The Day You Held My Hand

Episode 1 – The Boy Who Didn't Look Up

The morning rush filled the streets with the usual noise—students chatting, buses stopping, bicycles passing by, and the distant sound of traffic.

James walked alone.

Like every other day, a pair of headphones covered his ears, drowning out the world around him. His gaze stayed fixed on the ground as groups of friends laughed together on their way to school.

It must be nice...

To have someone waiting for you.

A faint smile appeared on his lips before disappearing just as quickly.

I wonder what happiness feels like.

Lost in his thoughts, James stepped onto the crosswalk without noticing the truck speeding toward him. The driver slammed on the horn.

People shouted.

"Watch out!"

James didn't react.

His feet kept moving.

Then—

A hand grabbed his wrist.

Someone pulled him back with all their strength.

The two of them crashed onto the pavement.

James landed on top of the stranger.

For a brief moment, everything fell silent.

Cherry blossom petals drifted through the air while the truck screeched to a stop only a few feet away.

James slowly pushed himself up.

He didn't even bother looking at the boy who had just saved his life.

The other boy stared at him in disbelief.

"Are you crazy?" he asked, breathing heavily. "You almost got yourself killed! Don't you care about your own life?"

James remained silent.

Without saying a single word... he turned around and walked away.

The stranger watched him disappear into the crowd, unable to understand what had just happened.

"...What kind of person doesn't even look back?"

"William!"

A voice called from behind.

"Hurry up! We'll be late for school!"

William blinked, then ran after his classmates.

The classroom buzzed with conversation.

Students laughed, exchanged homework, and complained about the upcoming exams.

James sat beside the window at the back of the room, staring outside as if nothing around him existed.

The classroom door opened.

Their homeroom teacher stepped inside.

"Everyone, settle down."

The room became quiet.

"We have a transfer student joining us today."

A tall boy with bright eyes and an easy smile walked into the classroom.

"My name is William Carter," he said confidently. "I just transferred here. Please take care of me."

The class welcomed him with applause.

James didn't even look up.

His teacher scanned the room before pointing toward the empty seat beside James.

"William, you can sit there."

"Sure."

William smiled and walked over.

As soon as he sat down, his eyes widened.

It's him.

The boy from the crosswalk.

"Hey," William whispered with a friendly grin. "I'm William."

No response.

"And you are...?"

Silence.

James continued staring out the window as though William wasn't even there.

William scratched the back of his head.

Tough crowd...

Lunch break.

Most students gathered in the cafeteria with their friends.

James, however, walked behind the school and sat alone beneath an old tree. He put on his headphones and quietly listened to music while the wind rustled the leaves above him.

William searched the campus until he finally spotted him.

"There you are."

He sat down on the bench beside James.

No reaction.

William carefully removed one side of James's headphones.

"Do you always eat lunch alone?"

James took the headphone back without answering.

William smiled awkwardly.

"...Is something bothering you?"

Still nothing.

James stood up, picked up his bag, and walked away.

William watched him leave.