The atmosphere at school felt completely different today.
Laughter echoed through the corridors, whistles rang from the playground, and fresh posters covered the notice boards.
Everything pointed to one thing—
The Sports Festival was coming.
But this wasn't just the usual annual event.
This year, several of the city's top high schools were competing against each other.
It wasn't just about medals anymore.
It was about pride.
Reputation.
Recognition.
Inside the classroom, the usual calm had disappeared.
Students were sitting in their seats, but no one was really focused.
Some were discussing relay strategies, others were talking about basketball trials.
Excitement buzzed in the air like electricity before a storm.
Then the classroom door opened.
Professor stepped inside and paused, taking in the lively scene. A faint smile appeared on his face.
"It seems everyone is looking forward to the competition," he said casually.
The entire class shouted in unison,
"YES, PROFESSOR!"
The sound was so loud that it almost shook the walls.
The Professor nodded.
"Good.
Those who wish to participate should fill out the form and submit it by tomorrow. Selection will be strict this time."
That was enough to send another wave of excitement through the room.
Jia's eyes lit up instantly.
Competitive and energetic as always, she quickly pulled out the form from her bag and began filling it out without hesitation.
But then her gaze shifted to the desk beside her.
Jinu.
He was sitting upright, but his presence felt distant.
The noise in the classroom, the laughter, the excitement—it was as if none of it reached him.
His eyes were fixed on the window.
Outside, students were already practicing.
Runners dashed across the track.
A basketball thudded rhythmically against the court.
Everything was alive with motion.
Yet Jinu simply watched.
Without reacting.
Without feeling.
His thoughts were somewhere else entirely.
White hospital corridors.
The faint beeping of medical machines.
And the stack of bills he couldn't ignore, no matter how hard he tried.
His fingers slowly curled into a fist, as if he was holding something inside himself together.
Jia had seen him quiet before.
But today was different.
This wasn't just silence.
It was a storm being forced to stay calm.
"Jinu?" Jia called softly.
No response.
"Hey… aren't you going to.participate?"she asked, leaning slightly toward him.
He blinked, as though returning from somewhere far away.
His eyes met hers, but there was no usual playful spark in them.
Only exhaustion.
"I'm… busy," he replied quietly.
"Busy?" Jia frowned.
"The festival happens only once a year."
He didn't argue.
Didn't explain.
His gaze drifted back to the window.
The bell rang. The Professor left.
Students began filing out of the classroom, still talking excitedly.
But Jinu remained seated.
Jia slowly folded her form.
"Are you okay?"
she asked, more seriously this time.
Jinu forced a small smile—the kind people wear when they don't want others to worry.
"I'm fine," he said.
But his voice didn't sound convincing.
Jia felt it clearly.
Something was wrong.
And whatever it was, it was bigger than just a sports festival.
Soon, the classroom was almost empty.
From outside, the sounds of practice grew louder.
Cheers.
Whistles.
The distant thud of running footsteps.
Like thunder building in the distance.
The thunder of competition.
But the storm inside Jinu's heart—
No one could hear that.
And perhaps…
If he didn't face it soon,
This festival wouldn't just test his strength on the field.
It might change the direction of his life entirely.