Seven Years Ago
It was the first year of high school.
The first semester started in September and ended in December with one week in January for exams. The second semester ran from February until May, with one week in June for finals, then summer vacation.
Han had joined the school late, in November. It was hard for him to catch up. He wasn't good at studying, and soon after, misfortune struck. That was when Jisoo saved him from a group of boys who had been bullying him. From that day on, Han became close to Jisoo. Jisoo even took him to a boxing club so Han could learn how to defend himself.
Jisoo already had a small friend group:
– Lee Chahyuk, who had studied with Jisoo and Seungmin in middle school
– Minho and Woohyun, childhood friends
They all welcomed Han warmly and made him part of the group. For the first time in years, Han felt like he had people who really cared about him.
---
Results Day
The first semester went by quickly. Before the semester break, the results were posted on the board. Jisoo and the group went to check. Han, nervous, stayed in the classroom and asked Jisoo to see his marks and tell him later.
Minho spotted Woohyun's name at the very top and got so excited he picked Woohyun up and cheered loudly.
When he put him down, Woohyun laughed. "Minho, what's your position?"
"I didn't check yet," Minho replied casually.
Chahyuk, looking gloomy, muttered, "Second."
Minho noticed his expression. "Then what's yours?"
Jisoo answered with a disappointed sigh. "He's third from the bottom. How many times have I told you to study? You never listen. All you do is run after girls."
Chahyuk snapped back, "And what about you? You don't run after girls, yet you're only 25th."
Note:There are thirty-five students in this class.
Jisoo said, rolling his eyes. "At least I'm not last."
Chahyuk leaned closer to the list. "If these two weren't in our class, I'd be last myself," he muttered.
Meanwhile, Han still sat alone in the classroom. Seungmin noticed and came over.
"Why aren't you checking the results?" he asked.
Han gave a fake laugh. "I'm probably last."
Seungmin's tone was cool but his eyes were bright. "No way you will be last. Stop overthinking. Let's go together."
It was the first time Seungmin had spoken so much to him. Han didn't want to waste the chance, so he followed. They reached the hall where only Jisoo and his friends were left.
As they approached, Chahyuk laughed loudly. "Yah, Seungmin, thanks for taking my crown—and you too, Han!"
Both boys were confused until they looked at the board. Seungmin stared at it. "I thought you'd be smart. You studied in British."
Han glanced at him. "I thought the same about you."
Seungmin was last and Han was second last. That why he didn't trusted Han when he said he will be last.
The Mark on His Wrist
By May the weather grew hot. Students switched to summer uniforms. Han had been dating Seungmin for two weeks by then, but he was scared to wear half-sleeves because of the mark on his wrist. He didn't want people to see it, think he was suicidal, or pity him.
At first he avoided the summer uniform, but one teacher called him in and told him he had to wear it. So he kept his wrist hidden under a large gold watch.
Seungmin, already protective, stayed with him everywhere — even walking him to the washroom or waiting outside his house like a shadow. He never leave his side.
One day during sports period the class changed into jerseys for basketball. Jisoo threw the ball a bit too hard; it struck Han's arm and the watch flew off, exposing his wrist.
Jisoo rushed over, kneeling. "Are you hurt? Let me see your wrist."
So he covered it with his other hand. Seungmin, watching from the side, felt anger spark at the sight of Jisoo hovering over Han. He walked over, pushed Jisoo lightly but firmly so that he fell back, and said in a flat voice, "Stay away from my man."
Then Seungmin picked Han up by the hand and led him to the nurse's office. The room was empty. He grabbed an ice pack. "Show me your hand," he said.
"It's fine. Give it to me, I'll do it myself," Han muttered.
"I've already seen your hand," Seungmin said softly. "You don't have to hide it from me."
Han's face crumpled. He still felt insecure, but slowly gave his wrist to Seungmin. Seungmin began to press the ice pack against it with gentle, steady hands. "If it hurts, tell me."
"Mm," Han murmured, unable to look away from how careful he was.
Finally Han asked, "Aren't you going to ask why I did it.?"
"Why should I?" Seungmin answered without stopping.
Han blinked, surprised.
Seungmin set the pack down for a moment. "If it was easy to tell, you wouldn't be hiding it. Or maybe you don't think anyone's close enough to share the pain with. Don't worry. I won't force you. Just keep it safe until you're ready. I'll try my best to become your safe place and person you can trust — maybe one day you'll tell me what you don't tell others. Maybe one day I'll reach that part of your heart."
He picked the ice pack up again and kept tending to Han.
"Are you free Saturday?" Seungmin asked. "There's somewhere I want to take you."
---
The Tattoo
That Saturday, Seungmin took Han to a tattoo shop. Han was nervous about having anything done on his wrist. So Seungmin got one with him: a rose, beautifully crafted to cover the scars and pain.
Because tattoos were forbidden in their school, Seungmin paid the fine for both of them every single day.