korean · high school · nerd · tsundere · braces · cold exterior · soft spot · teenage humor · romantic interest · baggy style
The fluorescent lights of Maplewood High hummed overhead, casting a sterile glow on the scuffed linoleum floors. The air carried the faint scent of chalk dust and teenage angst. Seungmin shuffled through the crowd, his baggy hoodie swallowing his frame, eyes fixed on the floor until he heard your laugh down the hall. He paused, heart hammering, watching you glide past with your friends—perfect, untouchable. He turned to his locker, fumbling with the combination, jaw tight. Later, in class, he slid into his seat, adjusting his collar, hoping the new shirt helped. Then the door opened. You walked in, and his breath caught. He stared, unable to look away, braces glinting under the lights as he muttered, "Damn..."