# Chapter 52
A heavy silence enveloped the classroom. I silently cursed under my breath at the suffocating atmosphere.
Everyone in class had heard what Moon Seoheon just said. When I vaguely caught my name and Moon Seoheon’s name being mentioned, I had an ominous feeling.
I glared hard at Moon Seoheon who was standing there calmly. Before our eyes could meet, my gaze was diverted by the homeroom teacher’s call.
“Yoon Taeho, sit down quickly!”
“…Yes.”
My energy drained completely. I forced strength into my wobbly legs and gave up on the seats I had been eyeing, passing them by. Instead, I headed toward a spot that wouldn’t be easily noticed from any angle.
I avoided the very back and front rows. Since I might stand out, a less visible spot would be better. I chose the seat on the right side in the fourth column, third row from the back. It was a corner spot that gave a strange sense of security.
It was the result of my carefully calculated strategy to find a seat where I could be as comfortable as possible while blending in with the other students.
I heard someone sigh from somewhere, as if they had been aiming for this seat. Compared to most students who had secured front seats, it might have seemed unexpected. But given the order of selection, it seemed normal enough that no one found it strange.
Now I could just sit comfortably and wait for everyone to choose their seats, but I swallowed the sigh that was about to escape as I thought about my almost-predetermined seatmate. With cloudy eyes, I watched as the seats gradually filled up, and only around the middle of the process did I turn my head to see who was sitting behind me.
“Hi, Taeho.”
“Oh, you’re sitting here?”
“Yeah. Is that okay?”
I smiled wryly at Ko Kyungsu who asked hesitantly.
“Why wouldn’t it be? Good to see you, man.”
“Yeah.”
At my words, he smiled brightly as he hung his bag and leaned back comfortably. Normally, the seat behind me would have been claimed quickly as an acceptable area, but as if it had been planned, no one was approaching my vicinity. Although Ko Kyungsu filled one spot by sitting behind me.
The area around me remained conspicuously empty, as if it were a danger zone. Seeing that the first column was completely filled, I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.
In a half-resigned state, I rested my chin on my hand, and soon it was Moon Seoheon’s turn.
As if keeping his word, he came straight toward me when his name was called. The previously chilly empty seat beside me suddenly felt hot when Moon Seoheon sat down.
“We’re seatmates again.”
Well, that’s because you chose to sit next to me. Seeing the corners of his lips curve up gently, I felt like letting whatever happens, happen.
“I guess so.”
As I answered monotonously, Moon Seoheon stared at my face for a moment before starting to unpack his things. I also opened my bag and took out my textbooks to finish setting up. With that, the last person in line sat next to Moon Seoheon, completing the seating arrangement.
When I glanced over, Moon Seoheon’s expression couldn’t have been more comfortable. Suddenly, his earlier words came to mind.
‘Being the last one left alone doesn’t feel good, you know.’
Certainly, if you were left alone without knowing why, that would be one thing, but knowing the reason why no one approaches you and being left conspicuously alone would feel terrible. I wondered if he genuinely felt that way, but decided not to think about it too deeply.
Come to think of it, Moon Seoheon himself knows that many students disapprove of him hanging out with The Four. Why does he still hang around with them?
In the animation, they were shown as already being acquainted, so I don’t know how they became friends. Is it simply because he’s the main character and therefore hangs out with the other main characters?
When I think about it, all I know about Moon Seoheon is that he’s the main character, extremely handsome, and good at sports. After spending several days with him, I haven’t learned much else.
Moon Seoheon seems quick-witted but sometimes isn’t. And he has more of a sly side than I expected. Just look at how he brazenly sat down next to me.
Also, Moon Seoheon is strong. Considering his strength when he lifts me up or drags me around, he doesn’t seem like someone who needs protection as he did in the animation. Of course, he showed determination there too, but not to the extent of needing the main characters to step in and protect him.
Plus, he’s more taciturn than I expected and enjoys reading martial arts novels. What else? Moon Seoheon… honestly, I’m not sure. I don’t know much about him, so it’s difficult to define him.
So I’m not even sure if he thinks well of me or not.
‘So this time, I’ll take the seat next to you.’
What is he thinking? Why say something like that and make people uneasy?
Moon Seoheon turned his head, sensing my gaze fixed on him. His eyes blinked slowly as they met mine. Those eyes that appeared yellowish in certain light changed to a dark green. The reason my heart fluttered must be because of the color of those eyes shimmering in the light.
His eyes, the same color as his hair, curved elegantly, shining more brightly under the backlight. I cleared my throat briefly and shifted my gaze to the desk.
The homeroom teacher left, saying that the Class ranking changes would be announced at the end of the day, and we should prepare for the lesson.
Since all the grades had already been made public, everyone pretty much knew who would be moving up or down.
I would maintain my Low Class status, but it would be different for Moon Seoheon. He scored below 50 points in one subject. Since receiving a failing grade in even one subject meant demotion, he would have to lose one star, but it should be fine since he has an exemption ticket.
I stopped myself from almost turning around and focused on the open textbook instead. However, feeling a tap from behind, I turned my head to find Ko Kyungsu congratulating me in a small voice.
“Taeho, congrats on your good scores this time.”
“Ah, thanks.”
I refrained from asking how he did or how things were going. I had glanced over the ranking table and noticed that Ko Kyungsu had received a failing grade in one subject. His other subjects scored high, but one was particularly low. That was why his overall rank was lower than mine.
I didn’t need to worry about him either. Ko Kyungsu also had an exemption ticket.
I was the only one who couldn’t use it here. I did bring it, but since I didn’t need to use it, should I just keep it? I’m not sure if I can use it next month.
I was about to ask Ko Kyungsu, who was relatively easier to talk to, but decided against it. The classroom was still reeling from the impact of the monthly assessment results, so it didn’t seem like the right time to bring up related topics.
* * *
Was my seat selection a mistake? Or maybe it would have been the same no matter where I sat.
I glared with a disgusted expression at the guy sitting in front of me.
“Whoa. Wow, insane, daebak.”
The guy holding the ranking table that should be posted on the bulletin board must be really surprised. Judging by the way he’s spouting every exclamation he knows.
“Is this even possible?”
Hearing what I’d already heard from the other kids this morning felt like a new experience. Especially hearing it from Maeng Moa, who was staring intently at that ranking table.
“Hey, put that back on the bulletin board.”
“Ah… yes. I’ll post it on my way out.”
After giving a casual response, he soon began to recite my name and scores one by one. Not only was he repeating what he’d already done, but I couldn’t bear the embarrassment and quickly snatched the paper away.
“Hey, why?”
“Stop it. What’s the deal with you coming to the second-year classroom and staring so intently at other people’s grades?”
And doing so while taking the seat of the person sitting in front of us.
Maeng Moa had entered our classroom and, unfazed by the changed seating, sat down directly in front of Moon Seoheon without hesitation. In reality, he didn’t exactly steal the seat, but rather took it when our classmate naturally got up.
In any case, what he said next was even more outrageous.
‘Sunbae Taeho, don’t you like Seoheonnie hyung too much?’
I thought, what nonsense is this? It seems he thought I coveted the seat next to Moon Seoheon.
I looked at Maeng Moa for a moment, too dumbfounded to respond, and didn’t feel like correcting him, so I kept my mouth shut. Then Moon Seoheon answered instead.
‘I’m the one who wanted it. Taeho claimed this seat first.’
Despite Moon Seoheon’s words, Maeng Moa snorted as if he couldn’t believe it, and now he’s in shock after seeing my grades on the ranking table posted on the bulletin board.
“Can I see my grades too? Since everything’s being made public anyway, what’s the big deal?”
“You’re not affected by the monthly assessments anyway.”
“That’s true, but I still get to see them. They’re not reflected, but I still got my grades.”
His tone was light, but his expression when bringing up grades was proud. I could tell he did very well without even asking. It was unfortunate, but pretending it didn’t bother me, I stood up from my seat.
“Where are you going?”
“To put this back.”
At my words, Maeng Moa made a disappointed sound and slumped in his seat. Regardless of his reaction, I silently posted the ranking table back in its original place.
Only then did I feel the classroom atmosphere soften. Even though they tried not to show it, it must have been uncomfortable for everyone to have Maeng Moa examining the grade table. He was the only one here who wouldn’t be affected by it.
“But really, what’s going on? I know you studied hard, but were your grades always this good?”
Maeng Moa asked, looking at Moon Seoheon. Moon Seoheon just stared back at him without any particular reaction, then slightly shrugged his shoulders.
Maeng Moa’s face was full of questions as he looked at me. I massaged my temple from the headache and said lightly.
“I got lucky this time.”
Since I was actually ranked 8th but ended up 6th, it wasn’t a lie.
I thought Yoon Taeho’s grades wouldn’t be good, but I didn’t know they were bottom-of-the-barrel bad enough to be last place here. Although I had no intention of doing mediocre work, it’s true that my scores came out better than my studying warranted. That could also be considered lucky.
But my sincere answer seemed to have little effect on Maeng Moa, judging by his lukewarm reaction.
“Wow… that statement’s really annoying.”
This guy. He doesn’t think about the attitude he just showed but gives me a disapproving look. I couldn’t help but laugh incredulously.
“Hey, the bell’s about to ring.”
I said this with the intention of sending him away quickly, and after checking the time, he slowly stood up.
“There’s still 2 minutes left…”
You need to consider the time it takes to get to your classroom too. Until now I hadn’t questioned it, but remembering how he always left right before the bell rang, I blurted out.
“Don’t you feel awkward entering your class after the bell rings?”
“What’s there to feel awkward about? I just need to be seated before the lesson starts. The teacher doesn’t even say anything.”
The words “little punk” almost slipped out. I just waved my hand, and Maeng Moa snorted before turning away.
“Anyway, I’m going now.”
After confirming that Maeng Moa had left the classroom waving his hand, I took out my textbook to prepare for the next class. Just then, I felt Moon Seoheon’s gaze boring into me, so I looked at him with curious eyes.
He turned his face slightly, rested his chin on his hand, and said in a meaningful tone.
“You seem to have gotten closer with Moa.”
“Huh?”
I opened my eyes wide at the unexpected comment, then frowned at what he added next.
“Getting friendly with Hyoin too. When did you get so close to them?”
Having heard this from Maeng Moa as well, it wasn’t particularly surprising, but from my perspective, it was truly baffling, so I was at a loss for words. I couldn’t understand at all why they thought that way.
