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Chapter 2: Echoes of the Past

As Hyeon Woo walked briskly towards his destination, his mind still clouded with thoughts of his fractured friendship with Hyeon Mi, a sudden flashback from his childhood pierced through the fabric of his consciousness. It was a memory he had long suppressed, one that had shaped him into the introverted young man he had become.

In this vivid recollection, Hyeon Woo found himself standing in a desolate playground, surrounded by a group of his classmates. Their faces contorted with cruel amusement, they taunted him relentlessly, mocking his every word and action. Their hurtful words echoed in his ears, leaving invisible scars that had yet to fully heal.

But it wasn't just the human torment that haunted Hyeon Woo. Even the animals seemed to join in the cruel dance of rejection. He remembered how the neighborhood stray dogs, usually playful and friendly, would snarl at him as if they sensed his vulnerability. Cats would arch their backs and hiss, while birds fluttered away at his approach. It seemed as though even nature itself had turned against him.

Tears welled up in Hyeon Woo's eyes as the weight of those painful memories resurfaced. The sense of isolation he had felt back then, the deep longing for acceptance and understanding, still lingered within him, fueling his present struggles.

But amidst the heartache, a glimmer of resilience emerged. The image of a young Ji Hoon, his loyal and unwavering best friend, materialized in his mind. Ji Hoon had been the beacon of light in his darkest hours, standing by his side when the world seemed against him. Through Ji Hoon's unwavering support, Hyeon Woo had discovered a flicker of hope that had kept him going, even in his bleakest moments.

Determined to break free from the chains of his past, he vowed to confront not only his fractured friendship with Hyeon Mi but also the scars left by the bullies who had tormented him, both human and animal alike.

With newfound determination, Hyeon Woo pressed on, his steps growing steadier as he embraced the challenges that lay ahead. He knew that facing his past would not be easy, but he also understood that it was a crucial step towards his own growth and healing.


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