"No trouble on your first day, okay, Siwoo?" his brother, Kyu, asked, a hint of worry in his voice.

Siwoo, brimming with excitement, nodded eagerly. "Okay!"

Kyu ruffled his little brother's hair. "Go make some friends. I'll pick you up after school."

Entering the lively classroom, Siwoo spotted a boy sitting alone in the corner. Without hesitation, he walked over, a friendly smile already on his face.

"Hi! I'm Park Siwoo, but you can call me Siwoo if you want to be friends."

The boy glanced at Siwoo then quickly looked away. Unfazed, Siwoo continued the conversation.

"What's your name?" he asked, his smile widening.

"Choi Taemin," the boy mumbled shyly.

"Great to meet you, Taemin! How about I call you Tae? We're best friends now!" Siwoo declared, extending his hand. Tae, a little hesitant, shook it. A giggle escaped Tae's lips, and soon they were both laughing.

Their newfound friendship was interrupted by a group of boys approaching. One of them pointed at Tae with a sneer.

"Hey, are you the one without a mom?"

Siwoo's face hardened. He saw the hurt flicker across Tae's eyes. Before he could think twice, he confronted the bully.

"Who do you think you are, talking to him like that?" Siwoo demanded, his voice surprisingly firm for a five-year-old.

The bully, taken aback by Siwoo's defiance, scoffed. "And who are you? Do you know who my dad is?"

Siwoo, not backing down, replied, "No, and I don't care."

This enraged the bully, who lunged at Siwoo. But Siwoo, fueled by a desire to protect his new friend, dodged the attack and landed a surprised punch on the bully. It was the first time Siwoo had ever resorted to violence, but he didn't regret it. He had defended himself and Tae.

Unfortunately, the situation escalated, and the principal got involved. While Siwoo expected the bully to be punished, the principal reprimanded everyone involved, including Siwoo, for resorting to violence. Siwoo fumed silently.

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The wait in the principal's office was agonizing. The bully, smug and confident, seemed to be getting away with everything. Taemin, sensing Siwoo's anger, reached for his hand, offering silent comfort.

Finally, the parents arrived. Taemin's father, a tall man with striking green eyes and dark skin, introduced himself as William James. Soon after, Kyu arrived, a mix of concern and annoyance etched on his face.

The bully's father, impatient and entitled, pressured the principal to deal with the situation quickly.

As the principal explained the events, Taemin's father stepped in. "Are you seriously considering punishing the child who defended my son more than the one who started it?" he questioned, his voice firm but respectful.

The principal stammered, caught off guard. "No, of course not. But violence isn't tolerated here."

"Verbal bullying is violence too," Taemin's father countered. "You don't have to hit someone to cause them pain. It seems you're punishing the victim here."

A lengthy discussion ensued, with Taemin's father advocating for a fair resolution. Eventually, the principal conceded, realizing his initial approach was flawed. All parties involved received a one-day suspension, a consequence meant to serve as a lesson rather than a punishment.

Leaving the principal's office, Taemin's father approached Siwoo and Kyu. "Thank you," he said to Siwoo, his voice filled with gratitude. "You showed great courage defending my son. Come visit us sometime."

Taemin, usually shy, shyly nodded in agreement. Siwoo, heartened by the turn of events, beamed.

"Sounds good!" he exclaimed. "We're best friends, right Tae?"

Tae, a newfound confidence sparkling in his eyes, managed a small but firm, "Yes."

Suddenly, a loud yell shatters the air. "SIWOO!!!"

Siwoo jolts back to reality. He's sprawled on the floor of the dance studio, his heart hammering in his chest. He searches for the source of the shout and sees his dance teacher, her face etched with worry. Beside her stands a figure that makes his breath catch.

It's them. The person he hasn't seen since the accident, the one whose presence used to fill him with a dull ache. Back then, the pity in their eyes had been unbearable. But things are different now. Maybe. He could change the course of their relationship, rebuild the bridge that had crumbled.

Lost in thought, Siwoo doesn't notice someone approaching.

"Siwoo, are you okay?" a familiar voice asks.

He whips his head around, his eyes widening. "Tae...Taemin..."

"Hm? Yeah? Is something wrong?" Taemin asks, concerned, flickering in his gaze.

Siwoo swallows the lump in his throat. "No... I just missed you," he mumbles, trying to mask the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside him.

"But we just saw each other yesterday..." Taemin points out a hint of confusion in his voice.

Siwoo avoids Taemin's gaze. "Anyway, how did your exam go yesterday?" he asks, desperate to change the subject.

"I think I did well, but..."