, you’re just his unpaid assistant who happens to be head over heels for him?158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXb1jJc4Fq
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSwzgJY1CY
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduZUFGUctP
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjXtnnryfc
Shin-woo: (He’s only teasing because he knows how I really feel… and because he’s probably right.)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vXRxH68pH
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gfR6jRqMn
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp4NWGd0p4
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdkaM8RD09
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmZqoL80kE
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiKgDIqXIu
Shin-woo: (He’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t know I needed him.)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnyPsGd4Mv
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqeiNBcQzF
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Jd4bUyM18
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00NljC2pJ7
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Bd2fs6Bi1
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr3oEAk6OZ
[Transition]158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBb2Oyrz54I
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8vccynt24
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZBmSj8sWz
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zQ3uGfyuX
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfN7ZbceYsG
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkX0V19UTR
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.)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbRoMa5eal
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYOaIdXaiR
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0fH34B1a8
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDIeMxpVD3
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNFSaNfB12
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBAqSkUeHc
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.)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFZXCaYNGh
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcjX3XFkh3
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9R5A0XYYk
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUdRcSzLQA
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvNN0Bk5cR
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvTDAkG6rV
Shin-woo: (One day, maybe, I’ll stop hiding this. But not today.)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6EPoDnH66
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqCbdUiIlG
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzA7dtl23Rl
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSzm1NM1Uy
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]158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEfSetKzyr
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx6MGkRFmM
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. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO1yvgqDbn
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2f07Tojs4r
Shin-woo: (Let them look. Let them wonder.)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NDo5crzU3
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJnzdZ0UFr
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqZNyC7gd0
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEH6hrCMEv
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. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9uhMCapWd
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZHNrc4zqP
Shin-woo: (Look at him... so confident, so skilled. It’s hard not to admire him—harder still not to want him.)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTNeVU249P
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvwSHtlzU3
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2ec38JDju
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKGcW760ig
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.)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf6FS3OFJP
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg93Bgo6AVK
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYre6Ce0BFW
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2Ap3Tx61B
Shin-woo: (Is it just the game, or is there something more in those quick, fleeting glances?)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sxypCvbVY
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PhWCYS4mN
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKmcUDh2ot
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPTJIi5rcB
His chest heaving from exertion, you quickly stand, the towel and water bottle ready in your hands.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEsl8gRCuh
His breathing is heavy, his gaze fixed on the towel you hold.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsw9YtE8JmR
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4yHdjGtMR
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9HXXSbqQm
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24JM9Bdsrs
Shin-woo: (Every detail about him catches me off guard, pulls me in deeper than I want to admit.)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2UKWqKrlK
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFqTxGyiFW
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeP9SIbpRN
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXdlOBNlpw
He pauses drinking, a brow arching as he catches your stare, the corner of his mouth twitching in an unreadable expression.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNfvMJZKbR
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkr4fQ8GV53
Shin-woo: (Caught. Why do I always get caught?)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXJmxVd0lV
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE6qtzPhVH
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. 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9RIwQUYMk
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQePeuThNRo
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.)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCagPERZ3pO
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVsSsjOL0c
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb4Ow1BPRE
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQjsz5cVr0
Shin-woo: (What does he think in these moments? Does he see me... really see me?) 158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ozfDs0eHH
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡht4359Qgsw
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQeW3jSlZO
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR5n6uKDtq
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJT9q7pTKF
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAo2HxSJdAX
Shin-woo: (Just another game, just another win, hopefully.)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxyFfzfo1e
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDS0dF4zlEi
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFqBRM6fpX
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwT76aj1HQ
Shin-woo: (Why can’t he just play the game without making it personal?)158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHGg5MalGn
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRkrvEdneU
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWlpngKriU
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktzzasu1H3
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeh2UW7cjT
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIvWIy83A0
Shin-woo: (No, no, no... this can’t be happening.)
