Hyun

The afternoon sky radiated a golden orange, illuminating the deserted schoolyard. Behind the boundary wall, I stood frozen, staring at the figure of a silver-haired young man leaning his back against a lamppost. Hyun. His name always managed to make my chest pound irregularly. I had harbored this feeling for a long time, keeping it hidden without daring to express it. To Hyun, I was probably just someone who happened to be by his side often, never knowing that there was a heart that secretly admired him. However, Hyun's gaze was never on me. His gaze was straight ahead, following the figure of Hari Koo who was walking happily with Kanglim Choi across the street. A small, sincere smile, but with a hidden sadness, was etched on Hyun's lips. I didn't know the secret he was harboring—a feeling of love he buried deep in order to see Hari happy by Kanglim's side. Hyun chose to step back voluntarily, letting go of his own feelings and determined to be a loyal, protective shadow whenever Hari was in danger or felt lonely.
I stepped closer, trying to swallow my nervousness. "Hyun," I called softly, trying to hide the tremor in my voice.
The young man turned around. A faint smile immediately graced his handsome face, greeting me with a gentleness that always managed to make me fall deeper. "Ah, you haven't gone home yet?" he asked in a soothing voice.
"Not yet. What are you looking at?" I asked hesitantly, glancing in the direction he had been looking.
Hyun glanced away briefly, then shook his head slowly with a calm gaze. "Nothing. Just making sure the two of them are safe."