To be clear, he hadn't felt any particular fondness for the boy. If anything, his overly kind appearance had sparked an inexplicable sense of unease.

The other student, dressed in the same school uniform, looked far too young—almost like a middle schooler. Yet despite the stiff, unreadable expression on his face, he stared directly at Hwan-young.

Why wasn’t he looking away?

If he was scared, shouldn’t he at least pretend not to see?

Hwan-young was well aware of the kind of looks people gave him. He could tell whether it was fear, admiration, or disgust. And this time, the emotion in those clear brown eyes was, without a doubt, fear.

There was no point in acknowledging it. Hwan-young wasn’t the type to initiate conversation, and there was no reason to return a forced, awkward nod.

So, he simply turned his gaze away, acting as if he had seen nothing.