Though he’d made his resolution boldly, once outside he found himself adrift in an endless ocean. Jaewon stared blankly at the unfamiliar faces on these strange streets. Was this how Alice felt when she tumbled into Wonderland? Walking along, he constantly felt a sense of disconnection and alienation. The feeling of being an outsider in a world where he shouldn’t exist—though technically accurate, it wasn’t exactly pleasant.
Jaewon headed to the bank while chewing on a kimbap from the convenience store. Assessing his financial situation was priority one. Despite being forcibly conscripted as a character in a novel, he still periodically felt thirst and hunger. He knew well that maintaining human dignity came at considerable cost. After diligently making rounds to banks and government offices, his current financial situation turned out to be surprisingly similar to his high school days.
He was flat broke.
Orphaned and alone, moldy studio apartment, bank account practicing non-possession.
A trinity of nothingness—it was as if someone had copy-pasted his school days exactly. With the same name, body, and circumstances as reality, he seemed to be an extra not even given a proper novel setting. Jaewon let out a hollow laugh and raised his middle finger to the sky.
“Ah… this is fucking insane.”
Being a nobody was pathetic beyond words, but first he needed to establish an income stream. Action always stemmed from capital. While tutoring had the best hourly rate, he needed money right now. His wallet was so light it might blow away.
Deep in thought, Jaewon stopped walking. In the distance, he spotted several students in uniforms gathered in a group. Huddled in an alley blowing suspicious smoke, they were obviously a bad crowd. Cigarette butts littered the ground at their feet, but all the passersby just walked by without raising any issues.
Illegal cigarette butt disposal!
Jaewon’s eyes lit up. Since the cigarette butt reporting reward system was established, he’d become a law-abiding citizen with an upright sense of justice. To human dashcam Bae Jaewon, delinquent students were an excellent source of income. He quickly flipped open his phone. Though he already missed the touch of a smartphone, he focused on the opportunity at hand.
Click. Click.
He took consecutive photos and videos of the chain-smoking students, but couldn’t get a satisfactory shot. For reporting, he needed personal information, but whether due to distance, even zooming in didn’t capture their faces properly. Jaewon gradually moved closer to them. Only after capturing each face and name tag from various angles was he satisfied enough to turn away.
But after just a few steps, something landed heavily on his shoulder. At the considerable weight, Jaewon gasped and staggered. As he looked up with a grimace, a shadow fell across his face.
“Did they turn out well?”
A deep bass voice that seemed to echo from a cave spoke familiarly. Though he couldn’t make out the face due to backlighting, he could see the man’s piercing eyes. A bead of cold sweat trickled down his back.
“It’s always fresh seeing a guy with balls taking pictures.”
Laughing as if amused, he removed the cigarette from his mouth and exhaled slowly. His sharp jawline stood out as smoke dispersed into the air. Jaewon spotted the school uniform jacket draped over the man’s shoulder like luggage and swallowed a hiccup. He was one of the delinquents cast in the cigarette butt reporting video.
When did he…
His build was unbelievably massive for a high school student who hadn’t finished growing. His tall height and swimmer-broad shoulders made one question his ethnicity, and the pectoral muscles bulging through his shirt were threatening. His monolid eyes were long and fierce-looking, and his prominent nose ridge looked sharp enough to cut. In short, the guy looked mean as hell.
“Mind if I take a look?”
The delinquent flicked his cigarette ash and spoke breezily. Though he threw a friendly arm around Jaewon’s shoulder acting chummy, his eyes weren’t smiling. Jaewon felt his Adam’s apple move involuntarily. His instincts were screaming.
I’m fucked.
Even if this was inside a novel, his five senses were alive, and Jaewon was someone who hated pain more than anything in the world. Typically in these situations, extras were used as devices to show the delinquent’s cruelty before being discarded. In danger of ending up in the hospital while trying to solve his cash problem, his brain went into overdrive.
“I took them because you’re handsome, what’s the problem?”
“What?”
When Jaewon tested the waters, the delinquent raised his lip corner as if dumbfounded. Though he could only see the outline due to backlighting, Jaewon had said it without batting an eye, as he usually sold his conscience first in crisis situations.
“Don’t fuck around and hand over your phone. What were you gonna do with pictures of us smoking cloud bread?”
Shit.
But his opponent seemed to see right through him. When his tricks didn’t work at all, he immediately initiated Plan B.
“Kyaaah! I’m totally a fan!”
Jaewon suddenly wailed and threw himself forward like Lady Nongae[1]. Unable to dodge, the delinquent and Jaewon’s bodies docked intensely, and both simultaneously spat curses as they separated.
“Ah, fuck. You wanna die?”
“Fuck, you should’ve dodged bet… Ahhh! Hyung! You’re really handsome!”
Nearly losing his mind from the unwanted skinship, Jaewon quickly backpedaled. Fortunately the delinquent seemed not to have noticed, asking in bewilderment:
“You know me?”
“Who doesn’t know you, hyung? Photos don’t capture even a fraction of your real looks. Really. Amazing.”
Jaewon recalled when Sujeong had been active in an idol fan club. He made animal-like sounds at the end of sentences, eyebrows drooping while covering his mouth with his hands. Using the sunlight pouring from behind the delinquent, he even added “I can’t open my eyes because of your halo.”
Problem students who went off track tended to have inflated egos. Many deliberately caused trouble to become famous. Using this, when Jaewon got in trouble doing paparazzi work, he’d confuse their minds this way to escape crisis.
“…”
But somehow the delinquent showed a calm reaction as if used to this situation. He swept back his hair and stared intently at Jaewon before breaking the silence.
“Who are you?”
It was a sharp question that didn’t get swept up in the show. But Jaewon, having no identity to reveal, ignored it and moved to the next stage.
“Hyung, you’re really handsome and also rap well.”
“What? Don’t spread rumors, you crazy bastard. When did I ever rap?”
“You’re perfect from head to toe, really. Life’s truth. Amazing.”
Though his opponent strongly objected during the praise poem recital, he didn’t care and made a finger gun with a wink.
“So cool. Even as a guy I’d fall for you.”
“…”
Even the last rhyme was perfect.
Jaewon felt accomplished from his soul-crushing sucking up and caught his breath. Suppressing the urge to enthusiastically high-five someone, he waited for evaluation.
The guy didn’t move at all. He stayed still even as cigarette ash fell to the ground, burned down to nothing. Just as Jaewon worried Was the wink too dirty?, he suddenly laughed.
“I thought you were some kid in uniform going ‘Big brothers are smoking~’ to your mommy.”
“Hahaha. Me? To you hyung? No way~”
Wrong. I’m reporting to the district office.
Jaewon smiled triumphantly at the softened voice. At this rate he’d smoothly escape his grasp, implement justice at the community center, then go home…
“You’re a pervert. Hand over your phone, bastard.”
“Ugh.”
A strong hand grabbed Jaewon’s nape as he basked in sweet dreams.
“Ah, I saw something so weird my mind went blank for a moment.”
The delinquent shuddered as if he’d seen something horrific. Repeatedly wiping his face with his palm, he shook his head and blinked as if trying to come to his senses. Jaewon, who’d been trying to exit in the friendly atmosphere, trembled with betrayal before exploding.
“Your head’s not even dry yet and you’re already discounting your conscience. In capitalist society, if something goes, something should come back, you bastard. If someone puts on this much of a show, shouldn’t you let it slide out of appreciation? Isn’t that noblesse oblige?”
“Now you’re showing your true colors.”
When he raged, the delinquent responded coldly as if he’d been waiting. The guy easily subdued the struggling Jaewon then growled in his ear.
“You’re that bastard Kim Jonghak sent. If you’re honest, I’ll hit you gently.”
“Oh my… Where on me is there anywhere to hit?”
When Jaewon couldn’t hide his shock at the threat, the grip on his nape loosened. The delinquent’s face seemed to say How can he say that with his own mouth? Jaewon attempted to escape while the guy was weakened, but was immediately caught again.
“Let go, man. I don’t have time for this. I’m fucking busy!”
“This crazy bastard, look who’s talking.”
Neither giving an inch, the two began wrestling. The guy put Jaewon in a headlock and groped him as if searching. Having trouble breathing, Jaewon struck his abdomen but he didn’t budge. With such a stark difference in build and strength, the tide quickly turned one way.
Dammit! Is this a human thigh or a rock?
Whether his body was made of steel, somehow hitting him hurt Jaewon’s own hands more. He gave up attacking and switched to defense. But at this rate, getting his phone taken was just a matter of time. Though he desperately calculated, there was no solution. The moment the roughly groping hand touched his back pocket, Jaewon squeezed his eyes shut.
That’s when it happened.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“Why’s it taking so long to check one kid’s phone?”
“That pig Kang Yuchan ate all your cigarettes.”
A group of students who seemed to be the guy’s friends swarmed over. With so many people each saying something, the area became noisy. At that moment, Jaewon, wedged under the delinquent’s side like a money bag, flashed his eyes.
Now’s my chance!
“Where are you touching!”
Gathering strength in his core and shouting loudly, the surroundings went quiet as if doused with cold water. Without anyone starting first, everyone simultaneously shut their mouths and turned their gazes to one spot. At that terminus were two men tangled in a strange position. Jaewon didn’t miss the opening and drove in the wedge.
“I said where are you touching!”
“What am I touching? You crazy bastard!”
The delinquent also shouted and threw Jaewon to the ground as if he’d touched a Tapgol Park[2] pigeon. Jaewon pulled his legs together to one side and lifted only his upper body, looking up at him venomously.
“You think you can have me by doing this?”
“What?”
“Whoa.”
When Jaewon shouted fiercely, shocked exclamations burst from all directions. The crowd murmuring with serious faces eventually asked their friend carefully:
“Hey, what’s that about? Have you expanded into that area too?”
“Going chili pepper[3] harvesting?”
“Are you tired of girls? Then what about the ones asking to be introduced?”
But no answer came. The delinquent stood frozen in place like a wooden statue, not knowing how to move. He seemed to have taken severe damage from the consecutive mental attacks.
“But I’m not your type, right? My chest is fucking small.”
“If you’ve been hiding feelings from us, keep hiding them to the end.”
“Ah, fuck… All of you shut up.”
While his friends chattered nonstop, the delinquent touched his forehead in confusion then roughly shouted. Jaewon accelerated the situation before the guy came to his senses.
“I told you we can’t be together. If you keep this up, you’ll only hurt yourself!”
The surrounding chatter stopped dead and sounds of swallowing could be heard everywhere. Jaewon, who’d subtly stood up, took a position for easy momentum.
“You cra…”
“Oppa, what’s this about…?”
The moment murderous light flashed in the delinquent’s eyes, a thin trembling voice came from among his group. Without needing confirmation, it was clearly a female student who’d admired him.
Good. It’s become a shitshow.
Sensing victory, Jaewon glanced back. The green light was blinking on the crosswalk on the main road. Calculating the remaining signal time and his running speed, he quickly stood up when the moment came.
“Just forget about someone like me, fool.”
Jaewon didn’t forget the finishing blow. After hammering nails into the coffin lid, he quickly backed away from the shocked and appalled crowd.
“Catch that bastard! $#@^&*!”
Shouts and curses followed Jaewon as he sprinted at full speed. The moment he reached the other side of the road, the signal changed and waiting vehicles quickly passed through the crosswalk. From the opposite side, Jaewon grinned at the guy who’d become a dog that lost its chicken and left.
After that, everything went smoothly. He found the district office, successfully completed the report, bought electric grilled chicken from a truck near home, and returned. A small luxury he only enjoyed on successful bounty hunting days.
What a hard day.
Placing the last piece of meat on glutinous rice and chewing thoughtfully, he lay back. Looking at the mold spots spreading in the ceiling corner while reflecting on the day made him laugh hollowly. Lottery winning, traffic accident, dimensional travel. Even a blockbuster wouldn’t be more spectacular than this.
“But why this time period of all times…”
He’d rather go to the military again—for Jaewon, his high school days were a time he didn’t want to recall. Lost in reminiscence, he moved to drive away idle thoughts. After showering and drying his hair, he pulled comfortable clothes from the closet. Lying in bed tossing and turning, he closed his eyes, resolving to look for tutoring jobs tomorrow for regular income.
***
Day two of suddenly becoming a novel character. Jaewon woke to his alarm and prepared to go out. First, he planned to attend school, assess the situation, and look for the protagonist.
“Phew…”
Putting on sneakers at the entrance, he sighed. Actually, if he knew the book’s contents, the current situation would be a cakewalk. Like a protagonist who fell into a world destroyed exactly as in a novel only they had read, he just needed to cleverly and quickly overcome all adversity. But tragically, Jaewon had only read the table of contents and a few pages of the preface, so he knew nothing. Not even knowing the main characters’ names, he had to figure out everything by directly confronting it all.
But it was too early for despair. Thanks to Sujeong, the countless novels he’d devoured were all cookie-cutter. Though they differed slightly in details, they had a certain format.
First, find the handsome guy.
Though aesthetic standards varied by person, objective criteria clearly existed. Gathering guys praised as handsome in school and selecting the protagonist from among them would make things much easier. The female protagonist was sometimes described as ugly or plain-looking so difficulties were expected, but male protagonists never had such cases.
Let’s think of it as a stock investment for mental victory.
Intensively manage guys with protagonist qualities, then select the promising sprout. In other words, compose a portfolio of blue-chip stocks[4] with bright prospects and decide investments based on governing principles. Actually, a true investor would have the desire to discover value stocks with excellent intrinsic value rather than already recognized large-caps—so-called pearls in the mud—and witness their dazzling growth history. Jaewon was no exception. He knew well through history that those who accompanied the golden frog from its tadpole days received brilliant rewards. He just didn’t have time to play prince maker.
Minimize time as much as possible.
With early completion as his goal, time was currency. In this opaque situation, he wanted to avoid wasting time on the wrong person.
Investment instrument: time.
Market research and property information: lacking.
Having gone through denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and reached acceptance in just one day, Jaewon resolved to search for properties with determination to win.
“Ah, so you’re the transfer student.”
Unexpected news awaited him when he went straight to the teachers’ office after arriving at school. The teacher who introduced herself as his homeroom teacher said today was Jaewon’s first day after transferring.
“You took a leave of absence midway, right?”
Jaewon nodded at the teacher’s question as she examined his records. He felt his confusion mounting.
This didn’t happen in the past.
The leave of absence had happened, but Jaewon had returned to his original high school after the leave and graduated there. Transferring, especially mid-semester, hadn’t happened. With real and unreal events mixed up, he didn’t know which side to follow.
“The reason for leave was… to care for your sick grandmother. You must have had a hard time.”
“…”
The homeroom teacher looked at Jaewon with pity, apparently finding something notable in his records. He lowered his head to hide his indifferent expression. Others’ unsolicited sympathy caused fatigue, and the sensation of forgotten emotions reviving wasn’t welcome.
“Oh, I heard you never lost first place at your previous school?”
“Ah, yes.”
“I have high expectations. I’m counting on you.”
The homeroom teacher’s eyes were full of trust as she patted his shoulder. Jaewon responded with a perfunctory smile and left the office with her. As they climbed stairs and walked down hallways, students cast curious glances. Jaewon fell into thought watching the homeroom teacher’s back as she walked ahead.
So I’m first in school even in the novel.
The inconsistent historical accuracy bothered him, but he soon shook his head. This wasn’t the time to reminisce about life’s traces. The key was how to use the first-place title at this point.
Lost in thought, the homeroom teacher entered a classroom. Jaewon stopped at the threshold and looked up to check the classroom sign. 2-3. Second year, class 3.
“Okay, okay, attention.”
The homeroom teacher struck the desk with the attendance book, settling the classroom’s chaotic atmosphere. Students who’d been chattering noisily shut their mouths one by one.
“Today I’ll introduce a new transfer student to our class. Everyone quiet down.”
The classroom began buzzing at the mention of a transfer student. Feeling gazes focus on him standing by the door, Jaewon mysteriously adjusted his posture. At the homeroom teacher’s call, he crossed the threshold and stood beside the podium.
“Hello. I’m Bae Jaewon. Please take care of me.”
After his greeting, students welcomed him with applause. Male students clapped half-heartedly with indifferent faces, while female students glanced at Jaewon whispering among themselves.
“Oh, Jaewon is twenty years old because he took a leave for personal reasons. You should respect your elders well.”
“Puhaha.”
“Ah, teacher~ ‘respect your elders’ is too much.”
The homeroom teacher narrowed her eyes scanning the classroom then pointed to an empty seat.
“You can sit at the desk in the very back.”
Jaewon furrowed his brow. It was an inefficient spot for slacking off. But with that being the only empty seat, he had no choice. As he walked to the seat in resignation, suddenly a student raised their hand and spoke.
“Teacher. That’s next to Kim Dojun.”
The protesting student’s face was full of worry. Others’ expressions weren’t much different. Anxiety, fear, concern. Though brief, he could sense this Kim Dojun student’s influence.
Adding one stock to watch.
There were no protagonists who lived quiet, diligent school lives. But hasty judgment was forbidden; Jaewon decided to see his face before deciding whether to invest.
“Well that’s perfect. Jaewon, go sit down.”
The homeroom teacher spoke through gritted teeth as if she had a personal grudge against Kim Dojun. When she added “I feel like I’ve aged ten years in a day because of that kid,” the classroom became a sea of laughter. After a few more jokes, she left telling them to prepare for class when the warning bell rang. The classroom became noisy again.
Seated, Jaewon looked around for someone who seemed talkative. The basis of market research was information gathering, and for that he needed to find an informant first.
Kind, talkative, curious enough to know all the rumors, loves explaining things, and has a nosy personality.
The desired talent profile was clear. Especially the more they babbled the better. Jaewon lay back in his chair, crossed his arms and legs. As he solemnly watched students each saying their piece, a male student approached him.
“Hello, hyung. I’m the vice class president and the teacher told me to look after you. Oh, of course I would have looked after you even if the teacher hadn’t said so. Do you have textbooks? If not, I’ll borrow some from another class. There’s a kid named Kim Donghoon in class 5 who’s nice and lends things easily. I’ll introduce you later.”
“…”
“Oh right, I’m Ma Chayoon.”
Hired.
Satisfied at selecting talent without wasting time, Jaewon nodded approvingly. He especially liked how the kid prattled on about things he hadn’t even asked. Between the warning bell and first period, Ma Chayoon borrowed textbooks from the next class, explained each subject teacher’s background, personality, and things to watch out for, then returned to his seat.
“Okay, quiet. Class is starting.”
Fifty minutes of class with only ten-minute breaks. With each period ending, Jaewon visibly wilted. Having earned a free pass to university as valedictorian and later working as a tutoring master, he was a high school curriculum specialist. Listening to content he already knew for hours made him feel like a ruminating cow. He keenly felt he was in hell.
For the crime of being a student
In the prison called school
Trapped in a cell called classroom…
When he came to his senses, he was writing poetry. Startled at the verses he’d unknowingly written in the textbook corner, Jaewon quickly closed the book.
I’ll go crazy if I stay like this.
Feeling the situation’s severity, he sought solutions. If he at least had a deskmate, he could foster friendship through notes and meaningfully pass time, but the seat beside him remained empty even as fourth period ended. Disappointed, Jaewon soon focused on composing promotional text for tutoring student recruitment flyers.
Before long it was lunchtime, and silence fell over the classroom emptied of students. Ma Chayoon approached Jaewon, who was enthusiastically editing promotional text, and spoke affably.
“Hyung, let’s go eat. I’ll show you where the cafeteria is.”
“Okay.”
Jaewon followed him with anticipation. The cafeteria where all grades gathered was no different from a huge market. A perfect place for browsing merchandise.
“Schools are originally hotbeds of meal corruption. This school’s no exception, so you might be surprised at first. That food can taste like this. I discovered the fifth taste coming to this school. Monday’s menu is especially bad, so we call it Bloody Monday.”
“…”
“Oh, anything else you’re curious about?”
Carefully observing passing students, Jaewon quickly asked:
“Who’s the best-looking kid in this school?”
“Starting with a bold first question.”
Ma Chayoon’s eyes went round in surprise. He added “Are you having a face-off or something?” but when Jaewon ignored him, he began answering.
“Our school is famous for having good-looking students. There’s more than one or two handsome kids. First there’s Kang Yuchan from class 6 who handles our grade’s cuteness, Kim Seungbin from class 8 the epitome of chic, women-only philanthropist Park Gyujin…”
It felt like watching a home shopping channel, but Jaewon listened carefully. His head hurt hearing there were more than one or two handsome guys. That meant the search range expanded that much.
“…But the best is definitely Kim Dojun.”
“Kim Dojun?”
“Yes. Your deskmate, hyung. It’s a shame he’s absent today so you can’t see him. Once you see his face you’ll just acknowledge it. Ah, this guy must have been handsome since he was a fertilized egg.”
If he was that handsome, the probability of being the protagonist rose dramatically. Feeling favorability toward his deskmate bubbling up, Jaewon perked up his ears even more.
“Get your food here. Here, tray.”
“What about you?”
Ma Chayoon handed over the serving tray but was empty-handed himself. When Jaewon looked puzzled, he pushed up his glasses with his middle finger, his eyes behind the lenses gleaming sharply.
“Ah, I eat lunch boxes. Actually I should eat with the Geujeungmo members but today I specially had to look after you so I explained and skipped out.”
Ma Chayoon pointed to the carrier he’d been dragging around. Jaewon thought he had travel plans after school, but it was a lunch box bag. He was freshly shocked.
“Geujeungmo?”
“Yes. ‘Gathering of People Who Hate School Meals.’ Actually it would be nice if we could all eat together with you, but one of them has cafeteria trauma. They ate braised pollack in first year and it was so bad they went into shock and were carried away. Since then just coming near the cafeteria makes their vision go dark and hands tremble…”
The more he talked, the more Jaewon felt like entering a haunted house, but having already joined the serving line, he couldn’t escape.
“Oh, the serving helpers give more if handsome kids ask for more. Hyung, try it for fun. But honestly I don’t think it’s credible. I tried before and the portions were similar.”
“…”
“Oh no. Come to think of it, today is Disgusting Tuesday. Good luck.”
Ma Chayoon grimaced as if discovering something then quickly disappeared dragging his carrier. Following where his gaze had been, Jaewon turned to see buckets lined up in a row.
The menu was hayrice and seasoned eggplant. Seeing starch lumps falling like mud under the ladle, Jaewon felt the color drain from his face.
No, fuck… They’re pursuing reality in strange places.
Jaewon was increasingly pissed at this novel. He tried to quickly escape but hayrice sauce had already violated his tray mercilessly. The serving helpers gave Jaewon especially generous portions, telling him to eat lots and study hard. Having lost various motivations including appetite in an instant, he turned away weakly.
Following Ma Chayoon’s gestures, Jaewon carelessly set down his tray and sat. Conflicted looking at the muddy water-like soybean paste soup, he took a spoonful caught by sunk cost consciousness and greatly regretted it. Jaewon finally gave up eating and looked around. Still no notable figures were visible. Even when he occasionally found decent merchandise, each had disqualifying reasons.
Their laughter isn’t “kook,” “kick,” or “hoot.”
Their voice isn’t terribly deep.
Their name is ordinary. (Exception if surname is Eun or Ban)
Their jawline doesn’t kill.
They don’t growl when angry.
.
.
.
Eliminating one by one through process of elimination, hope had disappeared too. Just as he desperately wanted a cigarette, conversation from the next table caught his ear.
“Hey, Kim Dojun got reported for smoking and got suspended.”
“Ah, so that’s why he didn’t come to school today?”
“The district office contacted them and the principal foamed at the mouth. I can imagine it, it’s fucking funny.”
So he likes cigarettes. What’s his preference? Marlboro? Dunhill? Esse?
Learning his beloved deskmate’s preferred consumable, Jaewon perked up his ears. Seeing his private life on students’ lips, his fame seemed quite considerable. Jaewon liked him more and more.
“What brave bastard reported him? Aren’t they afraid of the aftermath?”
“I heard it was a pervert stalker?”
“What? I heard it was Kim Jonghak’s lackey.”
“Doesn’t that guy ever get tired… At that level isn’t it love for Kim Dojun?”
“True love.”
Ma Chayoon, just opening his third lunch box, met eyes with Jaewon. He swallowed what he was chewing and spoke.
“Kim Jonghak is a guy who proclaims himself Kim Dojun’s rival but honestly they’re incomparable. Actually it’s closer to him acting up alone. There’s someone else on Kim Dojun’s level. Everyone jokingly calls it love but I think at that level it’s obsession.”
It was a cold and merciless evaluation. Just as Jaewon was listening intently and about to ask who was on his level, the voices from beside them lowered.
“But, this is believe it or not… come closer.”
At the secretive voice and gestures, Jaewon also adjusted his posture modestly. The male student with his head together with friends spoke with a grave expression.
“There’s talk that Kim Dojun had a hidden boyfriend.”
Gasps of swallowing breath could be heard around the table. Even Ma Chayoon widened his eyes and froze as if he hadn’t expected it.
“Boyfriend? Boyfriend?”
“Boyfriend means a guy? Really?”
The male student shushed his friends asking eagerly and pressed closer to the table.
“It’s too early to be surprised. Apparently Kim Dojun is the one clinging in the relationship.”
“What?”
“What? That Kim Dojun?”
“That’s why Min Yerin was shocked, crying and making a huge fuss.”
Silence flowed over the shocked table. Jaewon leaned back against his chair with an indifferent face. It sounded so absurd it didn’t feel real. Losing interest in the story, he fixed his gaze on Ma Chayoon filleting fish with a knife.
“Min Yerin is Kim Dojun’s… almost official crush but from what I see it seems like Min Yerin’s one-sided love. Other kids just encourage them because they look good together, both being handsome and pretty.”
“Is she pretty?”
Jaewon reflexively asked, his ears perking up. Ma Chayoon narrowed his eyes and snorted.
“Really, hyung’s interested right away because you’re a guy too. Min Yerin’s nickname is Pretty so that says it all. She’s probably the prettiest in our school. But if you say this elsewhere you’ll be dragged away by third-year noonas and end up like Paris holding the golden apple, so be careful. Last year someone ran their mouth wrong and met a terrible fate.”
Lost in thought, Jaewon tapped his chin with his finger. Though beauties as protagonists were rare as beans in a drought, her renowned fame bothered him. Generally, if male protagonists were complete blue-chip stocks, female protagonists were value stocks whose growth potential needed watching. Already praised figures had slim bingo possibilities.
But it wouldn’t hurt to make an impression.
“What class is she in?”
“Class 8.”
Checking his watch, about twenty minutes of lunch remained. Jaewon stood up with his tray.
“Where do you throw away food?”
“I haven’t even eaten the beyond yet.”
Ma Chayoon, pulling a fourth lunch box from his carrier, spoke as if dumbfounded. When Jaewon frowned at the unfamiliar foreign word, he added “It means I have four more courses left.”
“Your character is more unique than I thought?”
“I hear that often. But I think other people are the unoriginal ones.”
Beside Ma Chayoon speaking with conviction were piles of unopened lunch boxes. Calculating the number of boxes and Ma Chayoon’s eating speed, Jaewon decided to abandon him.
“You’re leaving me alone?”
“Life is originally lived alone. See you later.”
Leaving Ma Chayoon speaking with trembling lips behind, he hurried out of the cafeteria. Time wasn’t exactly tight but not generous either. Jaewon jumped up the stairs two or three at a time heading for Min Yerin’s class.
“Is there a kid named Min Yerin here?”
Several female students happened to be gathered chatting by the door. When he grabbed one to ask, three pairs of eyes became triangular scanning Jaewon up and down.
“Why are you looking for her?”
“Have you turned twenty? Otherwise don’t speak informally.”
“Ah, uh… yes. Sorry.”
To the female student asking primly with crossed arms, Jaewon showed her the taste of respecting elders. She looked back and forth between Jaewon’s face and name tag with a confused expression, then went into the classroom to call Min Yerin.
“Yerin, some oppa is looking for you.”
“Hm? Who?”
A soft, delicate voice came from beyond the door. Leaning mysteriously against the doorway, Jaewon carefully observed the female student rising from her window seat and walking over. Her silhouette alone was far from ordinary, making Jaewon’s heart pound.
“So you’re the one? Class 8’s Pretty?”
“Yes? Who… are you?”
When he asked Min Yerin who’d finally approached, her double-lidded eyes blinked rapidly. Her large pupils sparkled as if containing the Milky Way, her nose was sculptural and prominent, her lips luscious and red like cherries. Beauty dazzling enough to recognize from outside the village. With that judgment, Jaewon’s complexion darkened.
Such a glamorous beauty went against the typical female protagonist. Min Yerin wasn’t the merchandise he was looking for. Having hoped just in case, he muttered bitterly.
“No good. Too pretty.”
“What?”
A blush rose on her face as she asked back incredulously. Even that was beautiful, Min Yerin reminded him of roses. An image completely different from female protagonists typically compared to wildflowers or forget-me-nots.
This image is usually the villain or male protagonist’s first love.
Jaewon fell into thought with his gaze fixed on one spot. Typically, villains instigated conflict between the male and female protagonists and caused misunderstandings that made viewers want to throw remote controls. Of course through such processes the protagonists’ relationship grew stronger and eventually reached a happy ending, but Jaewon believed in sprinkling salt to harden ground rather than waiting for it to harden after rain.
All possibilities must be nipped in the bud.
The longer the main characters’ struggling period, the more his return to reality would be delayed. Jaewon had no reason to hesitate.
“Don’t like Kim Dojun.”
“What?”
Speaking bluntly, her already large eyes became as big as flower lanterns.
Kim Dojun was currently the strongest protagonist candidate. He couldn’t let him fool around with women other than the protagonist.
A common mistake regular investors make is rain-dependent investing. Buying stocks then leaving them without any measures while vaguely hoping prices rise—this was no different from horse racing. Jaewon didn’t want to do the foolish act of sitting quietly in the audience relying entirely on luck while anxiously watching the screen.
His chosen strategy was Buffett’s method. Warren Buffett, the world’s richest man and investment genius, was Jaewon’s idol. This sage of Omaha’s specialty was jumping into managing companies he invested in and reviving even delisted companies, and that was the benchmarking point. Jaewon intended to directly intervene in this novel’s flow.
“Ha, what the… How absurd.”
Min Yerin was dumbfounded then shot back viciously.
“What business is it of yours? Whoever I like-“
“How can I not care when you’re this pretty?”
“What?”
“From now on it is my business, so don’t like him.”
Not wanting to talk at length, Jaewon warned threateningly. Min Yerin’s face reddened to her neck as if angry. About to leave her with her mouth gaping, his exit was blocked. Students who’d gathered at some point were blinking en masse like a frog chorus. They all looked shocked as if Jaewon had said something unspeakable.
The school atmosphere must be democratic.
They seemed indignant at the suppression of individual freedom. Though welcome news for Jaewon as a democratic capitalism devotee, he was in a position requiring behind-the-scenes work. When he should be erasing his presence and moving like a shadow, attracting attention would do no good. As students began murmuring one by one, Jaewon quickly escaped.
He definitely needed to farm more information. Returning to class, Jaewon looked for Ma Chayoon but couldn’t see him. Perhaps because lunch wasn’t over yet, the classroom was too chaotic for searching. Avoiding female students planting themselves with demonic faces and passing male students heated with coin flip tournaments, he spotted a familiar head. Ma Chayoon was sprawled on his desk alone like a deserted island.
“Hey, Matcha. This school’s F4…”
“Don’t talk to me.”
A cold voice cut him off. Jaewon was flustered as his farming hit a snag. He stood blankly for a moment then frowned hearing sniffling.
“Are you crying?”
“…”
The round back of his head like a peeled chestnut flinched at the question. Jaewon waited for an answer but there was no additional reaction even after time passed. Bending down to match Ma Chayoon’s eye level, Jaewon stuck his head between his torso and arms. When talking to people, you should look them in the eye.
“Crying?”
“Ah, really.”
When their eyes met, Ma Chayoon recoiled and sat up. Seeing his bloodshot eyes, Jaewon felt awkward. Apparently grievances had developed while he wasn’t aware, and he had no particular talent for comforting. First asking what happened, Ma Chayoon exercised his right to remain silent. When Jaewon patiently coaxed and soothed, only then did he open his stubbornly closed mouth.
“I didn’t know you were that kind of person, hyung. How could you leave someone you were eating with alone?”
“Because I’m human trash. You need to understand that part.”
“I had three lunch boxes left. This is unacceptable. They say if you waste food you’ll have to eat it all mixed up in hell. Will you eat it for me?”
“I’ll go to hell for you.”
Though his lips were rough without saliva, Jaewon focused on the conversation. At this point, Ma Chayoon was an irreplaceable human resource. It would be troublesome if their relationship soured. Perhaps Jaewon’s desperate feelings got through, as the huffing Ma Chayoon stopped criticizing and slumped in his chair. He mumbled painfully with both hands covering his face.
“…I’ve never eaten alone in my life.”
Jaewon raised his eyebrows at the unexpected story. When eating with others, there were restrictions on time, place, and menu selection. In other words, Ma Chayoon had operated meal times inefficiently his whole life. Feeling deep sympathy for him, Jaewon’s eyes grew distant.
“So I don’t know how to eat alone.”
“Oh dear.”
Jaewon was inwardly surprised at him candidly confessing his disability. Rolling his eyes, he decided to encourage the kid.
“You’ll gradually improve with effort. Where is there someone good from the start? I couldn’t eat alone when I was two either.”
“What are you saying? Why would I work on that? My parents raised me nicely so I can’t do things like that.”
But Ma Chayoon retorted with a straight face. Jaewon felt his passion that had burned like a match flame extinguish.
I got sentimental and did something I don’t usually do.
Regaining his composure, he asked calmly:
“Is your father’s name perhaps Wang Seoja Bangja?”
“No. Why?”
“Just wondering why he’s raising silkworms instead of children.”
The class bell rang simultaneously with the baseless parent diss. Jaewon returned to his seat leaving Ma Chayoon who kept asking because he couldn’t hear due to the bell. Then he concentrated on creating tutoring flyers until the last period.
After that, he had to leave school without any particular gains. Ma Chayoon left without even saying goodbye, still sulking, so there was no further progress in information gathering beyond Kim Dojun and Min Yerin. Resolving to tour all grade classrooms tomorrow, Jaewon headed to a nearby PC cafe[5]. He transferred the promotional text to Word and edited it to maximize readability.
***
Math Tutoring
I’ll keep this short. The human brain deteriorates with age. Isn’t lettuce freshest right after it’s picked from the field? All living things must be used quickly while they’re fresh.
Current high school student ranked 1st in school / National level on mock exams / Motivation and mentoring available / Fresh brain and vigorous stamina incomparable to old college students / Extensive tutoring experience / Unique curriculum / Future perfect scorer on the college entrance exam
I’ve never experienced anything but first place in my life. Sometimes I want to try second place for the experience, but the world won’t allow it. There’s no royal road to studying? That’s the excuse of losers. It’s the mission of shepherds and teachers to guide lost lambs to shortcuts. Methods and shortcuts definitely exist.
To become rich, they say you shouldn’t calculate hourly wages but build a system where capital does the work. Studying is the same. An innovative system that induces your brain to review even during break time. I’ll gladly share it.
There’s no free lunch in this world—that’s my motto and belief. I deliver what I’m paid for.
Finally, a word to the students:
They say “10 more minutes of studying changes your future spouse’s face.” Wrong. It starts with your tutor’s face changing. Looking at my face will make studying fun because my face is fun to look at. (Any gender welcome) Look at my face once, solve one problem, and before you know it you’ll have finished a whole workbook. Contact me.
01X-XXXX-XXXX
The flyer was complete, seasoned with appropriate clickbait and MSG. Jaewon looked at the screen with satisfaction and pressed print. While the flyers printed, he went online posting promotional messages on local mom cafes and tutoring sites. Then he searched real estate prices, organized them in Excel, and created a data map. This was to clearly define his target demographic and plan routes for posting flyers by district.
After finishing his business at the PC cafe, Jaewon went straight home to prepare in earnest. Having once been a part-time job master, he knew well the virtues required for each profession. This time it was mobility. In other words, he needed to be able to bolt immediately if trouble arose while posting flyers.
Top and bottom sportswear, sneakers for shoes, lightest possible bag material.
About to head out after preparing, Jaewon spotted a ball cap hanging on the wall. After brief consideration, he pulled it down low. Just as maintaining dignity was basic for salespeople, grooming was essential for self-PR. Of course his current state was fine, but to entice teenagers he felt he needed to boost his item stats. Fundamentally, human aesthetic consciousness is formed to find concealment with room for imagination more captivating than complete revelation. Using this principle, Jaewon inflated his appearance level by wearing the ball cap.
He ran around diligently posting flyers. He prioritized areas with high academic fervor, mainly around cram school districts[6] and cafes frequented by parents. As the sky turned crimson and dusk began falling, he headed to his final destination for the day. It was the neighborhood called the wealthiest in the area.
Wealthy families tended to hire specialized expert tutors, so calls rarely came. But landing just one could change quality of life, so he couldn’t give up. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If he just got a chance to show off, he had a shot.
While meticulously posting a flyer on a telephone pole, a water droplet fell on the bridge of his nose. Jaewon looked up at the sky with a frown. Just as he’d thought the weather was turning, a light drizzle began.
“Damn.”
He hurriedly zipped his bag. He’d planned to hunt smoking students on the way home, but that was shot. Still, he was about to leave satisfied with having distributed almost all his prepared flyers when—
“Does studying really become fun?”
A low-toned voice slowly dropped into Jaewon’s ear. The drowsy, languid voice dulled his senses. Coming to his senses a beat late and turning his head, he noticed someone standing behind him.
Ah shit, he scared me.
Jaewon suppressed the curse that almost escaped in surprise. He was startled by some stranger pressed close without his knowledge. Like that delinquent before, approaching soundlessly seemed to be these bastards’ species trait.
The guy had been looking down at Jaewon the whole time, maintaining a calm demeanor even when their eyes met. Even as Jaewon crumpled his face like vinyl, he didn’t blink once. Tilting his head, he slowly moved his lips.
“I hate studying though.”
Though clearly just muttering in a small voice, it had power to make one focus. Jaewon’s gaze, which had been screaming ‘so what’ with all his facial muscles, suddenly shifted to the guy’s appearance. At that moment, Jaewon’s furrowed eyes widened hugely.
Is he a fluorescent human?
It seemed like the first time in his life seeing someone with such white skin. He was like someone the Creator accidentally breathed life into while kneading flour dough. While Jaewon’s mind was captivated by the A4 paper-white skin, he refocused his shock-blurred vision.
The slightly droopy eyes gave a gentle impression, and the pale pupils were like transparent glass marbles. The long eyelashes created a mysterious atmosphere each time they blinked. The prominent, sharp nose bridge dripped with sophistication, and the appropriately sized and volumed lips were a soft pink like peaches.
This is the one.
Skin white as blank paper, lips luscious as if wearing Dior Addict Lip Glow 001, golden ratio proportions as if walking out of Vogue. The top-tier genetic framework felt even through clothes. He possessed all the conditions of a protagonist. It was the perfect reproduction of the ‘angel-like child’ that had existed only in text.
If this guy isn’t the protagonist, I’m a communist.
Jaewon trembled with surging elation. He’d found a blue chip in an unexpected place!
“Don’t you teach other subjects?”
Of course Jaewon was proficient in all subjects. He’d chosen math because it was easy to teach. But having no time to answer as usual, he just frantically examined the miraculous face before him.
“I don’t really like math though…”
The boy frowned and shook his rain-wet hair. Loveliness welled up like a large dog shaking after a bath. As he swept back his hair, his forehead was revealed clearly, and Jaewon saw a halo rising behind his head. The boy shining like ivory amidst the misty rain and darkness looked like an ancient Greek sculpture.
“What.”
Finally breaking the silence, he smiled slightly. That face was so holy Jaewon almost shouted ‘Amen.’
“Guess I’ll have to be the teacher.”
He spoke with a laugh as if dumbfounded at Jaewon staring entranced. Snapping to attention at those words, Jaewon finally closed his mouth and composed his expression.
Is this kind of face even possible? Who on earth is your mother…
Was this the weeping of Westerners first seeing Oriental silk? His chest was so full words wouldn’t come out. Jaewon barely pulled together his hazy mind. This wasn’t the time. First priority was securing personal information.
“You…”
“Hey, fuck! Found him!”
Just as he was about to ask for his number, a loud shout came from somewhere. When startled Jaewon turned around, a group of students in uniforms was running from the distance.
“Where!”
“There! He’s there!”
“You’re dead, fucker. Stay right there, you bastard!”
The attitude of those pointing and screaming at the top of their lungs was obviously not friendly. Jaewon took a moment to reflect on his life. But he’d antagonized too many people to count, making it impossible to identify specific individuals. Backing away ready to bolt if necessary, the boy remained calm and peaceful.
“Ah… I was busy, wasn’t I.”
The boy looked at the group charging like wildebeest and muttered. His tone suggested he’d briefly forgotten some business. Frowning as if annoyed, he turned his gaze to Jaewon.
“The atmosphere was nice.”
Dropping meaningless words, the boy reached out and pulled off one of the octopus-like flyers. Even that looked like a scene from performance art.
“I’ll contact you when I’m free.”
“Wait…”
Waving the paper with Jaewon’s number lightly, he ran forward. The perfect three sizes of his back instantly disappeared, and the rough guys chased after him. The boy departed as suddenly as the Pied Piper leading foolish fat rats.
Jaewon only returned to his senses long after. Only after letting out a thunderous sneeze could he pull back his soul that had flown to the stratosphere.
***
Going from coughing to a hospital room where you can see the last leaf is instantaneous.
Quickly returning home through the rain, Jaewon washed with warm water. While water boiled, he perfectly dried his hair and got in bed with honey tea. Sinking into the soft bedding, the boy’s face came to mind again. It was a face that could cause the miracle of loaves and fishes.
To let that slip right before my eyes.
Even Jaewon himself couldn’t believe it. He didn’t know his number, let alone his name. He was just in the position of waiting until contact came. Though it was the property he’d searched for so desperately… It was impossible for him, who never missed jackpot stocks. That’s how sensational the boy’s beauty was.
However, Jaewon tried to maintain a cool, objective perspective. Economist Keynes compared stock investment to a beauty contest. To guess who would be selected as the top beauty, rather than choosing by personal judgment, one should select the candidate most people would consider the most beautiful. In other words, who is most beautiful isn’t important—what matters is who the public thinks is beautiful.
Though Jaewon’s aesthetic sense was fairly objective, he was still just one individual. Hasty judgment was forbidden. Selecting investment stocks was like treasure hunting. To discover good stocks, one had to find and analyze as many properties as possible. Especially since male protagonists usually operated in a two-top system, it was right to find a few more candidates.
Sensing tomorrow would be another busy day, Jaewon went to sleep early. The next morning, immediately looking for his phone upon waking, his brow narrowed when he grabbed a folder phone instead of a smartphone. After puzzling over the device reminiscent of historical artifacts, he soon sighed.
“Fuck, it’s the stone age…”
Coming to a world without smartphones, Jaewon felt like he might really die. He couldn’t do his morning stock price checks or account balance checks—nothing. If he’d at least gone back to the past he could have bought up future jackpot stocks, but being inside this damned novel, whatever he did just produced waste paper.
Though he used to start energetic days watching soaring stock graphs every market opening… Having his life’s pleasures confiscated, he threaded his legs into pants with a glum face. Then he finished preparing on time and left home. He had too much schedule to digest to wallow in sadness. Even if the world ended tomorrow, his creed was to sell an apple tree today.
The way to school was packed with students in uniforms. Jaewon scanned the surroundings with eagle eyes but saw no male students riding motorcycles or female students falling and dropping books. At the very least he hoped for students getting into fights or causing commotion, but nothing happened.
“Is your name Han Bitnari?”
“I changed it.”
“Dress code violation. Necktie 2 points, name tag 1 point.”
“Ah, why! Just having a name tag should be enough!”
“Attitude violation 1 point.”
“Wow, that’s really too much. Why are you only like this to me, oppa? Do you like me?”
“Yes.”
“…!!”
A sweet romance was progressing at the school gate. Passing through, Jaewon carefully examined the disciplinary committee members but none were hiding their beauty with glasses or bangs. Having briefly hoped, he coldly withdrew his gaze.
No model student type properties?
Jaewon didn’t go straight to class but wandered the school grounds. He checked if there was a person-sized hole in the perimeter wall and carefully observed the surrounding terrain. While he hid appropriately among the flower bed bushes, the warning bell rang. The moment the clear bell sound spread, the school gate closed and the disciplinary committee began catching latecomers.
“Do duck walks around the field once.”
“Gasp… Teacher, can’t you let it slide just once? I really couldn’t wake up because my cat turned off the alarm. Really. Want to see pictures of my cat?”
“One more lap for each word.”
“Sob sob…”
While cruel punishment was dealt to lazy beings, Jaewon fixed his gaze on the wall with the hole. Those with protagonist qualities didn’t arrive at school properly on time. Jaewon waited patiently with the heart of a wildcat before a mouse hole. But his persimmon leaf-thin patience quickly ran out, and just as he was sticking his head in the hole for surveillance—
Thud.
Something fell nearby. The moment he confirmed it was a backpack, Jaewon’s eyes flashed brightly. Springing out like a coil, he swiftly grabbed the bag and hid it behind his rear.
Thwack.
A male student jumped down where the backpack had fallen. Landing lightly despite falling from quite a height, he looked as skilled as a stuntman.
Technical score 10 points, artistic score 10 points.
Admiring his clean movements, Jaewon’s eyes widened. The tall male student had an extraordinary body line. The slim, toned body like an athlete’s made it impossible to look away.
Leg length, thickness, line all excellent. Butt perfect, waist a bit thick which is unfortunate but it’s all muscle, and shoulders are Honam Plain[7] so sufficiently offsetting. Overall proportions very excellent.
Scoring from toes up, Jaewon swallowed seeing the male student’s face.
A face that would open blind eyes.
The chic yet indifferent face overflowed with Janus-like charm, with an urban atmosphere and kitschy edge, creating a seductive and sensual impression—a must-have for those dreaming of romance. Especially the expression that seemed uninterested in everything hinted he would obsess over his woman.
“Are you perhaps Kim Dojun?”
Sensing a jackpot, Jaewon cut to the chase with his question. The male student who’d been frowning while checking the ground slowly raised his head. The moment their eyes met, full of killing intent, Jaewon thrilled.
Even the antisocial look in his eyes is perfect.
His heart that had cooled while commuting between squid and cuttlefish schools began beating hotly. Handsome guys rolling in by the vine from morning—today’s market conditions were very good. Excited Jaewon exhaled forcefully through his nose and approached him.
“What are you now.”
But the male student growled threateningly at Jaewon. For some reason he seemed very upset. At this rate he might throw a punch. Hating pain more than anything in the world, Jaewon stepped back to secure safe distance. After hesitating briefly, he decided to approach the male student more passionately.
“I asked because you’re so handsome, no need to be so prickly.”
It was blatant courtship that made even the dandelions in the flower bed shrink, but the male student just frowned. While Jaewon was flustered by the lukewarm reaction, he began looking around for something. He seemed to be dismissing Jaewon’s words as nonsense and attending to business.
Haughty bastard. Stimulates the desire to conquer.
Even more intrigued, Jaewon licked his lips and reached back to grab the hidden bag. Just as he was about to naturally become the benefactor returning lost property, murmuring voices came from beyond the wall.
“Hey, shouldn’t we just go and get caught? The student president said if we climb the wall one more time he’d put walls around our necks.”
“No way. My homeroom teacher said if I’m late one more time she’ll call my mom. Then there’s no tomorrow’s sun for me.”
“Ah shit, I’m scared…”
Quickly finding the conversation’s source, he could spot a female student climbing the wall like a vigorous salmon not far away. A female student wall-climbing for being late and a friend nagging beside her. Feeling strong green lights, Jaewon pressed his back to the wall and quickly approached like a gecko.
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
“Mom! You scared me!”
Skipping unnecessary procedures and speaking up, the female student jumped in fright. Satisfied with the dramatic reaction, Jaewon nodded. She was close to the female protagonist’s ideal with overflowing action but mouse-dropping courage.
Even if not, nothing ventured nothing gained. Connect first, see later.
“W-who?”
“No time for introductions so answer first. I asked if you have a boyfriend.”
“Uh… I don’t? Have one?”
“Then I’ll make you one now so wait.”
“What?”
Speaking reassuringly, Jaewon immediately took action. Returning to where the male student had been, he was still checking around the flower bed.
“Hey student!”
Despite calling quite loudly, he remained silent. Though Jaewon repeatedly raised his voice calling, the male student acted as if he heard nothing.
“Hey handsome kid!”
He tried calling with enhanced specificity but still no reaction. Jaewon was confused. He couldn’t suspect hearing problems since they’d communicated fine earlier. While standing there flustered, the disciplinary committee seemed to have finished punishment and showed signs of movement. Jaewon grew urgent.
“Hey breathtakingly handsome guy!”
“What.”
The consistently ignoring male student finally answered the call. His calm face showed not a shred of shame looking up at heaven. Jaewon briefly lost words at that natural attitude but now wasn’t the time to mind trivial things.
“Looking for this?”
When he held up the bag, the male student’s complexion completely changed. As expected, he seemed to extremely hate people touching his things.
“Give it.”
“Come get it.”
Jaewon smiled shamelessly. Actually his calves were numb from the deadly aura the male student emitted, but he tried not to show it. Shaking the bag provokingly to stimulate him, blue sparks flew from his eyes, and at that moment Jaewon quickly bolted toward the female student.
“Now! Jump down!”
“Huh? What suddenly…”
“Hurry!”
Despite the urgent cry, the female student just looked bewildered on the wall with no intention of coming down. The male student was closely pursuing from behind. Seeing him running like a wolf spotting prey, cold sweat trickled down his back. Cornered, Jaewon yelled desperately.
“If you don’t jump now there’ll be no handsome guys in your life! Forever!”
“What? What kind of harsh words are those? Take it back right now!!”
The female student’s face turned fierce like the Four Heavenly Kings in Buddhist art. Enraged, she took a jumping position saying she’d burst his pancreas, and Jaewon didn’t miss the timing to turn around. The pursuing male student had already approached right to his nose. Just as he was about to grab Jaewon’s collar, Jaewon twisted to dodge and faced him. Grinning at his coldly hardened face, he threw the bag into the air.
3, 2, 1.
As the airborne backpack blocked the sun, vision darkened like a solar eclipse. As the male student threw himself forward, the female student with clenched fists jumped down from the wall. Jaewon watched his meticulously designed picture with sweaty palms.
Docking!
“Kyaah!”
“Ugh!”
Crack! The sound of skulls colliding rang out cheerfully as the pair became one body and rolled. At the death throe-like screams, Jaewon made a sweet expression. The operation was successful. He approached the two with a satisfied smile. They were sprawled on the ground groaning in pain.
“She’s yours now.”
“You crazy bastard, ugh…”
“You fucking…”
When Jaewon offered congratulations, curses burst from both like firecrackers. But they couldn’t even open their eyes properly—the collision’s aftermath seemed considerable. Well, fateful meetings always came with aftereffects. Jaewon finished blessing them and left.
Today’s morning air is especially fresh.
Entering the hallway, Jaewon closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then he choked on a dust ball and coughed. The hallway cleaning seemed terrible. But nothing could ruin his mood. Still smiling, Jaewon entered Class 1’s classroom. With this momentum, he planned to accelerate finding the female protagonist. Though he’d secured a useful informant, field research was the most basic of basics. Though analog, there was no method as certain as running around on foot finding investment targets. Though Bae Jaewon tended to watch and assess situations rather than acting rashly, at this moment having won the lottery and being inside a novel, he saw nothing and had no reservations.
“Attention.”
When Jaewon knocked on the podium speaking solemnly, students’ attention focused.
“I’m looking for someone so let me ask a few things.”
The students looked at each other seeming flustered. From their position, Jaewon was an unfamiliar transfer student—a stranger. Looking at his name tag color he was clearly the same grade, but taking an authoritative attitude rivaling the principal was puzzling. Nevertheless, feeling an aura somehow hard to resist, the students obediently nodded.
“Only girls answer. Guys whose sons aren’t 12cm[8] can answer too.”
The classroom stirred greatly at Jaewon’s words. Soon one male student carefully raised his hand, and Jaewon generously gave him speaking rights.
“Flaccid?”
Jaewon didn’t answer the male student’s question. He just sent a pitying look. As time passed, the male student’s eyes grew teary and he lowered his head deeply. The classroom atmosphere became solemn and fear was created. Pleased with the quiet surroundings, Jaewon spoke with a satisfied expression.
“Raise your hand if you don’t know World Rank Zero here.”
Though it was an ambitiously prepared question, hands shot up in droves. Almost all the female students in the class didn’t know.
Damn. Why are there so many?
A proper female protagonist should be the only one not knowing what everyone else knows. Having failed differentiation, Jaewon grew serious. Looking at the hands raised like bamboo shoots after rain, he changed methods.
“Then hands up if you know this school’s Four Heavenly Kings.”
Quite a few hands went up. Counting, Jaewon smiled satisfactorily.
“Good. You’re out.”
After confidently excluding extras, three remained. After taking down their names, Jaewon left for the next class. After going through four classes like that, the bell rang. Though regretful, he decided to utilize break times and headed to his own class.
Sitting down after getting water from the dispenser, he could see blue sky through the window. Sipping water while watching passing clouds, he wondered how long it had been since such peace. While spending peaceful meditation time, noisy voices came from beside him.
“Hey, hey. Did you hear? Kim Seungbin was just carried away with a concussion!”
“What? How?”
“He fell into a trap.”
“A trap? That Kim Seungbin?”
“Must have been a fucking meticulous bastard. They say he cracked Kim Seungbin’s skull while holding a hostage and threatening?”
“Wow, crazy.”
Several male students were gathered in a circle gossiping. Their expressions were quite serious, seeming to be an important matter. Jaewon looked up searching for Ma Chayoon. With good timing, he’d just entered the classroom and was running toward Jaewon. Repeatedly calling “hyung, hyung” while rushing over breathlessly, it seemed there was big news. Jaewon welcomed him inflated with anticipation.
“Hyung!”
Ma Chayoon seemed to have forgotten yesterday’s disappointment. Jaewon pretended disinterest and sipped more water.
“I heard you told Min Yerin to be your girl?”
“Pfft.”
The water going down his esophagus reversed and sprayed out. Jaewon clutched his nose coughing painfully. Setting aside rumors, the distorted language made his mind hazy.
“When did I, cough, ever…”
“Rumors are spreading that you declared war on Kim Dojun. That you said you’d treat her much better than that bastard so she should come to you. Did you really? Are you in your right mind?”
“No, fuck…”
Jaewon rarely couldn’t continue speaking. This went beyond distortion to slander. Someone must have spread false rumors bearing a grudge against him.
“You must be trusting your face but that’s foolish thinking. No one who’s challenged Kim Dojun has survived. They all became mollusks. A truckload of kids dropped out unable to bear the shock. Though we’ve only known each other two days, I don’t want to lose you hyung. So even now you quickly repent your mistakes and…”
“It’s Kim Dojun!”
Just as Ma Chayoon was starting his engine, someone shouted. Then students flocked to the windows as if on cue. Jaewon squeezed between students stuck like barnacles to look outside. Where everyone’s gazes focused, one male student was leisurely crossing the field.
What moving physicality.
The leg length was eye-opening even from a roller coaster. Not only that. With uniform and bag all worn crooked looking like a drying rack, he was still cool. And what about the walking with no trace of urgency despite arriving right before first period? The gait unique to those at the top of the food chain made spines tingle.
“Didn’t you say he got suspended?”
“He swore on his grandfather’s name and got released quickly.”
“Ooh, as expected…”
Even the corrupt power producing injustice. Jaewon felt his lower abdomen heating up. A talent equipped with alpha male qualities happened to be his deskmate—this was a heaven-sent opportunity. He hurried back to his seat to prepare to receive Kim Dojun. Calming his excited heart, he opened his bag to check the cigarettes he’d bought in advance. Not knowing what he’d like, he’d prepared various types—this should be enough to win favor at first meeting.
“Hi Dojun?”
“Yo~ Kim Dojun~”
When Kim Dojun entered the classroom, greetings poured from all directions. Everyone desperately trying to acknowledge him was completely different from before when they’d ignored whoever came.
“How does it feel to be released?”
“Today’s lunch menu has tofu kimchi, isn’t that appropriate?”
“Don’t overdo it, fuckers.”
The voice batting away classmates’ teasing had a heavy resonance. The voice where adult man and still-growing boy coexisted evoked strange sensations. Feeling the fine hairs in his ears standing on end, Jaewon bit his lip. As footsteps approached, his heart rate increased and he grew tense. The moment he felt the leisurely steps finally stop beside him, Jaewon turned his head.
His development was extraordinary for a high school student. His huge height and broad shoulders already exceeded adult level. Overwhelmed by the physical worthy of anatomy drawing textbooks, Jaewon slowly raised his gaze. Past the solid chest and straight collarbones to the sharply torn eyes. The moment their gazes met, Kim Dojun, who’d been tilting his head crookedly, widened his eyes.
“Ha.”
He let out a laugh as if dumbfounded. Though it was mysterious behavior at first meeting, Jaewon had no thoughts.
“We meet again like this.”
Kim Dojun, who’d been snickering with one corner of his mouth raised, strode closer. Before understanding his words, strong pain struck his jaw and his vision shook greatly.
“How’ve you been?”
The affectionate voice wetly soaked his eardrums. Jaewon squeezed his eyes shut then opened them at the sensation of hair standing on end. The moment he saw the obsidian-black pupils, he felt sucked into the deep sea.
“I thought I’d die from missing you.”
He bared his teeth growling like a beast. Unlike his tone suggesting he was dying of amusement, his expression was utterly murderous.
Later, Jaewon would recall this moment as follows:
That guy was really…
Handsome.