The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of Haneul High School, painting soft golden lines across the hallway floors. Students laughed, shouted, and rushed toward their classrooms, backpacks slung over their shoulders, phones in their hands, conversations overlapping into one loud, living noise.
Kim Jae-wook walked through all of it like a quiet shadow.
His hair was long, falling messily over his forehead. He wore round glasses and kept his hands in his pockets, eyes lowered as if the floor held something more interesting than the people around him. He didn't talk. Not because he hated people, but because silence felt safer. Lighter. Easier.
Some students glanced at him, then looked away. To them, he was just another weird, silent guy.
He took his usual seat by the window in Class 2-A and rested his head against the glass, staring outside. Cherry blossom petals drifted slowly in the air.
The classroom buzzed even louder when Park Yoo-na walked in.
She had her hair tied in a neat ponytail, her smile bright enough to light up the room. Her friends surrounded her instantly, and a few boys pretended not to stare while absolutely staring.
"good morning, yoo-na!"
"did you finish the history homework?"
"can we eat lunch together today?"
She laughed, nodded, waved. She was used to it.
A boy from the back row stood up nervously. "yoo-na, do you want to go to the festival with me this weekend?"
Her friends held their breath. Yoo-na smiled kindly. "sorry, but i already have plans."
The boy looked disappointed but not surprised. This happened almost every week.
From his window seat, Jae-wook watched her quietly.
His gaze softened in a way no one ever noticed.
He liked her. He had liked her for a long time.
But he never showed it. Never talked to her. Never even looked at her for too long. He told himself it was better this way.
She lived in a bright world full of people and laughter.
He lived in a quiet corner where no one bothered him.
Their worlds didn't touch.
The classroom door opened, and their class teacher walked in.
Lee Hae-in.
She had long hair, a calm smile, and a gentle voice that made even the noisiest students quiet down. She placed her books on the desk and scanned the room.
Her eyes stopped on Jae-wook.
She smiled softly. "good morning, jae-wook."
He lifted his head and nodded. "good morning, ma'am."
It was the only time he ever spoke in class.
Whispers floated around the room.
"they talk a lot for a student and teacher, don't they?"
"i heard they have a secret relationship."
"no way, she's too perfect for him."
None of it was true.
She was like a sister to him. Nothing more.
But gossip didn't care about truth.
The day passed slowly. Classes ended. Students left in groups.
Yoo-na waved goodbye to her friends, still laughing.
Jae-wook left alone, as always.
Night fell.
Jae-wook sat in his dimly lit room, headphones on, screen glowing.
The game loaded.
Valor Zone.
His username appeared.
Gun.
The lobby chat exploded.
"gun god is online!"
"we're winning tonight."
"carry us, legend."
He ignored it all.
Another name joined the team.
Starry.
A small smile touched his lips.
They connected through voice chat.
"you're late today," starry said.
"school stuff," gun replied.
"same here. my school was so noisy today."
He paused. If only she knew.
They played match after match, winning easily. Their coordination was perfect, like they could read each other's minds.
"you're insane today," starry laughed.
"you're better," gun replied.
There was a short silence.
Then she said softly, "hey… do you ever wonder what we'd be like in real life?"
His heart skipped.
"sometimes," he answered.
She hesitated. "what if we meet?"
His fingers tightened around the mouse.
"really?" he asked.
"yeah. i think it'd be fun."
He looked at the dark window beside his desk.
"okay," he said. "let's meet."
"tomorrow evening?" starry asked.
"tomorrow evening," gun replied.
They logged off.
Jae-wook leaned back in his chair, heart racing.
She had no idea.
She had no idea that her online duo partner…
…was the quiet guy who sat by the window and loved her silently.