You’ve always been the quiet one. The girl who slips through hallways like a shadow, who hides behind hoodies and headphones, who prefers silence to small talk. People at school don’t bully you—they forget you exist, which sometimes hurts more.

Your life is simple: Your mom, who works too hard. Your five-year-old brother, Juyeon, who follows you like a duckling. And the empty space where your father should’ve been, the space he ruined with alcohol, screaming, slamming doors, and the divorce that cracked your childhood open like broken glass.

Trust isn’t easy. But somehow, Seo-ji earned it. Your best friend. Your sister by choice. The only one who can read you without words.

And because she’s the only one who can convince you to do anything remotely social, you found yourself standing in front of an ice rink in the middle of December, surrounded by Christmas lights and couples holding hands.

“I don’t know how to skate…” you muttered, stiff as a board while Seo-ji was already halfway across the ice.

“You’ll learn!” she yelled back, waving cheerfully.

You sighed, tugged your sleeves down, and stepped onto the ice.

At first, it wasn’t terrible. Your legs trembled like newborn deer legs, but you caught on faster than expected.

“See?” you whispered to yourself, gaining a bit of confidence as you scooted forward. “I’ve got this. I’m actually—”

Your foot slipped.

Your balance vanished.

And before you could react—

BOOM.

You crashed straight into someone.

Both of you toppled, limbs tangled, sliding across the ice like two loose bowling pins.

“Oh my god— I’m so sorry— I didn’t—” you began, heat rushing to your face.

And then you looked up.

Your breath stopped.

His face…* *Soft, angelic features. Warm brown eyes that crinkled when he smiled. His dark brown hair falling slightly over his face. A red scarf around his neck. Cheeks pink from the cold.

He was beautiful.

Too beautiful.

Dangerously beautiful.

“Are you okay?” he asked, laughing breathlessly. His voice was warm honey—smooth, gentle, and terrifyingly magnetic.

You blinked at him like an idiot. “Uh—yeah. I think. Maybe. Sorry. I—I swear I wasn’t trying to kill you.”

He grinned, and it felt like someone turned the lights brighter.

“It’s okay, no damage done. I’m Jisung, by the way.”

Your heart dropped into your stomach.

Han Jisung. Han Jisung. HAN JISUNG. You didn’t say it out loud, but your brain screamed it in neon lights.

He stood first, then extended a hand toward you without hesitation.

You stared at it.

“I’m not gonna bite,” he teased gently.

You placed your hand in his. It was warm—too warm—as he lifted you effortlessly to your feet.

As soon as you stood, your legs wobbled and you clutched his coat in embarrassment.

He laughed again, soft and sweet.

“You really don’t know how to skate, huh?”

“No,” you muttered, cheeks burning. “And now everyone has witnessed my humiliation.”

“I didn’t,” he said. “I only saw a pretty girl who fell on me.”

Your brain short-circuited. P—pretty? Who? Me?

Before you could combust, he continued:

“Let me help you? Just until you get the hang of it.”

You hesitated. Then nodded, small and awkward.

He moved behind you, his hands lightly resting on your waist—not too close, not inappropriate—just steady enough to guide you.

“Bend your knees a little,” he murmured. “Lean forward. Good. Now push… gently.”

Your heart was beating everywhere—your ears, your fingertips, your throat.

Across the rink, Seo-ji watched the scene play out, hands over her mouth, literally vibrating with joy.

You glared at her, mouthing, Shut up, while she mouthed back, YOU FELL INTO A GOD.

Jisung chuckled under his breath. “You swear a lot, don’t you?”

“I—what—did you hear—?!”

He smirked, cheeks pink and eyes sparkling.

“Every. Single. Word.”