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He was told to stay away from trouble and it's not like he didn't try.
However, it gets difficult when people notice you, approach you, get disappointed once you´re not who they think you are and start rumours.
Like crazy rumours.
Eunseok didn't know he could fight against seven men all by himself (spoiler alert: he can't) but that's what people say about him. Also, that's not the wildest thing. If he were to make a list, his top 3 that had him questioning his classmates' mental health were:
3° He got two girls pregnant in his former high school, that's why he was expelled.
2° He and his father are part of a Japanese gang related to the Yakuzas, that's why his Japanese is pretty good.
1° He has nice clothes and seems wealthy because he's married to an 80-year-old milf.
It makes him chuckle from time to time but worried that someday that crap will bite his ass.
Anyway, he didn't get anyone pregnant, he's gay (not 100% sure because men have questionable behaviours that make him ashamed of liking them sometimes). He hasn't seen his father in years, that man has been living with his 'real' family since Eunseok was five. The story of why Eunseok is good at Japanese is quite easy: animes (and the fact that his mother is a Japanese teacher cough cough)
The number one is insane af. That was his grandma who picked him ONCE, no one ever thought of that?!. Of course she's beautiful, she used to be a model in Japan until she got pregnant, returned to Korea and the rest is history.
At least rumours helped him to avoid more people. The first month was filled with girls from not only his class but noonas too, asking him out. Boys wanted to be his friend especially when they heard he was applying for the basketball club. They thought he would become the next captain, however, Eunseok hadn't developed the confidence of a leader yet.
It's been six months and rumours are still there gravitating around him but it's not that bad anymore thanks to other new students.
One of them is that funny guy, Lee Sohee. Eunseok found him sleeping in his favourite spot in the school library. He usually don't mind but curiosity took over him. Since the younger wasn't really studying but hiding a manhwa behind a big book. A pretty fun view if you notice that the manhwa Sohee was drooling over consisted of a well-known BL story Eunseok happened to acknowledge. (Just a coincidence he swears, he just saw a meme and thought it would be fun to read until he stumble upon a sex scene in the tenth chapter, he hasn't been the same since that day)
This Sohee friend opened his eyes the moment Eunseok let a chuckle slide his lips. Both of them got embarrassed (one for sneaking and the other for being caught reading two men making out).
It's strange because in another situation they wouldn't doubt about no speaking to the other person ever. But somehow they laughed and started a not-really-friendship more like a i-know-you-exist and i-can-talk-to-you-when-i'm-bored-and-need-something-from-you relationship. The school can't even imagine they know each other. They seem opposites, while Eunseok is feared, Sohee is adored. His eyes and his charismatic personality raise his popularity quickly although he's been studying there for about three months.
Being a popular guy means he must know what's trending and that's where Sohee is seriously lost because he couldn't care less about what's a hot topic every day. That being said, his "friends" were talking about a popular webtoon, and since he thinks a webtoon is no different from a manhwa, he asked his younger sister what's trending now and she borrowed him that book with a mischievous smile he decided to ignore.
Fortunately, with Eunseok he doesn't need to worry much about trendings since the older updates him with spicy stuff Sohee can use to keep his facade. The thing is... Sohee is not the wealthy person the school believes he is. Don't get him wrong, he didn't try to give that impression, but the first day he was running late and decided to use the expensive bicycle his mom won at work (and is used for special occasions) That was a terrific i-can't-be-late occasion. He had to transfer to another school because his former school threatened to make him repeat the grade if he continued to be late. And he's not late because he wants to but because he works in the early morning so he can have all day to study.
His family is working very hard so his older sister can finish University successfully, get a job and help their situation. The reason why Sohee hasn't denied the wealth allegations is
1° He's seen what they do to "lower-class" students. (bullies ruin their textbooks and food, and Sohee can't allow that)
2° Since he's popular he hasn't paid for his lunch or breakfast since day one and people constantly pamper him with snacks.
The cons are that he has to work hard for the facade and he has to do aegyo, lots of. He hates it, but he'd hate more being beaten.
He's grateful (although he won't be loud about it) to Eunseok; he hasn't really mentioned knowing about the mascara Sohee wears for everybody but it's like he knows and tries to help him. Sometimes Sohee wants to approach Eunseok and tell the school that they're friends, but he's not sure how Eunseok would react. And although it seems all the rumours about the older are fake, he unfortunately won't take a risk, at least not yet.
🪨
Eunseok survived his first semester at Odyssey International High School. His grades were mid as always, he got scolded by his grandma as always, and he promised to study harder as always then he spent the holidays playing video games and surprisingly chatting with Sohee at least twice a week (and that's much).
A new semester is about to begin and he's ready to change something in his life. With a new semester rumours must (hopefully) cool off and he can -maybe- make some friends and improve his grades which will make Grandma happy.
With that mindset, he wakes up and starts getting ready for School only to be shocked by a large letter envelope on the kitchen table. He wouldn't care if it wasn't because his name was written on it and it was already open.
The content did change something in him and in the trust he barely had for his family.
🛰️
— Did you hear it? Eunseok got into a fight with Wonbin once again.
— Hul, again?? is that moron trying to break our precious Wonbin's face?
— From the way he grabbed Wonbin's shirt... probably. Yuna told me if it weren't for the professor pulling them apart, Wonbin-hyung would have not one but two purple eyes.
— Wonbin oppa was hurt??
— Well... only his left cheek and part of his li—
— Oh my god, Song Eunseok is crazy. He's totally out of control now. I didn't say anything the first semester 'cause he kept a low profile but now... i don't want him near. Parents deserve to know and threaten the school to kick him out.
—Yeah, well you know the principal protects him. After all the fuss he has been doing the most he got was suspension. That's so fucking unfair since he can still present his assignments.
— Ha, well maybe we can try to make his life miserable that wa—
—Aish! seriously who's being this loud so early in the morning?! —The two who were gossiping stopped and turned back. There, stretching his arms next to the tree was Jung Sungchan. Alright if Song Eunseok was dangerous to be around, Jung Sungchan had a creepy vibe that pulls you out of his way. It's not that he's another school gangster or anything but THE football captain, and you don't want to be in his bad books. So the two annoying friends left the bench without a word.
Sungchan just huffed at that, so there are still people who are afraid of him... ha, weirdos.
It's not like he did something you know? He just plays football and tries hard to not fail his exams and that's pretty much of his day. He's a hard-working person. He knows his parents don't support his sports career but he has to at least try, so maybe people get scared of his passion.
Because girl, he exudes passion: when training, when eating, 10 minutes before any test. And he understands people might creep out, (his team members had told him). But that's just himself and he will only change if he sees is not doing him any good, for now the boat keeps sailing so he doesn't bother with eerie looks and shitty comments.
Walking down back to his class after the break was over he realised his jacket was no longer with him (with notes for the class in it). So Sungchan turns back to the same old tree. There are many trees around the campus but he likes that one in particular because there he celebrated his first victory with his team. It's quite big and between the school field and his Math class (the one with the most horrifying teacher he had the pleasure to meet so he absolutely can't be late).
Once he arrives and doesn't see his jacket anywhere, he asks a girl in a tree nearby. Weirdly she really doesn't want to help, but she finally confesses after being lurked by Sungchan with sweet words.
Apparently, a raven-haired male student stumbled upon said jacket and decided it was a good day to screw Sungchan by taking it with him.
Said raven-haired student was the one and only Song Eunseok.