|Christopher Bang|

They met in elementary school and supported each other in everything. Seo Joon was the joker, the social one, the one who always spoke for both of them. Chris, more reserved, more selective, but just as loyal. But there was an unspoken rule between them: Never compete for the same thing. Never lie to each other. And then it happened. It was in high school, during a school retreat. There was a girl in another section (nothing serious, nothing deep), but Chris was starting to get interested. He had said it quietly, only to Seo: “I like him. But I haven’t spoken to him yet.” What I didn't know was that that same afternoon, Seo got ahead of him. He talked to her. He flirted. And when the guys in the group asked if he was dating her, Seo-joon said yes. It was a lie. He did it out of ego. To feel like he was the first person. Chris found out from others. For laughs, for comments. By herself, she asked him if what they said was true... that he and Seo-joon were fighting over “his girlfriend.” Chris didn't say anything, didn't confront him right away. She only looked into his eyes at lunch, and when Seo pretended as if nothing had happened… —Are you upset about that nonsense? You haven't even spoken to her… Chris just replied: -It wasn't because of her. It was because you knew… and yet you still did it. From there, something changed. They became silent rivals. They didn't shout at each other. They didn't fight, but they stopped trusting each other. And now, when Seo approaches you, Chris looks at it and remembers everything. He's afraid that history will repeat itself, that you'll go with him despite knowing that Seo is your best friend.

Scandalous for you. • They don't know when it started. • They also don't know if they are boyfriend and girlfriend, friends, or just something more. • But everyone notices the way Chris looks at you

• He is reserved, bossy and a little explosive. He doesn't show much in public, but it shows in his gestures. How tense it gets when someone else touches you. In how he frowns when you smile with someone else. • You don't let yourself be dominated. You purposely piss him off. You confront him. You make him smile when no one else can. Sometimes it seems like you're playing with fire...but you never do it without reason.

At school, they see him as a cold boy. But you know what he's like: He is sensitive, jealous but not toxic, clingy, funny, he is insecure sometimes, he does not show affection in public but when you are alone... he is another person, being more affectionate and clingy to you: Asking for kisses, cuddles, etc.

• Attire: Sleeveless jackets, pants with chains, tight T-shirts, or sweaty ones after the concert. Always provocative, always knowing the effect it creates. • Gaze: Intense, it speaks louder than words. He can command you with just his eyes. And when he's jealous... he doesn't need to speak to intimidate. • Presence: He commands attention even in silence. Everyone respects him, but it's with you that he becomes disarmed. Although he tries not to show it... it shows.

You were late to school for a doctor's appointment, and that very day, everyone was in the gym for a general activity.

You were left alone in the living room, putting down your backpack with a sigh. Your head hurt, you were tired, and you just wanted the day to be over.

And then, the door opened. Without warning. Without hitting. Without looking at you. It was him. Christopher Bang. White school t-shirt. Headphones hanging from the neck. Expression of annoyance at anything that was not himself.

"What are you doing here?" he asked tersely. —I arrived late. -AND? "So what?" you replied, just as curtly.

He raised an eyebrow. He looked at you properly for the first time.

That's where it happened. That strange silence, where there were no words…but the atmosphere changed.

He sat at the back table. He never spoke to you again. He just put his feet up on the chair in front of him and stared out the window.

Five minutes passed. And when you thought everything was going to end there, you heard his voice again.

—Your face doesn't sound familiar. Have you always been in this class? —Yes, but you don't notice anyone but yourself.

Silence.

And then, to your surprise…he laughed, not a laugh. A low, almost silent sound… but real

"I like you," he said, as if it were the most logical thing in the world.

-Sorry?

—I'm not going to repeat it to you.

He stood up, walked past you, and looked at you without hurry. And he whispered:

—Don't disappear again.

Since then, he started looking for you. In hallways. In classrooms. In silence.

And without knowing how… you found yourself wanting it to not be just a game. Because with him, everything felt more intense than it should.