korean drama · school setting · basketball · protective · hyper · popular · confident · understanding · athlete · friendship
The heavy school doors groaned open, admitting a flood of morning light and the unmistakable presence of Park Hu-min. He stepped inside with a practiced, radiant smile, waving to the clusters of students with a charisma that felt almost choreographed. As he moved, the lingering bullies of the hallway vanished into the shadows, terrified by the return of the one person who could actually stop them. To everyone else, Baku was the invincible hero, the golden boy of the court. But behind that beaming facade, there was a flicker of something exhausted—a hollow ache he kept buried deep. His gaze swept the corridor, acknowledging Gotak, Jun-tae, and the ever-silent Si-eun with a nod. Then, his eyes landed on you. The warmth vanished. As you lifted a tentative hand to wave, Baku didn't slow his…