One of the big awaited days finally arrived—the day of the campus’ majestic and over budget annual school festival was here. The highlight was of course the musical drama performance from the entire performing arts department. Many talent scouts representing some of the top agencies in South Korea were also present, ready to pluck fresh new talents they could spot. Therefore it was an important event.   Hyun Mi was part of the audience, sitting on the fancy wooden chair all by herself, surrounded by people she barely knew. Sung Gyu was backstage of course, preparing as the lead male role of the play. Woo Hyun was also backstage to coordinate with the singers and orchestra players one more time.   It was boring to be all by herself, but once the curtains were lifted, she forgot all about it. The entire play was enjoyable from beginning to end with a fantastic story build-up, , and even a touching moral at the end. But what made everything even more astounding was the original soundtrack they sang so beautifully as if angels descended from heaven. As soon as everything finished, the whole audience applauded with a standing ovation.   As always, the cast and crew members would gather together on stage for the final curtain calls. Hyun Mi cheered when Sung Gyu walked up and did a twirl to portray his character one final time. But she nearly lost her voice from screaming too loud when Woo Hyun appeared and got introduced as the composer, watching as he awkwardly smiled at the audience. At first she was laughing at him for being so shy for the first time, but then she noticed him going to the far back corner of the stage, isolating himself in the shadow as he kept applauding for the others. That was when she knew something was wrong.   “Nam Woo Hyun,” she called out after the entire show was over. She stormed her way to find him sitting solemnly on the chair backstage, again, by himself. “Are you okay?”   “Why would I not be?” He asked her with his usual playful grin, doing his best to cover up his problems.   “Why did you not stand with the others?” She asked, looking at him sternly as she folded her hands in front of her chest. She was timid as a person, but when she strongly believed in something, the timidness was replaced by determination.   Woo Hyun let out a soft sigh, knowing he couldn’t hide anything from her, just as she was never able to hide anything from him either. “I’d be a hindrance,” he answered.   Hyun Mi frowned her eyebrows, slowly loosening her arms as she gave him a look of disbelief. There was an overwhelmingly heartbroken feeling when he thought so lowly of himself, and she wondered whether he felt that way whenever she started depreciating her own value.   “They are the ones who need to be scouted anyway. I don’t even belong there on that stage; it’s not a place I can call ‘home.’ The orchestra players said my ideas were dumb and ended up doing some of their own arrangement. All the faculty and staff were so shocked to see me, and not in a good way. I have a bad reputation with them and nothing I do will ever make it right. I don’t deserve to stand with the others. I’ll just go back to getting scolded by the instructors or something.”   “Stop.” Hyun Mi placed a finger against his lips in a hurry to stop him from saying anything else to bring himself down. She suddenly looked into her bag and took out her wallet, taking a paper bill of 50,000 Won. She straightened out the money and displayed it in front of him. “Do you want this or not?”   Woo Hyun looked at her with a question mark forming across his face. “Am I getting paid for not blending in with the others?” He asked unsurely, not knowing where she was going with this.   “No!” She harshly slapped his hand away before he could touch the money. “Do you want 50,000 Won, yes or no?”   “Yes!” He answered with no second thoughts.   Instead of handing it to him, she suddenly crumpled the paper in her hand, rolling it into a paper ball. Woo Hyun could literally see her pain as she went against her usual OCD tendencies and dirtied the perfectly straight piece of paper.   “Do you still want it now?” She asked.   “Yes!”   Next, she dropped the paper on the ground, doing her best to stomp on it, seeing the way the bill was covered in dust and dirty shoe marks. She carefully held it up by its edge and asked him once again. “Do you still want this?”   “Of course!” He said, finally taking the money from her hand as he tidied it.   “Even after I trampled and stepped on it, it doesn’t change the fact the money is still valuable and worth 50,000 Won,” Hyun Mi began, smiling as she met his eyes. “No matter how many times people step on you, look down on you, or makes your life difficult, your true value will never change.”   Woo Hyun was too amazed at the analogy as he could only mouth a “whoa” out of admiration.   “So don’t forget that. You told me to not depend on what other people think of me, right? Same goes for you.” She made her point with a forced smile, swiftly taking the paper bill back from his hand. “I only used this for illustration purposes, you’re not getting my money.”   “The money is all dirty now, you wouldn’t put it back in your perfectly clean and polished wallet,” Woo Hyun reminded her with a sing song voice, knowing one of her weaknesses. He just laughed as he took out his wallet, retrieving a cleaner looking paper bill with the same worth.   “I should’ve used 1,000 Won as example,” she muttered, but holding her hand up as Woo Hyun tried exchanging his clean one for the dirty one. She took a deep breath and placed the dirty bill inside her wallet. “This shows I will accept you no matter what.”   Woo Hyun was honestly very surprised at her actions and how far she went with that analogy to even defy her own hygienic standards. “So I can feel truly at home with you. No pretentious acts, no nothings, just be comfortable as if I was at home,” he concluded from her words, seeing her nod.   “What time is it now? Let’s go get something to eat!” Hyun Mi said, feeling the weight of Woo Hyun’s arm flung around her shoulders.   “Spicy food!” Woo Hyun cheered, seeing the glare of disagreement in her eyes. “Oh come on, even my mom isn’t this strict.”   “No, your stomach can’t handle it. We can do it after your big game,” she stood firm on her decision, supporting him as they walked away from the stage. He was still limping a little bit, and she honestly wondered whether he would recover in time for the big game.   Within 8760 hours, they knew they could feel at ‘home’ and comfortably be themselves around each other to obtain their true unchanging value.     Soon after the festival was over, Woo Hyun’s popularity was booming. A lot of people started contacting him for offers, but he always declined with soccer being the reason. The staff and faculty seemed to have higher hopes for him now, and several girls and even guys created a fanclub for him.   He began to believe he was truly good in writing now and had spend more time writing rather than practicing. He used his injured leg as an excuse, even when it was recovering at a fast rate.   “Yo! How are you feeling?” Sung Yeol asked, seeing him enter the soccer field after a long absence. Woo Hyun’s very personal fanclub had followed him everywhere he went and it amazed the taller guy. “Wow, you’re really the star of the entire campus.”   “I already was since the very beginning,” Woo Hyun said proudly, striking a pose.   Hyun Mi flattened her eyes as she sat at the bench to start recording their practice as she normally would. Why couldn’t Woo Hyun’s confidence just be at a normal level? If he wasn’t underconfident, he would always be so overconfident. While she on the other hand was either underconfident or slightly less underconfident.   “Have you met our new manager yet? We finally found someone,” Hoya said, introducing the girl that was trailing behind him.   “My name is Kim Seol Hyun,” the tall girl introduced herself in the sweetest and most feminine way a girl could muster to sound like. She had beautiful brown locks that fell perfectly over her glamorous model-like body, emphasized by her tight attire. Her smile could kill thousands of men, including Hoya, Sung Yeol, and even Woo Hyun. Everything about the girl was pleasant. She was everything that Hyun Mi was not.   “Oh, n-nice to meet you. I’m-”   “Nam Woo Hyun. Of course I know you,” she smiled so delicately as her eyes took on the shape of crescent moons. She extended her hand out for a handshake, giggling as Woo Hyun shyly returned it.   Hyun Mi rolled her eyes at his ‘shy’ behavior. As far as she knew, he was never shy when they met. His very first words to her was a shameless request to have her do all the group work anyway. Maybe that was the difference between seeing someone attractive and unattractive.   She didn’t even realize how long she had been overthinking certain stuff as she unconsciously began comparing herself with the perfect Seol Hyun, realizing more and more of her own imperfections. Her thoughts were carried away and the next thing she saw was Woo Hyun suddenly handing out his red towel to that girl. The towel that was supposed to mark her achievement of saying “no” for the first time. Was it okay for her to feel slightly disappointed he was going to give it to some attractive stranger?   “Yeah, this actually belongs to Hyun Mi now. That girl over there,” Woo Hyun suddenly spoke, pointing at the petite girl who looked back in a daze by quickly turning her head away. If she was still wearing the thick glasses, he was sure it would’ve flung off her face by now. But he couldn’t exactly pinpoint the moment she started wearing contact lenses.   Hyun Mi felt even more intimidated when the beauty goddess’ eyes were on her. She felt so ashamed with how she looked, especially when that Seol Hyun had some sort of a mocking grin. At least, she considered it as a mocking grin in her own mind.   “Too bad, this was her monumental artefact, but she didn’t want it.”   Hearing the words triggered Hyun Mi as she quickly leaped over to them and softly took the red towel away from Woo Hyun’s hand. “It’s no longer dirty and sweaty, so I’ll take it.”   Woo Hyun only grinned mischievously as he watched her quickly trying to avoid his eyes. He soon tousled her hair into a mess, hearing her protest while trying to push him away with her short stature. But all the protest suddenly stopped when he leaned in towards her ears and whispered:   “Don’t compare yourself; she’s not my type anyway.”   Hyun Mi flinched, amazed and scared he was able to read her mind so well. She almost used the towel to slap him if he wasn’t quickly avoiding her with his semi-injured leg. “You’re saying that as if I’m trying to become your type,” she said with annoyance.   “Maybe you already are,” Woo Hyun said playfully, giving her a thumb up before he ran towards the center of the field so the game could officially start.   Hyun Mi could only laugh at his mischief, knowing those were just empty words, but somehow feeling quite satisfied by it. She sat down on the bench, took out her phone once again and got ready to record the entire match.   “Rumor has it you two are dating,” Seol Hyun suddenly began a conversation.   Hyun Mi looked surprised at the most ridiculous rumor she had ever heard. “No, we’re best friends,” she said childishly. Maybe no one even used the words ‘best friends’ anymore; she was so old-fashioned.   Seol Hyun smiled so generously. “That’s the best kind of relationship there is. Me and my boyfriend started out as friends too.”   Hyun Mi gave her a weird look, absorbing Seol Hyun’s words and wondering what she was supposed to do with it now, aside from feeling more reassured at the fact this attractive goddess was already taken. She flashed a sheepish smile to the other and focused back on recording the game.   Though her eyes were on the screen and witnessing how Woo Hyun was a lot slower than before, her mind kept thinking about something else. Despite the cheesiness of Woo Hyun’s words and Seol Hyun’s intimidatingly nice personality, she found herself somehow feeling more content even as she was sitting next to Seol Hyun. There was no need to compare herself, just as Woo Hyun had told her.   Within 8760 hours, support and encouragement tend to come in many different shapes and sizes—sometimes in the most unexpected ways from the unlikely people.     After countless days of endless practices, the blazing scorching of the sun welcomed the day of the big match. The annual festival was big, but this soccer competition was equally big. The coach of Korea’s national soccer league, Kim Junsu, was present and ready to scout new talents to join the team by handing out a scholarship. He was dressed in a fancy business suit, catching everyone’s attention as he took a seat at the very front row at the VIP hot seat.   “Good luck today, guys,” Seol Hyun wished the team as she handed out a water bottle to all of them one by one. She smiled as some guys retrieved it with trembling arms. They were all nervous to play in front of such an important public figure and it was adorable.   “Nervous?” Hyun Mi asked. Seeing Woo Hyun reject the water bottle, she gave him his favorite red thermos that was somewhat of a good luck charm to him.   “No,” he lied with shaking fingers and a crooked smile on his lips. He gulped down some more water, almost choking on it from anxiety, and panicking as he felt the ice cold drops drip down beneath his shirt.   Instead of helping, Hyun Mi was just laughing to see him act this way before she grabbed the red towel and handed it to him.   “You don’t mind it getting dirty now?” He asked as he wiped off the water from himself, feeling her pat his back which she believed would allow better water circulation and stop the coughing.   “You’re gonna be a famous soccer player today. I can start collecting money,” she said, referring to the plan to sell his stuff online for a high price.   Woo Hyun smiled at her way of supporting him, showing her faith in him to get the scholarship today. “And if I win today…”   “We can eat the spicy food,” she continued with a lazy nod, already knowing what he had been craving since weeks ago. “I have faith in you. Be careful.”   Woo Hyun grinned, messing her hair once more just for the fun of it, before sprinting unto the field with the others. They all wore matching white uniforms. Woo Hyun still had that bandage around one leg that resembled either an injury, a protection safeguard, or a fashion statement. Everything looked so proper if only he had changed those old shoes of his.   All the players were ready in their positions as the referee identified as Lee Sung Jong blew the whistle and rolled the ball into the game. Majority of the guys swarmed over the object like hungry hyenas, until one person from the opposing team reigned victorious and managed to dribble the ball away. It did not get very far as Sung Yeol managed to tackle the guy a little and caused him to stumble. Hoya quickly retrieved the ball and passed it on to Woo Hyun who was already near the goal within the first few minutes of the game. Woo Hyun rushed his chances, tried to shoot, and missed.   “Aaaawww…” The entire crowd cooed in disappointment.   Woo Hyun kept looking to the coach’s direction, watching him jot some things down on the small notebook he was carrying. If that failed goal attempt was being recorded, he’d have his points deducted for sure.   “The game just started. Let’s go, man!” Hoya gave him a nudge to get his head back in the game. They continued to get in position as the opponent’s goalkeeper kicked the ball to an attacker.   As time passed by, the score was tied at 3-3 with Woo Hyun and Hoya being the ones who scored the goals. There were only a few minutes left on the clock, and they had to make a goal fast before time would get extended. Every player was working twice as hard, sweat dripping and drenching their shirt as they chased after the ball.   “Ahh!” Woo Hyun let out a sudden scream when an opponent tackled his ankle while he was dribbling the ball. It hit the spot of his previous injury that hadn’t fully recovered yet,  causing him to roll down on the floor, holding his knee up to himself while crying in pain.   “Medics!” Hoya called out quickly.   “No, no need!” Woo Hyun quickly dismissed them, hissing in pain as he tried to get up.   “Can you even walk? What if blood starts spurting out?” Sung Yeol asked worriedly.   “I told you guys I will keep playing even if I get injured,” Woo Hyun grinned, getting support from his friends and team members who helped him get up.   “That was a deliberate assault. The away team receives a red card!” Sung Jong announced, blowing his whistle with one hand, and showing the glowing red card high up in the air with the other hand. “Home team is allowed a penalty kick.”   “Yes!” The audience cheering for their team began to yell triumphantly at this God given opportunity.   “Oh, I wonder who’s gonna be kicking the ball,” Seol Hyun said from the benches.   “Of course it has to be Woo Hyun. He’s the best! He already scored two goals before,” Hyun Mi answered with no hesitation. She began to get up, and led the entire audience into another chant. “Nam Woo Hyun! Nam Woo Hyun!”   “The people have spoken. They want you,” Sung Yeol laughed. “I agree, you’re our star player anyway.”   “And you’re the one who deserves the scholarship more than anyone. So go ahead,” Hoya said, as the other team members all nodded in agreement.   Woo Hyun smiled appreciatively at them, glancing once to Kim Junsu who was watching the game attentively. He nodded with determination and walked to the front where the opposing team had formed a human barricade in front of him. This was an easy task. He just had to curve the ball a little and started calculating the exact amount of force and strength he should exert.   The goalkeeper and other players looked at him nervously, squeezing their bodies together in the fear of getting hit. The goalkeeper was on guard the entire time and kept waiting for any action. Everyone was pretty much at the edge of the seat, watching in anticipation as Woo Hyun deliberately took a long time to cause more panic on the opposing team.   When the time was right, he sprinted forward. struck, and watched the ball fly off field.   Within 8760 hours, this was the time when certain prayers were left unanswered to some, and faith remained unwavered to others.     Woo Hyun was slumping his legs across the floor with his thoughts elsewhere. Many times he almost walked into stuff and tripped over on his own legs if it weren’t for Hyun Mi pulling and holding on to him on time. It was just the two of them since he was too embarrassed to face his teammates.   “You played really well. You’ll get it for sure!” Hyun Mi said with genuine faith, cheering him up for the nth time.   Exactly a week had passed ever since the big competition. This was the day when the coach would announce the students awarded with the scholarship. But ever since that one mistake towards the end of the game, Woo Hyun continued to blame himself and lived with the depressing guilt. Even when they wanted to go and eat spicy food altogether, he had declined.   “You don’t have to try and make me feel better. I know I . I caused the whole team to lose,” Woo Hyun said lifelessly, letting out a deep sigh.   “You were injured. You have a legit reason to miscalculate that penalty kick. It’s okay to miss,” Hyun Mi tried to defend him, even though he was pretty much attacking himself.   “Tell that to the coach. He’ll never want to accept me for the scholarship,” Woo Hyun mumbled.   “If he was a wise coach, he’d look at your entire journey and progress instead of that one game,” Hyun Mi replied, hearing the other scoff.   “He’s a famous coach and a legendary soccer player. He doesn’t have that much time, dear,” Woo Hyun said, almost at a point of annoyance. In fact, ever since the mishap during the game, he had been giving the cold shoulders to about everyone around him, and losing his temper several times with her. “But what do you know? You don’t even play.”   “Just trying to help.” Hyun Mi swung her hand in surrender, glaring a little at him and his belittling words.   “Wow, look at you gaining so much courage to talk back to me with an attitude. If I don’t get chosen, I should start a rehabilitation center for people like you,” he started talking nonsense whenever he was unable to think clearly.   “People like me? You’re saying that as if I need to be quarantined or something,” Hyun Mi flattened her eyes, feeling his negativity starting to get on her nerves. She could tolerate it since he was depressed and she deeply cared about him, but her patience was thinning.   Woo Hyun shrugged with only one thing on his mind. His future would depend on whatever laid ahead today. Whether he will have a future will be determined by the result he had been anticipating for so long.   They entered the campus’ main building, seeing the big announcement through the huge LED TV placed in the hallway. There was a poorly designed Power Point like template being used in all sorts of wacky colors and the forbidden Comic Sans font. And with big bold and contrasting letters, it awarded the scholarship to two lucky individuals. It didn’t take much scanning to figure out the identities of the chosen ones.   Woo Hyun was not one of