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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2IlJzA19Y
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYBdSEQQIy
You navigate the crowded school corridor, the weight of the final year at high school pressing down like the heavy textbooks in your bag.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9woddxc8Z2
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfuJcedLLk
Each day molds into the next, marked by In-woo's steady stream of demands.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3Jil56kcK
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkuwrn9ZOA
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDAkoY1zaz
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26nhbZ1v4a
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?264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryiZ4jzfwS
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47iEvqzqVl
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQwA0PAa0k
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIQzRhzIey
As you walk away, his next words float towards you, as predictable as the setting sun.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZDzlMXlwv
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcdnIZCo6D
In-woo: Oh, and check the homework for errors. You know how I like it done.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3e1fXTZ4f
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQIPvinri9
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMYqnVwgjt
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YxF3y1UTv
Shin-woo: (Why does he bother? Is it guilt... or something else?)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpahP2Oxj9
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYazRdw5Sb
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu9yI6TF3e
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivJt0EIFJA
In-woo: Thanks. And remember, I need the project draft by tomorrow.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8DgdSs5OT
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbUYvZEUPU
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudhU3eiZSG
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNONr1wbr8
Shin-woo: (One day, I won't be doing this anymore.)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4VXXyAmv7
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKc99TIbYH
But for now, you move to the next class, the taste of the burger bittersweet on your tongue.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFd5cWxgN90
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sCM2ulrGK
[Transition]264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPoMw6AGR8
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRElGaxYFmJ
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPMkJYTe8W
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2IiOgs0pS
Shin-woo: (So it's this again. Might as well get it over with.)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUDIOBpdOP
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Qm9UD2U5X
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iW5DaVs8U
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ394td5TKgU
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1Ic70kAEw
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9oOm50bFZ
Shin-woo: (Maybe today’s the day he decides he’s had enough of my ramblings.)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvn3iqUzw4
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqua3wOE3T
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡky3fNFGfQx
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCtkwbW5NX
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?264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZYOeD4u26
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pHxvUBsr7
Shin-woo: (Does he find this amusing, or is it just another way to exert control?)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleUSqj7DnN
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg56y4L7xV
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUNgYwJJYm
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KvJ1TLdAH
Finally, without a word, In-woo turns and begins to walk away, his departure as silent and enigmatic as his vigil.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGMwQU8TO9
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSJ6JMoGaC
Shin-woo: (What would he do if I just stopped talking one day?)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfdS1x4vpB
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJGhkR4yri
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19t0UNpHHB
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHsCIsHHZR
Shin-woo: (Would he still find a reason to keep me around if I no longer played the part?)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6NBVkSNhN
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Md5x5ZXt7
With that thought, you step out into the fading daylight, the mystery of In-woo’s intentions mingling with the crisp evening air.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl89UtTwxv8
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[Transition]264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YRGs3O752
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPekFlSOJTX
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGQzfL6MuX
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwsp5EcJds
Shin-woo: (Why does he have to be like this? Why can't I just hate him?)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs2oBW5Ui4
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MroWmGguR
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBLSKEnsuV
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSroCxcowB
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?)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQDSZrNJ2r
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCTey6ICWr
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJbfNylJv8
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVulu2wbvsh
Shin-woo: (Why her? What does she have that I don’t? It’s not like I want his kindness, but...)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlei8jjX6C
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3uS8Y3rBm
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cxWuS9fkW
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB60ttg4mSE
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.)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqc9srYbx7q
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25DGp9fRJ8
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysrMVH5fdY
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZT4GAtVG6
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?)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlndc0sGoY0
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1XVso4eHe
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzgpvIdaAW
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeSKjeD3qQ
[Transition]264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHX9zWFpQEt
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZmiImArtI
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYpBVaB4mz
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwERdiDW8N
Dae-hyun: Hyeong! Help me make it bigger!264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEO979o4Xx
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJkKVrzhgi
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauhqoJJOdO
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVMGoCproY
Shin-woo: (He’s always so full of joy. How can he not make my day brighter?)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKHTIBu0JH
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhURnTTpZ6Z
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9OWsRzPMU
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxAlqF5AOt
Byung-ho: You gotta help me find the treasure, or walk the plank!264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivBkqgjHAr
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWIeN5oL74
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPz24nSuqC
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRtjVOI3tA
Shin-woo: (His imagination is boundless. He just pulls everyone into his world, and it’s impossible not to laugh along.)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFmSWyzBWN
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqymOTOnf5
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhDsxqhV5M
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyOzpqBJzy
You approach, leaning over her shoulder to glance at the problem that’s causing her frustration.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN6XOJpLlB
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiMEtaip8E
Shin-woo: Need some help?264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WWHK5DeVm
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqFiEkZDuM
Iseul looks up, her expression a mix of relief and stubborn independence.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY12IZ6VMn
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDFxEK6WPW
Iseul: Maybe just a little. But I can do most of it myself!264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgRybUmIUo
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOrCIDbTHG
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2EJuIR3h0
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5D6RGmmfa
Shin-woo: (She’s at that tricky age, trying to be big but still needing her big brother.)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJRBCSKtTp
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ELV9tq30S
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9JewOmr2Z
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBT8RkXoZCr
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKglf0A6W58
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsZtFAEo0a
Shin-woo: (This is home. This is what keeps me grounded amidst everything else.)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpq2KpJ69s
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pvnDExrUA
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUc5oUd94tE
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBk4MsMhmVR
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4fF912x5d
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlg3CB2jrvl
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u2XWYhkRe
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXv11m4yvcO
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.)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8biN0JJO6
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNEfbSO9D8
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTllz9mSxih
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFabb1gVJzp
Shin-woo: (I don’t want to bother her with my problems. She’s dealing with enough as it is.)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AWGFpT0tU
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmq3UjnJLQ
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKR1H3q7CT5
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu9DUsM4Zs
Eun-ho: Yo, you look like you’re thinking too much again. Time to knock that off.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPYZxNy6gP
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0JBXd6ii5
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKotTpKTaK
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6cmBdL8kv
You roll your eyes at his usual teasing, but there’s comfort in it, in the familiarity of his banter.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjZXQPxfnF
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xQtv1QRJg
Shin-woo: (He always knows how to distract me, even when I don’t ask for it.)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgtSazKWUE
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDUyvSa3JX
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarbkc1Gjvu
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEX063O88a
Eun-ho: So, what’s new with your boyfriend, In-woo? Still making you run all his errands?264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBs3oyXIXM
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7I7b9OWih
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wGojoRK68
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMWkI3B8Cf
Shin-woo: He’s not my boyfriend, and you know it.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5X7IzPlmO
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDEAyZFXKL
Eun-ho smirks, raising an eyebrow.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpIfMmjBok
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqcq9xkggI
Eun-ho: Right, right. So, you’re just his unpaid assistant who happens to be head over heels for him?264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHsnFmMzMH
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJJw2p3LJj
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGkecG6bcP
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDJ02ddLL2
Shin-woo: (He’s only teasing because he knows how I really feel… and because he’s probably right.)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wmHRU2lkb
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6EBDDsN3K
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA2X2wDmwE
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKOPzbt5I0
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEdJgjqerm
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiyhSjRr0B
Shin-woo: (He’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t know I needed him.)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8i3qeSsnX
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9gkrkzXZ7
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq2dDtZeid
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS0SooZiN4
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8i21pjPDo
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[Transition]264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHJ1eRQoG9
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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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67KKDp9kQQ
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux6cYSmI4W
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroeS1pNArZ
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6cvSXybmj
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.)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS2dr3T0c1
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn0IX3pi6E
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSB3AefEz6n
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfujhwgIUp
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMJA7mXrvT
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ6ZBOMDiz
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.)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxbPKEl0f0
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pvDM8Rzyk
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpISogUlzC
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZt7744AWRn
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQIGHXpiwL
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO612ouPq9V
Shin-woo: (One day, maybe, I’ll stop hiding this. But not today.)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9f3fabV8Tr
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpoiJjW8vO
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzAomMKOQD
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5VTJwHX8p
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]264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88EfZ1osEK
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWO0HRNP2EE
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWg8dEl1LB
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY36T8jEcc
Shin-woo: (Let them look. Let them wonder.)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXy8TunMou
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWzNHDNfUP
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyfvxzYdBB
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtK3vi4gIh4
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHQFK0DZK9
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX15R5uBD1U
Shin-woo: (Look at him... so confident, so skilled. It’s hard not to admire him—harder still not to want him.)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEa6w7O6BB
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGW3pBlEiF
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp2r6FZyeW
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLiRbQGZmV
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.)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7nbH0Apy0
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RVhH1GUk7
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXyTtwkJBj
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ026oUKVAxb
Shin-woo: (Is it just the game, or is there something more in those quick, fleeting glances?)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXL5aEQuyb
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYajTwt0i0Q
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr495d9gzX
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhq5FAJebvJ
His chest heaving from exertion, you quickly stand, the towel and water bottle ready in your hands.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmTyY78b0h
His breathing is heavy, his gaze fixed on the towel you hold.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnsJ39U6cu
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq348u1ic18
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMoPADHiBf
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0RpguaxLe
Shin-woo: (Every detail about him catches me off guard, pulls me in deeper than I want to admit.)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rnGv2zn9v
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlj9z8kszz
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDMKroogJp
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OEj0VYV7W
He pauses drinking, a brow arching as he catches your stare, the corner of his mouth twitching in an unreadable expression.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IJtRC5S9o
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOse0bZbrd
Shin-woo: (Caught. Why do I always get caught?)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAvUzPd5FG
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tNzZM5UxS
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. 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRuR3aTlKq
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRW8ULCtvvi
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.)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzMiPUn3Sp
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9Q89v3SF0
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62mg42Fa3V
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfbP5hpRsd
Shin-woo: (What does he think in these moments? Does he see me... really see me?) 264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoneLUtCnG
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ibXRVAEno
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLoJihSWLW
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOM88aQDMXH
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimixz5RVwf
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrhD9CvA7d
Shin-woo: (Just another game, just another win, hopefully.)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq6atfvqa9
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqcjZc518E
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoVqAz5qoh
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiUFeCXkpj
Shin-woo: (Why can’t he just play the game without making it personal?)264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzq7jbZdFI
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfzWZDFOZL
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtkHnnsR9W
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj12O6grUZ4
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.264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdruWKK6URi
264Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tbvzrwM8D
Shin-woo: (No, no, no... this can’t be happening.)
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