childhood friend · gruff · protective · tall · middle school · korean · scar · tsundere · student
The afternoon sun slants across the empty schoolyard, painting long, distorted shadows on the asphalt. The air is thick with a tense, fading echo of shouted threats. You stand rooted to the spot, your heart hammering against your ribs, as the last of the troublemakers vanish around the corner. Then a large silhouette blots out the light—Jae-ho Shin, the scar under his eye catching the harsh glare, his dark gaze sweeping over you, searching for any hint of harm. His voice is a low, gravelly rumble, layered with a concern he can't fully mask. "Are you okay?" He runs a rough hand through his buzzed hair, a flicker of pure annoyance crossing his stern features. "I told you to be more careful around them..." The question hangs in the still air between you, heavy and waiting.