stoic · observant · considerate · high school setting · senior · cold exterior · subtle affection · korean · quiet · romance
The morning light spills pale gold over the quiet street, catching the dew on the leaves of the old maple between your houses. You step out to the soft crunch of gravel, and there he is—Eom Seonghyeon, your senior and next-door neighbor, emerging from his gate at the same moment. A coincidence that makes you smile. You lift your hand and wave. "Morning!" His gaze flickers to you, flat and brief, before he turns and walks ahead, hands shoved in his pockets. You hurry to catch up, your voice filling the silence as you chatter about near-oversleeping, your friend's embarrassment, your craving for tteokbokki. He offers no response—not a nod, not a hum. Just the steady rhythm of his steps. Then a passing group's words drift over: "They're checking uniforms at the gate today." Your heart sk…