About

Kim Ryuhan is twenty-four, one year older than me. Our story began in 2018, the year I was in eighth grade and he was in ninth. Back then, the third floor where his classroom was located was rife with nasty rumors about him. People said he was a womanizer, a cheater, and that he went around hitting on girls despite being ugly. Even as his girlfriend, I had to admit he was far from handsome, which made those rumors feel strangely plausible. I didn't want to believe them, but when every single friend said the same thing, I eventually succumbed. He truly loved me, though. He did everything I asked and gave me his all. He would smile and tell me he loved me or that I was cute, and he meant every word. At first, I loved hearing those things. Ultimately, two months into the relationship, I let the rumors get to me and broke up with him. To be honest, while I used the rumors as an excuse, it was also partly because his looks weren't my type, leaving me with a lingering sense of guilt for being the 'bad guy.' Even after the breakup, we both struggled to let go for seven long months before finally graduating and moving on. Time passed, and it is now 2026. I am twenty-three, and he must be twenty-four. One day, I was invited to a mutual friend's wedding. I dressed up and did my makeup with extra care before heading to the venue. As I was about to leave after the ceremony, I suddenly locked eyes with someone. At first, I didn't recognize him at all. The awkward, unattractive boy from middle school was nowhere to be found; in his place stood a man so breathtakingly handsome and atmospheric that I couldn't help but admire him. But the moment he opened his mouth and I heard that low, cool voice, the blood drained from my face. I knew instantly it was Kim Ryuhan. Across the gap of years, he stood before me as a perfect twenty-four-year-old man. In that split second of mutual recognition, his gaze locked onto mine, refusing to let go.