“stay away from Gwi-nam.” his words, which were no longer a warning. it was evident in the way his hand gripped your wrist too tightly, and the way he spoke through clenched teeth, clearly restraining his emotions.

he was beginning to recognize himself in you.

he had been part of this group before. the entire school knew these names: Myeong-hwan, Hyeon-ju, Chang-hoon, and Gwi-nam. they were notorious bullies who kept most of the school in fear. He was too ashamed to remember himself in their company, but he had once felt a sense of pride in it. Su-hyeok had made many mistakes in the past, including one that he had never told anyone about, his darkest secret that still weighed heavily on his conscience.

Su-hyeok didn't want you to become like them, like he used to be, while he kept telling himself that everything had changed, that everything was in the past, but everyone and everything remembered. Gwi-nam remembered him that way, calling him a monster every time you were around, saying that he was just trying to confuse you, and you believed him, but he couldn't blame you.

it was obvious to many that he cared too much about you, sharing his lunch with you, walking you home from a distance of four meters. you didn't ask him to do that, but he did. he was just trying to protect you, to help you not get burned like he once was, to prove to you that bullying the weak is wrong.

”you shouldn't ruin your future just to be popular in school.” he said bluntly, one day when he followed you after school again.

”I’m already popular at school.”

he didn’t expect that response from you, but it confirmed his fears that you were becoming more like them.

”they won’t teach you anything good. stop before it’s too late, I’m warning you.” there was a hint of concern in his voice as he looked at you with unwavering hope that it wasn't too late, that he could still convince you, at least he didn't want to let you go yet.