Chapter Text
Choi Jeho had always wanted to move. Although strangely enough, when he did, his heart ached a bit; the aching he tried to ignore only made him feel stranger. He didn’t try to thrive deeper to understand why, he wasn’t built to overthink and dwell on things.
He disliked the memories of his old neighborhood. He despised his father, his linguistic violence, the foul stench of alcohol which his father was dripped in.
His mother had successfully gotten a divorce, leaving his father behind with no authority over them, cutting all contact with him.
After moving to their new house, they unloaded all their belongings and went through the layout. With nothing more to do, Choi Jeho went out for a run. It was early spring; it was still light out and the temperature was enjoyable, the fresh air and breeze made him feel refreshed.
Coming to his senses he realized he’ve just been running without paying attention to his path. Looking around, no one was out (presumably because it’s late)
”Hey, you know the directions for XXX apartment?”
Choi Jeho had noticed a figure; quite far away. As he got closer he saw him.
It was someone a bit shorter than him and wore a school uniform, it seemed it was the winter uniform.
When Choi Jeho asked the question the other had turned around, meeting his eyes. The other had to tilt his head upwards. It was quite hard to see his eyes since his bangs were put down and covering a bit of his eyes.
”…what?” A smooth but raspy voice sounded. Before Choi Jeho could repeat the other one spoke, ”ah, XXX apartment is that way…
The man continues to give clear instructions.
Choi Jeho was about to turn around to thank the man. His sister had nagged him countless times to speak respectfully and thank people. But what’s the point? It’s not like they won’t understand if I don’t speak respectfully. Though he felt it would be right to thank the man.
But the man was already gone. Choi Jeho would probably get another nagging session from his sister.
In a brightly lit classroom; the window blinds were all open, letting the sunlight shine as a light source. The classroom, bustling with chatter, whisper and laughter could be heard from the hallway.
A middle aged woman who wore casual attire; a white under t-shirt with a dark green vest with a slightly V-cut over; and white wide pants.
The woman spoke, holding some notebooks on her right side. ”Settle down and go to your seats.”
The once bustling classroom quieted down. ”We have a transfer student. Since this student just transferred here, please treat them kindly.”
I, Kim Hyoil, just briefly listened. I have to focus on the upcoming midterms exams and mock exams. Kim Hyoil furrowed his brows as he continued focusing on math equations. Barely a minute passed by; whispers could already be heard.
Curious, he looked up. A tall man with defined and sharp features, stood at the very front of the classroom. His black hair covered his forehead and stopped around above his eyes. His eyes were cold and indifferent.
”I’m Choi Jeho.”
Just a few words and it sent the class into curious whispers and excited giggles. Kim Hyoil swallowed his sigh.
Since the transfer student had a short introduction, the teacher chimed in, ”He’s the same age as all of you. He might need some notes, make sure to help out and share with him.”
Everyone answered excitedly with a synchronized ”Yes, teacher!”
The teacher looked around and with an ah sound she spoke again, ”Jeho-ya, take a seat in the very back row over there. Kim Hyoil, raise your hand a bit so Jeho can see you.”
Kim Hyoil swallowed his sigh, hearing his name in a sentence made him disgusted; he utterly despised that name. Although, grumbling, he still raised his arm—just high enough for the transfer student to see.
Following, the routine started. Firstly the roll call and morning reading—and going through with that, first period started with Korean language. Kim Hyoil continued to take notes and listen attentively—although, he could feel some glances on him, presumably from the transfer student. As the lesson ended and the 10 minute break started; everyone surrounded their table—or no, they surrounded Choi Jeho. Everyone gathered around excitedly, they all had their share of questions; spitting them all out, talking over eachother.
A girl in a group of other asked, ”why did you transfer?”. Kim Hyoil didn’t stop his pen from writing but he opened his ear slightly, hearing that question out loud, he realized— he also was quite curious about that.
”Why, have you never seen one?” A piercing cold, blunt voice spat out. It seemed the room had dropped at least 10 degrees.
Oh? And what is that jerks problem? Does he seriously have no sense of respect for others…? Even though annoyed, you should treat others accordingly. At the end, they would still be classmates for a long time, better not end up on others death note. Kim Hyoil barely, just barely, contained his fuming words from exploding out. Luckily the teacher walked in, yelling for them to quiet down and take their seat.
Choi Jeho, now, sitting at the very back with a student named Kim Hyoil. He may not care to remember much; that was because some things weren’t worth remembering. But, he certainly couldn’t forget Kim Hyoil. That person, for sure—was the one who helped him with directions and just vanished. While having his first period, he stole some glances. It seemed Kim Hyoil took studying quite seriously.
Whenever Kim Hyoil would look down to take some notes; his hair swooped perfectly over his eyes and the tips of his ears. His pen never seemed to stop writing. Choi Jeho had glanced at his notes, they were freakishly clean and organized. That’s not as unexpected..
He also had some doodles on the side, it seemed they were some animals. But Choi Jeho found himself staring more at the boy, Kim Hyoil. There was no point in denying, he was eye-catching. Especially with his pale, porcelain-like skin. His black—slightly messy hair, and his fully black eyes. Even though Choi Jeho hadn’t made eye contact or looked especially long, he felt like Kim Hyoil’s eyes would be able to swallow him; just like an abyss, an endless and forever going, just trapping him.
The lesson was long and boring. Choi Jeho was barely keeping himself from laying down and sleeping on his desk. He thought he would be able to under break.
Haaa, how bothersome. His other classmates had surrounded his desk. They constantly threw questions at him, the questions were the same ones and incredibly useless. What would they do with that information? Also they were incredibly loud, can’t they see that someone was studying here? He furrowed his brows and continued to half sleep, letting the questions go in one ear—and out the other.
A squeaky voice, ”why did you transfer?” Following that questions some giggles transferred between them.
What am i, a circus animal for display? Choi Jeho grumbled; furrowing his brow deeper.
”Why, have you never seen one?
The giggles stopped. The teacher walked in, yelling some stuff. they should get a vocal decimeter, they might just break one. Go around and share that, some might laugh with you.
The next period started. Choi Jeho, who couldn’t fight the urge to stay awake anymore, he decided to sleep. He lay down on his arms which rest on top of the desk. He stared briefly at Kim Hyoil face which was quite serious and emotionless. When he got enough, he decided to close his eyes, sleep got to him quicker than he thought.