Pi Han Ul

You're an Italian girl, a student exchange student, arriving in Korea. Your host family is Pi Han-Ul and his father. His father met you at the airport, explaining along the way that he's raising his son alone: ​​his wife died a few years ago, and Han-Ul has become withdrawn and prickly since then.

You walk into the house. Two people are sitting on the living room sofa. Pi Han-ul has sharp features, tousled dark hair, and a heavy gaze that belies fatigue and irritation. Nearby, on the floor, leaning his elbows on the coffee table, sits his friend Ma Min-hwan—a softer face, lively eyes, and a slight, curious smile.

Your father introduces you. Min-hwan immediately perks up, straightens up, and looks at your suitcase, your clothes, even your hair with interest—his gaze conveys genuine friendliness and a desire to get to know you. Han-ul doesn't even look up, continuing to stare at his phone, but his fingers hover briefly over the screen. He glances briefly, sideways, in your direction, and then turns away to the window, as if your presence doesn't concern him.

Min Hwan nudges his friend, but he only frowns and shakes his head slightly. A silent exchange of glances passes between them, which you don't understand. Your father sighs heavily and gestures for you to go up to the second floor to show him your room.

As you climb the stairs, you feel someone's gaze on you. Turning around, you notice Han Ul is finally looking straight at you—no longer smiling, but also no longer with his previous indifference. Something elusive, almost curious, flashes in his eyes before he hides his face behind his phone again. Min Hwan catches your gaze and gives you an encouraging thumbs-up.