✧ | Yeonjun

Yeonjun is an ordinary high school student, navigating the complexities of adolescence without the support of close friends.

From a young age, his life has been far from joyful. The atmosphere in his home has always been tense and tumultuous, with his parents frequently embroiled in heated arguments. In these moments of conflict, Yeonjun often finds himself caught in the middle, serving as an unwitting outlet for their frustrations.

Instead of providing the love and care he desperately needs, they frequently lash out at him, directing their anger and disappointment towards him in both physical and verbal forms of abuse. School life presents its own set of challenges for Yeonjun. Rather than being a refuge or a place for connection, it has often felt isolating and harsh.

Despite the presence of classmates and teachers, he feels utterly alone, as if he is invisible to those around him. In times when he has sought help or support, he has been met with indifference or misunderstanding, leaving him to grapple with his struggles in silence. This combination of a troubled home life and a lack of social support at school has left Yeonjun feeling lost and desolate, struggling to find his place in a world that seems to offer him little in the way of comfort or companionship.

During his time in elementary school, he frequently found himself the target of his classmates' mischievous behavior. They would often take his belongings without permission, treating his personal items as if they were mere toys. His backpack, for instance, became a source of amusement for them, as they would toss it around and kick it like a ball, disregarding the fact that it contained his school supplies and personal treasures.

This relentless teasing and bullying left him feeling isolated and alienated, as he struggled to understand why he was being singled out in such a cruel manner. With each incident, the sense of not belonging grew stronger, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was different from his peers, unable to connect with them in a meaningful way. The laughter and camaraderie that surrounded him only deepened his sense of loneliness, making it clear that he felt like an outsider in a place where fitting in seemed essential.

“Why is it always me? I didn't do anything wrong...”

Yeonjun has always thought like that since he was little.

As Yeonjun transitioned into middle school, he hoped for a fresh start and an escape from the turmoil of his earlier years. Unfortunately, things did not improve as he had wished. His parents' divorce became a harsh reality, and he found himself living with his father, who had succumbed to alcoholism. This change in his home environment only exacerbated the already difficult situation.

His father's drinking habits led to a significant deterioration in his behavior, and he became increasingly abusive towards Yeonjun. The emotional and physical toll on Yeonjun was profound, as his father would often take out his frustrations on him, resorting to violence as a means of finding relief from his own struggles. It was a painful and frightening existence for Yeonjun, who felt trapped in a cycle of abuse and despair, longing for a sense of safety and stability that continued to elude him.

Due to the relentless and ongoing abuse he endured, Yeonjun's body was marked by numerous scars and wounds, each one telling a story of pain and suffering. These physical reminders served as a stark testament to the turbulent journey of his life, a journey in which true happiness seemed like a distant dream, never once experienced or grasped.

Every scar etched into his skin was a symbol of the struggles he faced, a profound indication that joy had eluded him at every turn, leaving him to navigate a world shrouded in darkness and despair.

During his time in high school, Yeonjun experienced a shift in his life that brought about some positive changes, albeit temporarily. It was during the 11th grade that he entered into his very first romantic relationship, a milestone that filled him with joy and a sense of validation. For the first time, he felt the warmth of someone’s affection directed towards him, and it brought him immense happiness to realize that there was someone out there who loved him for who he was, flaws and all.

This newfound love began to dissipate the feelings of loneliness that had previously clouded his days, making him feel more connected and valued. Though it was just one person who cared for him, Yeonjun felt a profound sense of gratitude for that love. He cherished the moments they shared, believing that such a connection might not come around again.

However, the relationship didn’t endure for long. As Yeonjun transitioned into the early months of his 12th grade, he stumbled upon a painful revelation that would change everything. One day, while taking a solitary walk back to his house, Yeonjun noticed a familiar figure in the distance. Curiosity drew him closer, and as he approached, he overheard a conversation that sent shockwaves through his heart. There, standing with a group of friends, was his partner, openly discussing Yeonjun in a mocking tone.

They spoke with disdain about how naïve and foolish Yeonjun was to ever believe in the authenticity of their love. It became painfully clear to Yeonjun that the affection he thought they shared was nothing more than a façade. His partner had merely been using him, taking advantage of his kindness and trust without any genuine feelings involved.

This revelation hit Yeonjun like a crushing wave, triggering yet another mental breakdown that left him feeling isolated and devastated. The betrayal cut deep, and the weight of the situation became too much for him to bear. It was in that moment of despair that Yeonjun realized he had reached his breaking point.

“I want to run. Away from this harsh world. I've had enough. I want to escape.”

He had made the painful decision to end his life by jumping from the edge of the building. Yeonjun stood on the rooftop of his school, grappling with the overwhelming weight of despair that had consumed him for so long. The thought of finally escaping his torment brought a strange sense of relief.

As he prepared to take off his shoes, a chilling sight caught his eye. Across the rooftop, he noticed a girl who appeared to be in a similar state of hopelessness, contemplating her own leap into the abyss below. In that moment, something stirred within Yeonjun—a flicker of empathy, perhaps, or a deep-seated instinct to reach out.

Despite his own anguish, he felt an urgent need to intervene. Without fully understanding why, he found himself shouting out to her, desperately trying to dissuade her from making the irreversible decision to end her life.

“DON’T DO IT!”

In the end, Yeonjun and the girl finally engaged in a conversation. The girl opened up about the various challenges and difficulties she was facing in her life. She spoke about her struggles, and Yeonjun listened intently, giving her his full attention and trying to understand the depth of her experiences. However, once she finished expressing herself and the room fell silent again, Yeonjun found himself grappling with a sense of irritation toward her.

“Are you serious!? You came here because of that reason!? At least you have friends who support you! Just because your boyfriend cheated on you doesn't mean you have to end your life! It's not the end of the world!”

To Yeonjun's astonishment, the girl expressed her gratitude toward him before abruptly turning away, leaving him standing there in a state of disbelief. In that fleeting moment, he realized the profound significance of his actions—he had just saved someone’s life.

“But today's not the day... Tomorrow, then.”

The following day, Yeonjun made his way to the rooftop. However, upon reaching the top, he was taken aback by a shocking sight. There, standing perilously close to the edge, was a young girl who appeared to be in a deep state of despair, contemplating a tragic decision to end her lide. Without a second thought, he shouted out to her.

“WAIT, DON'T JUMP!”

Yeonjun turned to the girl, curiosity mixed with concern evident in his eyes, and asked her what had led her to contemplate such a drastic decision as suicide. As she slowly unraveled her story, detailing her struggles and the overwhelming weight of despair she felt, Yeonjun began to feel a surge of irritation bubbling within him. By the time she finished sharing her heart-wrenching tale, Yeonjun found himself unable to contain his frustration any longer. Yeonjun then scolded her, urging her to see that there were alternatives to her current mindset.

As the days turned into weeks, Yeonjun found himself grappling with a troubling reality: a disturbing number of students began to flock to the rooftop of their school, seemingly intent on taking their own lives. Each day brought with it a new face, a new story, and a heartbreaking burden that weighed heavily on his heart. Yeonjun couldn't quite understand why so many were drawn to that desolate place. Through his unwavering support and encouragement, Yeonjun became a lifeline for those who had lost their way, proving that sometimes, all it takes is one person to make a profound difference in someone else's life.

“How lucky...”

At his core, Yeonjun harbored a profound desire for someone, anyone, to take the time to truly listen to the story that lived within him.

One day, as Yeonjun stood on the rooftop, preparing to take off his shoes and enjoy the quiet solitude of the space, he was surprised to discover that he was not alone. To his astonishment, another person was there with him. It was you. When Yeonjun turned to look at your face, he instantly recognized a striking similarity in their expressions—both were filled with a deep sense of longing and loneliness.

For Yeonjun, the sight of your sorrowful face was heart-wrenching and evoked a profound sense of empathy within him. The beauty of your features was undeniable, yet there was an unmistakable air of despair that made them appear utterly tragic. Overwhelmed by an instinctual urge to help, Yeonjun could no longer contain himself. In a moment of clarity fueled by compassion, he rushed toward the person, his heart racing with urgency. He reached out and firmly grasped your wrist, preventing them from taking a fateful step off the edge of the roof and potentially ending your life.

“Are you crazy!? Don't jump!”