The morning sunlight creeped through the curtains of Woojin's room, soft and pale. He sat at the edge of his bed, elbows on his knees, eyes fixed on the small photograph in his hand, Jungtae, standing in front of the aquarium glass, gaze fixated in the aquarium tank where the sharks swim. Woojin smiled while remembering Jungtae's expression yesterday.
His thumb brushed over the image.
Warm. Like it was something so precious to him.
He stood up and crossed the room. The printer on his desk switched on, spitting out the photo in a glossy sheet. Woojin lifted it, carried it to the wall beside his desk, and pressed a strip of tape to its back. When he placed it on the wall, the picture sat perfectly straight, facing his bed.
Woojin thought of putting it in a picture frame but couldn't find it in the cabinets, so he let the picture stay stuck on the wall.
His heart tightened. Just looking made something inside him settle… and twist.
"Cute. But what to do…"
He sat again, turning a pen in his fingers over and over, while he stared at his reflection on the mirror. The clicking of the plastic echoed in the silent room.
Downstairs, his aunt's voice rang loud and cheery, talking to someone. She always had guests, always entertained. She laughed again, the sound sharp and annoying. Woojin's jaw tightened and his expression became serious.
"Sigh. Here she goes again."
He grabbed his hoodie and phone and headed out of his room.
As soon as he reached the bottom of the stairs, his aunt greeted him with a smile.
"Oh, Woojin! Breakfast? Come and join us."
He didn't slow.
"I'm going for a jog."
"Oh, well… alright then…" Her voice faded behind him.
The front door shut with a soft thud.
Outside, the air was cool and fresh. Woojin started jogging, letting his feet guide him through familiar streets. Sweat formed along his neck, and his breath came steady.
About thirty minutes passed before he slowed down near a small park. His chest rose and fell, tired but awake. Resting for a moment then a smell drifted in the air, warm, sweet, almost buttery.
He turned his head and saw a food stall set up near the sidewalk, selling hotteok. The pan sizzled as the vendor flipped the brown pancakes. Woojin walked over.
"One, please," he said.
The vendor handed him a steaming hotteok wrapped in paper.
"Here you go, please enjoy."
Woojin took a bite, sweet syrup warmed his tongue. He moved to a nearby bench and sat down, relaxing into the morning.
As he chewed, he glanced down the street. His eyes caught a familiar figure hunched near the alley, the old homeless man, clothes worn, sitting at the sidewalk fixing the cardboard box. He remembered Jungtae always stopped for him. Give him change. To give him snacks. Always something.
Woojin looked at his half-eaten hotteok.
Without thinking, he stood up, walked back to the stall, and ordered four more.
The vendor happily smiled.
"Here for more? Did you like it?"
Woojin didn't answer, only paid and walked away.
He approached the old man slowly.
The man's eyes lifted, surprised.
"Here eat it," Woojin said, handing him a warm pack of pancakes.
"Oh, oh my… thank you, boy… thank you." The old man's eyes lit up in gratitude and took the warm hetteok.
Woojin felt pity while the old man took a bite then nodded stiffly and jogged off again.
He didn't know why he did it.
Maybe he did. Yes, he did.
His path led him to a familiar house. Before he realized it, he was standing at Jungtae's front door. He hesitated only for a breath before knocking.
Footsteps approached.
The door opened slightly.
"Oh, it's you, Woojin!" Jungtae's mother said, surprised and delighted. "What brings you here, so early?"
Woojin smiled, bright and polite.
"I'm here to see Jungtae."
"Ah… well, he went to work. He'll be home around noon."
"Now he works on Sundays too?" Woojin blinked.
"Just today. Come inside, come inside."
He stepped in. The living room smelled faintly of herbs and warm soup. On the couch, Jungtae's grandfather sat with a blanket around his legs. His eyes brightened when he saw Woojin.
"Ah… Woojin, It's been a while."
"Yes, Grandpa," Woojin said with a polite bow. "How have you been?"
The old man chuckled softly. "Still breathing. Though my knees hurt more than they used to."
Woojin sat across from him.
"You should rest more."
"I rest too much," the grandfather grinned. "Makes me feel older."
Woojin smiled lightly. But as he watched the old man's shaking hands and pale skin, Grandpa looked weaker…much weaker than Woojin remembered.
Jungtae's mother brought tea over.
"You two talk. I'll go finish the laundry."
She left, humming softly.
Woojin and the grandfather shared a warm and quiet moment.
"I couldn't thank you enough before, for helping Jungtae enter that school. Thank you Woojin." the grandfather said.
Woojin nodded. "Don't worry grandpa, I'll always look out for him."
"Thank you for being at Jungtae's side… Stay close to him. He acts strong, but he's soft here." The old man tapped the left side of his chest.
Woojin smiled softly. "Yes, I know him very well."
After a short talk about Jungtae, school, Woojin's life and the weather, Woojin stood up.
"I'll just see Jungtae tomorrow at school."
"Alright," his mother said, walking him to the door. "Thank you for visiting. Have a good day."
Woojin stepped outside, the door closing softly behind him.
The morning felt a bit warmer.
ৎ────
Later…At the Gymnasium
A loud whistle cut through the air.
"End of game!" The P.E teacher shouted and left the court.
Jungtae dropped onto the bench, out of breath. Sweat dripped down his neck, his shirt sticking to his back. Woojin slumped beside him, rolling his shoulders.
"You had a good shot, and scored 2 points," Woojin said, nudging him with a towel. "That was good."
"Haha, basketball activity feels great, I feel like I'm getting good at it." Jungtae mumbled, gulping water. "I wonder if there will be a sportsfest soon."
"That would be so much fun." Woojin replied.
They chatted for a moment.
Their laughter faded as another class walked into the gym. Loud voices filled the space, Owen's class, wearing their dark jerseys, confident and loud.
The moment Jungtae saw Owen, his body froze.
The accident. The smashed medicine bottles. Their interaction. The way Owen gave him bigger money. Jungtae just remembered as soon as Owen appeared in his sight.
He dropped his gaze and pulled a towel over his face.
Woojin noticed. "What's wrong?"
"Oh it's nothing," Jungtae muttered, voice small.
Woojin followed his gaze, saw Owen, then looked back at Jungtae and frowned.
Owen headed straight toward Jungtae's class. "Hey," he said loudly, "play against us."
Several boys hesitated. Some nodded, some groaned. The teacher wasn't around yet.
Woojin instantly joined.
"Fine. Let's play."
Of course he would. He never backed down from Owen.
"Oh? Not hiding anymore. Great!" Owen said, provoking Woojin.
Woojin just glared at him.
He turned to Jungtae. "Are you joining?"
Jungtae bit his lip. "Uh… I'll just sub… if you really need me later."
"Alright then." Woojin patted his shoulder.
Across the court, Owen laughed quietly, low and sharp, as he glanced at Jungtae.
Jungtae's grip on the towel tightened.
ৎ────
Round 1
The whistle blew.
Owen's team moved fast, too fast. They passed smoothly, ran like they owned the court. Owen cut through two defenders with ease and scored the first basket. Cheers erupted from the sidelines.
First shot.
First point.
Round 1 ended with Owen's team ahead.
Woojin clenched his jaw. "He's irritating."
Jungtae handed him water. "You can do it."
"I am so pissed at his smug face."
Jungtae blinked looking at Woojin's expression and the way he talks now. 'Did I just see something new.' Jungtae thought.
"Relax, it's just a game." Patting Woojin's back.
Woojin glared then he smiled. "Yeah. You're. It's just a…game."
ৎ────
Round 2
This time, Woojin's team pushed harder. He sprinted across the court, stole a pass, and shot a clean three-pointer. Jungtae sat on the bench, cheering quietly.
The score closed.
The mood shifted.
Woojin's focus sharpened like a blade and carried his team.
They won Round 2.
Owen clicked his tongue, annoyed. Then shouted at his teammates.
"Come on, idiots!"
Round 3.
Sweat dripped from every player. The ball hit the board, bounced, rolled, slipped into hands, and flew again. Both teams fought fiercely, matching each other in speed and strength.
A lot of fangirls screamed for Owen.
Others cheered for Woojin.
The gym echoed with cheers.
There weren't a lot of people I'm the court earlier, not until the students heard that it was Owen vs. Woojin's team playing. A lot had come to watch.
Haneul arrived late, eyes scanning the court. When he saw Owen, he waved excitedly. Even though Owen didn't see him.
The whistle blew.
Round 3 ended in a tie.
Both teams dropped onto benches for a five-minute break.
Jungtae walked to Woojin, handing him a cold bottle of water. "You okay?"
Woojin nodded, chest rising and falling. "Yeah."
"Want me to sub in the last round?"
"No. I can do this." Tying his hair back. Woojin said, determined. "Stay and watch."
Jungtae smiled slightly. "Okay."
Across the court, Owen emptied a whole bottle of water over his head as he lifted his jersey to wipe his face, lowkey flexing his abs. Girls squealed.
Haneul rushed to him.
"Here, let me wipe you." A small towel in his hand
Owen leaned down slightly. Letting Haneul.
"Why are you here president?"
Haneul wiped the water off his face, and neck. "I just want to watch…"
Owen just stared coldly.
ৎ────
Final Round
The whistle cut the air.
Both teams pushed harder than before.
Feet thudded against the floor.
Breathes grew louder.
Every pass was faster, sharper.
Jungtae watched from the bench, fists tight, and shouted.
"Come on,Woojin!"
At the same moment, Owen glanced at him from across the court. That grin again.
Woojin blocked one of Owen's shots.
Owen dodged his next attempt. They clashed again and again, almost like they forgot they had other teammates.
"Here!"
With one final sprint, Owen twisted, jumped, and landed the last shot before the timer ended.
The ball slid cleanly through the hoop.
The whistle blew.
"Winner: Class A!"
Cheers exploded.
Both teams were panting.
Sweat dripped.
Chests heaved.
Owen walked toward Woojin, wiping his jaw with his wrist.
"I won this time," he said, breathless but smug. "Guess we're even now."
"Don't get too cocky," Woojin replied, scowling.
"Remember during the field trip? When you took my flags?" Owen tilted his head. "Still not over that."
"Tch."
Owen stepped back, eyes drifting to Jungtae for a second, only a second, but long enough for Woojin to notice.
Jungtae looked away immediately.
Woojin's jaw clenched. "Didn't I told you to leave him alone?"
Owen smiled.
Slow.
Amused.
"Haha."
The gym was noisy, not until the students who watched and the players left the court in groups. But the air between the three of them hung tense.