Seung Jee left school after the encounter with Taek Il. On his way home, he wondered what it would be like if he had never stuttered from the beginning. Would people have never bullied him? Would he have had more friends? Would Eun Shin have befriended him?
He couldn't get the questions out of his mind. Once he reached his residence, he walked up to the rooftop. A lady approached him with a soft smile and a gentle pat.
"Seung Jee," she called. Seung Jee turned to her and smiled. He bowed and held her hand.
"Omma," he responded. She nodded gently and hugged him.
"How's school today?" she asked. Seung Jee blushed at the thought of it. He sat down at the rooftop table. His mother followed him. She smiled knowingly, sensing he had a good day.
"I think I have made a good friend… She's really nice and… brave," he answered softly. His mother was relieved upon hearing this and leaned her head on him.
"I'm glad to hear that. Boy, you've grown so much over the years. Your stuttering has lessened," she said gently. Seung Jee smiled, thinking about how his anxiety had lessened since he met Eun Shin. Was it her warmth that softened the knots inside him? Could someone like her truly see him?
"She's really a great person. I hope I can introduce her to you one day, Omma," he replied. His mother smiled and gently caressed his cheek. Her eyes glimmered as she stared at Seung Jee.
"Sweet child… if only they could see you as I see you," she murmured. Seung Jee stared at the sun, as if he were looking at Eun Shin—his world quietly brightening with the thought of her.
The scene slowly pulled away, stretching out from their rooftop like a deep breath expanding, until the city around them began to unfold. Just below, near the rooftop stairs, a woman stood silently, listening. She wore a wide-brimmed black hat and dark sunglasses, shielding herself not just from the sun—but from being recognized. Her jewelry was elegant but restrained, chosen with care. Yet she remained just out of sight, careful not to step close enough to be seen by Seung Jee or the woman beside him. After hearing the final words, she turned away and quietly descended the steps.
Days had passed, and while the city moved on, some people did not. Seung Jee and Eun Shin were still hanging out with each other, and Jae Vin had had enough of waiting for her. He lurked in the shadows for a moment to settle scores with Seung Jee. While he planned this, Seung Jee finally managed to ask her something no one else had. He turned to her as she turned to look at him.
"Yes?" she asked curiously. Seung Jee smiled, but it faltered.
"Eun Shin… I know this is awkward to ask, but…" he paused. Eun Shin waited patiently. He took a deep sigh before he nodded. "Why do you stay with him... when you don't even seem happy?"
She froze. That question—so simple, so direct—cut deeper than he could know. Only her father and Seok Jun had ever looked that closely. She blinked rapidly, trying to hide the tremble in her hands behind a forced laugh.
"Do I look unhappy?" she asked. Seung Jee watched every subtle reaction. He stared at her, his smile not joyful, but full of quiet empathy.
"You do. You look like you're hurting. And that kind of hurt doesn't come from happiness," he said gently. Eun Shin felt exposed. She pulled her sleeves over her hands and tried to smile.
"I'm… fine," she said, the words slow and fragile. Seung Jee didn't push. He simply nodded, understanding that some pain was easier to hide than to explain. He stood and reached out his hand to her. She looked at it, then at him. Her fake smile softened into something real, and she placed her hand in his.
"Just let me know if it's ever too much," he murmured. Eun Shin wanted to cry—because he was so kind. But she also wanted to smile—because of that same kindness. She nodded, trusting him without words. Seung Jee pulled her up and grabbed their backpacks together. He walked beside her. She watched him carry both backpacks as they walked back to the school. She smiled behind him, the pure thoughtfulness and strength that he provided to her remained in her heart.
"Seung Jee, can I call you Seung-oppa?" she asked curiously. Seung Jee suddenly blushed at the thought of it. He froze and couldn't take another step forward. His ears turned red, burning. He slowly turned to her. She giggled at his face.
"Seung… oppa?" he repeated slowly. She nodded.
"I called Seok Jun, Jun-oppa. He's almost like a brother. You're a very close friend of mine… now… Can I call you Seung-oppa?" she asked again. Seung Jee trembled as he couldn't find an answer to her. He stammered a little and looked around them.
"Hm… if you want…" he answered slowly. Eun Shin chuckled at his cute reaction.
"Okay, Seung-oppa!" she said happily as she walked to the school building. Seung Jee was still frozen, unable to grasp what had just happened. He slowly processed the conversation. Eun Shin noticed him and smiled before she waved.
"Seung-oppa!" she called out. Seung Jee jolted and looked at her. She was already near the school building entrance.
"O-oh," he stammered. Then he ran to her. She smiled as they walked inside of the school building together. Meanwhile, Jae Vin stood by the school gates, glaring at them. He scoffed.
"Oppa now, huh?" he murmured angrily. He clenched his fists as he removed himself from the school and waited.
Once class ended, Seung Jee and Eun Shin walked out of the school gate together. After their usual stop at the convenience store, Eun Shin waved goodbye. He smiled and nodded in return before turning to head home.
But as he passed an alleyway, three figures stepped out—teenage boys in different school uniforms. One of them was Taek Il. The other two wore the sleek, polished jackets of the elite all-boys' academy Seung Jee had once attended. Seung Jee recognized the uniforms before the faces. He didn't flinch, but his fingers curled at his sides. He'd tried to leave that world behind.
"Hey, transfer student!" Taek Il called, sneering. "Miss your old friends? They miss you."
The two boys chuckled as they approached.
"Still playing victim, huh?" one of them said, eyes narrowing, "You think you can bring people down and walk away?"
He cracked his knuckles, grinning cruelly.
"My father gave me an earful, thanks to your little shit…"
Seung Jee froze. His breath hitched. He looked around—no one nearby. No way out. His legs wouldn't move.
Then—
A cry tore through the alley.
Raw, sharp. Seung Jee screamed in agony.
LATER
Seung Jee stumbled through the front door, his face swollen with fresh bruises. His mother gasped, dropping her bowl of vegetables with a crash. She rushed to him, cupping his cheeks in trembling hands.
"Seung Jee, what happened…?" she cried.
"I-I'm fine," he mumbled, pulling away and running into his room. She stood frozen for a moment, then collapsed to her knees, sobbing. He'd come home with scrapes before—cuts, small bruises, the usual—but this? This was different. This was violence. And she couldn't protect him.
At that moment, a woman in dark sunglasses watched from a distance. She stepped forward slightly, a bodyguard by her side. Though her eyes were hidden, her lips tightened with pain.
"Find out who did this to him," she said, voice sharp with urgency. "Immediately."
The bodyguard bowed and turned swiftly. The woman stayed behind, her hands trembling.
She didn't cry. She couldn't. But inside, every sob from the boy's mother struck her like a blow. Because she had failed too.
NEXT DAY
Eun Shin waited at the school gate for Seung Jee, but he never came. Jae Vin's car stopped by her, but she didn't recognize the car or him. She was too focused on waiting for Seung Jee. Jae Vin looked at her through the window and noticed her anxiety. He smirked as he opened the door and walked up to her.
"Hey, babe. It's been a while," he said. Eun Shin turned to him without a smile.
"Yes. Thanks for giving me space," she looked away. She continued searching for Seung Jee. Jae Vin turned to look with her.
"Who are you waiting for?" he asked curiously. She groaned as she tried to remain calm.
"I'm waiting for Seung Jee. He promised to show me his old school photos," she replied nonchalantly. Jae Vin scoffed as he tried to hold in his evil laugh.
"I see… I'll see you in class then," he smirked and walked away. Eun Shin felt like Jae Vin was acting a little bit off. Usually, he would pry and stop her, but he was so compliant, like he had nothing to worry about. Seung Jee suddenly appeared and saw her. He tried to hide his face and walked past her quickly. Eun Shin saw his backpack and immediately ran to him.
"Seung-oppa!" she called out and grabbed his backpack. Seung Jee turned and froze. His bruised face was clear. Eun Shin trembled, her heart shattered at the sight of him. She blinked hard, jaw clenched, fury flashing beneath her silence. Seung Jee froze, his bruised face twisting in shame. He lowered his head, unable to meet her eyes.
"I-I…"
Eun Shin stormed to find Jae Vin. He didn't head to class. He went to the gym and curled his arm around a girl. The girl chuckled shyly.
"Someone might see us," she giggled. Jae Vin smirked.
"So what…"
"What about Eun Shin? Isn't she still your girlfriend?" she asked. Jae Vin scoffed.
"Don't talk about her. She seems to be flirting with another man… She's old news. I'd rather have someone who actually listens to me," he said, leaning toward the girl's lips. Eun Shin stopped and scoffed. She cleared her throat the moment their lips touched. Jae Vin and the girl jumped.
"E-Eun Shin?!" she screamed. Eun Shin smiled at her and then at Jae Vin.
"You had him beaten? And this is what you were busy with?" she snapped. Jae Vin gulped as he pushed the girl away.
"Ow!"
"Eun Shin, it's not-"
"Let's not drag this any longer. I'm done pretending you're someone you're not," she interrupted. Students were walking in, whispering among each other. A gossip for the entire school to hear. The golden couple? The broken couple! Eun Shin smiled happily.
"Let's finally end this thing between us," Eun Shin said steadily. "I hate being around you when you act like a child. I'm glad I have a real reason to stay away now."
Then she turned and walked toward the classroom without looking back. Jae Vin froze, panic bubbling in his throat.
"E-Eun Sh—" he stammered, unable to follow. The crowd stared, silent and unmoving.
"What the hell are you looking at?! Fuck off!" he shouted. The students scattered like birds. Even the girl he'd just tried to kiss fled. He stood alone. Jaw clenched. Eyes burning. She was escaping him—and if she succeeded, his mother's wrath would be next. He knew what failure meant.
With a roar, he kicked the metal bleachers behind him. The pain in his foot stabbed up his leg, jolting him—but it did nothing to ease the rage simmering beneath his skin.