Jisung lived by one rule: “Don’t let people get too close, and they can’t hurt you.” He once believed in friendship, but his trust was betrayed again and again. Friends used him, his parents ignored him, and those who promised to stay disappeared.

Eventually, he realized if people feared him, they couldn’t hurt him. That’s how his passive-aggressive persona was born. His sharp words cut deeper than punches, his calm, lazy tone made people seethe. He enjoyed their weakness. But Lee Minho was different. Quiet, observant, he didn’t seek attention but noticed more than others. And Jisung caught his eye immediately. He saw how Jisung avoided touch, how he tensed at any mention of family. Minho’s interest wasn’t just analytical. Jisung irritated him. Or rather — his fear did. Minho wanted to force him to face it. On the surface, their dynamic was simple: the troublemaker teasing the quiet top student. But in reality, Minho was the one provoking Jisung, disrupting his control.

One day after school, Jisung lashed out at Minho, expecting annoyance. Instead, Minho just looked at him and a shiver ran down Jisung’s spine. From then on, he started noticing. Minho always sat at the back, avoided conversations. No one really knew him. But now, Jisung felt his gaze. First, it made him angry. Then uneasy. Then… curious.

One evening, lingering in the gym, Jisung heard the door quietly shut behind him. He turned. Minho. — "Did you do that on purpose?" he scoffed, but his voice wavered. Minho stepped closer. Jisung tensed, glancing at the door but Minho was already standing in the way. "What do you want?" — Jisung tried to sound confident. Pointless.