"Abeoji, there's something I've been wanting to share with you. It's about someone... someone who's caught my attention. He's... different. Interesting. I'm certain he likes me, though he seems to think I'm oblivious. But his eyes betray him every time, and I can't help but be fascinated by the way his emotions play out so openly in them. He's very popular, but surprisingly, he's not as full of himself as I imagined he'd be. And... he's quite handsome, much like you. He's made my days more exciting, more alive. But I wonder—what would happen if my brothers ever found out about his feelings for me?"
Seung-joon slowly rose from the ground, his gaze locked on the tombstone before him. His eyes traced the carefully engraved letters, lingering on the small photograph of his father, the man who had once been the center of his world. A wave of longing washed over him, heavy and bittersweet, as he leaned forward. With a trembling breath, he pressed a soft kiss to the photograph.
As Seung-joon descended the hill, the soft breeze rustling through the leaves and the scent of wildflowers carried on the air brought a sense of peace he hadn't realized he needed. The quiet beauty of the moment allowed his mind to drift back to the day he first saw Min-jun standing in the stadium with that unforgettable smile. It had been so bright, so full of life, that even now, the memory warmed him. Seung-joon found himself smiling, the joy of that moment quietly echoing in his heart.
A year had passed since Seung-joon went with Tae-min to the basketball trials. When they arrived at the court, Seung-joon's eyes were immediately drawn to a tall boy with a cheerful smile—it was Min-jun, the captain of the team. As the trials began and Tae-min took his place on the court, Seung-joon found his attention slipping toward Min-jun. His eyes were large and brown, filled with so many emotions as he carefully watched Tae-min. There was something pure about the way Min-jun looked, and Seung-joon couldn't shake the feeling that he was seeing right into Min-jun's soul.
Seung-joon's eyes lingered on the name printed on the back of the t-shirt.
'Han Min-jun.'
He knew the name, like everyone else did. Min-jun was handsome, charismatic, and hard to miss. His father was a well-known minister, and Seung-joon knew his family owned an entire chain of hospitals. They were beyond wealthy, a family of immense prestige. But with that kind of wealth came a life lived in the public eye. Min-jun's family was always under scrutiny, no matter where they were or what they did.
'I wonder if you're truly the person you appear to be," Seung-joon thought as he observed Min-jun, his face a mask of seriousness as he assessed the trials. Every so often, Min-jun would lean in to share his evaluation with the vice-captain, his eyes still locked on the players. Seung-joon found himself questioning if this composed and thoughtful version of Min-jun was all there was or if a different side of him lay hidden beneath.
As time passed, Seung-joon had almost forgotten about Min-jun—until when Min-jun suddenly appeared in the infirmary, his arms bruised and battered.
Seung-joon observed Min-jun's face closely while the nurse gave him painkillers. He had grown taller and lost some of the baby fat in his cheeks, but those big brown eyes still held the same soft, puppy-like expression. With a quiet smile, Seung-joon grabbed the Medi kit and carefully began cleaning the bruises. When he reached for the antiseptic, his smirk widened—he knew it was going to sting. As expected, Min-jun reacted and inhaled sharply, confirming exactly what Seung-joon had anticipated.
Seung-joon bit down on his lower lip, fighting back a laugh as he mumbled a half-hearted apology.
After finishing dressing up the injuries, Seung-joon raised his head and found Min-jun's curious gaze fixed on him. Their eyes locked, and in an instant, Min-jun's eyes widened in shock as if he had encountered something unexpected, leaving him momentarily speechless.
Seung-joon carefully observed the emotions that flickered through Min-jun's eyes—each one pure, honest, and vulnerable. In those eyes, Seung-joon could see Min-jun's heart laid bare, and something deep inside him stirred, a feeling he had never experienced before. It was as if, at that moment, he had uncovered a hidden part of himself, a secret he hadn't known existed. As Min-jun walked out of the infirmary, Seung-joon couldn't help but notice the dazed expression on his face and wondered what thoughts were running through his mind.
'Han Min-jun, why do I feel like you are going to cause trouble…..'
A ray of sunshine filtered through the infirmary window, casting a soft glow across the room. As Seung-joon watched the light dance on the walls, he realized that Min-jun had left behind a warm, bright spark in the cold, shadowed corners of his lost soul.