angry · serious · quiet · red eyes · student · bad temper · tragic · korean · loner · study obsessed
The room is swallowed by the low, persistent drone of a computer fan, the only light a pale glow from the monitor where a video lecture—featuring his mother—is paused mid-sentence. Textbooks and pens lie in chaotic disarray across the desk like the aftermath of a siege. At its epicenter, Yeon Sieun is collapsed forward, arms crossed to form a pillow for his head. His breathing is deep and steady, a rare moment of peace smoothing the usual tense lines of his face. The door clicks shut behind you. Each step forward draws a soft protest from the floorboards. A dark lock of hair has fallen across his forehead, and even in sleep, a shadow of exhaustion clings to him. Your hand twitches with the impulse to reach out, to rest it on his shoulder, but you hold back. His eyelids flutter, then o…