When investing in multiple stocks simultaneously, it’s advisable to prioritize those with genuine value. In other words, it was time to focus on Kim Dojun. As long as he was the protagonist, getting some bread wouldn’t be difficult. With that thought, Jaewon pushed open the glass door. The school store was packed with students from the moment classes started. Jaewon scanned the shelves with sharp eyes before asking the lady at the counter.
“What’s the best-selling bread here?”
“There’s no such thing. Everything sells well.”
“But there must be something that sells better than others.”
“Nope. Whatever I stock is gone by afternoon anyway.”
“Come on, there must be sales figures by product.”
“I sell everything well, so I don’t know about that stuff.”
She’s a pro.
Sensing her rock-solid expertise, Jaewon backed off. Standing a step away from the counter, he observed the transaction patterns. Though the volume wasn’t as high as peak hours, he could glimpse the popular items.
“Hmm. Today it’s you.”
Jaewon secured one of the few remaining ‘Turtle Monster’s Bumpy Soboro Bread’ and left the store. As he headed straight back to the classroom, someone called out to him on the stairs.
“Hey, wait a minute.”
Glancing back, he saw a group of male students. They were huddled on the landing, creating an ominous atmosphere.
“Are you Kim Dojun’s bread shuttle?”
“What the hell is this now?”
People naturally get angry when confronted with the truth. Stabbed right in the heart first thing in the morning, Jaewon bristled with aggression.
“I asked if you’re Kim Dojun’s bread shuttle.”
“How old are you to speak informally to me?”
“Can’t you see my name tag? I’m a senior.”
“I’m twenty-three.”
“What bullshit is that? Why would a twenty-three-year-old be in high school?”
“I got held back five years, asshole.”
“Kuh…”
As Jaewon spouted nonsense, the swaggering leader faltered. A student who appeared to be his right-hand man cautiously added:
“This is the rumored King’s Man.”
“Actually, I think he really is a bread shuttle.”
Feeling a pang in his chest, Jaewon quickly blurted out the words. He tried to correct himself hastily, but it was too late. The students’ eyes had turned cold.
“Not content with stealing the fiancé position, now you’re even a bread shuttle… Your greed knows no bounds.”
The leader narrowed his eyes and reproached Jaewon.
“You said you were Dojun’s fan.”
“Hah… Why did I say that?”
“But why aren’t you registered with the association? Your name isn’t on our Samhap Association roster.”
“Sam… what?”
“Samrip Cooperative Union Association. The labor union for bread carriers.”
“Huh. Isn’t it just a bread shuttle gathering?”
Despite the intimidating name, it was a cute organization at its core. Jaewon belatedly examined their faces closely. Most had hazy impressions like soft tofu dissolved in water. They each flaunted various quirks – droopy eyebrows, downturned eyes, thick glasses.
“How dare you act independently? Your liver must be hanging outside your belly.”
A student with prominent front teeth like a rabbit spoke tauntingly. Though a head shorter than Jaewon and more cute than scary, his attitude was quite menacing.
“Dojun hiring a carrier? This has never happened since he enrolled at this school. What trick did you use?”
“Did you capture his heart with that pretty face?”
“Arms that have only held pens. What can you do with those? Can you even carry a bread box properly?”
“Was Kim Dojun the type to fall for design over performance… I never even considered that.”
The group of seven dwarfs surrounded Jaewon threateningly. After synthesizing their comments, Jaewon asked:
“So you’re doing this to me because you want to be Kim Dojun’s bread shuttle?”
“Of course! It’s an opportunity to become Kim Dojun’s closest aide! You can’t say you don’t know what honor and benefits that brings!”
“Some rolling stone from nowhere has taken the glorious position everyone dreams of.”
“To lose Dojun to such a rootless guy… Kugh, I can’t accept it!”
“Hoh.”
Jaewon stroked his chin and let out an exclamation. A culture of voluntary slavery – how interesting.
Medieval serfs had certain protections like family, homes, and land use rights, ensuring they never starved despite poor treatment. That’s why sometimes destitute freemen would put ropes around their necks, place coins on their heads, and offer themselves as serfs to lords.
Similarly, these guys seemed to want to offer themselves to the school’s highest-ranking person and enter under his protection. Indeed, while history moves quickly, human nature remains unchanged. And this bourgeois dreaming proletarian had no interest in serfs.
“Well, good luck with that. Nice to see you living so earnestly. I’m busy, so…”
“Where do you think you’re going?”
As Jaewon bid farewell and tried to leave, the leader blocked his way.
“You’re not moving an inch until you sign a carrier resignation form.”
He spoke gravely while planting his foot against the wall. Jaewon looked at the thick, sturdy leg blocking his path, then suddenly raised his head.
“Oh? Dojun!”
When he exclaimed with delight, the Samhap group collectively craned their necks like meerkats. Jaewon didn’t miss this opening and bolted.
“Catch that bastard!”
“If we catch him, we’ll split him in three!”
“Head, chest, belly!”
Curses flew and a chase ensued. Though the pursuit was quite fierce, Jaewon, who carried a thousand nyang debt with his mouth, was always a prepared sprinter. He easily lost his pursuers and returned to the classroom.
Opening the back door, he spotted Kim Dojun among the bustling students. Positioned in the most feng shui-favorable spot, Kim Dojun radiated his usual distinctive aura. Sunlight poured through the fluttering curtains, illuminating him. His black hair sparkled in the light, contrasting with the pure white curtains.
Was this how Lucifer looked in his heavenly days?
Admiring the mystical interplay of light and shadow like a solar eclipse, Jaewon slowly approached. Kim Dojun sat with straight shoulders in proper posture, reading a book. Jaewon swallowed, feeling his heart pound. Wasn’t a high school student sitting in the back row brazenly flipping through men’s magazines the epitome of classic behavior? His chest swelled with anticipation.
Maxim? Playboy? Penthouse?
But upon closer inspection, it was a textbook. Jaewon’s head spun. Opening and reading the next period’s textbook in advance wasn’t protagonist behavior. He couldn’t contain his anger at such excessively model conduct.
“No, this isn’t right.”
Shaking his head vigorously, Jaewon placed his hand on Dojun’s desk. Dojun stopped turning pages and looked at him like a peddler.
“Your morning greeting is full of personality. Nice to see.”
“Is this the time for you to be leisurely studying?”
When questioned without context, Dojun’s eyes lost focus. After spacing out briefly, he ran his hand through his hair and muttered:
“Ah, you make me go blank every time I see you.”
“You’re studying because you have nothing to do? Wow, unbelievable.”
Engulfed in anger, Jaewon pressed his forehead and let out a bitter laugh. He tried to persuade Dojun with the fervor of a proselytizing religious person.
“Youth never comes back once it passes, and you’re wasting away in this concrete building? Don’t you think your face is too precious for this?”
“Where did you go wrong?”
“You should experience love, see friendships shaken by love! Right?”
“Love?”
Dojun’s frowning expression gradually turned peculiar. Looking like a child suppressing laughter, he leaned back from his chair.
“Well, that’s…”
Dojun slowly leaned forward and suddenly grabbed Jaewon’s wrist. Jaewon jumped in shock and tried to shake him off, but his grip was too strong to budge.
“Perfect timing, since you’re here.”
Fingers brushed up along his skin. It was trivial contact. Yet his body heated up as if struck by flint. Jaewon was greatly flustered. The curse had begun again.
“Now we just need friendship.”
Dojun grinned with a devilish face. Understanding his meaning a beat late, Jaewon’s eyes shook like pudding. Feeling something hot rising from his core, he burst out:
“Why are you really doing this to me?”
“You said you didn’t like me.”
As Dojun tilted his head, his profile was starkly revealed in the sunlight. Seeing his god-sculpted nose bridge clouded Jaewon’s judgment.
Did I say I didn’t like him?
“I tend to like people who don’t like me.”
“Crazy, are you a pervert?”
Jaewon recoiled in horror but was still a fly caught in a Venus flytrap. Dojun leaned close to Jaewon’s struggling face, making the desk rattle, and asked ominously:
“Don’t you understand the situation?”
Right. He didn’t at all, but the atmosphere suggested honesty wasn’t wise, so he stayed quiet.
“How dare you dislike me when I should be the one disliking you, Jaewon. Have you lost your mind?”
Madness glinted in his coal-black eyes like minerals in darkness. Silently meeting that gaze, Jaewon closed his eyes. Indeed, even stepping on the king’s shadow was grounds for execution – he had been foolish.
“Listen carefully, Kim Dojun.”
He stood straight, blowing his bangs up with a “phew.” In the world of males, failure to establish proper hierarchy inevitably caused confusion. He decided to clearly define his relationship with Kim Dojun this opportunity.
“You’re a student…”
Jaewon pointed directly at Dojun and spoke gravely.
“And I’m a bread shuttle.”
He roughly tossed the bread onto the desk and quickly added before Dojun could speak:
“So you just quietly eat the bread I buy for you.”
Jaewon flipped the bag to clearly display the ‘Bumpy’ lettering. Kim Dojun looked down at the bread expressionlessly before chuckling.
“So this is how you’re playing it.”
“Grateful and touched? I know, man.”
“But what I wanted to eat wasn’t this. What should we do?”
As he spoke with regretful lowered eyebrows, the smile vanished from Jaewon’s face.
“No. You wanted soboro today. You came into my dream last night and told me.”
“You dreamed about me?”
“Should I just dunk my face in dishwater?”
Jaewon spoke without breathing, but Kim Dojun ignored him and listened to his stomach, asking:
“Hm? What’s that? You want red bean cream bread?”
“Fucking hell…”
“You heard? Go get it, honey.”
After conversing affectionately with his internal organs, he looked at Jaewon and spoke gruffly. Jaewon silently rubbed his brow before exhaling sharply with a flushed face. He hated all forms of effort, but most of all, he hated wasted effort. Jaewon cockily crossed his legs and placed both hands on the desk.
“No, you little shit. Then what about this?”
He waved the bread in front of Kim Dojun’s face, making rustling sounds, but Dojun just wore an expression full of emotional distance like a passerby watching a fire across the river.
“Obviously you should eat it or sell it.”
“Sell it? Without FDA approval?”
“You can do it. You could sell the Bible to Allah.”
He looked at Jaewon with trusting eyes and patted his shoulder encouragingly.
That sulfur-fried bastard!
Though he’d anticipated this since the unequal treaty was forcibly signed, Jaewon couldn’t contain his anger when it actually played out as expected. For someone who could endure injustice but not disadvantage, it felt like his Achilles’ heel was being severed.
But he’s handsome.
Strangely, looking at Kim Dojun’s face seemed to ease his anger. After all, the virtue required of him wasn’t manners but looks. Jaewon soon regained his composure and spoke calmly.
“Don’t bullshit me, you bastard. The bread’s just an excuse – you’re doing this to fuck with me. Don’t you know that if you play with food, you’ll be reborn as that ingredient in your next life?”
“Would I really try to feed taffy to a taffy seller? I genuinely want to eat it.”
“Are you pregnant? Then I’ll get it for you.”
“No, fuck, really…”
Kim Dojun’s relaxed expression twisted. Jaewon was flustered by the suddenly hostile atmosphere. He’d thought it was a reasonable suggestion, but apparently not to him. As Kim Dojun leaned back from his chair, his upper body muscles moved threateningly. The fabric stretched taut around his shoulders and chest, the seams looking ready to burst.
“The kid wants to eat something and you can’t even buy that?”
“Pardon?”
He suddenly cried out viciously. Hearing dialogue worthy of a couples’ therapy program, Jaewon reflexively felt sorry before snapping back to his senses. All eyes in the classroom were now focused on them, and realizing the situation, Jaewon’s complexion turned white as paper.
“Did I ask for caviar? Did I ask for bird’s nest soup?”
“Oh dear God…”
His vision blurring, Jaewon staggered backward with a haggard face. But Kim Dojun didn’t stop, throwing a tantrum like a female mantis.
“Is it that hard to get one bread from the school store?”
“C-calm down, you fucking bastard.”
“Are you even human?”
“I’ll buy it for you, so please shut that mouth!”
As he performed his emotional acting, Jaewon shouted while breaking out in cold sweat. Kim Dojun easily subdued the charging Jaewon and looked down at him dismissively.
“Should’ve done that from the start.”
He shook Jaewon’s wrists like playing with a toy before tossing them aside. Fluttering like a paper doll under the merciless touch, Jaewon collapsed weakly.
“What are you doing? Hurry up.”
Kim Dojun coldly urged the seated Jaewon, who sat like the Little Mermaid who’d lost her voice. Jaewon stared blankly at him gesturing arrogantly with his chin before staggering up and leaving the classroom. His thoroughly threshed mental state made him stumble, and after just a few steps, he grabbed the wall.
What the hell is happening?
Bae Jaewon was naturally born without much sense of shame. Having no bottom line of “decency,” he used any means necessary for most things, and until now, no one had tried to one-up him. Everyone valued their own dignity.
To him, Kim Dojun was a new species he’d encountered for the first time. When meeting difficult people, one usually avoids them out of disgust or pettiness, but he willingly rolled in the mud with Jaewon, throwing him into panic. Protagonists lived by their pride, yet here he was playing a destructive game of chicken with an extra like himself – it was maddening.
Should I cut losses?
Feeling momentary temptation and conflict, Jaewon soon shook his head. Even trying to doubt Kim Dojun’s qualifications, his face and school status were legitimacy itself.
But this can’t continue.
Jaewon feared disruptions to his plans most. He needed to take action against Kim Dojun, who kept breaking his brush as he painted the big picture. However, he couldn’t think of appropriate countermeasures. It wasn’t that there were no methods – it was Jaewon’s personal issue.
Legendary investor André Kostolany[1] defined ‘investing is a psychological game’ and emphasized that the stock market is mass psychology itself. Therefore, market analysis should fundamentally be based on psychological analysis, analyzing group rather than individual psychology. Jaewon, whose abilities were specialized for economic activity, was skilled at handling groups but significantly lacking in dealing with individual relationships. He’d never formed close relationships with individuals not bound by mutual interests. He was stingy about spending time on things he deemed unproductive.
After contemplating, Jaewon opened his notebook with a determined expression. His swift fingers flipped through pages before stopping at a section listing students’ names. It was his list of female protagonist candidates he’d collected while touring the school. He’d only secured names while pursuing natural, fateful meetings between protagonists, but there was no time for leisure. He had to force a meeting and make him fall into the pit of love.
Having made his decision, Jaewon immediately put his plan into action. He lurked in the hallway and snatched targets like a bear spotting spawning salmon.
“There’s evil in your face, student!”
“What the hell, you crazy person?”
“You’re originally smart and clever but recently distracted and having trouble studying, right?”
“H-how did you know?”
Students always have trouble studying. Jaewon captured the naive student and grabbed the next target.
“Excuse me, do you know where Class 6 is?”
“Huh? This is Class 6.”
“I see. Thanks. But you have really nice eyes. Your spirit must be clear.”
“What are you saying?”
“Could you come share some energy with me? Life’s been hard lately.”
Jaewon diligently extended his tendrils to students. The innocent teenagers had no means to defend themselves against the skilled swindler, allowing smooth collection.
“You look like someone with highly virtuous ancestors. Any national heroes in your family?”
“No.”
“Then you should accumulate virtue. Come on. I’ll give you a special opportunity to do good deeds.”
“??”
Like a dark sorcerer forcibly capturing students, Jaewon led them to an empty lot. He looked around happily at the plain, young-looking female students before speaking.
“Hello. Thanks for coming even though you must be busy.”
“What, after you dragged us here yourself.”
“Why am I here? I don’t remember.”
“Since we don’t have much time, I’ll just briefly explain the main point.”
The students murmured in confusion, but Jaewon continued regardless. His tone was gentle, but his eyes were sharp as a predator’s.
“What does it mean to be a protagonist?”
Bewildered by the sudden question, the students exchanged glances. Jaewon smiled as if expecting this reaction.
“Of course, everyone’s the protagonist of their own life. But being this world’s protagonist is a different story.”
One student listening blankly to Jaewon asked another:
“Is this a pyramid scheme?”
“I don’t know.”
She shook her head with the same expression as her friend. Jaewon gave them no pause and continued.
“I arranged this meeting because I saw potential in you all.”
He clapped his hands and grabbed a box to sit on. Then he crossed his legs, folded his arms, and lifted his chin.
“From now on, we’ll assess that capability. Sing, dance, just talk. Anything’s fine. Just show me who you really are.”
“Why should we do that?”
When a female student asked doubtfully, Jaewon momentarily frowned before smiling like a bronze Buddha statue.
“Of course, the final winner will receive appropriate compensation.”
“What compensation?”
“Chicken.”
Gasps arose from various directions. One female student swallowed and asked:
“H-how many?”
“Two each of seasoned and fried.”
“Waaaah!”
Rough cheers erupted from all sides before the words finished. Jaewon barely calmed the female students who were raving like Viking warriors.
“One thing to understand – I’m not looking for pretty, talented people. Those are a dime a dozen. I’m looking for someone special.”
“Chicken! Chicken! Chicken!”
“Extra radish! Extra radish!”
“Your future life will change depending on how you perform here. Now, shall we begin?”
Finishing his speech, Jaewon raised his eyes sharply and focused all his nerves on his eyeballs. While male protagonists were complete products without flaws, female protagonists required strict selection criteria to assess growth potential. He seriously judged the students radiating various charms.
“Hyeon-seo lacks air when dancing. When moving your body, there needs to be space. Think of it as half air, half movement for easier understanding.”
“Beat, rhythm, soul… That’s totally Kim Dong-hee appearing. Dong-hee’s singing made me reflect on myself. Without a doubt, major league. Congratulations.”
“Gyu-ri’s water-splashing acting was perfect. The moment I got splashed, I understood the feelings of a cheated man. That perfection seems to have tripped you up today. Unfortunately, Gyu-ri, please move to the minor section.”
As Jaewon calmly announced results, joy and sorrow intersected among the students. Those called minor tearfully moved to the sparsely grassed area.
“You all did really well, but there were definitely regrettable points. Don’t be discouraged by being minor now – keep working hard. Now, major students, please come forward.”
When the speech ended, students standing on the lush grass surged forward.
“Congratulations. Every one of you standing here is a brilliantly shining jewel. You were all excellent.”
“Yay!”
“We did it!”
The students cheered at the congratulations. They shouted hurray, hugged each other, and shed tears of joy.
“So about the chicken…”
“But multiple suns cannot exist under the same sky.”
Getting to the point, Jaewon’s eyes flashed sharply. Tension quickly settled on the students’ faces. Only the sound of swallowing could be heard in the silence.
“I don’t have a pre-selected winner in mind. Each has different strengths and weaknesses, making it hard to rank.”
His words were sincere. They were all excellent candidates, making identification difficult. Then only one method remained.
“Could everyone take off their glasses?”
“Ooh! I’m hungry!”
“Just pick already!”
When the final challenge was announced, boos and complaints poured from the students.
“If you don’t like it, say goodbye to the chicken too.”
“I’ve always wanted to take them off.”
Succeeding in his bait-and-switch, Jaewon collected glasses one by one. The glasses hanging on his arm swayed like bananas. When he returned to his spot, intense light was radiating from one side.
Found her.
Jaewon squinted at the brightness and felt certain. It was the prelude announcing the start of the real game.
***
“Do you think you’re pretty?”
“Nah. Just average.”
The female student played it off, but her beauty hidden behind glasses was extraordinary. Jaewon carefully checked the items.
Name: Lee Ga-ryeong. Second-year student at Jonse High School. Appears plain but becomes a different person without glasses – a glass transformer showing the highest compatibility for a female protagonist.
“Do you have a nosy, stylish friend? Someone capable who could transform you in emergencies?”
“Um… Jeong-yeon?”
“Excellent vision… How’s your hearing?”
“It’s not great since I had a fever as a child.”
It couldn’t be more perfect.
Even her physical ability to miss important words was spot-on. Jaewon inwardly rejoiced. After completing various tests with Lee Ga-ryeong including social awareness, interpersonal skills, and physical qualities, he looked lovingly at his last piece.
“Right. That’s enough introductions. Time to taste some chicken.”
“Yay!”
“Any preferred brand?”
“There’s this really delicious chicken place in front of school called Absolute Chicken.”
“Give me the number.”
“But can I eat with my friends? I don’t think I can finish it all alone.”
Jaewon’s eyes widened at the unexpected news. He understood female high school students typically ate four chickens alone, but Lee Ga-ryeong seemed to have a small stomach.
“Then eat with my friends.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Doesn’t matter whose friends they are. As long as they’re friends.”
“What? That’s like saying even cancer cells are life!”
Lee Ga-ryeong spoke incredulously, but Jaewon ignored her. This was the perfect opportunity to show her to the Four Heavenly Kings. He couldn’t miss this golden chance for the protagonists to meet naturally when he was already prepared to play matchmaker.
The technique Jaewon additionally introduced was leverage. The leverage technique, with its dictionary meaning of ‘lever,’ was an investment method that greatly amplified returns by taking out loans – essentially making big money with others’ money.
Archimedes said that with a long enough lever and fulcrum, he could lift the Earth. Having found Lee Ga-ryeong, Jaewon gained confidence to shake this world. It was the start of a seesaw game, lifting and dropping the Four Heavenly Kings’ hearts.
The way to win at seesaw is simple. Bring a heavyweight friend. Jaewon planned to use Lee Ga-ryeong to fully utilize the leverage effect.
“Jonse High School, three seasoned, three fried for delivery. Six chickens that feel like twelve, please. For radish… I have expectations. Don’t disappoint me.”
After ordering chicken, he called Park Gyujin. The call connected before two rings.
“Hello? This is Park Gyujin, always serving with sincerity. For date reservations, press 1; for confession inquiries, press 2; for counseling, press 3; for other matters, say 0. Male callers currently cannot connect, so please hang up and send a brief text…”
“Hey, it’s me.”
Jaewon stuck out his belly and stood with uneven weight distribution like a middle-aged man leaving a gamjatang restaurant. The monotone voice changed.
“Yes, sir! What’s the matter?”
“I’ll introduce you to girls, so come down with your friends.”
“Holy shit… Beautiful youth Bae Jaewon, milky Bae Jaewon! Where are you?”
“Behind the cafeteria where there are lots of flower beds.”
“Flower beds? What flowers do you see?”
Looking around, Jaewon glanced at the most eye-catching flower bed.
“There’s a bunch of purple eyeball-looking things.”
“The flower language of anemone is hopeless love. Please tell the lady with you. I’m coming now.”
Park Gyujin, who had been pouring out words passionately, abruptly hung up. The moment the dial tone stung his eardrum, the bell rang across campus. It was the lunch bell. Feeling the vibrations through the ground, Jaewon looked up at the sky.
The clouds look ominous. I have a bad feeling.
After glaring at the flock of sparrows flying across the sky, he turned at the sweet smell of chicken. The timely arrived delivery person was looking around with boxes in both hands.
“How much?”
“Seventy-two thousand won.”
Jaewon took the boxes and pulled out his wallet. While paying for the chicken, he glanced over the delivery person’s shoulder. A black mass of students was heading toward the cafeteria. Jaewon quickly removed the delivery person’s helmet and pushed his shoulder.
“You look prettier without the helmet.”
“What? Aaaah!”
The delivery person screamed like a death cry as he was swept away by the stampeding students. After confirming they’d disappeared into the cafeteria, Jaewon put the helmet on Lee Ga-ryeong.
“Don’t take this off until I tell you.”
“What? Why?”
“So you don’t make eye contact with the wrong guy.”
“…!”
The flower buds hanging plump in the garden burst open and bloomed. Seeing Lee Ga-ryeong’s reddening face, Jaewon wondered if she was sensitive to heat. After staring at her indifferently, he lowered the helmet visor.
“Boss!”
Jaewon immediately turned at the familiar voice. Park Gyujin and a group of male students were running from afar. Jaewon prepared to welcome the bad dynamite sexy monsters with anticipation. However, his expression increasingly twisted as they approached. The guys Park Gyujin brought were completely different ones.
“What are these guys?”
“You said to bring friends.”
Looking around at his friends, Jaewon couldn’t help but sigh. They resembled kidney beans, enoki mushrooms, ham, and ground meat in order – perfect for making budae jjigae together. It was mysterious how he’d left out all the prime guys and picked only these dregs.
“These are friends? Don’t you want to live your life properly?”
When Jaewon pointed and asked roughly, Park Gyujin made an expression like a lady affronted by a commoner.
“What? Why are you suddenly going crazy?”
“Damn it, why didn’t you bring Kim Dojun?”
“What are you talking about? Have you ever seen a prince take a neighboring country’s prince when rescuing a princess?”
Park Gyujin protested strongly, changing color. It was clearly intentional member selection. Jaewon felt dizzy and staggered.
Miscalculation.
It was a tragedy from not considering his self-interest. While Jaewon held his head in agony, Gyujin cleared his throat and asked in a low voice:
“Where is the lady?”
“Six chickens. All hens.”
Jaewon spoke coldly like a loan shark throwing money bags. Gyujin looked around with an uncomprehending expression, discovered the six chicken boxes, and his eyes bulged.
“You crazy $)@&%@)”
A medley of profanity entered one of Jaewon’s ears and exited the other. With an indifferent face, he opened his notebook. The flipping pages stopped at a chapter with a red bookmark.
Major Appearance Locations (On Campus): Rooftop, Music Room, Art Room, Nurse’s Office, Gym Storage, Empty Classroom, Recycling Area
There were many places for the protagonist to sprawl, but time was limited. After contemplating, Jaewon decided to use the fairest method.
“Coca-Cola is delicious. If it’s good, have more. Ding dong deng dong, Dr. Know-It-All, try to guess…”
After the short melody ended, his busily moving fingers stopped. The final selected location was the rooftop. He put away his notebook and prepared to move.
“Absolute Chicken class is insane. It melts in your mouth.”
“Gyujin! Aren’t you eating?”
“Ah, let go, I said let go. How dare you toy with a man’s pure heart?”
“What’s that guy doing alone?”
It was noisy behind him. Though no one was holding him, Park Gyujin kept shouting to let go with a fierce expression. Jaewon shook his head strangely at him and approached Lee Ga-ryeong.
“I need to bring someone, so eat the chicken. Don’t make eye contact with those guys. Ignore them even if they talk to you.”
Jaewon earnestly instructed her while removing the helmet. When her glasses came off and light leaked out, he quickly put it back on.
“Never take off your glasses.”
“Why?”
“It’s dangerous because you’re too pretty without them.”
“What?”
Of course, all of Park Gyujin’s friends had safe appearances. But considering Korean women’s ability to find edible parts even in sprouted potatoes, he couldn’t let his guard down.
“And only eat the chicken legs. You’re precious.”
“…!”
He wanted to give her even half a bean more. Jaewon patted Ga-ryeong’s reddened shoulders and hurried away. Running at full speed, he arrived at the rooftop in the blink of an eye.
Opening the door, a piercingly blue sky spread before him. In one corner of the rooftop lay a long silhouette. Kim Dojun, asleep with his uniform disheveled, looked like a painting. A thrill crawled up his spine at the sight of the defenseless sleeping beast. After momentarily losing himself, Jaewon shook his head vigorously to regain his senses and crept toward Dojun, carefully waving his hand near his eyes. There was no response – he must have been deeply asleep. His relaxed gaze lingered near the eyes.
There’s a mole.
There was a mole under his eye. It was a spot better suited for tears. The beauty mark on his flawlessly sculpted face was both unexpected and perfectly fitting. Unable to take his eyes off Dojun’s face, he reached out as if entranced.
“…Huk.”
At that moment, a strong, fierce hand grabbed his throat. Swallowing hard and widening his eyes, he met Kim Dojun’s gaze head-on.
“…”
An icy silence flowed. Soon the sharp eyes softened and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. The hand gripping his throat relaxed and wrapped around the back of his neck. The languid movement sent chills through him, making Jaewon involuntarily shudder.
“What are you sneaking a look at?”
The gentle but firm pulling made his body topple forward. The distance closed instantly. They were close enough to kiss if things went wrong. His arms trembled as he struggled to hold himself up.
“Just looking openly.”
Dojun spoke casually and tilted his chin. His even, dark eyebrows appeared beneath scattered hair. His confident expression was captivating. The relaxed eyes, white uniform, and bronze skin gleaming in the sunlight dizzied his vision. Jaewon swallowed hard, feeling his heartbeat quicken.
“If I look twice… I think I’ll die.”
“Such exaggeration.”
He scoffed, but Jaewon was serious. Whenever he faced Dojun, red alerts went off in his head. Like prey encountering an apex predator feeling a survival threat, his brainwaves and vital signs went beyond normal ranges.
“I told you to buy bread but you’re stealing glances at sleeping people’s faces.”
“…”
“Like a rat.”
Jaewon felt something wrong with his body and tried to slowly back away, but his captured body wouldn’t budge. Dojun looked languid like a black panther stretched out in the sun, but he didn’t miss a single movement of his prey.
He stared at Jaewon without blinking. It was an obsessive gaze as if trying to tear apart his features. His bangs fluttered in the breeze, and quiet breathing tickled his ears. Driven by anxiety that felt like his spleen was burning, Jaewon swallowed.
“Now, that’s enough looking…”
Unable to bear the gaze and stammering, Kim Dojun suddenly sat up. Jaewon fell backward trying to avoid him.
“Ugh.”
He hit his bottom and head against the wall simultaneously. While groaning and holding his throbbing head, a shadow fell over him.
“Like a rabbit.”
He was already sitting down, looking at Jaewon. His eyes blinked slowly, his head tilted at an angle.
“The way you tremble.”
Dojun mocked him in a bland tone. He had the expression of looking at a strange creature. The poker face was eerie. Feeling discomfort from that appearance, Jaewon narrowed his eyes. Kim Dojun, clearly a high school student, would act his age one moment then give off a subtle atmosphere the next. Despite his face still retaining boyish charm, his pitch-black eyes held a worn light. His face that knew power created a strange dissonance that seemed better suited for suits than school uniforms. This unpredictable appearance confused Jaewon’s mind.
Am I misunderstanding something?
For the first time, Jaewon doubted the genre. Kim Dojun seemed too mature to be a character in a story where the top fighter and top looker compete over one girl. Variables existed everywhere. The world he inhabited could be a mystery thriller featuring a righteous high school detective and a handsome psychopath. Thinking this way, his hair stood on end and everything he noticed began to bother him. While examining Dojun with a suspicious expression, Jaewon suddenly discovered something peculiar about him.
“…What’s this scar?”
Dojun’s arm had a long scar running from wrist to elbow. It must have been old as the faint mark was only visible upon close inspection, but it had too much presence to ignore once noticed. At Jaewon’s question, Dojun glanced down at his inner arm and answered nonchalantly.
“Got it from circuit racing. It won’t go away.”
“When?”
“When I was twenty-four, I think.”
“Huh?”
At the emotionless tone, Jaewon unconsciously nodded before reacting a beat late. Even at his blatantly bewildered reaction, Dojun didn’t bat an eye. Watching him blink calmly as if stating facts, Jaewon fell into confusion. He couldn’t just dismiss it as nonsense – setting aside his significantly larger build than peers, his muscled physique had a well-honed feel that seemed awkward for a still-growing student. Anyway, unable to gauge whether it was a joke or meaningful words that he’d failed to catch onto as usual, Jaewon held his breath for now.
“Why are you here?”
The familiar voice woke Jaewon from his contemplation. He was now watching with his chin in his hand. Even trying to avoid his eyes, nothing else was visible behind that killer whale-sized body. Being alone with him like this gave a confusing feeling of why am I here.
“To see my face. You know that.”
Jaewon made a disgusted expression. Though he hadn’t opened his mouth, the guy was beating drums all around. The way he even nodded his head with a beneficent attitude was something to see.
“Is that all?”
The voice, unclear who it was asking, was low but the temperature had dropped further. Soon silence settled. The wind pooled on the rooftop swept away nervously with a whoosh, cutting through the space.
Kim Dojun’s expression was emotionless but peculiar colors swirled in his eyes. Jaewon recognized that the guy wanted a specific answer from him, and he didn’t even know the keywords. What dwelt in the straight-thrown gaze was suspicion. Jaewon thought he looked like a puma baring fangs and threatening. This would ruin everything.
“Relax your eyes a bit. What are you, Medusa? You’re scaring me to death.”
Jaewon tapped Dojun’s furrowed brow with his finger. His black pupils dilated as if witnessing something bizarre. Well, no one had dared lay hands on the royal visage before.
“You seem to think my dropping in front of you is some disaster, but I’m someone who appeared to make you happy.”
He decided to throw out a piece of truth to break down Kim Dojun’s wariness. Already being as careful as possible not to affect the story flow, Dojun’s hostile attitude increasingly restricted his actions. Above all, he had to somehow eliminate his negative interest.
Whether listening or not, Dojun asked while maintaining a calm expression without change:
“Are you proposing?”
“Ah, I think my blood sugar’s dropping…”
Jaewon covered his face and collapsed in frustration.
“How will you do it?”
“Do what, you bastard?”
“How will you make me happy?”
Lifting his head wearily at the repeated interrogation, Dojun was looking down expressionlessly. The atmosphere was unexpectedly serious, so Jaewon had to answer.
“What’s so special about happiness? Living as you want while being lovey-dovey with someone you like.”
“What are you saying? You don’t think that way.”
How did he know?
It was sharp insight. Jaewon raised his voice to hide his discomfort at being caught.
“You must not know because you’re still young, but happiness isn’t far away. It’s fucking far away. If you think too grandly, you’ll spend your life chasing bluebirds. You need to know how to be happy in daily life.”
China’s richest man said the best thing is to first set achievable small goals. For instance, ‘I’ll first earn 10 billion.’
“I only have one wish.”
He spoke sadly but firmly like a widower with a growing child.
“For you to live happily for a long time.”
So I can go back quickly.
Jaewon smiled wistfully while hiding his dark intentions. Then he shut his mouth to leave an impression.
“…”
Kim Dojun still said nothing. He just silently observed Jaewon like a frozen screen.
“Really.”
Finally, he spoke.
“…You make me lose my mind.”
Despite his words, there was no disturbance in his expression. The sight of only his lips moving on an expressionless face was bizarre. But the menacing energy had considerably softened. Watching carefully and seeing a positive response, Jaewon quickly changed tactics.
“So about that… Haven’t you bumped into any transfer students recently?”
When he revealed his scheme, the taut tension snapped. Dojun leaned back lazily, propping himself with his hands behind him.
“I have.”
“What? When! With whom!”
“Right now.”
“No, fucking hell… You know what I mean. A girl, a girl.”
“A girl? They bump into me every day, how could I remember them all?”
Making a statement that would make passing dogs grab their necks, Dojun didn’t hide his annoyed expression. Jaewon recalled how handkerchiefs dropped from all directions when he moved, girls who were walking fine would fall, and various drinks would scatter in the air. There was a reason such words didn’t sound irritating.
“Think carefully. Someone who looks ordinary at first glance but is pretty up close, naive but strong, plain but keeps catching your eye though she doesn’t know it herself…”
“Sounds like someone’s opposite.”
Dojun cut him off. Despite his indifferent tone, he looked interested. Jaewon, who had been enthusiastically describing his partner, deflated and hung his head. Acting so carefree and joking around, he clearly hadn’t met his destined one yet.
“Forget it… Just make sure to tell me when you meet her.”
“Why?”
“Because you don’t know how to be happy.”
So it was his mission to help him not wander. As Jaewon reaffirmed his resolve and looked up, Dojun was staring with a subtly hardened expression.
“You…”
The moment he opened his mouth, the bell rang. It was the sound announcing the end of the last class. Jaewon glanced at his watch and got up without hesitation.
“Get up. Let’s go.”
Dojun didn’t move. He just looked up at Jaewon.
“What. Why. School’s over. Didn’t you hear the bell? Since it rang, you should properly go home.”
“That doesn’t sound like something someone who rolled around here with me until the bell rang should say.”
“Life’s too short to waste youth in this cement building preparing for college entrance exams.”
“Delinquent.”
“If you know, follow my example.”
When Jaewon snapped back, Dojun seemed at a loss for words and let out a laugh instead. Jaewon smiled triumphantly at him.
“Just follow me. I have someone to show you.”
But he’d left the cat with the yellowtail for too long. Jaewon returned with Dojun to where they’d come from, but everyone had disappeared without a trace. Only chicken remains proved humans had once been there. He called Lee Ga-ryeong but she didn’t answer.
“…Give me Park Gyujin’s number.”
Though he’d talked to Park Gyujin just minutes ago, he’d deleted the number in anger after seeing the friends he brought, leaving no way to contact him.
“Why?”
“I have something urgent to tell that bastard.”
“Empty-handed?”
“This guy’s trying to trade public goods.”
Jaewon made various faces then grabbed a passing female student and asked for Park Gyujin’s phone number. She gladly complied, and soon Gyujin’s number was obtained. He called immediately but the connection was cut before a few rings. When his call was rejected a third time, Jaewon trembled like tofu hit by a spoon.
“I expected this but it really pisses me off when it happens.”
“Was what you wanted to show a person or flowers?”
While holding his nose bridge to suppress rising anger, Kim Dojun needled from beside him. With hands in his pockets, he examined the grotesquely large flowers. Looking around, lush garden plants surrounded them.
“Romantic.”
With nothing to say to the blatant mockery, Jaewon rarely felt ashamed and clamped his mouth shut.
“Here.”
Dojun held out the bag he was carrying. Jaewon looked back and forth between him and the bag before speaking suspiciously.
“What is it?”
“Carry it.”
“Me? Why?”
Jaewon asked like a finch, but the bag was already around his neck. He followed behind Dojun, dragging his feet like a prisoner wearing shackles. They headed to the parking lot, and while passing between vehicles, Jaewon didn’t stop talking.
“How can you make talent like me do this? What’s the difference between you and that unit commander who told a pianist to move pianos? Don’t you know what a delicate and complex functioning human I am? This is a national loss.”
“…”
“You’d be nothing without that face. Just a home printer that only prints school newsletters.[2]“
As he grumbled with a puffed face like a blowfish, Dojun looked at him while lifting a helmet.
“So fucking handsome.”
Regardless, Jaewon stuck his lip out five feet and complained. Dojun stared at him before muttering:
“Are you picking a fight or flirting?”
“I’m saying let’s fight.”
Jaewon quickly answered and took a guard stance. Dojun didn’t even pretend to listen and gestured with his chin.
“What are you doing? Get on.”
“Me?”
Jaewon pointed at himself and asked in a dazed voice. Only then did he notice Dojun straddling something. A huge black bike like a dark horse gleamed in the sunlight. The thing that would cost a fortune just to brush against would create Moses’ miracle on the road. Blinking, Jaewon calmly explained his values with an “ah.”
“Ah, I don’t ride two-wheelers. There’s an old saying that if you hate your husband, buy him a motorcycle…”
“Jaewon.”
The leisurely voice cut him off. Dojun glared at Jaewon and tilted his posture crookedly. The protruding chest muscles under his t-shirt were somewhat threatening.
“Let’s get on while I’m asking nicely.”
“Yes.”
Jaewon quickly folded his beliefs and climbed onto the back of the bike. He wiggled his bottom on the seat and pressed close to the driver as much as possible. When he tightly hugged Dojun’s waist and pressed his cheek against his back, the area near his lats twitched minutely. Bothered by something, Dojun turned around with an uncomfortable expression.
“You’re being really clingy.”
“What. If I shyly hold just your clothes and get in an accident, will you take responsibility?”
When Jaewon challengingly lifted his chin, his brow furrowed.
“Why don’t you ever shut your mouth?”
“Do you have insurance? How much do you pay monthly? Life insurance all seems similar but absolutely… Uwak.”
He was checking Dojun’s insurance status due to sudden worry, but the bike started before the question ended. With a loud engine sound, the recoil shook his body, and Jaewon clung to Dojun while babbling.
His vision spun like a kaleidoscope, cold wind scratched his cheeks. The scenery passing at incomparable speed to usual mixed like paint. The sharp sense of speed felt raw on his defenseless exposed body without protective gear. Enduring the thrilling sensation tingling his skin, Jaewon felt primal fear. Unable to breathe properly and frozen, when the bike drifted at a corner, he panicked and clung to Dojun.
“W-wait. Too fast… Huk.”
“Too fast?”
“Ah, a bit gentler…!”
“Gentler?”
“Aaah. I feel like I’m dying, so please go slower…”
“Hey, I’m already going easy on you.”
Though he pleaded with a dying voice, the merciless driver just parroted back without reducing speed at all.
I’ve climbed onto Satan’s palm.
Jaewon felt bitter realizing he was like a hamster in an elementary schooler’s grip. He just waited for this moment to end quickly while being played with as Dojun pleased.
When conversation ceased and voices quieted, the bike stopped with a screech. The momentum threw his body forward, leaving Jaewon messily clinging to Dojun. But he had no energy to feel ashamed and just gasped for breath. Only when the back he was pressing his cheek against became damp with breath did Jaewon come to his senses and lift his head. Dojun was looking down at him with legs stretched long to touch the ground.
“You’re somewhat bearable when you shut your mouth.”
He spoke while admiring the wrecked Jaewon. His face wore a smile that could be mockery or cynicism, oozing satisfaction. Just as he felt the unusually dark eye color had deepened, sharp brake sounds scratched his ears.
“Oh, oh…?”
The bike shook wildly as it reversed with brakes engaged. The wheels spinning in place flung gravel with a kagagak sound. Jaewon, who had barely collected himself, buried his nose in Dojun’s back again.
“Aaah, ugh, you crazy…!”
As if proving this was going easy, Dojun performed all sorts of stunts with the bike. He drove zigzag, tilting wildly side to side, spinning in place. The moment gravel flung by the wheels hit his legs, Jaewon’s back went cold. When he alternately lifted the front and rear wheels, he almost fainted. More terrible thrills than any amusement ride struck his whole body.
“Waaah! Huak! Let me off, I said let me off! Do circus tricks with your dad, you bastard!”
Though the panicked Jaewon screamed, Dojun seemed not to hear at all. His face held cruel enjoyment like a devil finding a toy.
“Ah, ugh, uugh. Ah, it hurts…”
The angry screams soon turned to groans. Jaewon, who had been squawking energetically, lost strength and paled as the rough driving continued. His body shook violently and his bottom throbbed from mercilessly hitting the hard seat.
“Haah, s-stop…”
After struggling not to fall off the wildly bucking bike, he finally exploded.
“Stop it… Stop, you crazy bastard! Are you trying to kill someone?”
“Stop what?”
Ice cream dropped to the ground with a plop. The bike had already arrived at the main gate, and the area was bustling with students going home. They all stopped what they were doing and stared at Jaewon with eyes round as saucers. But the person in question saw nothing, barking like a Chihuahua with rolled-back eyes.
“Such exaggeration. You won’t die from that.”
“Exaggeration? Did you just say exaggeration?”
Dojun, who had brazenly parked his bike in front of the school gate, watched the hopping Jaewon. His expression leisurely sprawled over the handlebars was provocative. Jaewon, who felt like he’d come back from death, had veins bulging in his neck.
“It was my first time with yours! It was frighteningly scary and painful!”
“Oh my.”
“Wow.”
Jaewon pointed at the bike, but his vigorously extended finger included the driver’s solid lower body in that direction. Surrounding students gasped and covered their mouths.
“Just because you’re strong? Huh? Just stupidly big!”
“Dojun is strong and stupidly big.”
“Oh my goodness.”
“Ooh, as expected…”
“A friend who’s the same inside and out.”
Jaewon’s remarks were always meant to console his pathetic manhood that withered before Kim Dojun’s superior body and strength, but words are interpreted by the listener. Female students blushed and whispered among themselves, while male students looked at Dojun with endlessly admiring gazes.
“If I get on that again!”
“The transfer student got on first, it seems.”
“I thought so.”
“Cheeky as he looks.”
When Jaewon shouted loudly while pointing at the saddle hidden by Dojun’s thigh, the murmuring grew louder. The spectators watched the rare scene with sweaty palms.
“I’m a dog!”
“He’ll bark soon.”
“Tsk. Weak promise, how boring.”
“All sex appeal but no spirit.”
Sighs of disappointment flowed from the audience. Jaewon, who was turning away huffing, was startled.
“What, what. When…”
He was flustered seeing the black crowd gathered.
“Why are your eyes like that?”
Looking around, Jaewon suddenly noticed dozens of pairs of eyes holding the same light. It was similar to middle-aged people gossiping ‘They did it, they did!’ just seeing two bachelors standing together.
“What. Why did you drop your ice cream?”
The questioned student averted their eyes. The food traces scattered on the ground, clearly dropped while eating, amplified his anxiety. As the female students’ faces reddened, Jaewon’s face lost color. He began shaking his head with trembling pupils.
“Don’t blush. It’s not that. Those thoughts aren’t right. Whatever’s in those heads, it’s absolutely not!”
Though he explained passionately, it was useless. The misunderstanding had already snowballed enough to build a snowman. Jaewon broke out in cold sweat before turning to Dojun.
Still sprawled over the handlebars, he was watching the situation with an intrigued expression. It was the face of a boy watching a lover’s quarrel. His fiercely upturned eyes held rare friendliness.
This gossipmonger!
The angry Jaewon slapped Dojun’s arm with smacking sounds.
“Won’t you do something about that out-of-body experience face? Huh? Is this someone else’s business? I’m losing my temper!”
“Ah, ah. Now he’s hitting people.”
“Hey, you say something too. Quickly! They’re thinking weird things!”
“Say.”
“Aaaah! Aaah!”
But as always, the desperate measure didn’t work. Kim Dojun was consistently uncooperative, and just as Jaewon was crying out in a life-or-death crisis:
“Oppa!”
A clear voice called Jaewon and Lee Ga-ryeong popped out from the crowd. The joy was brief as Park Gyujin followed behind her like goldfish poop[3]. Jaewon glared at him coldly. Of course, Park Gyujin was also quality stock included in the ‘Nifty Five,’ but he was just there for backup. To make moves on the female protagonist before the main stock Kim Dojun was unacceptable. What ‘siri’ nonsense.
“From today, you’re Soon-siri[4].”
After the demotion, he spoke to Ga-ryeong with forced kindness.
“Why didn’t you answer your phone? I was worried.”
“Oh, so it was you who called. Gyujin and I had a bet about not answering phones. Whoever answers first has to carry bags.”
“Is that so? What a way to come up with things.”
“But Gyujin’s finger slipped and he answered. It was so funny.”
Looking away from the brightly chattering Ga-ryeong to Park Gyujin, another bag hung on his shoulder as expected. When their eyes met, Gyujin winked smoothly. Seeing that slick face, Jaewon struggled with anger management.
“Oh, the chicken was delicious. Thank you.”
“Good. Did you eat lots of legs?”
“Yes. Gyujin gave me all the legs and wings so I only ate those. And he even deboned the chicken for me, took such good care…”
Trailing off shyly, she looked up at Park Gyujin with a blush. A strange current flowed between them as they made eye contact. Noticing this, Jaewon threw cold water with a bucket.
“So the bear does the tricks and the Chinese takes the money.”
“What?”
“Separate, you two. Don’t you know boys and girls should sit apart from age seven?”
Forcefully intervening and waving his limbs, the two separated with puzzled expressions. Ga-ryeong hesitated before asking Gyujin:
“What did oppa say? I didn’t hear just now.”
“He says whether male or female, it’s good to own real estate at age seven.”
“I see.”
Jaewon lost both words and energy simultaneously. Then seeing the two cozily whispering again, his anger flared.
“Are you happy scoring points with chicken someone else bought? You shameless bastard.”
“But I have a bell.”
Gyujin took out his phone and personally played the bell sound. Listening to Schubert’s ‘Trout,’ Jaewon felt the urge to crack Gyujin’s skull with a xylophone.
“Carrying bags? That’s all you could think of? Such one-dimensional flirting.”
When Jaewon changed tactics and sneered mockingly, Gyujin looked bewildered.
“Were you hitting on Dojun?”
At the absurd question, a considerable population focused on Jaewon’s chest. Kim Dojun’s bag still hung around his neck, and the celebrity’s belongings were as recognizable as their owner.
“That’s Dojun’s bag.”
“I-it’s not like that.”
Jaewon weakly denied it, but only cold stares returned. He tried to quickly remove the bag but his panicked body malfunctioned. After struggling, his steps tangled and he flopped forward.
“When did you hate Dojun, and now you’re hitting on him? Wow. Trash. This isn’t even player behavior, it’s salt farm slave mentality.”
“I said it’s not!”
Taking an unexpected counterattack while down, damage continuously came in. He’d ended up unable to collect his bones after carelessly messing around.
“I, he told me to carry it…”
“Really pathetic, hyung. Better not to say anything.”
Though it was clearly the truth, it became pitiful when spoken aloud. Park Gyujin looked at him sympathetically and stopped him as he complained like a kindergartener tattling to the teacher while pointing at Kim Dojun. He’d heard “don’t speak” countless times in life, but this was his first time feeling such humiliation.
The spectators watched Jaewon floundering on the ground, including Lee Ga-ryeong.
This wasn’t it. The highlight’s direction was completely wrong. She should be getting attention, not him. With the situation only getting more tangled, Jaewon felt like crying.
“I’d like to watch more because it’s fun, but I can’t.”
Then a heavy voice split the crowd. Despite being a low murmur close to talking to himself, the chatter stopped and attention focused. A strong grip grabbed his arm and his whole body was lifted.
“The kid’s going to cry.”
Between moistened eyelids, sunlight sparkled and an annoyingly handsome face appeared. Dojun with a faint smile on his lips (though closer to mockery) shone like a savior.
After standing him up as easily as lifting an object, Dojun brushed off his hands and knees. As fine gravel fell from his palms under the careful touch, Jaewon finally recognized the pain. Feeling like a child left in adult hands, his ears burned. Dojun removed the bag from the somehow speechless Jaewon’s neck and slung it over one shoulder.
“I did tell him to carry it.”
“You?”
“It’s fun.”
“Fun…!”
Gyujin looked shocked. As if seeing a priest committing deviation, Jaewon felt wronged by the reaction.
“But it wouldn’t be fun if someone else made him do it.”
Dojun added while looking around at the crowd. The vaguely targeted words sounded light but carried considerable weight from his unique presence. It was closer to restraining those far below than threatening peers.
At that moment, feeling an inexplicable sense of incongruity, Jaewon stiffened and looked up at Dojun. Their eyes soon met. The leisurely gaze and experienced face seemed seasoned, and just as he thought this, Dojun grabbed his wrist and started heading somewhere.
“Where… where are we going?”
“Where shall we go?”
Still feeling strangely excited by Dojun who only asked back. No, he’d been strange from before.
Something was changing. He’d missed the moment of germination. Anxiety crawled up his skin.
In the rapidly changing view, Gyujin and Ga-ryeong staring blankly passed by. A lightbulb dinged in his head and Jaewon urgently called out to Dojun.
“W-wait a minute.”
He didn’t stop walking as if he hadn’t heard. His legs were so long that even just walking had large strides that were hard to follow. Dragged along helplessly, Jaewon dug in his heels and resisted. He looked like a bratty kid throwing a tantrum. Only then did Dojun turn around. Soon cracks appeared in his calm face as he bit his lip and raised the corner of his mouth. He must have been about to sneeze. Taking that opportunity, Jaewon beckoned Lee Ga-ryeong over.
“You two say hello.”
“What hello?”
“I said greet each other.”
“Suddenly?”
“Just do it anyway.”
When he insisted unreasonably, Dojun exhaled shortly and turned toward Ga-ryeong. The two faced each other.
It was a historic moment. Jaewon harbored lofty dreams and adjusted his bearing. Straightening his back formally, he extended his hand with an elegant gesture.
“This is Lee Ga-ryeong from Class 7…”
“When did you exchange names?”
The prickly voice shattered his plans. The smile had disappeared from his sharp eyes. Jaewon deliberately ignored it and continued.
“And this is…”
“Kim Dojun from Class 3. Right?”
“You know well.”
“Who doesn’t know you?”
When Ga-ryeong frowned and laughed as if it was ridiculous, Dojun responded with a nod as greeting.
Thus the conversation ended. It was a clean, simple conclusion without excess.
This isn’t it?
“Nothing more to say? That’s all?”
“What? Um… well…”
Though Jaewon urged urgently, Ga-ryeong hesitated. Rolling her eyes side to side and tapping her chin, she truly seemed to have nothing more to say.
“Y-you?”
Anxious, he turned the arrow to Dojun. Having already looked away from Ga-ryeong, he looked at Jaewon.
“What?”
“Don’t you feel something? Pathetic or ridiculous or somehow impressive feeling!”
“I think I’m feeling it now.”
“Aaah!”
Jaewon screamed and pulled his hair. Ga-ryeong, who had been watching while eating snacks someone shared, asked:
“Are you going home with Dojun, oppa?”
“No?”
“Yes.”
The two answered simultaneously with conflicting words. Jaewon and Dojun’s heads turned and their gazes tangled. Both looked dumbfounded.
“Why would I go with you?”
“Why not?”
Sunlight shattered above Dojun’s head as he asked bluntly. His eyelashes reflecting light sparkled like fish scales. He’d never seen those dark eyes contain so many colors. Jaewon unconsciously asked himself:
Why not?
He was genuinely flustered. Throughout Bae Jaewon’s life, his words and even thoughts had never been blocked. His excellent brain always produced optimal answers, and words jumped out before his brain’s permission. There had never been a problem with such mechanisms. Body and mind moved according to brain commands, and hormones were calm under the pituitary gland’s direction. But turmoil arose. The body began questioning headquarters’ judgment.
Jaewon liked most things about himself, but balance topped the list. The state where emotion and reason’s seesaw achieved parallel brought peace. But the seesaw tilted. Cracks began in the solid system.
Dojun stared fixedly at the motionless Jaewon as if broken. The hair on his neck stood up. He usually made that expression before committing all evils.
And ominous premonitions always came true.
“You said you’d make me happy.”
“What?”
“Was it a lie?”
Dojun asked while shaking his eyes innocently. While dazed by that appealing first strike, exclamations burst from various places.
“Oh my…”
“Like human scum…”
Students murmured in shock. Ga-ryeong also covered her mouth in surprise. The knocked-down Jaewon finally snapped back to his senses.
“No, that’s, not me, not me.”
He writhed like a salt-hit slug[5] before finally exploding.
“That’s not what I meant!”
“Why not?”
Dojun, leisurely catching his words, suddenly turned his head. His tightly closed mouth twitched and his eyes crinkled. Jaewon, suspiciously examining his complexion, widened his eyes. It was an expression of holding back laughter.
“Hey, this bastard’s acting right now. Don’t be fooled. Look carefully. He’s laughing! His lips are like, huh? Vibrating!”
“Vibrating…!”
“Vibrating…!”
Students blushed at the provocative language. Jaewon’s face also turned red like a drunkard’s as he desperately explained. He put his hands on his hips and started pointing fingers.
“I’m going crazy. Are you happy living like this?”
“Baby, let’s go.”
Dojun draped his arm over Jaewon and spoke cheerfully. Jaewon naturally didn’t tolerate it.
“What bullshit? I never had a dad like you!”
He looked lovingly at the raging Jaewon before slowly lowering his head. Vision was blocked and a sharp perfume scent hit his nose. It was a harsh, delicate scent reminiscent of winter. Jaewon felt his vocal cords close. The mature body scent unexpected from a student stopped his judgment. The hair near his ears stood at the low breath. Neat lips parted and a low voice whispered sweetly.
“Kiddo.”