A New Arrival

The sun was hidden behind thick clouds, casting a dull gray over the suburban neighborhood. Minhyuk Lee stepped out of the moving truck with a heavy sigh, the weight of a new beginning pressing down on him. His new home was far from impressive—a modest two-story house with pale beige walls and a garden that seemed to have been forgotten by its previous owners. It wasn’t much, but to Minhyuk, it was a fresh start, a way to escape the past that clung to him like a shadow.

As he adjusted the strap of his backpack, he couldn’t help but glance up at the neighborhood, his new surroundings. The houses here were all too similar, rows of cookie-cutter homes, each one housing a family or a dream—neither of which Minhyuk had anymore. He was alone. His family was miles away, lost in their own lives, and he had no friends to rely on. His hand lingered on the edge of the moving truck as his thoughts wandered to his old life, the one he had to leave behind to start over again.

Across the street, Seoyeon Park was perched on her bicycle, her sunglasses pushed to the top of her head as she casually observed the newcomer. She was used to the eyes of strangers on her, her face famous from the countless dramas she’d starred in, but today, she was the one doing the watching.

Seoyeon wasn’t looking for a new friend, especially not one who seemed so... ordinary. Her life was filled with flashing lights, red carpets, and people who always had a reason to approach her. This boy, though, seemed different—out of place. His awkward movements caught her attention. No fanfare. No excitement. Just a quiet arrival.

She watched him struggle with a box too large for his frame and thought about how the neighborhood would soon buzz with gossip about the new “mysterious” boy. But before she could entertain the thought any longer, her phone buzzed. Work-related messages. Something about her next project. It was just another typical day, but something about this boy felt oddly intriguing.

As she was about to ride off, a voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Seoyeon, what are you staring at now?"

Yujin Kang appeared beside her, holding a coffee cup in one hand, her expression effortlessly cool. Yujin, an idol with thousands of fans and millions of eyes on her, was always the center of attention. But Seoyeon, her longtime friend, wasn’t fazed by her beauty or her fame.

"Just a new neighbor," Seoyeon said with a smirk. "Nothing special."

Yujin raised an eyebrow, glancing across the street. "A new neighbor? Don’t tell me you’re already planning to make him part of your ‘circle.’"

Seoyeon shrugged. "I’m not the welcoming committee. Just curious."

Yujin chuckled, "Well, as long as he’s not another one of your adoring fans, you’re free to do whatever you want."

Seoyeon rolled her eyes, shifting her weight onto the pedals. "He doesn’t seem like much."

Yujin smirked, lifting her coffee to her lips. "We’ll see."

---

The next day, the first day of the school week, Minhyuk entered the gates of Seonghwa High School. The crisp blue-and-white uniform did nothing to hide his nerves. His hands gripped the strap of his backpack, the weight of the unknown pressing down on him as he walked through the crowded hallways. He wasn’t looking for attention, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t get it. The students gave him brief, curious glances, whispering among themselves.

In Class 2-A, Seoyeon sat near the front, absorbed in her phone. Her latest drama had aired the night before, and her feed was flooded with adoration from her fans. She smiled faintly as she scrolled through the messages, then tucked the phone away when the teacher entered.

Yujin, sitting by the window, was lost in her own world. Her eyes flicked between her classmates and the faint daydreams of her next music video shoot. School wasn’t where her heart was, but she had to be here, for now. She was an idol, and her life outside these walls was a whirlwind.

The teacher’s voice broke through the chatter. “Alright, everyone, settle down. We have a new student joining us today.”

Minhyuk stepped forward, bowing slightly. “Hello, my name is Minhyuk Lee. I just transferred here. Please take care of me.”

His voice was soft, hesitant. He avoided making eye contact with anyone, keeping his gaze firmly planted on the floor. The class was silent for a moment, the only sound the rustle of papers. Seoyeon’s eyes flicked up for a second, her interest piqued. The boy from across the street. She wondered if he would turn out to be as interesting as she thought.

Yujin, however, didn’t even glance up. She was too busy tapping her nails against the desk, unimpressed.

“He seems quiet,” Yujin muttered under her breath.

Seoyeon smirked, leaning over to her friend. “Let’s see how interesting he turns out.”

---

At lunch, Minhyuk wandered into the cafeteria, holding a tray of food. The noise was overwhelming, the energy too much for him to handle. He had no idea where to sit. Most tables were occupied, and he didn’t have the courage to sit with strangers.

Seoyeon, sitting with a group of friends, noticed him standing at the edge of the cafeteria, unsure. She gestured to the empty seat next to her, her voice carrying over the chatter. “Hey, you can sit here.”

Minhyuk hesitated, looking at her as if to make sure she wasn’t joking. “Um, thank you.”

As he sat down, Seoyeon casually continued her conversation with her friends, effortlessly making small talk. She occasionally threw a question Minhyuk’s way, but he didn’t seem particularly eager to respond. It was clear he wasn’t the type to open up easily.

Yujin, seated across from Minhyuk, observed the boy with disinterest. She was picking at her food, not paying much attention, but her eyes flicked up now and then. He was quiet. Too quiet. She didn’t know what to make of him. Not her type, she thought, but there was something intriguing about the way he seemed out of place in this world of constant noise.

---

Later that evening, after filming her latest project, Seoyeon rode past Minhyuk’s house on her bike, her mind still buzzing from the day. As she pedaled slowly, she saw him in the front yard, working on the overgrown garden. She stopped, curious.

“You like plants?” she called out, her voice light.

Minhyuk looked up, startled. “Oh, uh... no. It was just a mess, so I thought I’d clean it up.”

Seoyeon smiled, watching him work. “Well, it’s nice to see someone care about their space.”

He glanced at her, his face slightly flushed. “Thanks... I’ll manage, though.”

Seoyeon didn’t push the conversation further, simply nodding before riding off. But something about the interaction lingered in her mind, a quiet curiosity she couldn’t shake.

---

Over the following weeks, Minhyuk’s presence was subtle but undeniable. His struggle to fit in became clear. Seoyeon and Yujin, though intrigued, remained at arm’s length, neither knowing how to break through the walls he had built around himself. It wasn’t easy to become friends, especially with someone as quiet as him.

But as the days passed, they began to realize that the more they ignored him, the more they couldn’t help but wonder about the boy who kept to himself—his past, his silence, and his strange allure.

---

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