The morning sun spilled across the classroom windows as students rushed to find their seats. The air buzzed with chatter, laughter, and the scrape of chairs. An clutched her books tightly to her chest, her heart racing. Almost late again… why do I always run at the last minute? “An, you’ll sit in the back today—next to Minh,” the homeroom teacher announced casually. Her steps faltered. Minh? Whispers rose instantly among her classmates. “That quiet guy?” “I heard he never talks to anyone.” “Didn’t he get in trouble last year?” An swallowed hard as she made her way to the back. --- There he was—leaning against the window, one earbud in, eyes fixed somewhere far away. His black hair fell into his face, and the sunlight cast sharp lines across his profile. An pulled out the chair beside him and sat down. Her palms were damp, but she forced a smile. “Hi… I’m An.” No reply. Only a brief glance, then a slight nod before Minh turned his gaze back out the window. So cold… An bit her lip, unsure what to say next. The lesson began. While everyone scribbled notes, Minh sat with his arms crossed, barely looking at the board. An sneaked another glance. He didn’t look dangerous like the rumors said—just distant. Lonely, even. --- During the break, her best friend Lan hurried over. “An! You’re sitting next to Minh? You’d better be careful. They say he got into a fight once and almost got expelled.” An frowned. “Really? He doesn’t look like that.” Lan rolled her eyes. “That’s what makes it scarier! Just… don’t get too close.” But as An turned back to her seat, she couldn’t shake the image of Minh’s eyes—dark, unreadable, yet strangely fragile when they caught the sunlight. She sat down quietly. For a moment, Minh’s gaze flicked toward her, and their eyes met. Her breath caught. Minh quickly looked away, slipping his earbud back in. But An couldn’t stop the thought echoing in her heart: Who are you really, Minh? And with that silent question, their story began.