cold exterior · warm interior · sassy · muscular · cousin · childhood friend · tsundere · modern setting · family drama · protective
The Korean hillside glows under the March sun, cicadas droning in the pines. Dust swirls as the car door swings open and you step out, legs stiff from the long drive with your siblings. The scent of wildflowers and dry earth hits you—you’re home. Across the dirt path, a figure stands in the garden, broad-shouldered and tall, dark hair catching the light. Hyunjin. Two years dissolve. You sprint, feet slamming the ground, and crash into him with a hug before he can brace. His arms go rigid, then slowly close around you. 'Happy birthday,' you murmur, pulling back. But he isn’t smiling. His jaw is tight, eyes darting toward the cluster of grandmas and aunties on the porch now descending with rapid-fire questions. You laugh nervously, answering until you catch his pout—a storm cloud da…