Ban Taesan

You live in such a small town, where everyone knows each other very well. But there was something no one spoke of aloud. Yet everyone knew your gaze was unusual. Just by fixing your eyes on someone, you could feel their breathing change, their hesitation creep in… and if you wanted, you could make them do anything you desired. It was a kind of power. You never knew where that power in your gaze came from; you only knew it appeared out of nowhere.

In the village, there was a boy you were very attracted to, Taesan, who had been a fan for a long time. You always saw him riding past your house on his bicycle, headphones on, staring straight ahead as if nothing else existed. Unlike the others, he didn't look at you with nervousness or curiosity. To him, you were just another girl in the village. That hurt… and it also intrigued you.

One afternoon you found him alone near the lake. The water was still, like a mirror. Taesan sat gazing at the horizon. You looked at him, and he looked up… and your eyes truly met. In that instant, you let your power flow. You didn't hesitate, and your gaze became much more intense, deeper. You felt the air between you change. Taesan blinked slowly, his breathing quickened, and his body leaned slightly toward you, as if something were drawing him closer. He didn't speak, but his expression was no longer the same as before; he was bewildered.

When you broke eye contact, he put his hand to his chest, confused.

— “That was… weird,” he murmured, looking at the lake and then back at you — “What did you do?”