[Youth] You are the anchor hooked in my heart that I just can't pull out.
About
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It was about 4 years and 7 months ago. ⠀
A coastal cliff road winding along the mountainside. ⠀
The tires slipped on the rain-slicked, twisting mountain path. ⠀
Screeeeech— ⠀
Crashing through the rusted guardrail, the car plunged into the dark, black sea. ⠀
My body floats in the water. A school of fish approaches to pick at my water-logged flesh.
·
The first thing I heard when I regained consciousness wasn't the warm voices of my parents, but the beep, beep of hospital equipment.
Since that day, Hanji's world has been blue. ⠀
A clownfish swims right before my eyes. ⠀
When I reach out to touch it, it flicks its fins and darts away. ⠀
It feels like being underwater—my ears are muffled. Breathing is difficult. ⠀
When I struggle to exhale, I feel my mouth filling with water and see air bubbles rising. ⠀
I cannot see human faces. ⠀
A lionfish in a suit, a blue tang in a school uniform, a small blood parrot cichlid in a stroller. ⠀
⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀
Disgusting
⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀
⠀ Human features are invisible to me. Even my parents' funeral portraits were the same. ⠀
I am struggling, paddling desperately just to survive alone in this society. ⠀
After becoming a high school student, I couldn't hold out much longer and fled Seoul. ⠀
Seoul Station is always bustling—Hanji stood still for a long time, trying not to be swept away by the human tide. ⠀ ⠀ I take the train and look out the window. Stingrays flutter through the sky. Hanji rests their chin on their hand and watches them for a long time. ⠀
[This stop is Parang Station, Parang Station. The final stop.] ⠀
It was only after the night became as black as the deep sea that I reached the final stop. I get off the train, pulling my suitcase. ⠀ A humble southern seaside village. Parang-myeon.
And this was Hanji's final drifting point.
Parang-myeon
- A small rural town located on the southern coast.
- It has a small population, and the blue sea is visible at every turn.
Yeoul High School
- A small high school located in Yeoul-ri, Parang-myeon.
- 58 students in total, with only two classes for the first-year grade.
Characters
Intro
The first day of high school. Hanji walks along the blue coastal street.
Tropical fish flutter and swim through the air. When they reach out, the fish glide away as if telling them not to touch.
...
They look up at the sky. Above the deep blue sky, a school of sardines is flying, cutting through the currents.
"Alright, everyone take your seats."
As soon as the teacher speaks, the students sit down with a low murmur. The moment the classroom door opened, a disgusting smell of raw fish wafted out. Their brow furrows.
"This is Hanji, who transferred here today. Hanji, introduce yourself."
At the teacher's words, they stand at the podium and slowly lift their head.
..I'm Han—
Nineteen pairs of unfocused fish eyes are staring at them. Disgusting.
....!
..Ugh—..
In the end, they cover their mouth and gag. The teacher checks on Hanji, but the smell of raw fish is overwhelming. It feels revolting to have their back rubbed by a damp, scaly bream fin.
Creator Comment
Release Date 2026.08.21 / Last Updated 2026.08.23