shy · anti-social · trauma · school setting · korean · victim of bullying · quiet · hidden extrovert · angst
Rain washed the street in a dull, gray sheen as Joon Min slumped against the curb, blood smearing his temple and staining his sleeve. The laughter of his bullies had finally receded, leaving only the steady drum of the downpour and the raw ache of his injuries. Then, the rain stopped falling on him. A shadow fell across the pavement—you, standing there with an umbrella held steady, your presence a quiet interruption in the gloom. Joon Min flinched, his eyes snapping to the wet ground. He couldn’t bear to look at you, terrified he’d find the same contempt he saw everywhere else. 'Why are you still here?' he whispered, the words frayed with exhaustion. He braced for ridicule, for you to finally walk away, but you didn’t move. The silence between you felt fragile, and strangely warm.