The Tragic Loss

A cold wind sweeps through the quiet cemetery, rustling the fallen leaves as Seok-ho, only 12, stands at the graves of his parents. His small form seems swallowed by the enormity of the moment. His eyes are empty, filled with a hollow sadness that no child should know. The faint sound of a funeral bell tolls in the distance, marking the finality of what he’s lost. Seok-ho’s grip on the edge of the gravestone tightens, his face contorting with an internal struggle as he holds back the tears that threaten to spill. The world around him feels distant, as if it no longer exists.

The camera shifts from Seok-ho’s solemn expression to the cold, unwelcoming house that now looms ahead. Inside, his aunt, Mi-hee, stands with her arms crossed, glaring at him. Her eyes burn with resentment, every inch of her posture exuding disdain. Forced by family ties to take care of him, her bitterness is clear in every glance she shoots him. Beside her, her son Joon-hyuk, spoiled and indifferent, stands, barely acknowledging Seok-ho’s presence.

Mi-hee: (snarling) "Why does everyone always praise you? You're just like your parents, aren't you? Always the smart one, the pretty one, the perfect one. But you're nothing more than trouble."

Seok-ho flinches, the words piercing through the silence like a knife. Hurt and confusion cloud his expression as he tries to make sense of the hatred directed toward him. Mi-hee forces him to do all the household chores, working him into exhaustion. She punishes him when he fails to meet her impossible standards, while Joon-hyuk gets by with ease, never facing the same scrutiny. The unfairness cuts deeper each day.

The Mock Exam Result

Late into the night, in a small, dimly lit room, Seok-ho sits hunched over a desk, his face illuminated by the soft glow of a flickering lamp. Despite the exhaustion threatening to overtake him, he pushes through, determined to prove his worth through his studies. His aunt storms into the room, holding two exam results—Joon-hyuk’s and Seok-ho’s—each in her hand.

Mi-hee: (scoffing) "Look at you. You think you're better than him? You're nothing but a nuisance."

Seok-ho’s heart sinks as he glances at the papers. His score is higher than Joon-hyuk’s, but it means nothing. The cruel words from his aunt only serve to remind him that no matter how well he performs, it will never be enough to earn her approval.

Mi-hee: (furious) "You think you're better than my son?!"

She slams the desk with a violent force, causing Seok-ho to flinch. She storms out, leaving him alone in the silence, the sting of her words hanging in the air. His only solace is the stack of books before him, but even they can't shield him from the bitterness that fills the house.

The Uniform Incident

The next morning, Seok-ho prepares for school, but as he pulls out his uniform, he notices the damage. Mi-hee, in a fit of malice, has scratched the fabric of his shirt with a sharp blade, leaving deep, jagged marks.

Mi-hee: (mocking) "How will you go to school looking like that? No one will care about your scores if you look like a mess!"

Seok-ho stares at the ruined shirt, his heart heavy with defeat. He has no other clothes to wear. With a deep breath, he dons the damaged shirt, his chest tight with the weight of humiliation. He leaves the house, his steps slow and reluctant, each one carrying him further into the storm that has become his life.

At school, the students quickly notice the torn shirt. Whispers spread like wildfire, and laughter follows. His classmates begin to taunt and humiliate him, making cruel jokes about his appearance. Seok-ho tries to keep his head down, but every mocking word feels like a sharp blow.

The Rooftop Encounter

Desperate for a moment of peace, Seok-ho retreats to the school rooftop. There, he stands at the edge, gazing down, lost in the weight of his sorrow. The world feels like it’s closing in on him, and for a brief moment, he wonders if the pain will ever stop. He feels invisible, disconnected from everything around him.

But just as the darkness threatens to consume him, a soft voice interrupts his thoughts.

Seo-yeon: (approaching cautiously) "You don’t have to do this."

A girl, around his age, stands before him. Her face is filled with genuine concern, and though sadness lingers in her eyes, she seems to understand him in a way no one else does. She’s been hiding here, too, seeking an escape from her own troubles, though for now, her story remains a mystery.

Seok-ho looks at her, his heart racing. Her gentle words, so full of empathy, reach deep into him, pulling him away from the edge.

Seo-yeon: "I know you're hurting. But there's more to life than pain. You have to keep fighting."

Her words resonate in his chest, stirring something he hasn’t felt in a long time. Stepping back from the ledge, Seok-ho allows himself to breathe, his emotions a whirlwind. Without thinking, Seo-yeon steps forward, her arms wrapping around him in a warm embrace. For the first time in what feels like forever, he allows himself to cry, the tears flowing freely as the weight of everything he’s endured finally breaks through.

The Separation

After a long moment, Seo-yeon pulls away, her hands gently resting on Seok-ho’s shoulders. She looks at him with understanding, her gaze soft but firm.

Seo-yeon: "I’ll be alright. But you need to find your own way too."

Seok-ho stands still, overwhelmed by the kindness he’s received. There’s something in her words, something in the way she holds herself, that makes him feel seen for the first time in years. As she turns to leave, Seok-ho watches her go, a mixture of gratitude and longing filling his chest. He doesn't know if their paths will cross again, but in that brief moment, something inside him shifted.

Running Away

That night, with nothing but a few belongings in a small bag, Seok-ho makes a decision. He can’t stay in this house any longer, not under Mi-hee’s cruelty. He runs away, stepping into the unknown, his heart set on building a new life for himself.

The episode fast-forwards to years later. Seok-ho, now 25, is no longer the fragile boy he once was. His body is stronger, the result of years of struggle and survival. He works multiple jobs—cleaning, deliveries, and even boxing for money. The life he leads is tough, but it’s his.

The Boxing Match

In a dimly lit boxing ring, Seok-ho faces off against a formidable opponent. His movements are sharp, precise, every strike a product of the years of hard work he’s put in. The match is intense, the crowd’s cheers deafening, but Seok-ho keeps his focus, his mind clear. With a powerful punch, he knocks his opponent out cold, earning the victory.

The crowd erupts in cheers as Seok-ho stands victorious. A faint smile tugs at his lips as he wipes the sweat from his brow. His friends—Min-gi and Jae-hyun—gather around him, congratulating him on the win. They head to an outdoor bar to celebrate, their laughter mingling with the clink of glasses. For a brief moment, Seok-ho allows himself to feel joy. The life he’s fought for is finally his, but even now, a part of him wonders about the girl from the rooftop—Seo-yeon—and if their paths will cross again.