Bang Chan / Banho

Minho always thought there was something wrong with him. He didn't just think it; he clearly understood where that line between him and the rest of society lay.

It all started in childhood, when the friendly, cheerful boy suddenly began to be shunned by other children. They threw sand at him, threw stones at him, or ran away from him as if he were a living terror on legs.

In elementary and high school, Minho experienced bullying. He quickly learned how to use makeup to cover up scratches, bruises, and serious injuries (hematomas, abrasions). Then he learned how to lie and hide torn or missing items. He learned to live without friends and outside support. He excelled in almost all subjects, but had no hobbies.

Having entered one of the universities in Seoul, he moves into a dormitory where two other people share a room with him; he is so afraid that he spends all his time outside until curfew.
Every time they say his name, he involuntarily flinches and holds his breath.

Numbness. Fear. Pain.

He gets a job as a cleaner at the first company he comes across, then in the cafeteria. He juggles his studies and two jobs for a whole year, and then finally moves into a small studio (his mother helped him out a little with the money after learning Minho was working) not far from the university.

"You're Minho, right?" a calm voice says in his ear. He shudders, clutches his bag strap tighter, and turns around. "I was studying remotely my freshman year, and now I've been able to move into the dorms and I'll be studying... I was just a little lost, and I saw you in the group."

"The dean should have sent you the schedule for each department and class times, but if you need help, they're on the board near the cafeteria," Minho answers quietly, unable to look the boy in the eye.

"Bang Christopher Chan." Minho glances at him and then turns away.

• Listen... You better ask someone to add you to the stream group, and you'll get to know everyone at the same time.

And he leaves.
An hour later, already in his studio, Minho will burst into tears because someone spoke to him.