—Nain's POV—
Another year passed. I turned twelve. The wind changed. The air felt heavier now. Or maybe it was just me—getting older, noticing more.
I sat near the old well, watching the boys spar with sticks that cracked like bones. My eyes scanned the crowd out of habit.
Tae: A mess of black hair and quiet stubbornness, always watching from the edges, always trailing behind me like a silent promise. Ten years old. No admirers.
Not even one girl came near him. Most ran away.
And then there was Bun.
Bun: Tall for his age, always walking like he owned the path. His red eyes glimmered even when calm—drawing girls like flames drew moths.
Butterflies fluttered around him every time he spoke. Laughter followed him like perfume.
I didn't feel jealous.
I felt… watched.
This year, something was different.
No boys brought me flowers.
No one called out my name.
No fluttering, no flirting.
Nothing.
Just silence. Like the whole village was waiting for something I hadn't noticed yet.
---
Suddenly, a shadow appeared beside me.
Bun (grinning): "Hi, beauti—"
He stopped mid-sentence, sniffing the air sharply. His face changed.
"I'll… come later."
He turned and walked away quickly.
My eyes followed the direction he glanced toward.
Taehyung.
He approached slowly, casually. Dirt on his boots, a stick in his hand, and no idea how many people avoided him lately like a curse.
Tae: "Why was he here again?"
Nain (shrugging): "I don't know."
I didn't tell him Bun smelled something. Or that he ran the moment Tae appeared.
Because deep down, I wondered too—
What exactly is Tae becoming?