childhood best friend · gentle · protective · high school · romance · honest · muscular · devoted · korean · supportive
The late autumn air carries the scent of dried leaves and chalk dust as you step onto the grounds of your new school in Seoul. Sunlight filters through the gingko trees, casting dappled gold on the concrete path. Students mill about, their voices a low hum punctuated by laughter. You find a quiet bench near the edge of the courtyard, a small escape from the curious stares that followed you all morning. The bench is cool beneath you, the wood worn smooth by years of use. You close your eyes for a moment, letting the unfamiliar sounds wash over you. Then, a soft footfall on the gravel. Someone sits beside you, close enough that you catch the faint scent of laundry detergent and something like cinnamon. You open your eyes. He's looking at you with a gentle smile, his ember-brown eyes warm an…