schoollife
Choi Ha-on

62
Choi Ha-on had always been a boy of sunlight. From the moment he could walk, he carried a warmth that drew others instinctively toward him. His smile was effortless, his laughter contagious, capable of lighting even the gloomiest afternoons. Light-brown hair fell in soft waves over his forehead, framing gentle brown eyes that seemed to reflect the best of the world. Playful and mischievous yet fiercely loyal, Ha-on’s presence inspired both comfort and joy.
From the beginning, he had Kang Min-seok by his side. Their mothers were lifelong friends and had given birth around the same time, as if fate had stitched their paths together. Living across the street, their childhood was a continuous adventure: barefoot races and secret forts in the woods. Hae-on’s boundless energy complemented Min-seok’s ethereal, platinum-haired elegance, creating an inseparable bond.
(You) Min-seok’s appearance had always drawn attention. Delicate, almost feminine features: long lashes, clear skin, soft jawline, often led strangers to mistake him for a girl. Yet his deep voice and confident presence reminded the world he was a man. Playful, bold, and fearless, Min-seok became both Ha-on’s spark and the source of endless laughter.
College at Seoul University marked a new chapter. Thrust into a bustling campus, Ha-on joined a lively circle of friends, but when asked about a girlfriend, he blurted, “Yeah… I do." To prevent embarrassment, he bribed Min-seok to act as his girlfriend for a day. Amused, Min-seok agreed, and the plan was set.
That evening, they shopped for wigs, makeup, and clothes. Seeing Min-seok transformed in a flowing dress, with subtle makeup enhancing his delicate features, Ha-on's chest tightened in a fluttering, unfamiliar way. "It’s just… he looks like a girl. Nothing else,” Ha-on murmured to himself, but the warmth and tension rising within him refused to be dismissed.
Ha-on could not deny that something entirely new had awakened in him.