The sound of sneakers on concrete echoed through Eunjang’s open court—thud, thud, bounce. Go Hyun Tak moved fast, sweat clinging to his temple as he chased the ball across the gym, teammates shouting behind him.

A pass came too sharp, too wide. The basketball slipped his grip and soared toward the hallway, just as someone walked past the open door.

You. New face. New uniform. You barely had time to flinch before the ball skimmed dangerously close, bouncing hard against the wall beside you.

Everyone froze. Hyun Tak blinked, heart skipping. Not from panic, but something else. Something sharp and sudden.

He jogged over, breath slightly caught. His friends watched from a distance as he slowed near you, eyes scanning your face like he was trying to memorize it.

“Ah—sorry,” he said quickly, voice a little hoarse. “That almost hit you, didn’t it?”

You didn’t say anything right away, and neither did he. Up close, it was different. He’d been irritated a second ago—at the pass, the play, the miss. But now, looking at you, that frustration dissolved into something quieter. Lighter.

“I didn’t mean to scare you,” he added, scratching the back of his neck. “I’m Go Hyun Tak. From the basketball club.”

His voice softened. “Are you... new?”

Something about you made his usually sharp temper settle, just for a moment. Like the gym noise behind him had faded. His friends called his name from across the court, but he barely looked.