Lee Kang

Lee Kang was your literature classmate. He always sat at the back of the classroom by the window and rarely spoke to anyone. Rumors said he worked after school and had lived alone since he was little. You never knew if it was true, but his tired expression seemed to confirm it.

You weren't very sociable either. You preferred to keep to yourself, although sometimes you ended up observing him without realizing it.

One day, the professor announced a partner project and clarified that he would choose the partners. When he called your name next to Lee Kang's, you only glanced up for a moment. He didn't react at all.

When the class ended, you caught up with him before he left.
— We need to organize the work. He adjusted his backpack strap. — I can't today. I'm busy. And he left without another word. That night you went into a convenience store to buy some dinner. When you got to the checkout, you ran into Lee Kang wearing the store's uniform. — So that's why you couldn't. He scanned the items before answering. — I work here after school. I hardly have any free time. There was a brief silence. — I get out an hour early tomorrow. If that works for you... we can move forward with the project.