Chapter 3
After a month of accepting reality through various ups and downs, I was fitted for the uniform of the high school I would be attending after graduating from a middle school I had no memory of ever going to.
Naturally, since I had no clue what my high school was even called, I vaguely asked my parents, which resulted in being treated like a sick person for a while. My sister relentlessly teasing me about having early-onset dementia while my parents hung their worries on me was just a bonus.
“At least it’s not a commercial or technical high school.”
Thank god. Really, truly thank god.
I remember that the main characters in web novels were often set as commercial high school students. And rivals were frequently set as technical high school students.
I didn’t know why web novels made commercial and technical high schools—which had zero interest in each other in reality—into relationships where they were desperate to kill each other, but that’s just how it was.
Continuously muttering while hugging my freshly fitted, warm uniform must have made me look completely insane, because Yumin, who had an ice cream in her mouth despite it being the dead of winter, shook her head.
“I’m telling you, he really has lost it.”
“Yumin, watch your language!”
Ignoring the familiar voice, I decided to look up information about my high school since things had come to this. While dimension-traveling, all the elementary, middle, and high schools I’d known had mysteriously changed completely.
With an array of schools I’d never heard of before, I knew nothing about the high school I was about to enter.
To be honest, I’d considered being locked up in a boarding school that focused only on studying, but knowing I wouldn’t be able to stand the suffocation for long, I left it as just a thought. People should know their limits, right?
“Oh.”
When I typed in the high school name, naturally, the first thing that came up was the school website. Since this wouldn’t help with gathering information, I gracefully skipped it and scrolled down.
‘A high school with good academics?’
Most high schools in this area are standardized, meaning you enter through a random lottery system, but they still have their own reputations. As quite positive public opinions kept appearing, my expression automatically brightened.
This way, I probably wouldn’t run into delinquents much. There might be a few, but it would be enough if I just didn’t meet the main characters—the Four Heavenly Kings. Ah, and while I’m at it, their rivals too.
No, since I’m making wishes, I should go all out and pray that I don’t meet anyone ranked within the top 100. As the saying goes, dream big so that even if it breaks, large pieces remain—so making a big wish might result in a satisfying outcome even if it doesn’t fully come true.
“Why are you laughing to yourself again? It’s getting creepy at this point.”
“Lee Yumin!”
“Alright, I get it, Dad.”
I realized my lips had curled up at my sister’s words. I firmly pressed down the raised corner of my mouth with my index finger and heard a disgusted sound from beside me.
Whatever my sister’s reaction was, I was just happy as a somewhat hopeful future painted itself before my eyes.
***
Late February—a cold wind brushed my body as if winter hadn’t quite passed yet. The chill grazing my nape automatically raised goosebumps, making me hunch my shoulders. I hurriedly walked while trying to close my thick padded jacket and stuffing my hands in my pockets.
‘You’re going to grow mold at this rate. I’ll give you some spending money, so go out and watch a movie or something.’
Since I loved my bed so much that I wanted to become one with it, I’d been lying down all day until my dad nagged me and I was practically chased out of the house.
I protested that it was still cold outside and that I wouldn’t grow mold because I basked in the sun every day, but my desperate voice didn’t quite reach my dad.
“There’s no movie I want to see.”
Grumbling with my lips jutting out, I still didn’t have the courage to return home, so I diligently walked toward the theater. Walking unconsciously along the familiar path, just as I was about to enter an alley, I felt something familiar and uncomfortable.
“…Should I take the long way around?”
Yes, I should turn back. It would take longer, but it would be much better than running into a menacing group like last time. Though I disliked the cold winter wind beating against my body, I had to endure it for my peace of mind.
The feeling I was getting now was exactly the same as what I felt on the day I encountered that menacing group shouting about ranks and that handsome guy who was obsessed with formal speech. That meant I might experience something similar, and I didn’t want that, so taking the long way would be—
“Hey-! Stop right there!”
“Ah, fuck.”
What a déjà vu.
I could hear commotion from afar. It seemed to be heading this way, judging by how it was getting closer, and since this was a one-way path, I’d definitely run into them if I continued.
I frantically looked around for a place to hide. I thought about continuing on my way, but based on my previous experience, there was a high chance that a menacing group of over a dozen people would be blocking the path. But going back would mean having to walk all the way here again, which was annoying.
It was amusing that even in moments like this, laziness took priority, but annoying was annoying. Fortunately, a parking lot pillar caught my eye, and I quickly walked over and hid behind it.
“What is this situation.”
Oh my, my fate. It seems like something happens every time I go out. Must be bad luck. I grumbled as I finished hiding, just as the group rushed past—?
“Ha, how long are you going to chase us?”
‘Wait, why are they stopping here!’
“Until we pay back the debt our guys owe from last time!”
Judging by their tone and expressions, it seemed like another group had been beaten by these three. Referring to getting beaten up as owing a debt—the meaning of “debt” must have changed without my knowledge.
“Last time? Even if you say that, Jiyu doesn’t know~?”
Please stop, just stop. I shook my body and covered my ears at the aegyo-filled voice. If I kept listening to this, I’d die of cringe-induced embarrassment. They were the ones speaking, but I, who was just quietly listening, felt like I was taking all the damage.
“Let’s go home.”
The situation didn’t seem like it would end quickly, and if my hiding spot was discovered, I might get dragged into troublesome things. Above all, if I continued listening to that cringey talk here, I’d suffer too much mental damage.
It would be a bit of a detour, but I should be able to go past this apartment parking lot. After all, outside the house—no, outside the blanket—is dangerous. I was firmly muttering this as I turned to escape when suddenly I saw a figure and my eyes widened.
‘I’m going to crash—!’
Before the thought could even finish, my nose hit something solid. Ugh, it was so hard that even though I didn’t bump into it that forcefully, I grabbed my nose in pain and let out a groan.
“Are you okay?”
A calm voice rang in my ears, and only then did I come to my senses. Perhaps because I was standing in place groaning in pain, I was too close to the other person, so I took a couple steps back.
“I’m sorry.”
My nose was definitely red, so I apologized with my head deeply bowed. By the way, I didn’t hear any presence, so when did they come up behind me? As if to block the questions arising one by one as the pain subsided, the other person’s voice was heard.
“Ah, you—.”
“Yes?”
Reflexively, I raised my head at the voice that seemed to be referring to me. Then a familiar face filled my view, making my eyes go round.
“You—.”
When I reflexively pointed my finger, they frowned. Even I thought this was rude, so I quickly curled my index finger back and lowered my arm.
“…I’m sorry.”
Only then did they smooth out their expression and smile deeply, looking behind me. At that action, wondering what was behind me, I turned my head and was reminded of the commotion I’d momentarily forgotten in my confusion.
“Well, well.”
Seeing the delinquent group in uniforms already lying on the ground groaning, and the three students standing there kicking them, the person tilted their head slightly. Seeing that action, I somehow felt like I’d caused an unintended misunderstanding, so I hesitantly stepped back.
“Do you have time?”
Grabbing my arm, they curved their eyes. That look felt like they were telling me to squeeze out time even if I didn’t have any…
“No, I don’t. I’m a bit busy, so if you’re not hurt, I was thinking of leaving.”
I rattled off these words and tried to pull my arm free. Apart from their pressure, I had zero desire to get entangled at all.
“I am hurt.”
“What?”
“I said I’m hurt.”
Where?
I slowly examined them from top to bottom—they looked more intact than me. Looking at them with an expression that said ‘Are you pushing drugs?’, they burst into laughter.
“Just because I look fine on the outside doesn’t mean I’m really okay. By the way, aren’t you cold? Shall we go to a café and talk?”
“No, I’m not cold—.”
Before I could finish my sentence, I was dragged away. Their strength was so overwhelming that I didn’t even dare try to escape.
‘…Oh my god.’
My fate.
I tried to avoid one problem, only to get caught in another.
***
Amazingly, there was a café less than 10 minutes away. Whether it was an independent café or not, I wasn’t sure, but it wasn’t very large, and consequently, there weren’t many people. An uncomfortable silence flowed as if I were sitting on thorns, and I just stared at the innocent table.
“Do you drink coffee?”
“Ah, that! I’ll pay!”
Not wanting to create any more contact by owing a debt, I stopped them as they were about to stand up and sat them back down in the chair. They quickly agreed to my restraint and sat down.
“Then an iced Americano.”
“Okay.”
I grabbed my wallet, got up, and ordered an iced Americano and an iced tea. Since the atmosphere was too awkward to go back to the seat, I deliberately stood waiting until the drinks came out.
Ding. I dropped my shoulders at the vibrating buzzer in my hand. The drinks came out much earlier than I’d expected. If I’d known this would happen, I would’ve ordered a smoothie instead of iced tea.
When I returned to the seat with the tray containing the coffee and iced tea, the person who’d been busy moving their thumb while holding their phone as if texting looked up.
“Thanks.”
I blankly stared at them as they folded the corners of their eyes in what seemed like a habit, showing a subtle smile.
Why are they so damn handsome?
