Work Text:
Bold - Seoyeon, Bold Italic - Yooyeon, Bold Underline - Random
Haus School has always been known as a school with the label "School for the Rich". Actually, that label is not wrong when more than 90% of the students in the school come from upper-class families, and those from the lower class are also famous business people in the business world. The remaining 10% are excellent students who receive full scholarships from the school's leadership. These students are bright gems in the eyes of the school but in the eyes of the remaining students, they are no different from parasites.
And yes, in that 10% of students, there is me - Yoon Seoyeon.
I, Yoon Seoyeon came from a very normal family, My father sells bread and My mother sells groceries. Although my family is not very rich, they always give me the best things and of course, I did not disappoint my parents. I still remember that afternoon clearly, a peaceful afternoon like any other day, My father was slicing a ham to prepare for tomorrow's sale while My mother was rearranging her stall. Suddenly, there was a flash of light.
"Mom and Dad, I got a scholarship." The image of her running from the alley entrance, holding an envelope in her hand, a smile on her face but tears welling up in her eyes. Perhaps she was emotional because her efforts had finally been recognized.
As her child ran towards her with sparkling eyes, Her Mom exclaimed, "What? Are you serious, Seoyeon? Don't joke with me." She was shocked, holding her child in her arms, and asked again if she was wrong.
"Really...really Mom, here's the admission letter and scholarship notice, Mom." Hearing this, she was so happy that she could only hug her child and cry, not needing to look at anything because she knew her child would never lie to her.
My father also stopped and walked over to pick up the envelope to read. At this moment, all his worries and fatigue disappeared.
"Seoyeon, I'm quite grateful to you. From now on, I'm determined to work even harder, all for the sake of my daughter's success."
That meal, the family of three was filled with laughter and warmth. Even though my parents praised me a lot, I knew that no matter how good I was at studying, I would still be treated no worse than a fool when I entered school.
As Haus is a well-known school, there will inevitably be rumors about it. Students are separated into classes, and the lower class students are just servants for the rest of the elite. What's more unfortunate is that scholarship recipients are viewed as the lowest class in the school, meaning that, to the elite, they are even worse than their pets.
Less than 24 hours remained until my first day of school. I was so worried that I couldn't sleep at night. My parents had prepared everything for me. My father even bought me a pair of branded shoes, and my mother had worked hard all afternoon to embroider the most beautiful badge she could give for me. I knew that I couldn't let my parents down, so I told myself that no matter what, I had to grit my teeth and endure, to finish three years of high school for a brighter future.
-----
I woke up early because I wanted to look my best for school, even though the sun had just risen. Don't ask why. My mother often handed me an apple to eat on the road after I got ready, but this particular apple was definitely more special than the others since as soon as I bit into it, I realized it tasted weird.
"Mom, is this fruit sour?"
"Where?" Mom saw the apple.
"..."
"Oh no, this one seems to be spoiled. Wait a minute, I'll get you another one."
"..."
Well, my first day of school started out with such bad luck, but I wasn't discouraged. I rode the bus to school approximately once every other year. But why was everyone staring at me so much? Just because I was wearing the Haus uniform? I took a seat near the window, I gazed out at the trees on either side of the street as I silently hoped that my three years at Haus would go well.
When I arrived at school, the pupils scrutinized me as I approached the gate. I understood, I knew why they had those eyes since I had taken the bus to school. I didn't think much about it and just kept going to my designated class. But the Haus students wouldn't leave me alone. Just as I was climbing the stairs, a hand grabbed my backpack, causing me to fall to the ground.
"Ah, another famous freeloader from Haus school, hahahaa". They stood there pointing at me and laughing, while I felt very self-conscious and little. I had expected the bullies would notice me, but I did not expect to be bullied on the first day.
"Please speak properly, I came here to study, not to cause trouble." She attempted to remain cool and rose up, wiping off the dirt that had accumulated on her uniform when she had fallen. Her serene expression swept passed those supervisors as she made her way to the stairs.
"Fuck, do you know who my father is? Do you believe your parents will receive your body tomorrow, you brat?". Well, this guy's name is Jae. His parents are not ordinary people, both are high-ranking officers in the army, but somehow they gave birth to this ignorant son. He was born in 1997 and still hasn't graduated from school. People often call him J97, mainly to mock his age as being too old for school, but he still thinks that people are afraid of him because he is older. And so, every day he goes around looking for trouble with weaker students, because his parents also have high positions, so no idiot dares to provoke him.
"Hey man, I don't know what I did wrong, but I'm sorry, I just want to go to school." After hearing what I said and seeing the disgusted reactions of the people surrounding him, I realized that this person must be a big shot at school, so I'd best apologize first.
"Is it that easy to apologize, baby? Haha, if you skip school to hang out with me for a bit, maybe I'll leave you alone." He looked me up and down before smiling at his juniors. At that moment, I simply wanted to tear his eyes out.
"Hey Jae, you've been studying for a long time, so you should know what kind of discipline you get for skipping class, right?" Suddenly, a girl came out of nowhere, The crowd of people observing abruptly moved aside to make space for her. Looking at this girl, although she looked fragile and extremely lovely, she radiated an extremely powerful energy. It could be seen that everyone here was 8 parts respectful and 2 parts afraid of her.
"Oh, what is the student council president doing here today? We have nothing to do with each other." Ah, she's the student council president, I've heard a lot about her since I was out of school. Her parents, who are considerably older than Jae's parents, also work for the government, but their information is kept exceedingly private, so no one knows anything more than that she is the most elegant student at this school.
"Have nothing to do with you, but you're holding my person." She crossed her arms and casually pointed at me.
"What? This little girl?" He turned to face me, and I glanced back at him, as shocked. What's happening? Why am I your person? We don't know each other, all I want is to remain anonymous and live a calm existence through high school, but that might not work out.
"Yes, she is my guide, you can let her go now." Her eyebrows suddenly furrowed, not knowing if she was seeing things when she saw the fear on Jae's face.
"Oh really, I was just joking with my new friend, hahaa" . He laughed enthusiastically, rubbed my shoulder, and pushed me toward her. He also immediately moved his juniors away. Despite having fled from him, I was more scared of the person in front of me, who had a taller head than me yet emanated magic powerful enough to kill an adult.
"What's so fun, aren't you guys going back to class?" Her voice was lovely and soothing, yet it was enough to scare everyone and cause them to scatter and return to class. Um, and I was no exception. I turned around and proceeded for the stairs, but before I could even set foot on them, a voice behind me shouted up.
"Seoyeon! Where are you going?" I looked back and noticed her concerned forehead. Suddenly, a shiver ran down my spine. I wasn't sure why I had offended this woman.
"Oh, I'm going to class." I said with a smile and a scratch of my head. I was an exceptional student with a full scholarship, but I appeared to be distracted at the time.
"Why are you so tense? I'm not going to hurt you, so why are you afraid? Oh, and I'm your guide, if you get into trouble again, just let me know." she replied, smiling at my stupidity. Look at me, there is no way I am a prodigy. Despite the fact that she spoke a lot, I could only tell she was my guide because of her grin.
"Um, I don't think I need a guide. Um, I have a school map, and I've read all the rules." I dug through my backpack for the school map and gave it to her as confirmation of my statements.
"You refuse me? Everyone who comes to the school wants my guidance. I didn't think you would refuse." As she looked at the diagram and then looking into my eyes, her big round eyes gradually became more sparkling as tears started to well up.
"Oh, I didn't mean anything by it, I was just afraid of bothering you." I waved my hand in the air, trying to explain to her that I didn't mean anything by it even though I really didn't want to interact too much with her.
"What's the trouble? Guiding the students is my job. There's still 15 minutes until class. Come with me, I'll take you to breakfast." Without waiting for my response, she grabbed my wrist and dragged me away, despite the fact that my lips continued making shocked noises.
Well, that's how my first day went. Since everyone knew I was Kim Yooyeon's student, no one touched me anymore, but the way everyone looked at me was very strange, like everyone was wary and scared when they saw me...?
Anyway, my life is really peaceful. Every morning I go to have breakfast with the president and every time, the president pays. One time I insisted on paying and this is what she said.
"You just eat and study, I'll take care of the rest."
Her eyes when she looked at me firmly, carried a bit of anger but her words were very indulgent.
-----
Not only that, I also often go out with My Unnie to eat snacks after school, at first glance I thought she would be a lady and only go to fancy places to eat. But I was wrong, when I went out with her I found out she really likes street food, she never skips any place, she always buys a lot of food but eats very little, leaving everything else for me to eat. Because of her, after just the first semester I gained 5kg, when I blamed her, she said that.
"You're so skinny, if you fatten me up a bit, maybe I'll have a boyfriend, then I'll have to thank you."
How ironic, when you say that I understand that you want the best for me. But what do you mean by 'lover'?
Well, I have to admit that I have a little crush on you. I'm not sure when it started, but it may have been the first day you helped me. At the time, your acts were like planting a seed in my lonely heart, and your daily care and attention to me was like watering and nurturing it. And since that seed has taken root deep in my heart, it's difficult to explain and even harder to hide. But because I want to maintain this friendship, I just pretend to be naive.
My days went by like that, my entire tenth grade year was always associated with her figure. That caused a lot of curiosity from other people, there were many rumors about our relationship, in which the most famous rumor was probably the rumor that the two of us were in a relationship. Sometimes I wished those rumors were true, but I was a coward, I understood where my status came from, I didn't dare to be a leech on a crane's leg.
Even though it was just word of mouth, its popularity never decreased, until I was in the last year of 10th grade, you were in the last year of 12th grade, and it was still spreading everywhere. For me, those rumors were quite interesting, because I really liked you, but I wondered if you had heard those words and what you thought about it. If not, then fine, but if you had, then why didn't you deny it? As far as I know, I'm not the first person rumored to be in a relationship with you, there were many others before me, but you always denied it. No offense, but is your silence a green light for me?
My feelings just grew over time. In the blink of an eye, the graduation ceremony is almost here, so I have gone through a fairly peaceful 10th grade year (with you). Next year I will still study at this school, but you will no longer be there, next year you will be in university, which means we will see each other less. I don't want that, who wants to be away from the person they love. You are also in your final year, there is a lot of studying and it is very heavy, so on the last days of the school year like this, I won't be able to see you as much as before.
It was almost the end of the school year but my mind was not at ease at all. I was wondering whether I should tell you about my feelings or not. I was afraid that I would not be able to maintain this friendship, but my heard could not take it anymore. At worse, you would reject me and then be disgusted with me. After all, i would not see you again next year.
-----
The final night has arrived. Look, the image of you standing on stage, thanking the board of directors, appears so dazzling and out of reach... As soon as you went off the stage, several people approached you to give you flowers, you are the student council president, and many people admire you. They handed you dazzling and exquisite flowers, glancing back at the flowers in my hand, they are little, only 24 flowers, and it is your birthday. All of the bravery in my heart has disappeared, perhaps I will settle for being a nice friend to you.
"Hey guys look, it seems like Shin also gave flowers to the president."
"Hey really, man, oh my god, handsome man, beautiful woman"
"Get out of the way so I can see, oh my gosh, what a beautiful couple."
"Shin is the prettiest guy in this school and he also has a crush on the president."
"Yeah, that's right. If only Shin liked me."
The whispering became louder, but I couldn't hear a word since my gaze was fixed on the king kneeling in front of her. It was ridiculous, as a friend, I should have congratulated her, but instead I was in so much pain. I knew Shin was a kind person, he was wealthy, skilled at studies, and very helpful to his friends. If she and he were in a relationship, they would surely be happy, right? I'll simply let him take care of her, I'm just a girl, after all.
"Kim Yooyeon! I've liked you for 2 years, let me be with you"
"Me..."
Enough, I don't want to hear your agreement. Turning around and walking out of the school hall, my tears flowed uncontrollably. I'm not worthy of you, I know that, but I can't stop my heart from beating fast every time I see you.
I selected a row of stone benches behind the school since it was quite tranquil, no one bothered to come here, and My Unnie and I frequently sat here and joked. Not far away, but I immediately missed it, My Unnie's hug, her scolding remarks when I did anything wrong, and her pampered look when she couldn't finish her food and begged me to assist her. The more I missed her, the more tears I wept, I simply let them fall down my cheeks. Tears fell on the flowers I had for My Unnie, let's just think of it as me watering them.
"Seoyeonnn why didn't you wait for me, I knew you would be here". I was suddenly startled by the voice behind me, before I could turn around, she quickly walked in front of me.
"Hey, why are you crying? What's wrong? Are you hurt somewhere?" Her eyebrows furrowed, her hands groping everywhere to see if I was okay. How could she understand that I was crying like this because of her?
"I'm fine, just some dust in my eyes." I quickly wiped away the tears that had dried on my cheeks, shook my head and smiled at her.
"Why did you come here without waiting for me? Are these flowers... for me?"
"Oh right, these are your flowers. There were so many people giving them to you inside earlier that I couldn't squeeze in. It felt a bit stuffy so I came out here to cool off. Here, sit down and don't stand."
"Wowww so beautiful. 1..2..3..."
"Haha, stop counting, there are 24 flowers." My spirit is more comfortable now, seeing you happy like that makes me happy too. Well, being your friend is probably okay, as long as you're happy, I'm happy too, Shin is also a good guy.
"So romantic, you bought it for my birthday"
"Normally, I think the flowers Shin gave you are much more beautiful."
"Hey, I saw Shin confessed to you." Look, I'm happy when he's mentioned... Wait, why does her face look a bit angry???
"Yes, everyone can see it." Her expression confused me too, why is it that frowning face.
"Did you hear my answer?" This time her face was clearly serious, oh I knew I wouldn't mention her lover.
"I haven't, I don't-". I was about to say that I didn't really want to hear it but suddenly stopped, saying that would be no different than confessing my feelings to my older sister.
"You haven't heard, now I'll answer you"
"N-No need, you go out with your lover, I'll sit for a bit and then go home." Waving her hand, she stammered in refusal. she had escaped all the way here to avoid hearing those heartbreaking words, and she still wanted to tell me the same thing.
"Hey, be quiet and listen to what I say." She used both hands to hold my face facing her, looked at me firmly and said.
"I told Shin that I thanked him for his feelings for me, but I also had to apologize to him because I already had someone in my heart. But the person I love is so stupid. I gave them five or seven chances to confess his feelings, but he still refused to say anything to me. Don't you think that person is angry?I"
Oh, so you don't like Shin but like someone else. So your heart still doesn't have me.
"I think you should find someone better to love. You're too excellent to love such a coward."
"Haha, if you're still such a coward, I'll really love someone else, Seoyeon."
"What do you mean?". Straight girls are weird, why do you say I'm a coward?
"You idiot." Without waiting for me to understand, she pulled me back and placed a light kiss on my lips.
Wait??? Did you just kiss me? My eyes widened as I looked at her, full of doubt. Do straight girls thank me with their lips now???
"The person I like is you, idiot." She gave a warm smile, my heart stopped beating after hearing that sentence.
"It's true, I really like you Seoyeon."
"W-when did you-"
"You're so stupid, I've liked you since you were in 9th grade, I don't know if you remember the day you were helping your mom sell groceries and suddenly someone came in to ask for a band-aid. Yes, it was me, that day I fell off my bike, it was already late afternoon, there was no one around, luckily I saw your mom's grocery store was still open so I went in to ask for a band-aid, do you remember when you saw my bleeding knee and you panicked and bandaged it for me, I've liked you since then. I was worried that I wouldn't know how to approach you, that summer I received a list of scholarship students and you were on it. You don't know how happy I was, the first thing I did on the first day of school was to go look for you, you know, and the story about the student being a mentor was made up by me, why would I be the president to guide anyone? In short, I love you very much"
"I-I love you too"
She looked at me and I looked at her, the feelings between us right now can only be described in four words, extremely happy.
I thought that my relationship would end just like that. I didn't think that you also liked girls and especially liked me. It turns out that there was a reason why you didn't deny those rumors.
"Come here and let me hug you. I know you're worried about the distance between us, but don't worry. My parents love you very much." She hugged me and gently rubbed my back.
"W-what how do your parents know me?"
"I told them everything about you. My parents are looking forward to meeting you."
"You say that, I'm even more worried, president."
"Leave me alone, I love you, silly dog"
"I love you too, President Yooyeon"
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End