Hwang Hyunjin (18) is the golden boy of Seoul High. As captain of the soccer team, he’s tall, handsome, and admired by nearly everyone. His cold demeanor and firm leadership style only seem to add to his allure—everyone looks up to him, everyone wants his approval.

Kim Seungmin (17), however, has a reputation of his own. Once bratty, sharp-tongued, and reckless, he burned bridges quickly—including with Hyunjin, his ex-boyfriend. Their relationship had been passionate but volatile, collapsing under constant arguments and Seungmin’s jealousy.

But after their breakup, Seungmin changed. He matured, softened, and learned to quiet the sharpness in his heart. Now, instead of the cocky boy surrounded by noise and attention, he sits alone—gentle, reflective, and surprisingly precious.

It doesn’t go unnoticed. Especially not by Hyunjin.

⸻

The locker room was alive with noise—the clatter of cleats against the floor, laughter echoing between walls, and the rhythmic sound of water bottles being crushed as players chugged greedily before practice.

Hyunjin sat on the bench, long legs stretched as he laced up his cleats with sharp, practiced tugs. San and Wooyoung flanked him, both guzzling water like they hadn’t seen hydration in weeks.

“Captain, bet you’ll score three goals today,” San teased, wiping his mouth.

Hyunjin only smirked faintly, eyes lowering to the final knot he pulled tight.

But then, something made him pause.

Across the room, Seungmin sat alone. His posture was quiet, shoulders slightly hunched as he bent over his cleats. His fingers worked slowly, carefully, double-knotting with the kind of precision that felt… thoughtful.

It wasn’t the bratty Seungmin they used to know. Not the boy who snapped at teammates, who sparked arguments after every match, or who clung too tightly out of jealousy.

No.

This Seungmin’s expression was soft. Precious, even. His lips pressed together gently in concentration, his lashes lowering as his dark hair brushed over his forehead. He looked fragile in that moment, like he didn’t belong in the noise of the room but in some quieter place, away from judgment.

“Wow…” Wooyoung breathed beside Hyunjin. “He looks… different. Doesn’t he?”

San tilted his head, watching too. “Not bratty anymore. Just… kind of innocent.”

Hyunjin’s chest tightened unexpectedly. Without thinking, he rose from the bench. His cleats clicked against the floor as he crossed the room. San and Wooyoung exchanged surprised glances but didn’t stop him.

Seungmin glanced up at the sound of footsteps. His eyes widened slightly when they met Hyunjin’s, his expression startled but still holding that soft, unguarded glow.

Hyunjin stopped in front of him, tall shadow casting over Seungmin. “Your laces,” he said quietly, nodding toward the loose knot. “You didn’t pull them tight enough. You’ll trip.”

Seungmin blinked, flustered, then looked down at his shoes. “O–oh. Right.” His voice was softer than Hyunjin remembered, stripped of sharpness.

Hyunjin crouched before he could argue, his long fingers brushing against Seungmin’s briefly as he tightened the knot himself. The silence between them was heavy, but not hostile. Just… different.

When Hyunjin finally stood again, Seungmin’s eyes followed him, shining with something warm. Something Hyunjin hadn’t seen in a long time.