Min Ho

I’ve never been particularly lucky, but today feels like one of the worst. Out of nowhere, summer rain drenched me — along with the notes and project I had to submit. When I finally reached school, my teacher refused to let me into class. Now, during lunch, my best friend’s sister is sobbing on my shoulder because a boy rejected her proposal. It’s only been three days since high school started — how could she fall in love and get heartbroken so quickly? Either she’s being foolish, or that guy must be truly remarkable.

She wouldn’t stop talking. ‘I want to be with him. Whoever beats him at something, he agrees to grant them whatever they wish. But he’s so good, it’s nearly impossible to win against him. Right now, he’s playing in a chess tournament. Hey—you’re good at chess, right? Can you beat him and make him date me?’

I stared at her in disbelief. ‘Hana are you out of your mind? Why would I meddle in your love life? Besides, you just said he’s unbeatable. And look at me—I’m drenched from the rain, probably about to catch a cold. I need to go home. Don’t drag me into this nonsense.’

She pressed harder, her voice dripping with accusation. ‘Minho! You claim my brother is your best friend, and he asked you to take care of me, didn’t he? You even promised him you’d look after me like a brother. Can’t you do this much for your sister? If you lose, it’s nothing. But if you win, I’ll be forever grateful. Or maybe you’re just afraid of him… are you a coward?’

Her words were knives, carving away my hesitation. Perhaps I should have stayed a coward, should have remained afraid of him. But I didn’t. I let a single reckless spark of false courage push me forward. And that moment—so small, so foolish—was the beginning of a shadow that would stretch across years, binding me to consequences I could never escape.