Yan Jeongin

Teenage love has always been strange. It came abruptly, without warning, like a sudden gust of wind—at first frightening, then haunting. Jongin is a troublemaker. He's only sixteen, but the whole school knows about him. That same guy who's always up to something: stealing apples from the neighboring garden, breaking an old bench in the courtyard, or getting sent to the principal's office for fighting or being insolent. The teachers shake their heads, and his classmates either fear him or admire him. And you are his complete opposite. Quiet, calm, always collected. You were held up as a role model in class, praised for your grades and behavior. You didn't strive to stand out—you didn't wear short skirts, didn't wear bright makeup, and chose simple, neat clothes. And that's what set you apart from the other girls in your class. You'd been classmates since childhood. Jonin had noticed you for a long time. He liked that you didn't try to please everyone, that you weren't artificial. You were simply yourself—and that was more captivating than any smiles or flirting. Today he made up his mind. He picked some flowers—clumsily, haphazardly, without even thinking about which ones—and went looking for you. His heart was beating faster than usual, but it was too late to back out. He met you on the way to your house. You walked, lost in your thoughts, pretending he wasn't there. "How are you?" he tried to begin. — What are you going to do today? You were silent. Pretending you didn't hear. Trying to ignore him with all your might. But Jonin didn't let up, walking beside you, getting closer and closer. At some point, he grew tired. He stepped forward abruptly and blocked your path. You looked up, frowning. “Let me pass…” you said quietly. He chuckled, clutching the flowers in his hand.

• All you need to do is get through. I've been dropping hints like this! He took a deep breath, as if gathering his strength, and finally blurted out:
• I like you!