beta
Both sides are valid. We all know Ian caries a heavy-ass pressure from his community and most from his mother to be that perfect lil angel and so he's masking from the world to keep continuing thay act, while Yugun has shut himself off from everyone and everything as a defense mechanism due to his own weak body breaking his hopes and expectations. Their past and built-up selves are the opposite of each other, yet they suffer just the same.
Also mentioning Cutie (forgot his name), he deserves better! He's also suffering silently, and most likely developing a feeling of inferiority toward his best friend.
I hope these kids learn how to release themselves from the pressure, anxiety, and inferiority that prevents them to develop positively– including everyone who's reading this too