Chapter 5
After mentally declaring Kwon Dojin guilty, I parted ways with him somewhat awkwardly. Or more precisely, Dojin personally escorted me until I was out of the alleyway. I did think it was unnecessary kindness, but when I witnessed another group of delinquents fighting less than ten minutes after leaving the café, I changed my mind.
Alleyways in this world really were dangerous.
I did give Dojin my number while inwardly rejoicing after finally reaching the main road, though that wasn’t very important. That’s because even after a week, I hadn’t received any contact from him.
“Lee Habin! Have you seen my uniform?”
“You should keep track of your own uniform.”
Standing in front of the mirror tying my tie, I clicked my tongue at Yumin’s shout. It’s complete chaos starting from the first day of school.
“Yumin, your uniform is hanging on the clothesline!”
Ignoring my dad’s shout, I finished adjusting my appearance and grabbed my bag. As I stuffed a piece of bread that was prepared as breakfast in my mouth, my dad, who’d just returned from retrieving Yumin’s uniform, opened his eyes wide.
“You’re leaving already? Eat a proper meal before you go.”
“I want to go early and look around the school. Bread is enough. I’ll be back.”
“Wait a minute! Take a chocolate milk!”
I stopped my steps toward the entrance at the sight of him rushing to the refrigerator. Following him into the kitchen, I took the milk he handed me, and he patted my back.
“Work hard in high school too.”
“Yeah. I’m really going now.”
“Huh! You’re leaving already? Is it time for school?”
“No. Just eat your breakfast and go.”
I waved casually to my sister, properly said goodbye to my dad, and left the house. Being early, there weren’t many people around. Still, it was much more crowded than a weekend morning.
“So, from here, turn at this corner—”
But that’s an alleyway.
Since it was my first time going to this school, I didn’t know the way. That’s why I left early and was using the map on my phone. But the directions were leading me through an alleyway—
“Let me change it to main roads… This is ridiculous.”
The screen still showed directions through the alleyway. Grumbling to myself, I finally entered the alley. I couldn’t avoid it just because it was scary. Besides, this was the school I’d have to go to every day, so avoiding it today wouldn’t solve anything.
“Please let me not run into anyone today.”
“Who?”
“Hup!”
I bit my tongue in surprise at the sudden voice. I bit down hard enough that tears welled up, but the weight settling on my shoulder was more concerning.
“…What are you doing?”
“What?”
“Why are you resting your chin on my shoulder?”
Since when have we been that close?
I swallowed the rest of my words as I stared openly at Kwon Dojin, who was tilting his head with his chin on my shoulder, wearing a brazen expression.
“It looked comfortable to rest on?”
Dojin laughed in his throat, finishing his sentence without caring about my gaze. Maybe because of the vibration I felt on my shoulder, goosebumps slightly rose on my nape.
“So, you’re going through the alley again? I told you it was dangerous—why don’t you listen?”
I felt his hand running through my hair. It moved slowly, sliding down to my lower back, which terrified me and caused him to laugh again. Thanks to him withdrawing his hand obediently, I shook my head from side to side.
“I have to go to school. This is the only way, it says.”
When I showed him the screen demonstratively, Dojin rolled his eyes and then let out an exclamation. As I tilted my head at his inexplicable behavior, he moved away from me and jerked his chin.
“Let’s go.”
“…Aren’t you going to school?”
Dojin just shrugged at my question and moved ahead. I thought about just letting him go and walking leisurely by myself, but when I didn’t move, he stopped and looked back, forcing me to follow.
If I didn’t move on my own, I might be dragged by my wrist like at the café last time. Since it was the way to school, students wearing the same uniform occasionally appeared, and whether because he was famous for being “Rank 2” or whatever, those few gazes were directed at Dojin.
Already, Dojin’s act of being close to me had drawn some attention, and if I were dragged along, even more interest would be focused on me.
“Habin.”
So, when did we become so familiar that you call me like that…?
Though I grumbled internally, I moved my feet and swallowed a sigh. I didn’t have the confidence to walk side by side with him, so I walked one step behind. I was thinking of just telling him to go alone if he complained about that too, but Dojin headed toward the school without saying anything.
‘Come to think of it—’
I was too distracted earlier to notice, but isn’t the uniform he’s wearing the same as mine?
Though he’d discarded his jacket somewhere and wasn’t wearing it, the color of his pants and the vest visible beneath his hoodie were the same. Boys’ uniforms may all look similar, so my reaction might be oversensitive, but still.
Just to be sure, I checked my phone, which still had the map open, to see if there were any other high schools nearby, but there was only one school in this alley.
“Shi—”
The moment I opened my mouth, Dojin turned to look at me, causing the curse that had escaped to remain unfinished. I couldn’t bring myself to curse in front of his face, so I avoided his puzzled gaze while cursing all sorts of things internally.
‘Why didn’t you go to a commercial high school!’
Being a delinquent, why are you at a regular high school! Follow the web novel rules and go to a commercial high school!
And why are you coming to school so early? From what I’ve seen in web novels, these so-called Four Heavenly Kings always arrive late. If they show up during morning classes, that’s considered decent, and even if they skip classes, teachers don’t say anything—I wish Dojin would stick to that convenient setting.
“Habin, you’ve stopped walking.”
I snapped back to reality at his gentle voice nudging me. I mechanically moved my legs as I looked at Dojin, who was half-turned toward me with the corners of his eyes curved. Only after I approached him did he start walking again, and I stole glances at him.
Today marks the third time I’ve met Dojin. It seems like I run into him every time I go out, as if I’m cursed, and I deliberately ignored the thought floating in my head that going outside is harmful, coming to one conclusion.
‘He definitely has the position of the kind guy.’
The kind who’s so sweet on the outside that honey seems to drip, and who goes around smiling every day.
Though not the male lead, he’s the role of someone who either has a one-sided crush on the female lead or helps her as a friend. The reason for his crush is probably because he has a traumatic past, and the female lead helped him overcome it, or something like that.
Otherwise, there’s no way he would act in a way that confuses people. With this conclusion, Dojin’s affectionate behavior became quite comfortable to accept. There was no need to assign meaning to what was habitual kindness.
“Done looking?”
“Huh?”
“I thought my face might get a hole in it.”
A short, refreshing laugh tapped on my ears. Though his words were clearly a rebuke, whether due to his expression, voice, or face, it felt as though I’d heard sweet words.
“…Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I know I’m your type.”
I was about to nod at his “it’s okay,” but at his following words, I tilted my head.
“What’s my type?”
“My face?”
Why is that ending as a question? Moreover, contrary to his words, his face wore a confident expression as if he already knew everything.
“You’re right, but—”
When asked if it’s my type, I had to answer affirmatively. It’s a face that’s beyond just being someone’s type, so there was no reason to say no. So while I gave a positive answer, the feeling was somewhat off.
“Dojin-nim!”
Just as I was deeply thinking about what felt strange, my thoughts abruptly halted as a student suddenly blocked our path. Unlike me, who was still assessing the situation, Dojin acted as if he was used to it.
“Please accept this! It’s a welcoming gift from the fan club for your admission!”
“Thank you.”
“A thank you, oh my—! Congratulations on your admission!”
After bowing several times at the waist, the student ran away with hands covering their face. I stared blankly at their retreating figure before looking at Dojin, who seemed unfazed.
“What’s wrong?”
Looking at Dojin, I realized this must be normal for him. As he slightly tilted his head, I shook mine and prayed fervently inside.
Please don’t let me get entangled with Kwon Dojin anymore, please.
***
I planted a flag.
Realizing this less than an hour after doing so, I tugged at my hair. Why is there a way to plant flags but no way to remove them? Filled with despair at the reality I didn’t want to accept, I banged my head on the desk, which elicited a gentle laugh from beside me.
“I think you’re quite entertaining.”
But I don’t find it entertaining at all.
As I just turned my head, Kwon Dojin was looking down at me with his chin propped up. Seeing the thick amusement pooling in the corners of his eyes, that statement must have been sincere.
This is truly absurd—though dimension-traveling itself is already absurd. Anyway, witnessing this unbelievable fact, I sighed.
“To think we’re in the same class.”
At my reflexive comment, Dojin reached out with his left arm and brushed my bangs aside. I couldn’t avoid such a natural gesture and could only close my eyes.
“I know. They say even brushing sleeves creates a connection—”
Is this fate then?
“Kyaaa!”
Before I could respond to his soft whisper, a thunderous cheer erupted around us. As I reflexively frowned at the sound hitting my eardrums, Dojin rubbed my forehead with his index finger.
Even that small action caused another exclamation from those around us. Tired of the similar pattern that had been going on for an hour already, I heaved deep sighs, not knowing how many times I’d done so today.
Rank 2 Kwon Dojin. Could I survive in a class where there’s a commotion every time this bastard does anything?
The fundamental answer to the question was too obvious. Faced with the huge wall blocking my path, I closed my eyes in resignation.
