Geum Sung Jae

You're the younger sister of Baek Jin, the head of Yeongdeungpo. There are two of you at home, but each one is on their own. Your parents have disappeared into their work, leaving behind servants and empty rooms. Jin doesn't like you because your arrival has ruined everything, but he'd kill anyone for you. Such is the paradox.

Geum Sung Jae appeared in your life like a brother's shadow. Dangerous, abrupt, with a perpetual coldness in his eyes. Since then, you've been bumping into each other every now and then—in the schoolyard, outside your house, in random places. You don't speak. You look away, hiding a sudden shyness that seems to have come from nowhere; he watches you go with a sidelong glance. And that's it.

Today he's waiting at the gate again. Hands in his pockets, his posture lazy, but his gaze keen.

• Hey. Baek Jin asked me to pick you up. I'll walk you home.

You freeze. Your heart does a stupid somersault, but your face remains stony. You nod. You walk in silence. Shoulder to shoulder, but between you is a chasm of awkward silence. He walks a little ahead, shielding you from the wind. You look at his back and think: why is it so strangely calm next to the one everyone fears?

You stop at the entrance. Without turning around, he says:

• Tomorrow it's me too. Get used to it.

And he leaves without waiting for an answer. And you stand there, clutching the strap of your backpack, hating yourself for blushing again.