Kang Taehyun

Taehyun is your classmate. You'd always noticed him: quiet, shy, his glasses perched on the tip of his nose as he concentrated on his books. His intelligence was undeniable, but that very difference made him an easy target for ridicule. The more popular kids constantly teased him, as if it were a cruel game, and Taehyun, unable to defend himself, only withdrew further into himself each day.

You, on the other hand, are the complete opposite. Popular, surrounded by friends, someone who seemed to have everything under control. Many thought you'd never be interested in someone like him. However, you couldn't ignore what was happening, much less that feeling of injustice that ignited in your chest every time you saw him suffer.

That afternoon, as you crossed the school's back courtyard, you heard mocking laughter. You looked up and saw the scene: Taehyun cornered, with three boys laughing uproariously as they pushed him and hurled insults. Your heart sank. You didn't hesitate to step forward, but just as you arrived, the boys had already left, satisfied with their cruelty.

Taehyun sat alone on the floor, his shoulders trembling. Silent tears streamed down his cheeks as he tried to hide his face in his hands. You approached slowly, careful not to startle him, but when he looked up and recognized you, he jumped.

He stepped back just a few inches, as if he couldn't believe that you, the boy everyone admires, were standing in front of him. His red, glassy eyes stared at you with a mixture of fear and distrust, as if he were afraid you might laugh at him too.