INK AND SHADOWS [???]

The morning air was crisp as Jay and Hara rode to school together, the wind brushing against them as they sped through the streets.

The routine had become familiar—Jay picking her up, the warmth of his presence behind her, the occasional teasing as they stopped at red lights.

But today felt different.

It was the start of their final week in high school.

As they arrived, students filled the hallways, all buzzing with excitement. The reality of graduation was finally sinking in.

When they entered the classroom, their homeroom teacher, Mr. Kim, stood at the front with a clipboard in his hand.

The usual chatter died down as everyone turned their attention to him.

"Alright, class," Mr. Kim announced.

"Next week is your graduation. The list of graduates will be posted outside later today, so make sure to check it."

The room immediately erupted into whispers and murmurs.

"Man, that last exam was brutal. What if I didn't pass?"

"I swear, if I have to repeat a year, I'm running away."

"What are you guys planning to do after graduation?"

The conversations quickly shifted to future plans.

Some students excitedly discussed their chosen universities, while others talked about traveling or finding jobs.

Then, Kang Haemin turned to Jay. "What about you, Jay? What's your plan after graduation?"

Jay froze.

For the first time, he realized he had never actually thought about his future.

He had spent most of his life living in the moment—partying, riding his bike, making trouble.

There was never a clear goal, never a solid plan.

Jake and Sunghoon, his closest friends, joined in.

"Yeah, man. What are you gonna do?" Sunghoon asked.

Jay's gaze instinctively drifted to Hara, who was sitting at her desk, flipping through her notebook.

Then, without hesitation, he smiled and said,

"I want to get married."

The entire classroom went silent.

Everyone turned to look at him, shocked by his answer.

One of their classmates spoke up. "Wait... do you already have someone in mind?"

Jay didn't say a word at first.

Instead, he casually walked over to Hara's desk, wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and pulled her close.

"Here," he said confidently.

"This is my girlfriend and my future wife."

Gasps and murmurs filled the classroom.

Hara's eyes widened in shock. "J-Jay—"

Her deskmate laughed. "Oh my god! That explains everything! I always saw you two together, but I thought it was just because you studied together."

Another student chimed in, "I mean, we always saw them riding to school together... but I didn't expect this."

Hara's face turned crimson at the sudden attention.

She was used to being invisible, the quiet nerd in the corner who blended into the background.

But now, Jay was standing beside her, proudly declaring to the world that she was his.

For a brief moment, insecurity crept into her mind.

Would they think she wasn't good enough for him?

That she was too plain, too different?

But then she looked at Jay.

The way he stood so confidently, the way he held her as if he had no doubt in his mind—

And for the first time, she decided she would believe in herself too.

At lunchtime, Hara made her way to the list of graduates posted outside.

She scanned through the names anxiously, her heart pounding.

Then, relief washed over her as she found her name.

She smiled and quickly looked for Jay's.

There it was. Right next to Jake and Sunghoon's.

"We did it," she whispered, a proud grin on her face.

Just then, a familiar voice called out.

"Baby."

She turned to see Jay approaching, his hands stuffed in his pockets.

"What are you looking at?" he asked, stopping beside her.

She beamed, pointing at the list. "We graduated together!"

Jay glanced at the names and chuckled. "Damn. Thanks to you."

Hara tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

He looked at her, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"You helped me with my studies, even when I was being annoying about it."

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. You should be grateful."

Jay smirked. "I am. Thank you, love."

Then, his expression softened as she asked, "Will your parents come to the graduation?"

His smile faltered.

He looked away for a moment before shaking his head.

"Nah," he said, trying to sound indifferent.

"They're always busy. It's impossible."

But Hara saw the sadness in his eyes.

Her heart ached for him.

She knew what it felt like to be abandoned.

She knew the pain of hoping, only to be disappointed again and again.

And in that moment, she made a silent promise to herself.

She would be his home.

She would make sure he never felt alone again.