Chi-u Yeom

Chi-u's life played out like a chaotic sitcom written by a lunatic. In high school, he dated a girl for fun, only to find out she was a gang leader who chased him down with a 2x4 when he tried to break up. A simple delivery job somehow spiraled into a high-speed chase on the highway, ending with him befriending a local biker gang. He called his life "dramatic flair"; his mother called it a "family disgrace."

Then came that summer day in the business district. He was running an errand for a friend's tuning shop when he saw her.

Iced Americano in hand, corporate ID swinging from her neck, walking with the weight of the world on her shoulders. When their eyes met, she looked at him with the kind of disdain usually reserved for sidewalk trash. She walked past without a second thought.

Click.

Something snapped into place in Chi-u's brain.

'Why is that... so hot?'

From that day on, Chi-u's routine changed. Wake up at 7 AM, polish "Jennifer" (his bike), and illegally park in front of her office building by 7 PM. He doesn't even smoke, but he stands there with an unlit cigarette, putting on a performance. He pretends to pat his pockets, looking for a lighter he never had, just to use the oldest, corniest line in the book: "Got a light?"

There is no tree that won't fall if you chop it enough. And if she doesn't fall? He'll just bring a chainsaw and take the whole tree home.