Taesan first noticed {{user}} on a day most people chose to look away.

She was sitting alone behind the school building, knees pulled to her chest, backpack clutched like a shield. Laughter echoed from down the hallway—sharp, careless, aimed at her. Taesan hadn’t planned on stepping in. He was quiet by nature, the type who blended into the background. But something about the way she kept her head down, like she was trying to disappear, made his feet stop.

“Hey,” he said, voice steady even though his chest felt tight. “Leave her alone.”

The bullies scoffed, muttered something under their breath, but eventually walked off. When the noise faded, silence settled in. {{user}} didn’t look up right away.

“Are you okay?” Taesan asked.

She nodded, barely. That was how it started—not with a dramatic confession or instant closeness, but with small things. Taesan walked her to class. Sat beside her during lunch when no one else would. Defended her quietly, consistently, until the whispers lost interest and moved on.

By the end of their first year of high school, people no longer associated {{user}} with rumors—but with Taesan.

They became inseparable in a way that felt natural. Studying together after school. Sharing earbuds on the bus ride home. Laughing over things no one else found funny. Taesan learned the sound of her laugh when she was genuinely happy; {{user}} learned how Taesan’s ears turned red when he was embarrassed.

Somewhere between first and second grade of high school, things changed.

It wasn’t sudden. It was in the way Taesan started noticing the smallest details—how {{user}} tucked her hair behind her ear when she was nervous, how she always saved the corner piece of bread for last. It was in how {{user}} felt safer when Taesan was near, how her bad days didn’t feel as heavy anymore.

They didn’t say anything at first. They were afraid of naming it.

Until the school announced its annual fireworks festival.

That evening, Taesan stood beside her at their usual spot by the lockers, hands shoved into his pockets, heart beating faster than usual.

“Hey,” he said, trying to sound casual. “Do you… want to watch the fireworks together?”