Hwan finally calmed down after several tense minutes. His breathing evened out, and the panic clouding his eyes began to clear.
He kept his gaze lowered, unable to meet Nina's eyes. The shame of losing composure in front of her weighed on his shoulders.
"I'm fine now. Sorry you had to see that… it was pathetic."
He said, voice low.
Nina blinked, surprised by the honesty in his tone.
"It's not pathetic. Everyone gets scared sometimes. I'm not offended."
She replied.
Hwan looked at her, startled by the gentleness in her voice. Her expression wasn't mocking or distant—it was calm, understanding.
His chest tightened slightly at the warmth that bloomed there. It was such a simple gesture, her not judging him. But it meant more than he could say.
He searched his memory, trying to recall a time someone had looked at him like that. With trust. With acceptance.
But there was nothing. Just orders, expectations, pressure to perform. Never compassion.
