Chapter Text
PROLOGUE
GUN-WOO
It was late afternoon. The sun bled through the grime-streaked panes of the gym's glass door, exposing a thick haze of chalk dust. Long, spindly shadows of heavy bags stretched and swayed across the scuffed linoleum. the air hung heavy, a pungent mix of sweat and liniment pulsing with the rhythmic crack-thud of gloves hitting leather. Gun-Woo took a step back and sank into the turnbuckle, the pad giving way under his weight. He wedged a gloved hand between his ribs and arm, working it free, then hooked a thumb into his mouth to pry out the mouthguard. His breath came out in jagged, hot rasps as he lolled his head from one side to the other before slowly tilting it up to stare at the golden light before him.
Laughter broke from outside the ring, dragging his attention from the door to the apron, where Woo-Jin stood chatting with a small group. As if sensing his gaze, Woo-jin looked up, smiled, and waved Gun-Woo over. Taking a few steadying breaths, he stood and made his way to the ring's edge, clapping his sparring partner on the shoulder as he passed. He leaned forward forearms resting on the ropes above them as he listened in.
"Gun-Woo! Soo-Yeon's back from the states. We were‑-"
The door opened. Whatever Woo-Jin was saying got cut off as Soo-Yeon spun toward the entrance, arm shooting up, and called out, "There she is! Yah, Over here!"
He didn't mean to look up. He did anyway.
She was standing in the doorway, hand clutching the metal bar as she searched around. The sun caught her at just the right angle, casting a soft glow across her face. A warm smile replaced her lost expression when she spotted Soo-Yeon. She slipped her phone into her back pocket and stepped inside, eyes adjusting to the space. It took a moment to look away. He did anyway.
He turned his attention back to the group but only managed all of a few seconds before the sound of approaching footsteps drew his eyes back up. Soo-Yeon had already swept her into the group, arm draped over her shoulders, guiding her forward with a steady stream of chatter.
"You remember, Woo-Jin, right? He came to visit me on campus."
The stranger's expression shifted with recognition, then softened into something more polite. She offered a nod and cordial wave. "Of course! Nice to see you again."
Gun-Woo forced his eyes down once more, only half listening to whatever Woo-Jin said in response. Instead, he chose to busy himself with the fabric wrapped around his hand, securing the edges that were coming lose. He'd almost tuned them out entirely when he heard his name.
"And this is our friend Gun-Woo," Soo-Yeon announced. "Gun-Woo, this is Min-ah."
Her name landed in the air between them and he let it settle for a beat. Then two.
A quiet cough was all he could manage. Her eyes found his and, for a moment, he almost forgot what he was supposed to say.
He bowed his head and smiled politely. "Kim Gun-Woo." A faint, flickering smile touched her lips as she tilted her head in response. "Min-Ah."