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. 299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvyJlKlIrz
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kHvMeCr5u
You navigate the crowded school corridor, the weight of the final year at high school pressing down like the heavy textbooks in your bag.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡID7GY0z6sZ
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37qsa1e8EI
Each day molds into the next, marked by In-woo's steady stream of demands.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZciS9cm5k
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6LVzW5don
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhm77O2Y5z
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeZpTL0AdL
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?299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyO1hJ4k0Z
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9GbXIyIPO
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZzIq0z22q
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDO9K1M3gTE
As you walk away, his next words float towards you, as predictable as the setting sun.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Zi5A9j7ZW
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tLgomg54a
In-woo: Oh, and check the homework for errors. You know how I like it done.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa84e2kcRBI
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8QnDCIwbB
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAu8O3JUJRH
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLBir6dQgl
Shin-woo: (Why does he bother? Is it guilt... or something else?)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Q0Zu05mO4
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWG6kPVw20
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBbqDt1uye
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0hgd21rjR
In-woo: Thanks. And remember, I need the project draft by tomorrow.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsP6gclaBg8
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtcIGdSC53
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMv3jYAxhKS
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nebkXpiWL
Shin-woo: (One day, I won't be doing this anymore.)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbrXVqPK8K
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEfe8zXmcN
But for now, you move to the next class, the taste of the burger bittersweet on your tongue.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuREClMKt0K
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi1xSwVulG
[Transition]299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAx5EckhazH
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGYLpDeFR9
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT1lItShir
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqE7HdtYXes
Shin-woo: (So it's this again. Might as well get it over with.)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyEb25TQpr
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA5e8OMjKa
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUq6FWheKB
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy7lGeNDTF
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPywv252rO8
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnmhlA4Ily
Shin-woo: (Maybe today’s the day he decides he’s had enough of my ramblings.)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFfRrvhn2r
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAo5OyqEGIm
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxft2TMblaI
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmaO2ZTePl
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?299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYBhOblLvw
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbErVqD8Js
Shin-woo: (Does he find this amusing, or is it just another way to exert control?)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGkflSTtKO
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4nTibL7ti
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Xbjl0YgFR
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnTBuEpOUi
Finally, without a word, In-woo turns and begins to walk away, his departure as silent and enigmatic as his vigil.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHVhzh92uQ
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdIa6tdp3B
Shin-woo: (What would he do if I just stopped talking one day?)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWK8wxAXKu7
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgKFX9CHTT
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYALJNOeXh
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7sXqy6lvd
Shin-woo: (Would he still find a reason to keep me around if I no longer played the part?)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAB6iPcqMkO
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5P68L5G53S
With that thought, you step out into the fading daylight, the mystery of In-woo’s intentions mingling with the crisp evening air.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbG9LXvfC7I
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bIlZoJyiQ
[Transition]299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUTJchcwIb
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP72sy8OcT4
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgxS5Rc12S
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx79OlF83xO
Shin-woo: (Why does he have to be like this? Why can't I just hate him?)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SNc1sRyet
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzY6qDnm07
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPiTXWitNe
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiS3LG1k7V
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?)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Kjwt8B7px
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu3FZWmYQ3
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6jj8k8n8B
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmAKPbjJRO
Shin-woo: (Why her? What does she have that I don’t? It’s not like I want his kindness, but...)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfG3wRFjENB
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CpbdN4fP6
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV9sOhTdwk
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIauX6wERf
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.)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIy5fYuX7ZO
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLAC2uE3vQ
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdDMFq7gdS
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzrMv1LP2A
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?)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJCfb8TSKh
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3A7LUl7N8
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNasFPns5dT
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj5K7V6VIo
[Transition]299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9QRkkJ5zL
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwFezQ73L2
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpRRpuz99q
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG8oNOxsmt
Dae-hyun: Hyeong! Help me make it bigger!299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrojWPvolq
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR36cF0lRLC
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hqOB3qVpL
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQghpzLpuiD
Shin-woo: (He’s always so full of joy. How can he not make my day brighter?)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwABq4VWCA
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qlomF36LZ
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeWowd0erK
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NctJvcug8
Byung-ho: You gotta help me find the treasure, or walk the plank!299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqXQNGv5kq
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrv77UvUFHO
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKVyoZDtYW
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfMmVK4o2R
Shin-woo: (His imagination is boundless. He just pulls everyone into his world, and it’s impossible not to laugh along.)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRlpJkz6hC
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH4jknpt2t
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Xdh0GsRml
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUTnaiEAaj
You approach, leaning over her shoulder to glance at the problem that’s causing her frustration.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOe8FkjJVf
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZXnirS0cb
Shin-woo: Need some help?299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4Ji5itxsr
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTllGnhB81W
Iseul looks up, her expression a mix of relief and stubborn independence.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMCPn0iywJ
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCzY29oMb9
Iseul: Maybe just a little. But I can do most of it myself!299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4g6OZbNBW
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZMewm0S07
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9TEXjDhLd
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jl95gSlJf
Shin-woo: (She’s at that tricky age, trying to be big but still needing her big brother.)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAb31gLWtK
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkZkYUoiVH
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NYQQsqrip
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf6Q8be2Uo
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQaskPPcDd
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vJ1dUJxX1
Shin-woo: (This is home. This is what keeps me grounded amidst everything else.)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweM9ci4QI4
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkXg5WLQVC
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyzyuwPlMD
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJY0nQnzWRH
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdovcS1O3kT
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPJqplddbO
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBOtA7O4XT
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatoSKCL5ys
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.)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnocCaIuu3
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qq6hTFSw8
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSem08cDvK
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhkZWQBCxy
Shin-woo: (I don’t want to bother her with my problems. She’s dealing with enough as it is.)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCPt6PjdiG
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHww3GPl7D
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. 299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4rrhGkXFQ
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7n0IfbkDK
Eun-ho: Yo, you look like you’re thinking too much again. Time to knock that off.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRyssU7Pyw
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFj4SUxuL7
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywuOX2w4Vu
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQZX8gNkqE
You roll your eyes at his usual teasing, but there’s comfort in it, in the familiarity of his banter.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Qf4yuKBOm
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLxgkGMWz0
Shin-woo: (He always knows how to distract me, even when I don’t ask for it.)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr1Rql3Rjv
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qAaiYZKqo
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt15eQm4nor
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡro4dKQKMSF
Eun-ho: So, what’s new with your boyfriend, In-woo? Still making you run all his errands?299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgaqBp9NbW
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHStMWFNE7
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHs9FU5ij7E
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDGR7iVJgR
Shin-woo: He’s not my boyfriend, and you know it.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYNEo5Ppsx
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMWXwAOai1
Eun-ho smirks, raising an eyebrow.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjY5rJJ2QA
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1p9uj4XKu
Eun-ho: Right, right. So, you’re just his unpaid assistant who happens to be head over heels for him?299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFM1NCRUK8
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBKQMD2IF2
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjmAWmMtNg
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktJYTrGIMd
Shin-woo: (He’s only teasing because he knows how I really feel… and because he’s probably right.)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrV9FT5jfd
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ593FbcbItL
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZuZR1Ha0p
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf42ZHIXOJp
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsbYL6j9db
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP6NY0JIju
Shin-woo: (He’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t know I needed him.)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu8MHPBdNH
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRycT367hlK
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPTlbA4Mcq
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuNGCXb0bc
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6l5Y4snF7
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJd3PlqJoWq
[Transition]299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRSUxV403J
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjvhcDIWnA
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nHNPJtr9W
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCux1ewQYMS
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNWvk8MDlj
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzt58w4QRl5
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.)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosjsDcL1bL
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZJ3gOiOr9
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pRqdA6nI2
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2ajezL5Af
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKcCdBxchU
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm6C2bhQcG
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.)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBUkfoFw01
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MA6wToy2n
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv80aQl03aF
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ67T9QltWs
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUR84dZ3zdN
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyrHv4JX7U
Shin-woo: (One day, maybe, I’ll stop hiding this. But not today.)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwcbnoJC3f
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0RpdLB7I8
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSOvRHEdpG
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qJYZqTYyK
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]299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHxrqNMjBG
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuSQjbvgng
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. 299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvXDbvBXEQ
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVIubSNyjE
Shin-woo: (Let them look. Let them wonder.)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhJGinVGp0
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iuU1WPNij
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeivElzcq4
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tGhqe9iaF
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. 299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN701uIYin
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1k7Iuu9yvY
Shin-woo: (Look at him... so confident, so skilled. It’s hard not to admire him—harder still not to want him.)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHtnrPdGgd
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYqArjWokI
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY0OpPT0cp
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJoqCXrEvX
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.)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYZdIK9pAw
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM23IX2oO3O
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqMbSszZCm
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNgqwiX2Ev
Shin-woo: (Is it just the game, or is there something more in those quick, fleeting glances?)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCQP71bTqR
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMKWfxLTcY
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVuOdB71c8
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkO5OUAA9z
His chest heaving from exertion, you quickly stand, the towel and water bottle ready in your hands.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4mbIp687X
His breathing is heavy, his gaze fixed on the towel you hold.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqY2eZAr2eq
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeOFwGxZwA
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcgwZmYlbL
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5og6BgWsz
Shin-woo: (Every detail about him catches me off guard, pulls me in deeper than I want to admit.)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ0OdKuisy
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiEqL7jMTB
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpiIvwGMmY
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2LdLH32sc
He pauses drinking, a brow arching as he catches your stare, the corner of his mouth twitching in an unreadable expression.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOPYxPEWwy
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUil5oxOF0
Shin-woo: (Caught. Why do I always get caught?)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ330tnZQvbt
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qgbPqmkAf
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. 299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjReEQpVki2
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡga2dcEyAEH
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.)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalIFgsnnOc
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiguw0JURE
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oIu4T40wY
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe8qIrgF0y
Shin-woo: (What does he think in these moments? Does he see me... really see me?) 299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSHhGL7XWo
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrBPPfY9qI
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjCEXSHgW5
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMCjd6CThy
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VY4PHeCyV
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5SqmR1xuF
Shin-woo: (Just another game, just another win, hopefully.)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBEu3LnPOy
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqeidRPI09
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPv2iV73KvK
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ7E7z07Oa
Shin-woo: (Why can’t he just play the game without making it personal?)299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9jnKJM4TX
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4HYy9oQIz
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJu7SH4ti7
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN3zOhefRl
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.299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpRsqFu3Yu
299Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF39GHbP8P9
Shin-woo: (No, no, no... this can’t be happening.)
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