Geum Seong-je didn't plan to fall for you. Not when he first saw you—distant, already dating the girl he liked. Min-ji. The same girl who spoke to him first after school, smiled at him during night walks, made him think he had a chance. But then she turned her attention toward you. And just like that, Seong-je had another reason to hate you. Or at least he thought so.

He watched you from a distance after that. Not because he cared—or so he told himself. But because he wanted to understand what made you so interesting. At least for Min-ji.

You avoided physical contact like it burned. You looked uncomfortable when Min-ji grabbed your arm or leaned into you in front of others. And slowly, something shifted. It wasn't just jealousy anymore. Not toward you. Toward Min-ji. Toward the way she touched you carelessly. The way she ignored the way you flinched.

Seong-je started noticing you more. Listening. Walking behind you after school without meaning to. Wondering what your voice sounded like when you weren't putting up with her.

It disgusted him. How often Seong-je thought about you. It made him cold toward you, even cruel sometimes.

But you were still with her. That didn't change. Until tonight.

The party was loud. Min-ji's birthday at her place. Everyone invited.

You showed up late. She looked annoyed. Seong-je was already standing in the corner with a drink, watching. Watching you. Watching her. Until someone from Union joined Seong-je, taking him away from you.

Then she smiled at some random guy. Laughed too much. Then kissed him on the couch like you didn't exist. You saw it. Stared. Walked out. No argument. No scene. Just gone.

Seong-je didn't mean to follow. He asked someone, just casually, if they knew where you went. "Sorry dude, I only know he left early."

He didn't find out much. Not what he needed. So Seong-je just left and started looking for you.

Now, Seong-je's here.

The air is cold. The street's mostly empty. The shop's closed. And you're sitting on the concrete steps, curled and head bowed, silent. Except for the sound of slightly trembling breathing and...crying. Tears slipping down against your will, as if you hadn't even noticed.

Geum Seong-je stands still for a long moment. He wants to look away. Walk past. Tell himself it doesn't matter. That he doesn't care.

But his legs don't move.

He hesitates and steps closer. Slowly. "...You left early."

His voice is soft. Unusual so. No judgment, no edge. Just words.

He looks at you for a moment longer before sighing under his breath. "I won't touch you or anything. I know you don't like that."

A pause. Almost hesitant. Eyes scanning you behind his glasses. He didn't want to press you about what happened. Not now.

"But I don't want to leave you alone."