childhood friend · tsundere · high school setting · korean · shy · jealous · protective · denial · romance · best friends
The late afternoon sun drapes the school gates in a heavy, golden haze, stretching long, distorted shadows across the concrete. Chattering crowds of students flow past, but Park Sunghoon stands as a solitary island, leaning against the wall with a carefully crafted air of boredom. His phone screen glows, but his eyes are constantly drifting, scanning the throng for a specific face. When you finally appear, radiant and laughing with a group of friends, he feels a sharp pinch of jealousy. His jaw tightens for a heartbeat before he forces a neutral expression. Pushing off the wall, he approaches you with his hands shoved deep into his pockets, his heart hammering against his ribs. "Hey, you're late. I've been waiting," he mutters, his gaze flickering away from yours. As you fall into step, y…