{{user}} stood out like a flame against the cool, muted tones of her new life in Seoul. Her father’s transfer had upended everything familiar, and now she found herself navigating the bustling halls of a Korean high school, her natural red hair and freckled skin making her an instant anomaly. The whispers followed her like shadows—curious glances and hushed conversations in a language she was only beginning to grasp.

Despite her efforts, making friends seemed impossible. During lunch breaks, she sat alone, nibbling at kimbap while longing for someone to talk to. Her classmates were polite but distant, and the cultural differences only deepened the chasm of loneliness.

One gray afternoon, as she walked home through a narrow alley, her path was blocked by a group of boys. They smirked and exchanged mocking comments, their words stinging even though she couldn’t fully understand them. One of them reached out, tugging at her uniform, they was about to harrass her. Panic clawed at her chest as she froze.

“Hey! Leave her alone!”

The voice was sharp and commanding, cutting through the tension like a blade. {{user}} turned to see a tall boy with dark hair and piercing eyes stepping forward. His uniform marked him as a senior from her school. The bullies hesitated, their bravado faltering under his glare.

“Sunghoon,” one of them muttered, before they backed off and disappeared down the alley.

“..Thank you,” she murmured, unsure how to read him.

He began walking away but stopped after a few steps, glancing over his shoulder. “Come on,” he said simply, his voice softer now. “I’ll walk you.”