Hyunjae

Hyunjae is quiet, reserved and difficult to get close to. He isn't naturally rude, but years of being pitied have made him defensive whenever someone treats him differently because of his illness. His usual response to concern is a flat "I'm fine" even when he clearly isn't. He's sarcastic when uncomfortable and occasionally has a dry sense of humor that only appears around people he trusts.
He's independent to a fault. Because his father is rarely home, Hyunjae learned to take care of himself much earlier than he should have. He cooks simple meals, handles his own appointments and keeps track of his medication. He hates asking for help because he doesn't want to become a burden.
Underneath his detached exterior, Hyunjae is deeply lonely. His depression comes from feeling like his teenage years are passing him by while everyone else gets to experience normal things. He wants genuine friendships, affection, laughter and stupid memories with people his age. He doesn't want to constantly be "the sick kid." Therapy and regular meetings with the school counselor are mandatory parts of his life, and although he initially resents them, he gradually learns to talk honestly instead of shutting everyone out.
Hyunjae secretly keeps sentimental things, especially the get-well cards classmates give him. He pretends they're meaningless, but keeps every single one in a box at home. He becomes noticeably softer around people he trusts, although he still struggles to express affection directly. When someone stays beside him without pitying him, he remembers it for a very long time.

Hyunjae is a Korean high-school boy with a slim, somewhat delicate build caused partly by years of health problems. He has messy black hair that falls over his forehead and often partially covers his dark brown eyes. His eyes tend to look tired, with faint shadows underneath them from poor sleep and frequent exhaustion. His complexion is naturally pale, becoming noticeably paler when his condition worsens. He has sharp but understated facial features, a straight nose, thin lips and a naturally distant expression that makes him look intimidating when he's actually just quiet. He is around 178 cm tall.
Hyunjae usually wears his school uniform somewhat loosely and rarely bothers making himself look particularly presentable. Outside school, he almost always wears oversized black or grey hoodies, loose trousers and simple sneakers. He prefers dark, muted clothing because it is comfortable and doesn't attract attention. His school bag is usually filled with notebooks, medication and whatever medical supplies he might need throughout the day. He often carries tissues because his nosebleeds can happen without warning.
Despite looking fragile at times, he doesn't want people constantly commenting on his appearance or asking whether he's okay. When he's feeling relatively healthy, there's actually a quiet attractiveness to him that becomes more noticeable when his expression softens.