I can see Phainon as that one tall, handsome student who everyone loves in high school. He's smart, sharp and athletic but he's a people pleaser who's under tremendous pressure to live up to everyone's expectations. Become a straight A student, become a valedictorian, get a scholarship to a prestigious university and be well-loved by everyone around him.
At first Phainon and reader would be normal friends. Reader falls first, they love how hard-working, genuine and kind he is, not just a handsome face that is charming and friendly, but someone who's working hard to attain their dreams, someone who sincerely wishes happiness for those around him, someone who always manages to see the best in everyone even when he himself struggles with insecurity and self-image.
But when you confess to him, Phainon is SCARED. He doesn't understand what you see in him, this ordinary country bumpkin that was just lucky to make his way into the big city of Okhema, who doesn't think himself as any extraordinary student but a normal boy that is struggling to adjust to the new life style, new people and having to understand etiquette of city folks.
Maybe it's because he always sees the good in everyone that he compares himself to them and in the end, doesn't think he's worthy of your affection. Like, Mydei is there! He is rich, handsome, strong but more important than most, he's working hard to break from his family tradition and pursue a career of his own, that's so much more admirable.
So he thinks it's logical to turn you down so that he wouldn't hold you back, that you can always find someone better. You leave dejected but thank him for being honest and upfront with his feelings and he bury that bitterness and regret down into his heart.
But when he sees you around others, around people that he thinks would be better for you, that ugly sentiments resurface. When Phainon realizes he loves you more than he thought, it sent him into a dilemma, which is the beginning of jealousy, misunderstanding, lack of communication that lasts at least 2 seasons and 12 episodes to resolve.
Is this slightly inspired by Skip and Loafer... Yes.











