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. 297Please respect copyright.PENANATGbOPMWpoB
297Please respect copyright.PENANAofcUMuWtme
You navigate the crowded school corridor, the weight of the final year at high school pressing down like the heavy textbooks in your bag.297Please respect copyright.PENANAISn076RGya
297Please respect copyright.PENANA4NIAPRyH9a
Each day molds into the next, marked by In-woo's steady stream of demands.297Please respect copyright.PENANAxmOuNh6EDV
297Please respect copyright.PENANAhUklvOX3Uw
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAtQwuHGzBZc
297Please respect copyright.PENANALLf5RlkL5S
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?297Please respect copyright.PENANAkjfFFZWLHB
297Please respect copyright.PENANAxMLuizS74N
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAgDfh8pP33e
297Please respect copyright.PENANArK9e7q8O8z
As you walk away, his next words float towards you, as predictable as the setting sun.297Please respect copyright.PENANAPJ6SsxYB5s
297Please respect copyright.PENANAoXeOOKrOm3
In-woo: Oh, and check the homework for errors. You know how I like it done.297Please respect copyright.PENANACl358JepGf
297Please respect copyright.PENANAUOMX3YlvJI
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANADfx5o97lxP
297Please respect copyright.PENANAWjcpoDATqd
Shin-woo: (Why does he bother? Is it guilt... or something else?)297Please respect copyright.PENANAeUUP4j4CnF
297Please respect copyright.PENANAVnaQq6wIB2
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAMYclXB6gMK
297Please respect copyright.PENANAAFfqX5ayL7
In-woo: Thanks. And remember, I need the project draft by tomorrow.297Please respect copyright.PENANA1JCsTPXzJr
297Please respect copyright.PENANA2jKLoMwFs8
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAyh15Lu5yLz
297Please respect copyright.PENANAADTIOBSysJ
Shin-woo: (One day, I won't be doing this anymore.)297Please respect copyright.PENANASig7U5VCxW
297Please respect copyright.PENANAe7FhjP9q4X
But for now, you move to the next class, the taste of the burger bittersweet on your tongue.297Please respect copyright.PENANAGFc57XmEuX
297Please respect copyright.PENANA5qOFvx64ad
[Transition]297Please respect copyright.PENANAQlK6r4io6I
297Please respect copyright.PENANAj9NeWW3Q2X
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAaULaZK5qfK
297Please respect copyright.PENANAPyvHZW4pj3
Shin-woo: (So it's this again. Might as well get it over with.)297Please respect copyright.PENANAvhxtP5oTs6
297Please respect copyright.PENANAHfnNrlKK11
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAw3rCwNlATR
297Please respect copyright.PENANAsFFZx0I8RD
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANALzcFyKQZqh
297Please respect copyright.PENANAhuFU3APJuX
Shin-woo: (Maybe today’s the day he decides he’s had enough of my ramblings.)297Please respect copyright.PENANACOnH6ZH7Ru
297Please respect copyright.PENANAaEVuzUZoYS
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAlF8zkPPwB1
297Please respect copyright.PENANAqls7J2CHwb
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?297Please respect copyright.PENANAjFjdIs78hn
297Please respect copyright.PENANASLFJ7ykeEX
Shin-woo: (Does he find this amusing, or is it just another way to exert control?)297Please respect copyright.PENANALOiNLryZ6U
297Please respect copyright.PENANAqqXxHnsD54
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANA7raxUYrKA0
297Please respect copyright.PENANAPSnSGX5s9M
Finally, without a word, In-woo turns and begins to walk away, his departure as silent and enigmatic as his vigil.297Please respect copyright.PENANAoq5n1aJrRN
297Please respect copyright.PENANA7s4rKFeA03
Shin-woo: (What would he do if I just stopped talking one day?)297Please respect copyright.PENANA8ghJAO4u75
297Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3qNW49vvU
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAO9WeXhPpTJ
297Please respect copyright.PENANAzACuL7mmZp
Shin-woo: (Would he still find a reason to keep me around if I no longer played the part?)297Please respect copyright.PENANADDPoY6pCNF
297Please respect copyright.PENANAdbipFjWvK4
With that thought, you step out into the fading daylight, the mystery of In-woo’s intentions mingling with the crisp evening air.297Please respect copyright.PENANAiRyaKQ6dJn
297Please respect copyright.PENANAitKtN5LIJ3
[Transition]297Please respect copyright.PENANA1eUbHHhfx7
297Please respect copyright.PENANAxYHRXQ4PS3
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAofhGgSxl2q
297Please respect copyright.PENANATdDnig3rvn
Shin-woo: (Why does he have to be like this? Why can't I just hate him?)297Please respect copyright.PENANATRChtMwTtv
297Please respect copyright.PENANACNgCHf3sTM
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANA9N1N9cZQGV
297Please respect copyright.PENANA8HzVjeZcjU
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?)297Please respect copyright.PENANAd5DJRWKq0o
297Please respect copyright.PENANAn9PwhDKmDD
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANACI6x8LmbBF
297Please respect copyright.PENANAnzM8XnDKjB
Shin-woo: (Why her? What does she have that I don’t? It’s not like I want his kindness, but...)297Please respect copyright.PENANAFAip2dvfds
297Please respect copyright.PENANAo2hOYTHQnb
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAiTrBv00u8P
297Please respect copyright.PENANAveIXA03bRw
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.)297Please respect copyright.PENANADiLfeV5PVW
297Please respect copyright.PENANAyaeowgJrdK
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAYZJgOKnDie
297Please respect copyright.PENANAT6CLEAsePS
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?)297Please respect copyright.PENANA39Z6gFXqJl
297Please respect copyright.PENANAi6LMWRFQiI
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANApb9ok3jYaH
297Please respect copyright.PENANApvgSrjNDiE
[Transition]297Please respect copyright.PENANAJIMy2D5ut1
297Please respect copyright.PENANAFonvNMcTQ3
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAbAdsIf2SFA
297Please respect copyright.PENANAtFhirsi6tE
Dae-hyun: Hyeong! Help me make it bigger!297Please respect copyright.PENANAxjm4Eis0cM
297Please respect copyright.PENANAZy9zNlc3xj
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANASocTUlVpxz
297Please respect copyright.PENANA3nADNKHclO
Shin-woo: (He’s always so full of joy. How can he not make my day brighter?)297Please respect copyright.PENANAX26fmIeh1O
297Please respect copyright.PENANAZuvreu6Bg6
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAQDs5KPeFKu
297Please respect copyright.PENANA4qdqex5KzN
Byung-ho: You gotta help me find the treasure, or walk the plank!297Please respect copyright.PENANAK4KitC19uh
297Please respect copyright.PENANAk3ef9LuvsG
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANA68ACnfoHP4
297Please respect copyright.PENANAY1a5E8u6ZV
Shin-woo: (His imagination is boundless. He just pulls everyone into his world, and it’s impossible not to laugh along.)297Please respect copyright.PENANAg95VJjLkMK
297Please respect copyright.PENANAe1HHlrGPsV
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAG8LYv6OWxU
297Please respect copyright.PENANACwa95FpAWo
You approach, leaning over her shoulder to glance at the problem that’s causing her frustration.297Please respect copyright.PENANAeXQv5QIv17
297Please respect copyright.PENANACMEhp6AMmN
Shin-woo: Need some help?297Please respect copyright.PENANA1suShnGxGp
297Please respect copyright.PENANAIYlj6cjZxG
Iseul looks up, her expression a mix of relief and stubborn independence.297Please respect copyright.PENANAKtfjZ5WfNx
297Please respect copyright.PENANAsdzVXNrFxY
Iseul: Maybe just a little. But I can do most of it myself!297Please respect copyright.PENANAL6IsGgi54R
297Please respect copyright.PENANA2cmhsMExoq
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAVs2CUMP1dx
297Please respect copyright.PENANAkR3V4pr6MR
Shin-woo: (She’s at that tricky age, trying to be big but still needing her big brother.)297Please respect copyright.PENANAkVgMpZvg2W
297Please respect copyright.PENANA23DPXVVcWb
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAyAXP0sSbRo
297Please respect copyright.PENANALHzdNVzy4V
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAvLyeKQqE9T
297Please respect copyright.PENANASgCKTf5RKE
Shin-woo: (This is home. This is what keeps me grounded amidst everything else.)297Please respect copyright.PENANA4pzUrS4CHK
297Please respect copyright.PENANATdJlbRkH2e
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANADcKa3xp9td
297Please respect copyright.PENANAYERAY1A9j9
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAqErHtsiOct
297Please respect copyright.PENANAHaEZgiAgaW
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAJ51SF1DFZ4
297Please respect copyright.PENANA5IVpQaFJlV
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.)297Please respect copyright.PENANAcZ0EqIwOh0
297Please respect copyright.PENANA0voEE6zq3d
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAMAARtvaC9g
297Please respect copyright.PENANA7OYAhz5mJP
Shin-woo: (I don’t want to bother her with my problems. She’s dealing with enough as it is.)297Please respect copyright.PENANABgTeAs0WLp
297Please respect copyright.PENANAwj5oCqdCl1
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. 297Please respect copyright.PENANAXuQ4KftSFY
297Please respect copyright.PENANAOukSMp7jyI
Eun-ho: Yo, you look like you’re thinking too much again. Time to knock that off.297Please respect copyright.PENANAHEQLywJBkr
297Please respect copyright.PENANAZJxQjZrmI8
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANATjn3pvJCnC
297Please respect copyright.PENANAMhTTqzN118
You roll your eyes at his usual teasing, but there’s comfort in it, in the familiarity of his banter.297Please respect copyright.PENANAMkbdUdgFTT
297Please respect copyright.PENANA1BqCDef7oj
Shin-woo: (He always knows how to distract me, even when I don’t ask for it.)297Please respect copyright.PENANACVHy0JxJCq
297Please respect copyright.PENANAvzpseOiLDY
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAwp27FmCClz
297Please respect copyright.PENANAz78utchuiD
Eun-ho: So, what’s new with your boyfriend, In-woo? Still making you run all his errands?297Please respect copyright.PENANAMfvBwWF93R
297Please respect copyright.PENANAj2RaumH7JF
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAnGUlK2Dh4u
297Please respect copyright.PENANAaKcJvcZl3w
Shin-woo: He’s not my boyfriend, and you know it.297Please respect copyright.PENANAtyAA3DSmzJ
297Please respect copyright.PENANALd18vGNScy
Eun-ho smirks, raising an eyebrow.297Please respect copyright.PENANA4jbloluEtp
297Please respect copyright.PENANA98aMv6RnoC
Eun-ho: Right, right. So, you’re just his unpaid assistant who happens to be head over heels for him?297Please respect copyright.PENANAt4XpAB1e24
297Please respect copyright.PENANAkvvphFqQfV
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAnSFnDmr8am
297Please respect copyright.PENANAoiSU2msgTB
Shin-woo: (He’s only teasing because he knows how I really feel… and because he’s probably right.)297Please respect copyright.PENANA09hVY9BytY
297Please respect copyright.PENANAiINT6JW4SR
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAmjRYQiqrHV
297Please respect copyright.PENANATD7p3oZYoV
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAcvRLU6IwkN
297Please respect copyright.PENANAqAsUEG5UNd
Shin-woo: (He’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t know I needed him.)297Please respect copyright.PENANAAXSkV3l6O8
297Please respect copyright.PENANAXmaSbTMka5
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANA83SFlWUnhQ
297Please respect copyright.PENANAMmUIxWEftG
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAgprNDnq72h
297Please respect copyright.PENANAniykSv92La
[Transition]297Please respect copyright.PENANADFw2VN9m1B
297Please respect copyright.PENANAUdjxLG7zxm
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAIdzPNaoC7I
297Please respect copyright.PENANAeDCNLe1e8b
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAVwgLgFTcwk
297Please respect copyright.PENANAq7MISG2Mw8
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.)297Please respect copyright.PENANASulNAfA0yF
297Please respect copyright.PENANAjn3MmV5bFn
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAZxJc71PyXW
297Please respect copyright.PENANAp1axb392nP
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAcrF7GOFNRy
297Please respect copyright.PENANAclhuLsYaoT
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.)297Please respect copyright.PENANAzW5ePWadE4
297Please respect copyright.PENANAm5q1J79q53
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAC7S5KFebb4
297Please respect copyright.PENANAMdCaVQ5HdN
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAJLsVOdlOmN
297Please respect copyright.PENANAVA7oGa1QBw
Shin-woo: (One day, maybe, I’ll stop hiding this. But not today.)297Please respect copyright.PENANA13YHi2F3oR
297Please respect copyright.PENANAaEXbCzT7Ut
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAKG34iwbqWs
297Please respect copyright.PENANA58CRBLedDA
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]297Please respect copyright.PENANApw2ZFdC1Ha
297Please respect copyright.PENANA4b7rdXP8p9
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. 297Please respect copyright.PENANAQaOXuchgN5
297Please respect copyright.PENANANa8g5UqHIp
Shin-woo: (Let them look. Let them wonder.)297Please respect copyright.PENANA82Xr5B2HjA
297Please respect copyright.PENANAGMyiRAb4uc
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAAmg1bA0Bdk
297Please respect copyright.PENANAEWIsaqob6u
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. 297Please respect copyright.PENANAZsXvz6atS6
297Please respect copyright.PENANA8ApqF55Ut8
Shin-woo: (Look at him... so confident, so skilled. It’s hard not to admire him—harder still not to want him.)297Please respect copyright.PENANAOYurVorjwm
297Please respect copyright.PENANAiBtu9dbGce
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANADDDgKMWriV
297Please respect copyright.PENANAkHcTM2yfrk
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.)297Please respect copyright.PENANAVo3jlnhtcg
297Please respect copyright.PENANAW2StZiMB9C
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAbVDbP6IM8e
297Please respect copyright.PENANAwOI5G2QZYI
Shin-woo: (Is it just the game, or is there something more in those quick, fleeting glances?)297Please respect copyright.PENANAs7J86VWZ48
297Please respect copyright.PENANAifYFdZvUc4
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAxwmoKCqPSa
297Please respect copyright.PENANAgpF81xq9k5
His chest heaving from exertion, you quickly stand, the towel and water bottle ready in your hands.297Please respect copyright.PENANA9htOpfR2Lc
His breathing is heavy, his gaze fixed on the towel you hold.297Please respect copyright.PENANATNtahYaMAP
297Please respect copyright.PENANASR7S6qlh4b
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAh7b5oEfTDk
297Please respect copyright.PENANAIeMlt0PWla
Shin-woo: (Every detail about him catches me off guard, pulls me in deeper than I want to admit.)297Please respect copyright.PENANA40GCYEH1KJ
297Please respect copyright.PENANAFxSxdAE49L
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAlZ13NIeS5e
297Please respect copyright.PENANAmecXefPqW8
He pauses drinking, a brow arching as he catches your stare, the corner of his mouth twitching in an unreadable expression.297Please respect copyright.PENANALcEiY6f4IO
297Please respect copyright.PENANAD3RMIRjppm
Shin-woo: (Caught. Why do I always get caught?)297Please respect copyright.PENANARdZms9B3ad
297Please respect copyright.PENANA4PPx0u5ooA
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. 297Please respect copyright.PENANAhTRIpFMJj4
297Please respect copyright.PENANAttWZhNnNoC
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.)297Please respect copyright.PENANAU3XlrMVzzt
297Please respect copyright.PENANApuhYUSVqZV
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAjtpofN1fje
297Please respect copyright.PENANAsMAfItRqQj
Shin-woo: (What does he think in these moments? Does he see me... really see me?) 297Please respect copyright.PENANA0Jz5lRm8yg
297Please respect copyright.PENANANrr5ec7mgl
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANA63ku8uL2Wh
297Please respect copyright.PENANAO7RXCrlGLE
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAkIK8baoJvi
297Please respect copyright.PENANAzOeKX4FSWH
Shin-woo: (Just another game, just another win, hopefully.)297Please respect copyright.PENANA2osMbvuWSY
297Please respect copyright.PENANAjqdTF9hdHA
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANACqTp1V8AIa
297Please respect copyright.PENANAcjrD0xtRZM
Shin-woo: (Why can’t he just play the game without making it personal?)297Please respect copyright.PENANAd5RdROwISA
297Please respect copyright.PENANA7o4ROa9CxQ
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANAii4myRJH3W
297Please respect copyright.PENANA4jp9yrIzKS
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.297Please respect copyright.PENANApPmviPkAPl
297Please respect copyright.PENANAmsD6ekYAeu
Shin-woo: (No, no, no... this can’t be happening.)