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Cheol didn’t realize it at first.
Since transferring to Baekje Middle School, he had decided to focus entirely on his studies and avoid getting involved with anyone. Months later, looking back, he knew that part of his plan hadn’t gone exactly as he’d intended. He had somehow ended up with a few friends to play soccer with, and then there was Hwang Miae—undoubtedly the unpredictable factor in what Cheol had once thought was a flawless equation.
Not that he was complaining. He would never say it out loud, but being friends with that little weirdo was the best thing that had happened to him.
With that being said, it wasn’t unusual for Cheol to pay little attention to his surroundings. He had long since grown accustomed to the wary and speculative stares that followed him, prickling at his skin like a constant reminder of what people thought about him: gangster, delinquent, troublemaker, Lucifer—the boy who had been expelled from his previous school. The list went on.
So, no, Cheol didn’t notice at first how those stares had changed. After all, how could you notice people’s shifting perspectives of you when they were the same ones who had taught you to ignore them in the first place?
The answer to that question came in the form of someone as unpredictable and direct as they were: Jinseop.
“So, how does it feel, Kim Cheol?” Jinseop asked casually, one of the last days of school before summer break. “How does it feel to be the best friend every guy wants and the dream boyfriend every girl in this school wishes for?”
Cheol shot Jinseop his usual look, the one that asked ‘Do you even hear the nonsense coming out of your mouth?’
“People at this school change their opinions really fast,” Jinseop continued, clicking his tongue. “One day you’re Lucifer, and the next, an angel.”
Cheol immediately demanded that Jinseop stop messing around and explain what he meant.
Jinseop smirked mischievously—of course, he wouldn’t be Jinseop if he didn’t enjoy making Cheol suffer a little before giving him the information he wanted.
“You’re popular now, my friend.” Jinseop slung an arm over Cheol’s shoulder, an act that was beyond irritating, though Cheol tolerated it as they walked down the hallway. “Everyone’s wondering what happened to you, why you’re so different from the rumors. Especially the girls. They think you’re handsome.”
Cheol furrowed his brow at that and shoved Jinseop with his elbow. The other boy just laughed—mission accomplished: he’d successfully annoyed Cheol.
But Jinseop wasn’t done yet.
“Seriously, are you blind or what? Don’t you notice how the girls stare at you and talk about you?” Jinseop sounded genuinely incredulous, especially when he realized Cheol’s confusion was real. “They can’t even decide who’s more handsome—you or me. And honestly, I’m offended they haven’t made up their minds yet.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Cheol said, rolling his eyes. At the time, the whole thing had seemed precisely that: ridiculous and, more than anything, embarrassing.
“You don’t believe me?” Jinseop exclaimed dramatically, clutching his chest as if mortally wounded. Of course, Cheol knew better than to take him seriously. “Fine! Pay attention, and you’ll see it for yourself, Kim Cheol.”
And just like that, it was as if the blindfold around Cheol’s eyes had been ripped off.
In that very moment, girls he’d never seen before whispered amongst themselves, their gazes flicking between Jinseop (something that wasn’t new) and him.
Those stares were different—gone was the fear or discomfort that used to characterize them. Now, they looked him up and down, evaluating him. Some girls quickly glanced away, embarrassed to be caught staring, while others boldly held his gaze, fluttering their eyelashes. The giggles shared between groups of girls only added to the confusion. What were they even laughing about?
At 16 years old, Cheol was experiencing something entirely new—and utterly terrifying.
What was this strange new attention he was receiving?
“See?” Jinseop whispered smugly, smiling and winking at any girl who looked his way. He then added, half-jokingly, “If people didn’t think you and Miae were dating, those girls would’ve approached you by now.”
Something about that comment annoyed Cheol immensely. Overwhelmed and, above all, embarrassed, he shoved Jinseop away. “Idiot,” he muttered, storming back to his classroom, ignoring Jinseop’s laughter and the stares he could no longer pretend didn’t exist.
Cheol knew he wasn’t ugly per se. Relatives and family friends had occasionally mentioned how handsome he was in that casual way adults do when they haven’t seen you in a while. But the truth was, Cheol had never given much thought to his appearance. Why would anyone else?
After that, he had wanted to forget the whole thing, concluding that it was just another one of Jinseop’s ridiculous ideas.
But then summer arrived, and Cheol couldn’t keep pretending it was all in his friend’s head.
Girls stared at him—in the academy, on the streets. Sometimes, they even approached him with excuses to ask for his phone number.
During academy breaks, he’d overhear snippets of conversation:
“Isn’t Kim Cheol from Class S cute?”
“Cute? Sexy is more like it.”
Needless to say, Cheol was mortified. It didn’t help that Hyungyu, practically lit up every time he heard those comments.
“Dude! Did you hear them? They were talking about you!” His friend would exclaim, nudging Cheol like it was some grand achievement.
Cheol groaned every time, pulling his cap lower or shoving his hands into his pockets, hoping to dodge the topic.
"Stop making such a big deal out of it. It's nothing," he’d mumble in annoyance
Anyone else in his position might have felt flattered by the attention, right? It should’ve felt good. But Cheol didn’t feel that way. Quite the opposite—he felt guilty.
Irrational, he knew. After all, he couldn’t control what people said about him. Yet it bothered him every single time, especially when he caught Miae’s strained smile whenever it happened. It made him feel uneasy.
They were nothing, he told himself—just friends.
Yes. No. That was a lie.
They weren’t "just" anything.
They were something.
What exactly? Cheol couldn’t say. But one thing was certain: he didn’t want Miae to misunderstand.
He hated seeing the hurt in her eyes, like that time, when those college girls had approached him. Her smile had faltered—just for a second—but that second was enough to make his stomach twist uncomfortably. And it was even worse when people assumed she was his little sister.
For so long, Cheol had wanted to hold onto the idea that she was nothing more than a sister to him. But now that he knew the truth—that she was so much more—hearing others mistake them for siblings left him annoyed in a way he couldn’t quite explain.
And yet, Cheol did nothing about it. What could he do? So, he did what he always did best—he ignored it. If someone approached him, he’d reject them firmly but as politely as possible.
He could’ve carried on this way indefinitely—until one day.
They had just finished their classes at the academy, and everyone was gathered near the entrance, chatting and saying their goodbyes.
"Hey, Cheol, don’t forget about soccer practice tomorrow," Jungwook called out.
"Got it," Cheol replied with a small wave.
"See you later, dude!" Hyungyu added, slinging his bag over his shoulder. He glanced at Miae and smirked. "Bye, peanut."
"Don’t forget the soccer ball, douchebag!" Miae shot back with a grin.
Hyungyu turned to Cheol, his expression shifting to confusion and mild annoyance. "What?! She’s coming too?"
"Hey! Don’t look at me like that!" Cheol exclaimed, throwing up his hands in defense.
Miae smirked and crossed her arms, clearly enjoying herself. "Jungwook said I could come," she said smugly.
"Dude!" Hyungyu groaned, turning to Jungwook in frustration. "Why?"
Jungwook only grinned. "What? It’s more fun with more friends."
As the group began to break up, their friends waved their goodbyes, heading off in different directions, until only Miae and Cheol were left.
"Ugh, I’m so tired. I just want to go home and sleep," Miae groaned, leaning dramatically against Cheol.
Cheol’s lips twitched as he placed a finger on her forehead, gently pushing her away. He looked down at her, one eyebrow raised in amusement. "You’re exhausted? Didn’t I see you sleeping at your desk earlier?"
Miae gasped, looking scandalized. "I did not! What are you talking about?"
"You’ve been staying up late reading those comics again, haven’t you?" Cheol rolled his eyes knowingly.
"Of course not!"
"Miae, you were drooling," Cheol said, tapping the corner of his mouth.
Miae’s eyes widened, her face turning red as she quickly fished a small mirror out of her bag to check.
"Hey, you jerk! There’s nothing there!" she huffed, swatting his arm.
Cheol smiled triumphantly. "You just proved my point."
Miae gaped at him, but she recovered quickly, a smug grin spreading across her face. "And you just admitted you were watching me!"
Cheol froze for a second, caught off guard. Sure, maybe he had glanced in her direction when he should have been paying attention to class, but that didn’t mean anything. So, he scoffed, trying to brush it off. "How could I not? You were snoring so loud!"
Miae gasped, her eyes widening in shock. "I did NOT! You’re just making stuff up because you don’t want to admit you like staring at me!"
"I told you to stop reading those comics. They’re messing with your brain. Listen to the nonsense you’re saying, you weirdo!" Cheol shot back..
Miae puffed out her cheeks, narrowing her eyes in mock anger. "And so, what if I read them? You read them too, you hypocrite!"
"I told you, I didn’t!" Cheol snapped, flustered.
"I know you did, Kim Cheol!" Miae said, pointing an accusatory finger at him. "And guess what? I just finished the latest volume. Remember Minseo, the main character? Guess who she ends up with!"
Cheol froze—he hadn’t gotten that far in the story yet, and now Miae was about to spoil it for him! He had been secretly trying to figure out how to catch up on those comic books, without Miae finding out and teasing him mercilessly about it. And now, she was going to ruin it.
Against every fiber of his being—because he had a reputation and pride to uphold—Cheol crossed his arms and huffed, "Like I care."
Miae’s grin turned mischievous, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, really? You don’t care?" she teased, drawing out the words dramatically. "Then I guess you won’t mind if I tell you who Minseo ends up with, right? Was it Youngjae? Or maybe Sungmin?"
"Hwang Miae," Cheol said warningly, narrowing his eyes stepping closer to her "Don’t you dare—"
Miae tilted her head, her devilish grin widening. "Oh, don’t I?" she asked, her voice dripping with mock innocence. She leaned closer, as if the secret was burning on her lips. "She ends up with—"
Before she could finish, Cheol lunged forward, clamping his hand over her mouth. "Don’t. Say. Another. Word."
Miae’s muffled laughter spilled out against his hand, her eyes scrunching with pure delight. She tapped his arm repeatedly, but Cheol held firm, glaring down at her.
"Cheol-ah!" she mumbled against his palm, her words barely understandable. "Let me go!
"No!"
"I won’t say a word!"
Cheol narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Do you think I’m stupid? I don’t believe you."
"I knew it!" Miae wheezed, still trying to pry his hand away. "You love those comics too!"
"You’re crazy. I do not!"
"You do!"
"I do not!" Cheol insisted
Miae’s eyes danced with mischief before Cheol felt it—her tongue against his hand.
"Ugh, Hwang Miae!" he recoiled, wiping his hand on his shirt as she darted away, laughing.
"KIM CHEOL LOVES ROMANCE COMICS!" she yelled over her shoulder, cackling.
Cheol, already having enough of this, darted after her and snagged her around the waist, tickling her sides mercilessly. "Take it back, you little brat!"
"Cheol-ah!" Miae squealed, wriggling like crazy to break free, her laughter filling the street. "Stop!"
"You totally deserve it!" Cheol said, barely holding in his own laughter.
"The bet! The bet!" Miae gasped, struggling to catch her breath between giggles, trying to push his hands away. "You’re making it too obvious!"
"This doesn’t count!" he shot back, doubling down on the tickling as Miae feebly attempted to tickle him in return, failing miserably.
Their laughter grew uncontrollable, a wild mix of giggles and playful protests—until a sudden throat-clear cut through the moment, bringing everything to a halt. Both of them froze, laughter still caught in their throats as they slowly turned to face the source of the interruption.
Standing just a few feet away was a tall girl Cheol didn’t recognize.
"You’re Kim Cheol from Class S, right?" the girl asked, her tone overly confident. Not far behind her, Cheol noticed a group of girls watching the interaction, giggling and whispering amongst themselves. Her friends, he assumed.
Cheol blinked, confused. Beside him, Miae went unnaturally still, the warmth in her usual grin replaced with a neutral, almost guarded expression.
"Uh, yeah," Cheol replied cautiously, his brows furrowing as he glanced at Miae, unsure what this was about.
The girl smiled, her cheeks faintly pink, but her expression too polished to seem genuine. "I’m Soojin, from Class B," she said, her gaze momentarily flicking to Miae, as though just noticing her presence. Then, with a syrupy sweetness that bordered on condescension, she added, "Oh, I didn’t see you there."
Cheol’s jaw tightened. He was starting to get a bad feeling about this.
Turning back to him, Soojin continued, her voice coy. "I just wanted to say, I think you’re very handsome, and..." She trailed off dramatically, then tilted her head toward Miae, her smile taking on a sharper edge. "...I was wondering if I could talk to you privately?" Her tone made it clear that it wasn’t a request.
Before Cheol could even process her words, she gave Miae a pointed look, her disdain barely masked. "You wouldn’t mind, would you?" she asked, her voice dripping with false politeness, though her eyes said she fully expected Miae to go.
Cheol took a step forward protectively in front of Miae, ready to call out this girl for her rudeness. Who does she think she is? thought Cheol angrily, but before he could say something, Miae spoke.
"Of course not," she said lightly, her smile empty. "You two talk. I’ll head out on my own. Don’t worry about me, Kim Cheol."
And just like that, she began to walk away. Her words were so casual, but her eyes—those eyes—didn't match. Cheol knew her; he knew her so well. How could he not know by now every expression that face could make? Why the hell was she leaving him behind?
"Hey, Miae!" Cheol called after her, ready to follow, but a hand caught his arm. He turned sharply to the girl, who was smiling triumphantly.
"Oh, thank God she left," Soojin said, laughing lightly as if they were in on some private joke. "Kids these days just don’t know when they’re out of their league, do they? You’re honestly a saint for putting up with someone like her. Everyone says how desperate she is, always trying so hard to impress you. Did you see what she wore the other day? It was embarrassing."
Cheol’s blood ran cold. Slowly, he turned to face her, his expression dark and unreadable. "What did you just say?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
Unfazed, Soojin kept going, her clueless smile firmly in place. "I mean, it’s obvious, isn’t it? She’s so childish. Honestly, it’s a miracle she even thought she had a chance with someone like you. But forget about her—I came here to ask you on a date. So, what do you say?"
"No," Cheol replied coldly, jerking his arm free from her grip with disgust. "And don’t ever dare to say those things about her again. You understand me?"
"What?" the girl scoffed. "You are rejecting me for that child?"
"Hwang Miae," Cheol growled.
Soojin looked at him, confused. "What?!"
"Her name is Hwang Miae, not ‘little kid,’ not ‘child,’ and you don’t know anything about her!" Cheol said.
The girl laughed mockingly. "Those rumors were true, then? She is your girlfriend? That girl! What a joke!"
Cheol's heart stammered in his chest. People like her didn’t deserve an explanation. What Miae and he were was just for them to figure out. He knew that, but this time, he couldn’t—he didn’t want to—act like he didn’t know this kind of thing hurt Miae. This time, he would stand up for her. He wasn’t going to step aside and let this mean girl insult her.
"If she is or not, it’s none of your business!" he said, loudly enough for the girl and her friends to hear. "It’s enough for you to know that you—or anyone—could never compare to her. You are nothing next to her. So don’t you dare say anything about her or approach us again—now or ever. Know your place."
With that, he turned sharply on his heel and strode off, leaving Soojin sputtering in disbelief. He didn’t bother to look back—he didn’t care what she thought or what she might say to her friends. His only thought was catching up to Miae.
He ran to the place where he had parked his bike, hoping Miae might be waiting for him there, but there was no one. Cheol ran a hand through his hair, worried. He glanced at the watch on his wrist; it was late now. The last bus would have already left. That only meant Miae would have to walk home, and Cheol couldn’t be at peace knowing she was walking alone around this neighborhood.
He groaned in frustration, jumped on his bike, and began pedaling as fast as he could, frantically looking around for a girl with short hair.
His legs burned, his heart felt like it wanted to escape his chest, but he kept going, knowing he had to find her. He turned down one street, then another, until finally, he saw her.
Miae was walking with her hands in her pockets and her head low. Did she even know where she was going?
“Hwang Miae!” Cheol shouted. She didn’t stop. Cheol gritted his teeth, still far from her. “Miae!”
He urged his bike to go faster, calling her name again and again until Miae finally looked back. Her eyes widened at the sight of him, and she stood there awkwardly. Cheol pedaled harder, closing the gap between them.
When he finally reached her, he jumped off his bike, letting it skid to a stop behind him.
“Miae!” Cheol said, trying to catch his breath. He put both hands on her shoulders, and Miae looked up at him with wide eyes.
Cheol suddenly felt irritated. “Are you out of your mind? What were you thinking? I’ve told you a hundred times not to wander alone in this neighborhood! Do you know how worried I was?”
“Cheol?” she asked softly, her voice so calm it felt like she hadn’t heard a word he just said. “What are you doing here?”
Was she seriously asking that? Cheol thought in disbelief, his irritation growing.
“You…” Cheol swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. “Why did you leave?”
Miae didn’t say anything. She just stared at the ground, clutching her bag tightly against her chest.
“Answer me, Hwang Miae!”
“Why do you even care?” Miae suddenly snapped, her head jerking up to meet his gaze.
Cheol froze, taken aback by the fire in her eyes. He almost gasped. She stepped back, shrugging off his hands, and he let them fall limply to his sides.
“What?” Cheol stammered, utterly baffled. “What did you say?!”
“I’m making sure not to bother you both. Don’t you see? So go back! I’m sure she’s waiting for you!”
She began walking again, but this time, Cheol didn’t let her go. He grabbed her wrist.
“Miae, stop! Are you crazy? Why—”
“She likes you, Cheol!” Miae shouted, cutting him off. Her voice cracked as she continued, “She’s pretty, she’s tall, and popular. She clearly likes you. You’re even more handsome now, taller than before. You could be with that girl—or anyone you want—so what are you doing here with me? Annoying and childish Miae!”
Cheol’s heart dropped. Had she heard?
“Miae…” Cheol started.
“I just don’t understand, Kim Cheol,” she exclaimed. “Just go back. I don’t—”
“I’m here for you!” Cheol snapped fiercely. “Don’t you see?”
“What?” Miae mumbled. “Why?”
“Because I care about you, you idiot!” Cheol burst out, his words sharp but full of raw emotion. “Isn’t it obvious?!”
“But…” Miae’s eyes glistened.
“Listen to me!” Cheol tightened his grip on her wrist. “I don’t care about that girl or any other girl. I don’t care if she’s tall or if she’s pretty or any of that stuff, because none of them are you. You’re the one who left me behind!”
Miae’s eyes widened as she looked at him with something he couldn’t quite understand. Then she blinked, and tears began spilling down her cheeks.
Cheol gritted his jaw as he watched the tears fall. Why was she crying? He panicked. Didn’t she know that seeing her cry made him lose his mind?
“Hwang Miae, calm down…” Cheol’s fingers were instantly on her face, trying—and failing—to wipe away her tears. But that only made her sob harder.
“Cheol-ah!”
“Ugh, Miae, shh. Don’t cry. Calm down,” Cheol mumbled, not knowing what to do. He glanced around, slightly embarrassed. Thankfully, the street was empty.
“I’m so sorry,” she cried.
He almost groaned out loud. Miae always left him like this—baffled and with half of what he felt for her spilling out of his mouth without intending to.
He sighed, exhausted. “Come here, Miae,” he muttered, his voice low. He didn’t think—he just acted. He pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her tightly. Her face pressed against his chest as she continued to cry.
“Shh, it’s okay,” he whispered, his voice softening as he held her. “I’m here. It’s okay now.”
Miae’s arms tightened around his waist as Cheol awkwardly patted her back. Meanwhile, she kept mumbling things he couldn’t comprehend.
It seemed like a long time before she stopped crying. When she did, Cheol clicked his tongue.
“Look at you” he sighed, wiping her tears away. “Your eyes are all puffy now.”
Miae kept her gaze on Cheol’s chest, avoiding his eyes. When she finally spoke, her voice was quiet.
“I’m sorry for leaving you there,” she said softly. “I just thought I had no right to interfere when girls confess to you. Those are precious memories for you, after all.” Miae laughed self-deprecatingly. “I mean, we’re nothing. It’s not like I’m your—”
“But you are,” Cheol blurted out without thinking. “Okay? You are.”
Miae’s eyes widened, darting up to meet his. “You—”
Cheol immediately regretted his outburst. His cheeks flushed as he groaned quietly, running a hand through his hair. "See? This is exactly what I mean," he muttered. "You always make me say these kinds of things out loud."
Miae just stared at him, her mouth slightly open.
“Those girls… you think they really cared about me? They don’t even know me. Most of them were the same ones who used to call me 'Lucifer' behind my back or were too scared to even look me in the eye. But you…” Cheol paused, locking eyes with her.
“You’re different. You’ve always been different. Since we were kids, you were the girl crazy enough to follow me everywhere, to see something in me that nobody else did. Even after I moved here, you didn’t change. You’ve always been… you.”
Miae blinked, seeming at a loss for words.
Cheol forced himself to meet her gaze. “So, yeah. You do have every right. To be there, to care, to… whatever. You hear me?”
Miae’s cheeks turned red, and her eyes grew big and bright as she suddenly cupped his face with her hands.
Cheol swallowed hard, a nervous flutter rising in his stomach. He didn’t dare to move. “W-what are you doing?”
“You, Kim Cheol, say the sweetest things sometimes,” she whispered, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Cheol huffed, trying to act nonchalant, though he knew his embarrassment was painfully obvious. He avoided her gaze, looking anywhere but at her.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he muttered, attempting to pry one of her hands off his face.
But Miae didn’t budge. Instead, she held him firmly, her smile widening. Tilting her head slightly, she whispered playfully, “You’re being too obvious right now, you know.”
Cheol gaped at her. She could never stay serious for long, could she? “Hwang Miae,” he groaned, his tone half-annoyed, half-relieved she wasn’t crying anymore. “Are you kidding me right now?”
Miae shook her head, her grin unwavering. “You just lost our bet,” she declared, as if it were the most natural thing to bring up at that moment.
Cheol rolled his eyes, sarcasm dripping from his voice. “Now you remember it?” After all the crying, the jealousy, and the random compliments (yes, Cheol definitely remembered the ‘handsome’ comment), she had the audacity to bring up a silly bet?
“Fine,” he sighed in resignation. It was pointless to argue with her. He just wanted to get this over with and go home—it was late, after all. “But do it fast, and don’t hit me too hard, okay?” he added, closing his eyes and bracing himself for the inevitable flick to his forehead.
A moment passed. Nothing happened. Then he heard her giggle.
“Stop laughing,” he grumbled, exasperated, his eyes still shut. He could feel her presence close to him. “Just do it already. You’re just dra—”
And then he felt it.
Her lips, soft and warm, brushed against the scar on his cheekbone.
Cheol’s eyes snapped open, his breath hitching. The sensation of her lips lingered on his skin, sending an electric jolt through his body. For a moment, his mind went completely blank, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
When Miae finally pulled away, she was grinning, her cheeks tinged pink but her eyes alight with mischief. “There,” she said simply, her tone so casual it was almost infuriating—like she hadn’t just turned his entire world upside down.
“Hey!” Cheol exclaimed, scandalized, raising a hand to cover the spot where she had kissed him. “What the hell was that?!”
Miae smirked, raising an eyebrow. “Your penalty for being so cute.”
Cheol froze, staring at her, his face completely flushed. He gaped, unable to form a coherent response as Miae’s laughter rang in his ears. And despite himself, he couldn’t contain the smile spreading across his lips.
“That’s it,” he announced with feigned gravity, pointing an accusatory finger at her. “You’re going to pay for that!”
Needless to say, Miae began to run. And Cheol didn’t waste a second chasing after her, catching her quickly and tickling her sides mercilessly as she shrieked and laughed uncontrollably.
Their laughter echoed down the empty street, lighting it up in a way the streetlights never could.
And yeah, Cheol didn’t realize it at first, but with some people, they didn’t need to change their perspective of you—because they had always seen you for who you truly were from the very beginning.