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. 217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsp0BR0p3Vq
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOAuKSSyXl
You navigate the crowded school corridor, the weight of the final year at high school pressing down like the heavy textbooks in your bag.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3gYBdaRzW
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnDzvGPjZJ
Each day molds into the next, marked by In-woo's steady stream of demands.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡep2jzwpUWC
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjKq6sdyAV
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaPeX1ObQ6
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacth7HzzJP
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?217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23aKI9WYFZ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kP1dMMHym
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPEe8cNoQc
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PIJjw7FVv
As you walk away, his next words float towards you, as predictable as the setting sun.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq0Q9zgUQA
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURImA4eqeP
In-woo: Oh, and check the homework for errors. You know how I like it done.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXonSsdGRly
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENH2fJ9JyL
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdcc1j5Gzi
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUvShcVPBZ
Shin-woo: (Why does he bother? Is it guilt... or something else?)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0kWmRGss4
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZ332xDt0u
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC87jpNAZX4
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoXw3883gK
In-woo: Thanks. And remember, I need the project draft by tomorrow.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k9OtGkjeK
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgOnpJRhmL
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIgBoFnrEC
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwVuvkhGyG
Shin-woo: (One day, I won't be doing this anymore.)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIXLVUaAyf
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSST64CcxYb
But for now, you move to the next class, the taste of the burger bittersweet on your tongue.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN0CjUe99l
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOGHxptszZ
[Transition]217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzwtOLB8BF
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJhclGPFsN
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2SDKTsXYI
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cCOYuv3kL
Shin-woo: (So it's this again. Might as well get it over with.)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfN4glTGl3z
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4zlLuRu4z
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU80WbbnLgQ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM0pggdfZU
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARDHJwub2y
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzFCWDaqgb
Shin-woo: (Maybe today’s the day he decides he’s had enough of my ramblings.)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8lRRcTFVL
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIx054YWMb0
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetjXiAr7Bl
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvCMSsJXQ0
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?217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY51eFKAak
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCmS92TlY5
Shin-woo: (Does he find this amusing, or is it just another way to exert control?)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx52DWdhGbB
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7nmwYZ2Gh
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0898fdBBF
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV6rjCc8zr
Finally, without a word, In-woo turns and begins to walk away, his departure as silent and enigmatic as his vigil.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuQmAsPakJ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOQ5RWCkfS
Shin-woo: (What would he do if I just stopped talking one day?)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFFpAfYxs7
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDKRFUR6bk
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAJA7ACs59
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYL23YHQSL
Shin-woo: (Would he still find a reason to keep me around if I no longer played the part?)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCZbidT0Ww
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGAHSgiQbf
With that thought, you step out into the fading daylight, the mystery of In-woo’s intentions mingling with the crisp evening air.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8zmPfrp69
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJJgLscQMO
[Transition]217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdIvwuC8n6
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStwnjbJP6g
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPjuhwTAyY
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYFJL68DWu
Shin-woo: (Why does he have to be like this? Why can't I just hate him?)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5nVwOHNSk
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Sk8UiQZCx
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAuOkv3y1G
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnC6amuxFm
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?)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfRFqO7ImP
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv891nxi6Yh
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLOTTFDLKA
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbmhhgtJVQ
Shin-woo: (Why her? What does she have that I don’t? It’s not like I want his kindness, but...)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJOef7KboQ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeQ2HNso7U
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2ModamJHU
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kS6dTAv7X
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.)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5XBXeRe3q
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xXNVCbdsr
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1BvKcMRtl
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uKfKU5evj
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?)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1BfW65Lbd
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAtXm9sHeX
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMfo0E2M65
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ3RY50RZr
[Transition]217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGHBBGRB29
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrTQFISZi0
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1bRxOecLH
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5splmguNDJ
Dae-hyun: Hyeong! Help me make it bigger!217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkD1iOBYsHv
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH63WWELhO4
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6V4dyJOe6H
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd05Ui09a44
Shin-woo: (He’s always so full of joy. How can he not make my day brighter?)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zjIbBt3zb
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lim7CQj3F
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dUKPdzChR
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYxRFzSzcg
Byung-ho: You gotta help me find the treasure, or walk the plank!217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VWIWWxhto
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF94hl0O9RP
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W4dd3aIaG
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIuvmvP5lZ
Shin-woo: (His imagination is boundless. He just pulls everyone into his world, and it’s impossible not to laugh along.)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZCYjNriIh
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhYHdZ5mRv
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUNRyEC9nu
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp5k3I22Gi
You approach, leaning over her shoulder to glance at the problem that’s causing her frustration.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDMvRSPyn9
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWN0c0httT
Shin-woo: Need some help?217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PJj7LpfvX
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBOWL4e78m
Iseul looks up, her expression a mix of relief and stubborn independence.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWLMMdsWuV
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqYy6IMH6u
Iseul: Maybe just a little. But I can do most of it myself!217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSON1g2uSc
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaktjPCxLok
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqid5iSZkTY
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvRmdkDqWB
Shin-woo: (She’s at that tricky age, trying to be big but still needing her big brother.)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeZhYxankW
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymMRGRxjRL
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1Q7D04k1x
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFEwBix6qO
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0kktnDWvk
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rQC5iUOvQ
Shin-woo: (This is home. This is what keeps me grounded amidst everything else.)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCluzDEVgd
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2qj39jTPt
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCnYWv2Yer
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LzTPTTXqv
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXH1K0TAuT
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6Y3g1OFjC
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZwQpNus6P
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAWIIrwhz1
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.)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzS2daedxT
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeg3LL1dqW
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1iErPsnX7
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡase3QzjjRW
Shin-woo: (I don’t want to bother her with my problems. She’s dealing with enough as it is.)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQIcGf7L8H
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWjQFAJWSZ
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. 217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRyKoZCatT
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwubggP0Ptu
Eun-ho: Yo, you look like you’re thinking too much again. Time to knock that off.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbHssdQgbP
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBY7kSpLuoo
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQPJCRQg1a
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXIe1f6617
You roll your eyes at his usual teasing, but there’s comfort in it, in the familiarity of his banter.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHpxNDCQPx
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnf6jJ5tRjR
Shin-woo: (He always knows how to distract me, even when I don’t ask for it.)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyJPVQMLPy
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRCsp3UpIw
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj5fbt6Hxk
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBWyPrGOdl
Eun-ho: So, what’s new with your boyfriend, In-woo? Still making you run all his errands?217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbYmfdFkIS
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkliMhGHu6O
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kViyaPFwP
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRlnE6xKc0
Shin-woo: He’s not my boyfriend, and you know it.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLROUvcjSLn
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGA4RCzo9B
Eun-ho smirks, raising an eyebrow.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgA5kAe8ae
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJN57MY6H4
Eun-ho: Right, right. So, you’re just his unpaid assistant who happens to be head over heels for him?217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucHY3YtuDv
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2u81WZwEY
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdIvFL4pwq
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4VVnKO98N
Shin-woo: (He’s only teasing because he knows how I really feel… and because he’s probably right.)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDkXzuekQA
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLtJdbDFQI
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdQ8NewOnT
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oFS3D4ijF
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pa0TmjZsY
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6Tf6jvIUQ
Shin-woo: (He’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t know I needed him.)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOOSfGuPRR
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8ADyuLPxJ
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZZWxvw1Xg
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zrR3htnn5
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuEmjCqa7F
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTJsbNQuvn
[Transition]217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCgP6cnVZs
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNEaHhcFfp
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqUBmFlWDl
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtS5cSR9vSR
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH6GyNKJmv
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpIgjkneO7
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.)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeijOczycc
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa27S3Kfub
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9slDlvZjUg
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpmXuc5lW0
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqc1CdF7AZ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmH5E1Ckid
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.)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJVMJkN6oL
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89UPcXfKR7
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJGnp3zOJq
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMvDFM8V5C
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4FGN4PJlk
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuzRooWBt7
Shin-woo: (One day, maybe, I’ll stop hiding this. But not today.)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1Znzl60gf
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46SHMmUD79
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTUZvGJjaF
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4g9rYPiBS
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]217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhn5rzhCIzH
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSBYZT7ppf
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. 217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFk0axiQYpO
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIpbgq9D7Z
Shin-woo: (Let them look. Let them wonder.)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZWXigITAT
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRxpJvwTl7
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLj6JRP1BYV
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaQuhEFMit
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. 217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbcsPEjZuY
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6hhvthnYs
Shin-woo: (Look at him... so confident, so skilled. It’s hard not to admire him—harder still not to want him.)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6u0ZGyCZX
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AJ5uqiNfn
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEiKQPy6sf
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9BFC3Hkbg
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.)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNk44h3xb4
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5VTo5JtYn
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG0RdtXf2C
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOUPNYBMls
Shin-woo: (Is it just the game, or is there something more in those quick, fleeting glances?)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHIsTs1nwd
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihpvDBhIIK
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Hf5pKsfAC
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWWunENYXx
His chest heaving from exertion, you quickly stand, the towel and water bottle ready in your hands.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlQZpjBkYe
His breathing is heavy, his gaze fixed on the towel you hold.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUKcUugpXB
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTzphkKDcz
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2VxDGATJO
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvx1xajuAU
Shin-woo: (Every detail about him catches me off guard, pulls me in deeper than I want to admit.)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWjeSY5TtZ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdsoV0hLMi
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9vFgAXN4Z
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHvVaU50zz
He pauses drinking, a brow arching as he catches your stare, the corner of his mouth twitching in an unreadable expression.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTiWhHzcE7
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkIpAkLDLo
Shin-woo: (Caught. Why do I always get caught?)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgr2Xa9gcVw
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbXfTAfnFj
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. 217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlZiIV5pnc
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBTfV1iQoI
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.)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKj7cAxiZo
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfg7hpeRQx
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQczpdXukbe
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqiudynvl5
Shin-woo: (What does he think in these moments? Does he see me... really see me?) 217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvmCzWQ8Y2
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAu7XcSV3C
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkWm0ir15l
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUZBiCbZEL
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErALDre6za
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYNqimq0S1
Shin-woo: (Just another game, just another win, hopefully.)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmG19JP5pQ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXigoDNyLgH
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gBJM2zsBc
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDWVgrNIgA
Shin-woo: (Why can’t he just play the game without making it personal?)217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIv5qNMcrKJ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFvbargZiR
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVlp8NwvEN
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhFZJqPvBl
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77tFCjcjyc
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5G7rGNeGT4
Shin-woo: (No, no, no... this can’t be happening.)
然後按「加至主畫面」