One chopstick

_Runtime target: 24min anime 60-70 panels webtoon_

*Cold Open | 0:00–2:00*

*Visual:* Night. Rain on Gangnam glass. Penthouse, Han River view.

Delivery arrives. Man in suit, 26, opens it. Baekban set for one. He picks up a single chopstick. Camera holds on the empty chair across from him. No music. Just rain.

*Title card drop:* _One Chopstick_

*Act 1: Noryangjin | Age 16 | 2:00–10:00*

*Setting:* 2016 winter. Cram school district, 10pm. Fluorescent lights, puffy coats, everyone exhausted.

*Key Beats:*

*Meet:* He falls asleep in night class. She nudges his textbook so teacher doesn’t catch him. Doesn’t look at him. Just slides it.

*Spec Wall:* Hallway posters: “SKY University 합격률”. His grades are mid. Hers are top. He notices her surname on the honors board — it’s from a known family.

*Shared Umbrella:* Monsoon hits after class. Only he has an umbrella. Walks her to bus stop. Silence the whole way. She bows, “Gamsahamnida, sunbae.” He’s not even her sunbae. He doesn’t correct her.

*Motif Set:* At convenience store after, he buys cup ramen. Pulls apart wooden chopsticks. Breaks one by accident. Eats with one, struggling. Owner ajumma: “Aigoo, another pair?” He shakes head. “It’s fine.”

*Act 2: The Distance | 10:00–18:00*

*Setting:* Months pass. Seasons change.

*Key Beats:*

*Study Group:* He gets invited because he’s good at math. She’s there. Everyone talks about fathers’ jobs and future universities. He stays quiet when it’s his turn.

*Business Card Scene:* Her father picks her up once. Hands driver a business card. Boy sees the gold emblem — government ministry. He looks at his hands. No card to give. Nothing to inherit.

*Cherry Blossom Promise:* CSAT ends. Spring 2018. School yard empty. Petals falling. He finally speaks: “After results… can I tell you something?” She nods, but doesn’t meet his eyes. She already knows.

*Tone:* No OST. Just city ambience, distant buses, cicadas starting. All mood, minimal dialogue.

*Act 3: The First No | 18:00–23:00*

*Setting:* Han River, night. Same spot from cold open, but 10 years earlier. No buildings, just bridge lights.

*Key Beats:*

*Confession:* He’s shaking. “I like you. I’ve liked you since… since you moved my book.”

*Her Answer:* She’s crying before he finishes. “You’re a good person. Really. But… my parents… our families… it’s not possible. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”

*The Cut:* Not slap, not anger. Just a quiet bow from both. She leaves first. He stays. Camera pans up to cherry blossoms. One lands on his shoulder. He doesn’t brush it off.

*End Scene:* Bus interior. She’s looking out window, tears. He’s walking home, no umbrella even though it starts drizzling.

*Final Shot:* Back in present, 26. He sets the single chopstick down. Food untouched. Looks at Han River. Same bridge lights.

*Cut to black.*

*Post-Credit Sting | 3 seconds*

Flip phone in his drawer. Old text draft, never sent: “Did you eat?”

He closes drawer.

To be continued...

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