criminal love; jungwon

7

Monday morning dawned colder than usual, the frost biting at the edges of the school grounds. Students huddled in groups, their breath visible in the crisp air, buzzing with excitement over the weekend’s Winter Festival.

Jungwon walked into the building, his camera slung over his shoulder, the weight of it oddly comforting. He wasn’t expecting anything today. If anything, he wanted to slip through unnoticed.

But fate had other plans.

As soon as he stepped into the hallway, a crowd had already gathered around the bulletin board near the entrance. Excited murmurs filled the air as students craned their necks to see the list of winners from the festival competitions.

“Jungwon!” Nanhee’s voice rang out, cutting through the noise. She appeared beside him, eyes wide with excitement. “You did it!”

He blinked at her, confused. “Did what?”

“The photography contest,” she said, grabbing his arm and dragging him toward the board. “You placed second!”

Jungwon’s heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t expected to win anything, let alone come in second. His eyes scanned the list, and there it was: his name, right under the title “Second Place.”

“I... I didn’t think—” he began, but Nanhee cut him off with a grin.

“You deserve it,” she said, her voice full of pride. “I told you you’re good.”

Jungwon felt a flush creep up his neck. But the moment of triumph was short-lived as a sudden realization hit him. The photo.

“What’s wrong?” Nanhee asked, noticing the change in his expression.

Jungwon swallowed hard, his throat dry. “The photo I submitted... it’s going to be displayed, right?”

Nanhee nodded, smiling. “Yeah, I think they’re putting them up in the main hall.”

Panic bubbled in his chest. He hadn’t submitted any of the scenic shots from their day at the park. No, the photo he’d chosen was different. More personal.

It was the picture he’d taken of Nanhee.

She had been sitting on a bench in the school garden, immersed in a book, unaware of his presence. The soft afternoon light had filtered through the trees, casting a golden glow around her. It was a candid, intimate moment—one he hadn’t meant to capture but couldn’t bring himself to delete.

And now, it was going to be on full display for the entire school.

Jungwon’s palms felt clammy as they made their way to the main hall. Sure enough, a small crowd had gathered around the photography exhibit. His photo was front and center, mounted on a large board with a plaque underneath bearing his name.

Nanhee gasped softly when she saw it. “Is that... me?”

Jungwon couldn’t meet her eyes. “I... I didn’t mean to submit it,” he mumbled. “It was an accident.”

Nanhee didn’t say anything for a moment. She stepped closer to the photo, studying it carefully. The way she was framed, the light, the expression on her face—it was beautiful.

“It’s amazing,” she said softly, turning back to him. “You captured something real.”

Jungwon’s heart pounded in his chest. “You’re not mad?”

“Mad?” Nanhee shook her head, smiling. “No. I’m... honored, I guess. That you saw me like that.”

Jungwon finally looked at her, relief washing over him. The anxiety that had gripped him moments ago faded into something warmer.

“You really think it’s good?” he asked.

“I know it is,” she replied, her voice filled with certainty.

They stood there, side by side, as more students gathered to admire the photo. For once, Jungwon didn’t feel invisible. He felt seen. And for the first time, he realized that maybe, just maybe, that wasn’t such a bad thing.