# Chapter 20
Unlike yesterday, it wasn’t that early in the morning, so there were quite a few classmates in the room. I could see they all had interested expressions while pretending not to be listening to us.
It was quite embarrassing—whenever they made eye contact with me, they would hum casually and look elsewhere, which I found even more embarrassing. Just openly watch, why don’t you?
“Anyway, what are we going to do about this!”
As Baek Han was raging, Kwon Dojin waved his hand as if telling him to calm down.
“It’s okay. It’ll be corrected soon. Right, everyone?”
It was clear who he was targeting with those words. I wasn’t the only one who felt that way; those who had been pretending not to listen simultaneously started moving in unison. Some picked up their phones to contact someone, while others moved physically.
“I didn’t know it could be resolved this easily…”
Having inwardly given up, I couldn’t help but express my amazement as things started flowing smoothly with just one pressure-disguised-as-a-question from Kwon Dojin.
“If only our Habin would fall for me as easily.”
I deliberately tried to ignore his murmuring as he subtly stroked my hair, rolling my eyes around. Baek Han, who had been admiring Kwon Dojin’s handling of the situation, inadvertently witnessed this exchange and frowned.
“This is bullshit.”
I quietly agreed with Baek Han’s hushed remark. Then he sat down in the empty seat in front of me, still in a crooked posture. Seeing that made my mouth itch again, but I managed to hold back.
“Aren’t you done with your business?”
“Is that any of your concern?”
“Yes, yes, if you’re going to fight, do it outside the classroom. Got it?”
I tapped Kwon Dojin’s thigh a couple of times, urging him to calm down—they had been getting along reasonably well, so I wondered why he was being so prickly today. Still, it was unexpected that Baek Han hadn’t left immediately after stating his purpose, so I tilted my head slightly.
“It’s nothing much.”
“Nothing much?”
After embarrassedly running his fingers through his hair and hesitating for a while, Baek Han finally spoke.
“If anyone gives you trouble because of yesterday, let me know.”
“Well, I would handle all of that myself, but—”
“Thanks for your concern.”
I covered Kwon Dojin’s mouth before he could start an unnecessary argument and expressed my gratitude. I guess Baek Han was concerned enough to say something unlike him. Baek Han frowned at Kwon Dojin’s behavior but then sighed.
“That twisted bastard.”
Hmm. He’s particularly crooked today.
A person who would usually smile while giving subtle jabs was openly frowning and being grumpy. I didn’t notice anything different when we met on the way to school, so why is he like this?
After waving goodbye to Baek Han, who said he was going back to his classroom rather than continue to bicker, I glanced at Kwon Dojin. He was still sitting with a sullen expression, resting his chin on his hand.
Looking at him, I found it distracting and couldn’t focus on the problems in front of me. I needed to read the problems to solve them, but the letters weren’t registering in my brain, so I couldn’t even get started.
“How about putting those lips away?”
I leaned in from below. Kwon Dojin, seemingly surprised, reflexively leaned back slightly. There was silence for a moment as his eyelids fluttered a couple of times.
“…Really, who’s the fox here?”
I tilted my head at Kwon Dojin’s muttering. Why ask such an obvious question?
“It’s you. Who else could it be besides you?”
“Well, from what I see, there seems to be someone else.”
Maintaining the position of looking up from below was hurting my side. My back hurt too; basically, everything hurt. Realizing once again that I had absolutely no flexibility, I slowly returned to my original position.
As I was massaging my side, which felt like it was about to cramp, Kwon Dojin pressed my cheek firmly with his index finger.
“…What are you doing?”
“Something cute?”
“Shouldn’t you do that to your own cheek?”
Having regained his composure, he just smiled nonchalantly.
“I wanted to see your cute side.”
Kwon Dojin, with his chin on his hand, tilted his head and replied in a casual tone. His utterly nonchalant behavior left me dumbfounded.
“But you’re equally cute whether I do it or not.”
“Kyaa-!”
Though much weaker than a month ago, I heard a scream before I could even react. Hearing that sound made me lose even the strength to respond to Kwon Dojin, and I held my forehead.
Hah… This is really tiring.
* * *
Even though I was in the same class as Kwon Dojin, I couldn’t be with him all day. For instance, when running errands for the teacher, going to the bathroom, or getting water. There’s no need to be with Kwon Dojin for such trivial matters, right?
This essentially means that those times are the perfect opportunity for people looking for my weak spots.
In that sense, I stared blankly at the four people blocking my way. With a perfect gender ratio of 2:2, I waited for those who had “I have something to say to you” written all over their faces to speak first.
To be honest, I had tried to pretend not to notice and walk past them, but they blocked my path each time. I considered turning around and taking a detour back to the classroom, but I felt like I would be grabbed rather than just having my path blocked.
“You’re Lee Habin from Class 1-2, right?”
“Umm… yes.”
Unfortunately, at our school, it’s a rule to have your name embroidered on your uniform, so there was no way to hide it. When I nodded obediently, the expressions of those standing opposite me became even more menacing.
“You’re Lee Habin, the one always sticking to Kwon Dojin-nim, right?”
What’s the reason for asking again so insistently? Moreover, I’m the only person named Lee Habin in our class. Anyway, although I didn’t like the phrasing, I felt I should answer since they asked, so I nodded twice.
“How disgusting.”
“Who do you think you are?”
If they speak so abruptly like that, wouldn’t I be at a loss for words?
They probably came without any intention of having a conversation, right? Still, facing such blatant criticism, I was left speechless. As I just stood there with my lips quivering, they seemed to gain confidence and became triumphant.
‘Ah, this is kind of annoying to watch.’
Until just a moment ago, I was merely taken aback without any particular thoughts, but watching their noses rising higher in the air made me feel twisted inside. Enough to break my determination to stay quiet.
“I don’t know why Dojin-nim is giving attention to someone like you—”
“Why don’t you ask Kwon Dojin directly about that?”
Feeling no need to listen to everything, I cut them off mid-sentence. Though momentarily stunned by the absurdity, the person quickly shouted with a reddened face.
“Who are you to interrupt me!”
“And who are you to block my way?”
“W-What?”
This seemed to be an unexpected situation for them, as they hurriedly exchanged glances with each other. I tilted my head while standing with my weight on one leg, deliberately putting on a refreshing smile.
“Let’s just let this go amicably. We both need to return to our classrooms soon for class, right?”
“…If it weren’t for Dojin-nim, you would have been nothing—!”
As one of them, unable to control their anger, was about to get physical, I gazed at them steadily and spoke.
“That statement, reversed, could also mean that thanks to Kwon Dojin, I am now a very valuable person, right?”
Deliberately mentioning Kwon Dojin made them hesitate and eventually lower their hand. They were the typical strong against the weak, weak against the strong type of people, which wasn’t even funny.
“So who are you to block my way, hm?”
After delivering the final blow, I waited for the blocked path to open. Judging by the way they were biting their lips, their pride seemed to be severely hurt, but I had no need to care about that.
Once I was completely out of that situation, my heart, which had been beating fiercely, gradually returned to its normal rhythm. I didn’t show it, but I was scared to death. I knew they would take advantage if they sensed my fear, so I acted confident, but it was really tough.
“That was quite a temper.”
As I was walking towards the classroom, trying to maintain a poker face while inwardly crying, a familiar voice interjected. When I turned my head, Baek Han was chewing on a straw, holding a familiar apple-flavored drink.
“Hello.”
“Why that expression? That was satisfying to watch.”
Judging from what he said, it seems he was watching, but didn’t help. This heartless bastard.
That kind of retort rose all the way to the tip of my tongue, but thinking rationally, Baek Han had no obligation to help, so I didn’t voice it.
“It’s a bit uncomfortable.”
“What is?”
“Just something.”
I was scared, but also felt uncomfortable. Being 19 years old and having an argument with 17-year-olds. And even riding on Kwon Dojin’s coattails. Of course, to others, I also looked 17, but it pricked my conscience.
Plus, if they had been experienced and cunning, it might have been better, but the more I dealt with them, the more I could see their inexperience, which bothered me even more. I’m definitely not saying they did the right thing, and honestly, I’m more worried about potential future trouble, but still!
“Does this happen often?”
“Hmm? Not that often, I guess?”
“Really?”
It’s because I spend so much time with Kwon Dojin. Baek Han stared at me quietly for a moment, then pulled something out from his pocket and tossed it.
“Can I give this to you?”
“You should eat a lot.”
The item he threw was the same drink he was currently having. I was glad since it was something I liked, but it was clear he had bought it for himself, so I asked out of politeness.
“Then I’ll accept without refusing. Class is about to start, so I’ll go ahead.”
“Yeah, go.”
