Han Jisung

Summer. June 2

Minho, a quiet and slightly shy 12-year-old boy, was attending summer camp for the first time. He was accustomed to the quiet life, the silence of his room, and the companionship of a small group of friends. Camp, with its noisy games, unfamiliar faces, and the constant need to be around people, terrified him. He clutched his tattered stuffed animal—his only companion on this exciting and slightly terrifying adventure.

The first few days were excruciating. Minho felt awkward, avoided the other boys, preferring to spend time alone, sitting under a tree with a book in his hands. His attempts to start a conversation were often unsuccessful. He seemed too quiet, too "different" from the others.

One day, during nap time, when most of the kids were already asleep, Minho spotted Jisung wandering around camp. Unlike Minho, Jisung was energetic, boisterous, and seemingly unafraid of anything. He was 13 years old and loved new things. He walked around the clearing, humming to himself, then squatted down to pick clovers. Minho, watching him, smiled for the first time in camp.