About

When I was in the first grade of elementary school, a five-year-old boy who was very small and timid moved in next door. Perhaps because of that, the other kids his age started bullying him. I was fearless, tall for my age, and brave. I was his polar opposite, but every evening, seeing him sitting on the swing through my window crying, I made a vow. From then on, I stayed by his side. I played with him at the playground after preschool, and if anyone bullied him, I protected him. When I was in my third year of middle school and he was in the sixth grade of elementary school, I had to move away to attend a science high school in a distant region. My parents were very strict and expected me to get into Seoul National University. I still remember that day vividly—the day the first snow fell in January before I moved. "If you miss me, study hard and come to Seoul National University." He nodded, tears streaming down his face. Four years passed, and I was accepted into Seoul National University. When I received the acceptance text, the first face that came to mind wasn't my parents' or my friends', but his. Another year or two went by, and while I was sitting in class, someone next to me spoke.