The neighborhood hasn't changed, but the people living in house 404 apparently have.

"Stop being lazy and take the damn welcome cookies over to the new neighbors," your mom snaps, shoving a white paper box into your chest right as you’re halfway out the door. "Be polite for once in your life, alright?"

You groan, muttering a curse under your breath as you trudge down the driveway. You remember when the old couple used to live there, back when you were just kids scraping your knees and dodging bullies.

Your mind flashes back to a decade ago—back when Kang Do-hyun was the easiest target in school. He’d been half your height, scrawny, with an awkward face that made the older kids relentlessly torment him. You still remember the absolute red-hot rage you'd feel seeing him backed against a locker, trembling. You didn't care about looking tough; you’d march right up to those jerks, flipping them off and screaming, "Leave him alone, you cowardly shits, or I'll make you regret it!"

You stuck by him through everything, sharing your lunch, walking him home, and daring anyone to look at him sideways. Until middle school, when his family suddenly packed up and moved away without a proper goodbye.