Jo Taesung/Story

**Jo Taesung's** experiences in the *Cherry Blossoms After Winter* manhwa are detailed on this article.

## Story

Jo Taesung walks down the stairs after overhearing his mother, Ha Eunseon ask Seo Haebom to wake him. He is due to start the first day of a new semester as a twelfth grader. Taesung glances at Haebom to see him turn away before wordlessly eating breakfast beside him. At school Taesung enters the classroom which Haebom is leaving. Called by Baek Inje, who is with Jo Yonghee and Nam Jia he joins them. Spoken to by Kim Junseung he is annoyed until seeing Haebom return and present snacks to Junseung. With Inje and Yonghee he enters the cafeteria. Later Taesung observes Haebom around Junseung and Lee Sangwon.

At home Taesung asks Eunseon why she did not tell him that Haebom would be in the same class. Not keen to discuss him, Taesung then asks why Haebom would leave the house after graduating. Eating breakfast beside Haebom he accepts from Eunseon that it would be better to wake himself up from now on. In class Taesung interacts with Inje and Jia then in the cafeteria he breaks away by himself to get his own food before joining Haebom. After eating he walks ahead before raising the matter of Junseung with Haebom. Wondering about those kids who sit in-front of Haebom he asks whether they are his friends and with the reply accepts that they are. With Junseung joining them he watches as Haebom speaks with him and Sangwon while not paying attention to Inje's questions on why he ate alone.

With seaweed soup for breakfast at home Taesung knows it is served for Haebom's birthday. In class 3-1 he sees Junseung help himself to the money that Haebom received from Eunseon. Then he witnesses Junseung punch Haebom in the face for shouting that his present be given back. Following them out the room Taesung takes back the cash envelope from Junseung. Staring him down Taesung guides his friends to the snack bar, he will treat them and makes sure Junseung hears it. With Inje commenting that he never used to pay attention to anything that happened in class and asking why he did that Taesung replies he is just trying to something bad before he graduates, an aim at odds with his facial expression. As Inje and Yonghee eat the food bought with Haebom's money Taesung says they are accomplices to the robbery. With him returning Taesung questions his friends whether Haebom cried then tells them to shut up and stop staring. At home he finds Haebom outside his door.

Offered cake just for him Taesung notices the two forks on the tray so asks if Haebom wants to eat together. Thinking it is sweet but not eating much Taesung then returns Haebom's envelope of cash to him. Seeing how happy Haebom is, although it is late he wishes him happy birthday. With Haebom further pleased at that Taesung suggests they just eat the cake. Suddenly Taesung asks why they did that to Haebom and hearing that Junseung and Sangwon were just joking he says the joke is too much. In the morning he asks if Haebom had a good sleep and while they eat together at home, at school Taesung still associates with his regular friends. Asked if it is okay for Haebom to eat with him and responding why would it not be, Taesung shares that his friends do not know they are eating together. With what Haebom may be concerned about Taesung asks if he is okay eating with him.

At the snack bar he requests milk and cream bread, then gives them both to Haebom. Walking, Taesung asks if he is walking too fast. Telling Haebom to stop following behind and instead come to his side, Taesung deems it much better when he does so and smiles. Finding Inje in class they then see Haebom approach before he walks away. Denying that he has made Haebom his errand boy Taesung gets up to take him by the arm to give him snacks. Noticing that Junseung has taken Haebom's cream bread and is eating it he does not react since Inje has helped himself to his own drink as a friend, and he was told by Haebom that Junseung is his friend. Asking Inje and Yonghee what they think about those three over there he hears the view that Junseung and Sangwon are friends while Haebom is their lackey. With it around half past three on the clock Taesung approaches Haebom and suggests they go home together before being spoken to by Junseung.

He is unsure of what Junseung means who is under the impression that Taesung wants Haebom as a rich obedient lackey for himself. With the offer to share him, Taesung's bag is taken by Junseung and handed to Haebom to carry which he appears surprised by. In response to Junseung calling Haebom 'Haebung' he tells him to never call him that again and retrieves his bag before heading out the door with Haebom following. With Haebom saying sorry for lying and assuming he is angry Taesung clarifies he is not angry at him. Saying it is understandable why Haebom did that, Taesung asks what it is Haebom would like to request. Asked to keep it a secret from Eunseon he assures Haebom he did nothing wrong before affirming he will not tell mom. He adds if Haebom is having a hard time he can tell him at least.

Asked by Inje what his relationship with Haebom is Taesung answers he is a friend. With it raised that he has been ignoring Haebom this whole time Taesung states that they have their reasons. Informed that Junseung is asking him to come to the back of the gym building Taesung says he has got it and heads off. Finding Jungseon and Sangwon smoking and offered a cigarette Taesung says he does not smoke, has never even considered it, and will be going now. Back in class he asks Junseung what he is talking about after being told he has a loud mouth. Accused of telling the dean that he and Sangwon were smoking Taesung affirms they deserved the scolding. He then suggests why do they not confirm that with the teacher.

Walking back with Haebom he denies there was a fight with Junseung. Questioned if he was scared Taesung casually replies not really. He then asks if Haebom is free right now. Heading to a store selling workbooks, on the fifth floor he asks Haebom if he can sit here for a while. Returning, he orders from a coffee area after asking Haebom to find a seat and treats him to cake. Since Haebom likes it so much Taesung says he will treat him often then. Asked why he does not attend cram school or get private lessons Taesung replies it is because he does not need to. Regarding the cake that Haebom receives for his birthday Taesung reveals that mom does not know he likes cake, instead she thinks that Haebom likes cream bread since that was chosen when he was young. Asked about it Taesung confirms he was the one who bought the birthday cake for Haebom. When Haebom felt Taesung hated him he never had, and actually thought he was hated by Haebom. At home Taesung asks if Haebom would only never hate him since he is the son of his saviour. He hopes Haebom does not feel uncomfortable with him because they are friends.

Beside Jia and with Inje he receives a text from Haebom to go to the snack bar and appears startled at the message. Excusing himself, he says Haebom does not need to worry about how the message was sent when he is considering it and Taesung answers that a drink is enough when Haebom offers to buy something for him. Asking why Haebom does not have a drink Taesung questions if he should ask mom to increase his allowance. Opening the drink and giving it to Haebom, to encourage him to accept it Taesung states it would look bad if only he drank it. Later on the way to eat Haebom asks for his English book which he says 'okay' to. With that returned Taesung questions whether Haebom has finished writing before raising that the one handed to him is not his textbook. When Haebom lists an excuse Taesung bluntly says to give him his book. With it covered in chocolate milk Taesung concludes that Junseung did this. He approaches him at school.

Presenting his textbook to Junseung and asking if he has anything to say about it, when Junseung casts a glance to Haebom he questions where he is looking. The excuse that it was a mistake is answered with Taesung telling him to apologize. Receiving that, Taesung tells Junseung to be careful from now on. Heading to Haebom's class but finding the room empty Taesung hears from Yonghee that those guys took him right away. Finding them and seizing Junseung's fist Taesung follows that up by twisting his arm. Taking Haebom with him he disregards Junseung's claims of not being done yet.

Thanked by him he returns it since Haebom told them not to speak ill of him having heard the exchange before intervening. Praising Haebom for being cool Taesung suggests they sit a while and goes to acquire some cream bread for him. He wanted to buy cake but thought it might be difficult to eat on the bench they are sat on. Offered a bite and at first declining Taesung proceeds to eat from one end with Haebom biting the other end when the cream is squished out. With Haebom's problems Taesung asks why he did not tell him and when Haebom is nervous about tomorrow he says for them to go together. All their classmates live far away from their house so they will not know that they live together. Making their way to school, in class 'Jo Taesung x Seo Haebom filthy homo bastards' is written on the class board. When Haebom moves to erase it Taesung tells him not to. He then takes a seat behind Junseung. Telling Haebom to take the seat next to him he waits until Sangwon hurries to clear the message before the teacher sees and smirks.

## References

1. ↑ Chapter 1
2. ↑ Chapter 2
3. ↑ Chapter 3
4. ↑ Chapter 4
5. ↑ Chapter 5
6. ↑ Chapter 6
7. ↑ Chapter 7
8. ↑ Chapter 8
9. ↑ Chapter 9
10. ↑ Chapter 10
11. ↑ Chapter 11
12. ↑ Chapter 12
13. ↑ Chapter 13
14. ↑ Chapter 14
15. ↑ Chapter 15