Only if you say yes!! (En-drama)

Unraveled Bonds (Sunghoon)

Sunghoon was known around school for his cool, aloof demeanor. He was the type of guy who rarely spoke, kept to himself, and almost never smiled. His sharp features and quiet presence had earned him a reputation for being unapproachable, and yet, it made him all the more intriguing to those who dared to be curious.

His one outlet, the one place where he found peace, was the calligraphy club. The intricate strokes of ink on paper, the delicate balance between pressure and flow—calligraphy was more than a hobby to Sunghoon; it was his sanctuary. It was his way of expressing thoughts and emotions that he didn't want to voice. And because of that, he was fiercely protective of it. He didn't let anyone invade that personal space.

Sunoo, however, had always been fascinated by Sunghoon's calligraphy. He'd seen glimpses of Sunghoon's work here and there—fragments of paper with beautiful, flowing script—but Sunghoon was always quick to tuck them away before anyone could linger too long. Over time, Sunoo became more curious and started asking if he could come over and watch him practice.

"Sunghoon, can I come by the calligraphy room after school?" Sunoo would ask every so often, always hopeful but trying not to sound too eager.

Sunghoon would simply shake his head, his answer always the same. "I don't like my personal space being invaded," he'd say, his tone firm yet not unkind. He never gave more of an explanation, but Sunoo understood. Sunghoon was like that with everyone. It wasn't personal, or at least that's what Sunoo told himself.

"Okay, okay. I get it," Sunoo would reply with a small sigh, letting it go for the moment. Deep down, he respected Sunghoon's boundaries. He knew Sunghoon wasn't one to easily open up, and that was okay.

But that all changed one rainy afternoon in the library.

The calligraphy club had been moved to the library that day due to renovations in their usual classroom. Sunghoon was seated at one of the quieter corners, his focus entirely on the delicate strokes of his brush. The library was hushed, save for the soft turning of pages and the occasional whisper of students. For Sunghoon, it was the perfect environment—a quiet, almost sacred space where he could lose himself in the art.

Eunjin, however, had other plans.

She strolled into the library with the air of someone looking for a book, her gaze sweeping over the shelves as if she were genuinely interested. But when she spotted Sunghoon at his table, her lips curled into a sly smile. She made her way over, her steps light and careful, and stopped in front of him.

"Hey, Sunghoon," she said casually, pulling out a chair without waiting for an invitation. "Mind if I join you? I've always wanted to see calligraphy up close."

At first, Sunghoon stiffened. He wasn't used to people intruding on his space, especially during his calligraphy practice. His first instinct was to refuse, but something in Eunjin's demeanor caught him off guard. She wasn't loud or demanding; she simply sat there, a calm presence. Reluctantly, he let her stay.

Minutes turned into an hour, and Sunghoon found himself surprisingly comfortable with her there. She wasn't chattering away like most people; instead, she seemed genuinely interested in what he was doing. She'd ask a question here and there, always softly, and Sunghoon would give short answers, gradually letting his guard down. He never would have imagined it, but he found a strange sense of comfort in her presence. It was new, almost... refreshing.

Meanwhile, Sunoo, who had just come to return a book he borrowed, walked into the library. His eyes scanned the room briefly before they landed on Sunghoon in the corner. He smiled to himself, happy to see his friend, but that smile quickly faded when he saw Eunjin sitting across from him, leaning slightly forward, her eyes intently watching Sunghoon's brush glide across the paper.

Sunoo's heart sank. A bitter taste filled his mouth as he stood there, frozen for a moment. For months, he had asked Sunghoon if he could watch him do calligraphy—just watch, nothing more. But every time, Sunghoon had shut him down, saying he valued his personal space too much. And now, here he was, letting a girl he barely knew into that sacred space.

Sunoo quickly turned away, his chest tightening. He dropped off the book at the counter and walked out of the library, trying to push down the hurt that clawed at him. It didn't make sense. Why was Sunghoon letting Eunjin in and not him? Did he not trust him as much as he thought?

The walk home was unusually quiet. Sunghoon, however, seemed to be in a rare good mood. There was a lightness in his step, and his usual stoic expression was softened, almost like a hint of a smile was playing at his lips.

Sunoo couldn't hold back anymore. His feelings had been simmering inside him ever since he saw them together in the library. He glanced over at Sunghoon, his voice coming out more frustrated than he intended. "Sunghoon, can I come over to the calligraphy room sometime? Just to watch."

Sunghoon barely hesitated. "I told you, Sunoo, I don't like my personal space being invaded."

Sunoo's steps came to an abrupt halt, his eyes narrowing. "So you can let a random girl in but not your long-time friend?"

Sunghoon stopped too, his face slowly shifting from calm to confusion, and then to a mixture of frustration and defensiveness. "She's not a random girl. She's..."

He paused, searching for the right words, but before he could continue, Sunoo cut him off with a sharp nod. "Got it."

Without another word, Sunoo turned on his heel and walked ahead, leaving Sunghoon standing there, stunned and confused. Sunoo's mind raced as he walked. He felt like his trust had been betrayed, and his heart ached with disappointment. He'd always been patient with Sunghoon, respected his boundaries, and waited for him to open up. And now, after all this time, it felt like Sunghoon was willing to let someone else in before him.

As he walked away, he thought bitterly to himself, *Great, she's got Sunghoon too.* The more he thought about it, the more it hurt. Eunjin was up to no good, and now she had Sunghoon wrapped around her finger, just like she had with the others. Sunoo knew he had to do something, but for now, he just needed to clear his mind and figure out how to handle it.

There was no way he'd let Eunjin ruin the bonds he had with his friends. Not without a fight.