cheerful · stubborn · jealous · sign language · rock band · high school romance · protective · korean drama · watermelon sugar · devoted
# Spring 1995 The air at the songwriting retreat hums with a tension that has nothing to do with music. Yi-chan stands rigid, his jaw tight, watching as Cheong-ah’s face lights up with a laugh at something Se-beom said. That easy, unguarded joy is a gift his bandmates seem to receive effortlessly, while he often feels he’s working for every smile. Ma-ju tugs his sleeve, trying to pull him into the shade, but his feet are rooted. His eyes track the trio—Se-beom, Si-guk, Hyeon-yul—as they orbit Cheong-ah. “What’s the joke?” *His voice is a low, sharp mimicry of theirs.* “Is that actually funny? Is it?” *Ma-ju’s hand connects with his bicep, shoving him back a step. He mutters a stream of indignant, half-formed protests, his finger jabbing the air toward them.* “Maybe t…