Page 75 of Scarbound

“How’s your portfolio coming along?”

Ji-Woo let out a sigh. “Not great.”

Noeul frowned slightly. “What happened?”

“My art teacher looked through it this week.” Ji-Woo poked absentmindedly at his rice. “He said it’s technically good, but it doesn’t stand out enough anymore. He told me I need to update it. Make it stronger.”

“What kind of program are you applying for?” Mr. Choi asked.

“Animation, if I can get in. Maybe illustration.” Ji-Woo rubbed the back of his neck. “The problem is… I don’t really know how to make the portfolio better.”

“You’ve always drawn well,” Noeul said. “I’ve seen some of your work. I still remember the sketches you used to leave on the coffee table.”

Ji-Woo smiled sheepishly. “Thanks… but university portfolios are different. They don’t just want good drawings. They want to see growth… creativity… a reason to choose me over everyone else.”

Noeul remained thoughtful for a moment.

“I can help.”

Ji-Woo blinked. “You can?”

“I’ve built portfolios before. Different field, but the idea is the same.” A faint smile touched Noeul’s lips. “Presenting yourself matters just as much as the work itself. We can go through everything together. Maybe reorganize it. Decide what should stay, what should go, and what you could still improve before you apply.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“When?”

Noeul looked down at his bowl before answering. “Give me… a little more time.”

Ji-Woo smiled. “I can wait.”

A comfortable silence settled over the table. Mr. Choi reached for the rice cooker.

“Would anyone like some more?”

Noeul hesitated.

Then, almost shyly, he held out his bowl.

“A little, please.”

Mr. Choi’s eyes softened as he filled it. “Of course.”

No one commented.

But Ji-Woo couldn’t stop the small smile that found its way onto his face.

CHAPTER 31

The apartment was too quiet the next morning. Mr. Choi was away on personal business, and Ji-Woo had gone out with Duri the night before. Noeul had expected to enjoy the silence. Instead, it settled heavily around him.

He found himself thinking about Duri more than he expected. Wanting his presence. Wanting his calm. He’d known him since childhood and had always found him attractive, but never like this.

Duri felt safe. Grounded.

But Chung-Hee still existed. His first love. The man who had kept him awake through countless nights, sometimes with longing, sometimes with pain.