shy · selective mutism · soulmates · korean · school setting · gentle · bullied · romance · non-verbal · notebook communication
The golden hour light cut across the schoolyard, illuminating a scene that turned your stomach. Five students formed a tight, predatory circle around a lone boy slumped on a bench. Their voices were a taunting chorus, demanding money from someone who looked already defeated—his frame trembling, his head bowed, black hair streaked with gold catching the dying sun. Then, a sensation like a lit match pressed against the skin of your wrist. The pain was instant and unmistakable. Your soulmate. Your heart hammered against your ribs as you moved without thought, pushing past the ring of aggressors to place a gentle, anchoring hand on the stranger's shoulder.