My family and I are Christians.
We follow a God greater than everything—a good provider, a loving Father.
Even when I was just a kid, my family taught me everything about Him. And at a young age, I promised myself I would always be obedient to Him.
But then… in 6th grade, something changed.
I liked someone. Someone I shouldn't have liked.
A girl.
Since then, the same question has echoed in my mind every single day—Will He still accept me, even if I'm different from His other children? When will I stop waking up with shame and guilt? Will I ever be okay? After all, He is a loving God.
And though deep down I know He accepts me...
Do I?
---
But that wasn't always how things were…
[Flashback]
Hannah sat quietly at her desk, eyes fixed on the window. Her face carried a hint of guilt, her expression far away. She wasn't really present—not until a familiar voice snapped her back to reality.
"Yes?" she replied quickly, trying to reorient herself.
"Are you not going to eat? Come on, let's have lunch together!" her friend said.
Hannah remained quiet for a moment, her eyes searching the crowd for a familiar face. When she found her, her gaze lingered—then quickly turned away with a sigh.
"I'll stay in class today. I'm not really hungry," she muttered.
"Ehh? Are you sure?"
"Yeah. So go ahead without me."
"Hm, fine. But promise me you'll come with us after class, okay?"
"Okay," Hannah said, offering the faintest smile as she watched her friends leave the room.
---
*APRIL 6TH, 2024 – Club Day*
"Hannah!!"
Naomi's voice echoed as she came running toward her, beaming. "Goodness, where were you? I was looking everywhere!" she said, latching onto Hannah's arm with a pout.
"I was in the library," Hannah replied, furrowing her brows at Naomi's expression. "Can you stop pouting? You look like a pufferfish."
Naomi rolled her eyes. "Tsk. So mean. Anyway—are you picking a club?"
"Why do you ask? Did *you* already pick one?"
"Hmm, I've got a few in mind. What about you?"
"No. I haven't even looked at them. I mean... is that really necessary?"
Naomi suddenly stopped walking, eyes wide in mock horror.
"Are you seriously asking me that?" she gasped, releasing Hannah's arm.
"What?"
"Clubs are like... our saviors, okay?"
"Saviors?" Hannah raised an eyebrow.
"Yes! I mean, school's boring, right? It's all study, study, study—especially now that we're moving up! Clubs are our chance to have fun. To meet people. To *live* a little!"
"And maybe," Naomi added with a twinkle in her eye, "we'll meet *the one*."
"The one?"
"Yes~ Our prince charming! Isn't that exciting? You won't be stuck studying forever."
Hannah looked unimpressed. "What is this, a fantasy novel? I know you want a boyfriend, but joining a club just for that is ridiculous."
"Wha—no I'm not! I'm just saying... it could happen!" Naomi exclaimed.
"Remember what happened last time?" Hannah asked, her voice quiet.
Naomi fell silent, then shook her head with a sheepish grin. "Still. I'm joining. And just so you know, it's not just because of that!"
Before Hannah could respond, Naomi's expression turned mischievous. She grabbed Hannah's wrist.
"Anyway! Let's go pick already!"
"Wait—who said I'm coming with you?!" Hannah protested as she was reluctantly dragged along.
---
When they arrived at the event, Naomi's eyes sparkled with excitement as she scanned the stalls and club booths. Hannah, meanwhile, tried to catch her breath after practically being dragged across half the campus.
"Hannah, come on!" Naomi called, grabbing her hand again.
"Ugh. It's so crowded…" Hannah muttered, frowning at the swarm of people.
"Hehe, of course! The clubs are way more fun this year."
"Oh, really?"
"Yup! Some are even doing performances."
"Performances?"
"Yeah! Drama Club's up next—wanna go watch?"
"D-Drama?" Hannah repeated, a little hesitant.
"Yup! Let's go!"
Naomi and Hannah squeezed through the crowd toward the court, where performances were already underway. The noise grew louder—cheers, clapping, and excited chatter filling the air. Naomi smiled brightly as she looked toward the stage.
Hannah shifted her gaze to the performers, watching their movements, listening to their lines and songs. Despite the chaos around her, she found herself strangely focused. One student in particular caught her attention—graceful, expressive, captivating.
She stood out, even among the others. Her acting was intense, her presence magnetic. It felt like watching a real movie.
And more than anything... Hannah found her *beautiful*.
She blinked, quickly shaking the thought away. *It's just acting,* she told herself. *It's just… nice to look at. That's all.*
But her curiosity lingered.
"...Who is she?" Hannah asked quietly, eyes still fixed on the stage.
"Who?"
"The one with wavy hair. Playing the lead."
"Oh, her? She's the protagonist."
"I *know* that. I meant the student playing her."
Naomi gave Hannah a curious glance, surprised by her sudden interest.
"Hmm, not sure. Why do you ask?" she asked teasingly.
"No reason. Just curious."
"Uh huh~ Then why does your face say otherwise? Are you finally thinking about joining a club? With *me*?" Naomi grinned.
"No. I told you, I'm just curious."
Naomi sighed dramatically. "Well, I think her name's Junia. She got pretty popular after their last show. I'm pretty sure she played the lead then, too."
"Junia…" Hannah repeated softly, the name lingering on her lips. It sounded as pretty as it felt.
Naomi watched her with curiosity, noticing the unfamiliar expression on Hannah's face. But then, something else sparked in Naomi's mind.
"Come here," Naomi said, grabbing Hannah's hand as they moved toward the back of the stage. Hannah followed with a confused look, wondering what Naomi was trying to do.
---
They stood there for a while, watching the performance continue. Hannah glanced at Naomi, who didn't say a word—just stood quietly, eyes fixed on the stage.
When the performance finally ended, Naomi's face lit up. The cast began filing backstage, and Naomi immediately approached them—pulling Hannah along.
"Hello! Your performance was amazing!" Naomi beamed as the club leader, Levi, stepped out.
"Oh—thanks!" Levi said, but his expression shifted slightly. "But what are you... doing back here?"
Naomi tilted her head with a playful grin.
"Aren't you supposed to be recruiting new members?"
"Oh! Right, we are. Are you here to join?"
"Yes! Well, not me—my friend here. Her name's Hannah." Naomi nudged Hannah forward with a smile.
Hannah frowned, finally realizing Naomi's true intention.
"Oh, your friend." Levi's eyes shifted to Hannah. He quietly observed her, then suddenly said:
"That's attractive."
Naomi and Hannah exchanged confused glances.
"I mean your freckles," Levi added. "They're pleasant to look at."
Hannah instinctively touched her cheeks, feeling suddenly self-conscious. Naomi just grinned at the compliment.
Hannah fell quiet under Levi's gaze before finally speaking.
"I'm sorry, but… I'm not joining your club."
Naomi looked at her, clearly disappointed.
"Really? But your friend—"
"No. She just... did what she wanted. She didn't even ask if I *wanted* to."
Naomi's face fell, guilt replacing her earlier enthusiasm.
"I'm sorry for bothering you. We're leaving now," Hannah said, taking Naomi's hand and walking past Levi.
He blinked, surprised by how abruptly they left.
Naomi, still puzzled, glanced around as Hannah pulled her along.
"Eh? Hey, that's not the way ou—" Naomi started, but was cut off when Hannah suddenly bumped into someone.
The person stumbled slightly, dropping the props they were holding. Hannah flinched, then quickly knelt down to help.
"I-I'm sorry," she mumbled as she began gathering the scattered props.
Naomi stood beside her, surprised, staring at the person they had bumped into.
"Oh? You're not Junia??" she asked, blinking in confusion.
Hannah looked up at the sound of Naomi's voice—so did the person they bumped into.
Hannah froze.
*It's her, isn't it?*
She was wearing the protagonist's costume.
Her wig was wavy…
*Wait—her wig?!*
Harin, the student they bumped into, stared curiously at Hannah's expression. The shock on both girls' faces puzzled him.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly, meeting Hannah's eyes.
"You… Your voice," she murmured, still stunned.
Before Naomi could respond, Levi appeared behind them.
"Oh—him? Junia's sick today, so Harin took her role," he explained casually.
Hannah's eyes widened. She continued staring.
"You—you're a *boy*??" she said, a bit too loudly.
Naomi and the nearby students all turned to her. There was confusion… but also some impressed looks among the club members.
"Uh… yes? I am," Harin said, standing upright.
Hannah also stood up, still gripping the props in her hands as she stared.
"You're not… a girl?" she asked again.
Harin chuckled as he gently took the props from her.
"No, I'm not," he confirmed. Then, with a smirk, he added, "Why? Was my performance *that* good? You really thought I was a girl?"
His tone was confident—almost smug.
Hannah scoffed, averting her gaze. She went quiet, but inside, her thoughts were swirling.
*"What in the—she's a boy?"*
*"Why didn't I notice?"*
*"I mean, her—*his* voice was a little deep, but still… a boy?!"*
*Wait. Then isn't that… a good thing? Naomi probably thought I was interested in the club. But really, I was interested in her. But now it turns out… she's a *he*.*
*"But now it turns out… she's a he."*
*"Well… this is better, I guess. Knowing now instead of growing more interested."*
Harin tilted his head, watching her. Naomi looked at her friend, clearly concerned.
"...No," Hannah muttered.
"Huh?" Harin asked.
Her voice was steady, but her face had gone pale. She didn't know what she was feeling—embarrassed? Disappointed? Relieved? But all she could say was…
"I said no. Your performance was *bad*."
Harin blinked—visibly surprised and slightly offended.
Hannah then took Naomi's hand and turned toward the backstage exit.
Levi's expression shifted, more serious now.
The room fell quiet. The other club members—still changing out of their costumes—looked toward the door that had just shut.
"The hell? Who *is* she?" one of them said.
"Who does she think she is, calling our performance *bad*?"
"Yeah! They barged in, bothered us, then insulted us?" another added as they slipped into their uniforms.
All eyes turned to Levi, including Harin, who was putting the props away.
He was more surprised than offended. The word "bad" kept echoing in his head... but so did Hannah's shocked expression when she found out he was a boy.
A small chuckle escaped his lips.
"Let's ask her to join us tomorrow," Levi said calmly.
All the other members froze—and frowned.
"What?! Why *her*?" one of them asked, clearly upset.
Levi understood their frustration—but he didn't share it.
They'd received countless compliments, sure. But as a leader, Levi *wanted* criticism. He welcomed it.
Compliments bring comfort. Criticism brings growth.
He clapped his hands with a grin, energized. "Come on! Let's ask her. You'll all thank me later!"
The others sighed in unison, still unconvinced.
Meanwhile, Harin looked over his shoulder, a smile tugging at his lips.
*"This might get interesting."*
*To be continued*