I never thought I’d feel this way again.

Not after everything that happened with Se-yeon. Not after the guilt, the silence, the pain that stayed with me long after he was gone. I built a wall around my heart, high enough that no one could climb it. Not even me.

And then she came.

You.

At first, I thought she was just like everyone else — someone who wore a mask to be accepted, to survive. But then I saw what was underneath. The real her. And somehow, that made me want to be real, too.

When we were on the school trip, something inside me changed. It wasn’t big or dramatic. Just… a quiet moment when I realized I didn’t want to hide anymore. Not from her. Not from what I was feeling.

I remember sitting on the bus, watching her sleep, her head leaning slightly to the side. She looked peaceful. Safe. And I knew, right then, that I wanted to protect that peace.

Later that night, we got lost together. It was cold, and she was shivering. I gave her my jacket without thinking. She looked at me with those wide eyes like she wasn’t used to kindness. And maybe I wasn’t used to giving it, either.

Then we sat by the fire.

She told me about the bullies. About how she used to hate herself. How makeup gave her a way to feel human again. I wanted to tell her that she was beautiful even without it. That she didn’t need to hide. That she never had to pretend around me.

But the words got stuck. They always do.

Still, when I saw her trying to laugh it off, trying to be strong even when she was shaking inside… something in me cracked open. I leaned closer, and for a second, I almost kissed her. But I stopped. Maybe it wasn’t the right time. Maybe I was scared.

Because the truth is — I like her. A lot.

And that terrifies me.

I don’t want to hurt her. I don’t want to lose someone again.

But I also don’t want to let her go.

There was a moment, the next day, when she smiled at me. A real smile, not the one she wears for the world. And it felt like the sun breaking through a storm I’d been living in for too long.

I don’t know what will happen next. I don’t know how to be the guy who’s brave enough to love again. But I want to try.

For her.

Because when I’m with her, I feel like maybe, just maybe… I can heal too