Light Through the Shadows

Chapter 2 FIRST LIGHT

A cool breeze slipped through the open window, carrying the gentle chill of May into the room.

Yujin stood in the middle of his half-unpacked bedroom, looking at the boxes scattered around him. Their new house still felt unfamiliar.

A new city.

A new home.

A new beginning.

He walked over to the window and looked outside.

He didn't know these streets yet, but strangely enough, he felt excited.

I'll get used to it.

His mother's voice suddenly came from downstairs.

— Yujin! Come down for a second!

— I'm coming!

When he reached the living room, he found his mother, Minseo, surrounded by moving boxes.

She looked tired, but the moment she saw him, she smiled.

— There you are. We don't have much food left. Can you take this list and run to the market?

Yujin took the list from her.

— That's it?

— It's probably more than enough for one trip.

— Probably?

Minseo laughed.

— We haven't even finished unpacking the kitchen.

Yujin folded the list and slipped it into his pocket.

— Okay. I'll be back soon.

— Don't wander too far.

Yujin grinned.

— Mom, I'm just going to the neighborhood market.

Minseo smiled, but there was still a trace of worry in her eyes.

Yujin noticed.

He knew neither of his parents had really wanted to move.

They had come here because of his father's work, leaving behind the life they had built over the years.

It hadn't been an easy decision.

And Yujin knew that.

But he didn't want his parents to feel guilty because of him.

So he smiled.

— I'm really okay, Mom.

Just then, his father, Jisung, appeared in the doorway.

— Heading out?

— To the market.

— Take your phone.

Yujin held it up.

— Got it.

His father nodded.

— Don't stay out too late.

— I won't.

Yujin slipped on his shoes and headed for the door.

— See you!

— Be careful! Minseo called.

— I will!

The door closed behind him.

For a moment, Minseo stood quietly.

— I hope he's really okay.

Jisung looked toward the door.

— He'll be fine. You know Yujin. He gets used to everything.

---

The moment Yujin stepped outside, he slowed down.

The neighborhood was different from anywhere he'd lived before.

It was busy, lively, and full of unfamiliar sounds.

Students walked in groups along the sidewalks. People hurried to work. Small shops lined the streets, and the smell of food drifted from restaurants nearby.

Yujin looked around with curiosity.

Maybe this won't be so bad.

A few minutes later, he spotted the market.

— There it is.

He walked inside and pulled out his list.

He had barely made it to the vegetable section when a loud crash came from behind him.

— Ah!

Yujin turned around.

A tall, skinny employee had dropped several boxes of pasta.

A cheerful girl hurried over.

— Minho! Seriously? Again?

— Hana, either help me or laugh at me. You can't do both.

— Says who?

She crouched down and started picking up the boxes.

Then she noticed Yujin watching.

She smiled.

— I've never seen you around here before.

Yujin smiled back.

— That's because we just moved here today.

— Really? I'm Hana.

— Yujin.

— Nice to meet you.

— You too.

Hana pointed toward the vegetable section.

— If you need anything, just ask.

— Thanks.

Yujin finished his shopping and left the market.

---

On the way home, the bags were starting to feel heavier with every step.

Yujin looked down at them.

— Next time, I'm making Mom come with me.

He laughed quietly.

Just as he stepped off the sidewalk to cross the street, he heard the roar of a motorcycle.

Yujin turned his head.

The motorcycle sped past him.

— Hey!

He jumped back.

One of his shopping bags hit the ground and tore open.

Fruits and vegetables spilled across the sidewalk.

— Watch where you're going!

The motorcycle disappeared down the street.

Yujin stared after it.

— Seriously?

He crouched down and started picking everything up.

A tomato.

An apple.

A carrot.

He sighed.

— First day in a new city...

He picked up another vegetable.

— And I'm already sitting on the sidewalk picking up groceries.

Despite himself, he laughed.

At that moment, a black luxury car was stopped at the red light across the street.

Hoon sat in the back seat, his head resting against the window.

He hadn't been paying much attention to the people outside.

Until he noticed Yujin.

The boy was crouched on the sidewalk, his hair slightly messy from the wind, an annoyed look on his face.

Then Yujin suddenly laughed at himself.

Hoon stared.

There was something strangely charming about him.

Even when he was annoyed, he somehow looked warm and adorable.

The corner of Hoon's lips lifted before he could stop it.

He's kind of cute.

His expression immediately changed.

What am I thinking?

The driver glanced at him through the rearview mirror.

— Sir?

Hoon looked away.

— Nothing.

— Are you sure?

— Just drive.

The light turned green.

The car moved forward.

Hoon glanced back through the rear window one last time.

Then he turned away.

---

That evening, Hoon arrived home.

His father was sitting behind his desk in the study.

The moment Hoon entered, his father looked up.

— Where were you?

— I stayed out for a while.

— Why?

Hoon hesitated.

— I wanted to talk to Jiho.

His father's expression hardened slightly.

— You should have come straight home.

— We only talked for a little while.

His father leaned back.

— Hoon, you know how I feel about you getting too close to people.

Hoon stayed quiet.

— Most people don't come near you because they care about you. They want something.

— Jiho doesn't.

His father stared at him.

— You can't know that.

Hoon didn't answer.

For a moment, his father's eyes drifted somewhere far away.

A memory surfaced.

A warm afternoon.

A young woman laughing.

His closest friend sitting beside them.

The three of them laughing together, completely carefree.

For one brief moment, everything had seemed perfect.

Then—

A scream.

Blood.

A body on the ground.

His father's hand gripping a knife.

He blinked.

The memory disappeared.

His expression hardened again.

— Go to your room.

Hoon looked at him.

— Dad—

— Study.

Hoon lowered his eyes.

— Okay.

He left the room.

---

His bedroom was dark.

Hoon didn't turn on the light.

He sat down at his desk, opened his book, and tried to concentrate.

But the words on the page wouldn't stay in his head.

Instead, he remembered the boy from the street.

That messy hair.

That irritated expression.

And the way he had suddenly laughed at himself.

Hoon's lips curved into a faint smile.

He noticed it a moment later.

His expression immediately became serious.

— Ridiculous.

He looked back at his book.

But the smile lingered for just a little longer.

---

The next morning was the first day of school.

Yujin walked through the hallway, staring at the piece of paper in his hand.

— Class 2-B... Where is this place?

He turned a corner without looking ahead and bumped straight into two people.

— Ah! I'm sorry!

His books fell to the floor.

The energetic-looking boy in front of him laughed.

— Whoa, slow down! It's your first day. You don't have to run through the walls.

Yujin laughed nervously.

— Sorry. I'm just trying to find my classroom.

The quieter boy beside him immediately crouched down and helped gather his books.

— Here.

— Thanks.

Yujin took them.

— I'm Yujin.

The energetic boy held out his hand.

— Taeyang.

Then he pointed at the boy beside him.

— And this is Seojun.

Seojun gave Yujin a small nod.

— Nice to meet you.

Taeyang glanced at the paper in Yujin's hand.

— What class?

— 2-B.

Taeyang's eyes widened.

— Wait, seriously?

Yujin nodded.

— Yeah.

Taeyang grinned.

— That's our class!

Yujin smiled.

— Really?

— Yep. Looks like you got lucky.

Seojun sighed.

— Don't listen to him. He says that to everyone.

— Hey!

Yujin laughed.

Taeyang pointed down the hallway.

— Come on. We'll show you the way.

— Thanks.

As they started walking, Taeyang threw an arm around Seojun's shoulders.

— See? First day and we've already made a new friend.

Seojun glanced at him.

— You decided that without asking me?

— You weren't going to say no.

Seojun smiled quietly.

Yujin watched the two of them and couldn't help smiling too.

Maybe moving here wouldn't be so bad after all.

---

When they reached the courtyard, Yujin suddenly slowed down.

Under a large tree sat a young man reading a book.

Black hair.

Sharp features.

A calm, almost intimidating presence.

Students passing by kept stealing glances at him.

Some girls whispered.

A few boys did the same.

Everyone seemed to know who he was.

Yet no one actually approached him.

Yujin stared.

Something about him caught his attention immediately.

At that exact moment, Hoon looked up.

Their eyes met.

Hoon froze.

Him...

The boy from yesterday.

What is he doing here?

For a second, Hoon simply stared.

Then he quickly looked away and returned his eyes to his book.

Yujin blinked.

His heart had suddenly started beating faster.

— Taeyang...

— Hmm?

— Who's that?

Taeyang followed his gaze.

Then he grinned.

— Oh. Him?

Seojun looked over too.

— That's Hoon.

— Hoon...

Yujin repeated the name quietly.

Taeyang put his hands in his pockets.

— He's a year above us.

Seojun nodded.

— He's one of the top students in the school.

— And everyone knows him, Taeyang added.

Yujin looked at Hoon again.

— Then why is he always alone?

Taeyang lowered his voice.

— Because he doesn't really talk to people.

— At all?

— Not really.

Seojun adjusted his glasses.

— He keeps his distance from everyone.

Yujin frowned slightly.

— Does he have any friends?

Seojun hesitated.

— One.

— Who?

— Jiho.

As if on cue, another boy approached Hoon.

— Hoon.

Hoon looked up.

Jiho handed him a drink.

— You haven't had anything since this morning.

Hoon took it.

— Thanks.

Jiho sat beside him for a moment.

Then he noticed Hoon's eyes drifting toward Yujin.

Jiho followed his gaze.

His eyebrow lifted.

— Do you know him?

Hoon immediately looked away.

— No.

Jiho gave him a knowing look.

— Really?

— Yes.

Jiho smiled.

— Okay.

He didn't ask again.

He knew Hoon well enough to know when to leave something alone.

Yujin was still watching Hoon.

Yes, he was incredibly handsome.

And yes, there was something undeniably charismatic about him.

But that wasn't what caught Yujin's attention the most.

It was his eyes.

There was something lonely about them.

Even surrounded by people, Hoon looked like someone standing completely alone.

Yujin felt a strange pull in his chest.

Why do I feel like I want to know him?

Taeyang looked at Yujin.

Then at Hoon.

Then back at Yujin.

— Don't tell me you're already interested.

Yujin turned toward him.

— What?

Taeyang grinned.

— Hoon.

Yujin laughed.

— I'm not interested.

Seojun smiled faintly.

— He's just curious.

Yujin looked back at Hoon.

There was a short silence.

— Yeah.

He smiled.

— I'm curious about him.

Across the courtyard, Hoon looked up again.

Their eyes met.

This time, Hoon immediately looked away.

Jiho noticed.

But he said nothing.

Yujin smiled to himself.

He didn't know Hoon.

He didn't know what kind of life he had.

He didn't know why he kept everyone at a distance.

But somehow...

He wanted to get closer.

Yujin lightly tapped Taeyang's shoulder.

— Come on.

— Where?

Yujin took one last glance at Hoon.

Then smiled.

— To class.

But one thought stayed in his mind.

One day, I'm going to talk to him.