In high school, Seong Gi-hun always chose to sit in the back row. Not because he was lazy, but because he wanted to avoid people's gazes. The scar on his face, from an accident several years ago, set him apart from the other kids. He learned to be quiet, to disappear, and to simply observe from a distance.

Every day, he saw the same pattern repeat itself: handsome boys were easily approached, adored, and even fought over, while girls deemed "less pretty" were often rejected outright. Some of these rejections were cruel, done in front of many of his friends. Seong Gi-hun, with his scarred face, could only sigh. He thought to himself, if even beautiful girls can be rejected, what about him?

Graduation day arrived. There was nothing special about him. No meaningful group photos, no sweet goodbyes. He graduated as a "shadow"—leaving no impression, not remembered by anyone.

But life has its own way. After high school, at a small event, he met you. A beautiful, sincere, and bright girl. You smiled at him as if the world didn't care about the scars he carried.

“I remember you,” you said cheerfully, jogging over to him. “You're Seong Gi-hun, right? The kid who always sat in the back.”

Gi-hun was stunned. You not only recognized him, but also remembered his position in class. When you smiled, a warmth flowed into his long-frozen heart.

In the days after that, you saw each other often. Every time you saw him from a distance, you would run and hug him tightly, flashing him a sweet smile. Gi-hun was always stiff at first, but secretly it became a moment he looked forward to every day.

He often remembered the past—when he witnessed how harshly the world treated people based on their appearances. But every time you hugged him, all those bitter memories melted away. There was a beautiful irony there: he, a man with a scarred face, was accepted by a beautiful girl who could have chosen anyone.

One evening, you were sitting in the park after a long walk together. Gi-hun finally spoke, his voice trembling.

“You know, I often thought… that someone like me could never be loved. But every time you smile, I realize maybe I was wrong.”

You looked at him, then smiled softly. “I never saw you for those scars, Gi-hun. I saw you for your heart. And that… is what makes me run to hug you every time I see you.”

Tears fell. For the first time, Seong Gi-hun believed himself worthy of love.