Chapter Text
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In a secluded corner of a street, a petite female student yawned groggily.
"...I can't believe I have to wake up early again..."
Go Youngeun marched down the quiet paved road with little strength she had left. She was still quite dizzy because she spent her time last night scrolling through some online forum.
"But seriously, why did I stay up knowing damn well it's my first day.”
The female student kept mumbling to herself for she was now paying the price of risking a pleasant sleep just to quench her thirst for gossip.
She kept asking the same question but of course she already knew the answer.
Go Youngeun like—no…she loves gossip!
She knows almost everything that is happening in their neighborhood.
Drama? She can reenact every line, movements, emotions, and down to every mannerisms of the people involved!
Rumor? She'll definitely exaggerate it and add a little touch if she thinks it will be beneficial!
Scandal? No questions. She has to know this one—so she will be aware of who to avoid and how to handle them just in case!
It is the time for the learning and students would of course do many questionable shits. Youngeun has no choice but to catch up to every little hearsay. Most students at their campus relied on her for information and she has quite earned from it a bit.
As she felt her system finally waking up, she let out a final yawn and lift her hand to adjust her neck tie—
…
“!!!”
‘Shoot. My necktie.’
Go Youngeun sprint back to the direction she came from as if her life depends on it.
‘If I take my usual route, it will take a long time and I'll surely be late. If I'm late then I… No! I won't be late!’
The female student was literally bawling internally as she decided to switch her direction and dashed into a narrow alleyway—the shortest shortcut she knew.
‘It’s a bit scary here… But I absolutely can not be late! What can possibly be more terrifying than the president—
“SHI—NO!! I’M SORRY I WAS WRONG!!”
Youngeun flinched as her thought was cut off by a loud cry of someone across the narrow alley.
‘What…’
“!!! Can you let me slide?! It hurts, please!!”
Go Youngeun stopped on her tracks. She wants to move—she really does, but she just froze when her eyes landed on the figure getting beat up into a pulp by someone with a bloodied fist. It's the poor boy’s blood.
She glanced at the supposedly teenager responsible for the horrifying occurrence and their eyes met.
!!!!
‘He—’
‘That face… It's him! That delinquent!!’
Before their eye contact lasted 10 seconds, Go Youngeun bolted back to the main street and hastily decided that it's better to head straight to her school for now. She didn't even care if she didn't have her neck tie anymore because…
‘The infamous delinquent is way more terrifying and cruel than the student council president!’
***
A male student adjusted his glasses as he carefully examined every single one of the students before letting them pass the school gate.
Perfectly combed hair, complete school uniform, and a clipboard on hand. A description of a well-behaved student.
Kim Soleum stands guard on the school entrance to monitor students who…
1. Doesn’t wear the complete uniform properly
2. Don't have their name tags
3. Brings cigarettes
4. Are latecomers
It's his duty as the student council president to guide everyone in this school down the right path and honestly—
‘I’m tired of doing this. I just want to go home already…’
Kim Soleum doesn't have a choice but to fulfill this duty against his will.
During his first year, a senior he knows—specifically the former school president begged him to be the first year representative just because he knows Soleum has what it takes and is a natural.
He reluctantly agreed because his senior made an effort and even begged him for it. So he decided to do his job, it's just a one-time thing after all.
However, he was just too good at his job that he ended up being a president in his second year.
‘Fuck it.’
Although he's not fond of whatever he's going through right now, his face and demeanor reveals not a hint of those impressions. He's pretty skilled in hiding his inner thoughts after all.
“GAHH…”
Kim Soleum snapped his head toward the direction of the yelp revealing a brown-haired girl panting heavily.
“Go Youngeun-ssi…there are still 15 minutes left before the gate closes, why are you rushing?”
“...Wait, let me…breathe first….
He just stayed quiet as the female caught her breath. After calming down, Youngeun finally stood face to face with him making the area where the necktie should be placed more noticeable
“Go Youngeun-ssi, your tie—
“Yes, I forgot them—I’m sorry. I'll clean the women's bathroom for a week, help with the gym as well, and write a whole notebook of apologies, sir!”
.....
“…..Okay. Then, I'll write your name down. Is that alright?”
“Yes—thank you, Kim Soleum-ssi!”
He watches as the girl who weirdly accepted her fate of penal labour hurriedly enters the school while sweating buckets.
"…"
‘Forget it, let's just finish this already.’
So far there are only a few students who he listed on his clipboard. He was checking his list when he noticed an innocent looking student approaching the gate. He wore a complete uniform, however—the tie is loose, the white button up shirt isn't buttoned revealing a black tee underneath, and he reeks of… cigarettes.
“Excuse me, but where is your name tag?”
Contrary to what he expected, the boy smiled gently making him look even more innocent.
“I'm a transfer student. I haven't got mine yet.”
“I see… then just kindly hand me your bag. I'll just conduct a brief inspection.”
“Wha—
Before the boy could finish his words, Soleum swiftly snatched his bag and searched through it.
…..!!
Kim Soleum raised his hand that is currently holding a cigarette pack he just found in the boy’s bag.
“What is this?”
“A cigarette pack.”
“I know, but why do you have this?”
“What else—but to smoke.”
“It's against school rules and it's bad for your health so I'm confiscating this.”
“WHAT?! You bastard, don't you know how expensive that brand is?! I won't allow you to take it from me!”
Soleum was startled by the student’s sudden 360 degree of attitude. ‘He was just smiling gently earlier, what's with the sudden aggression?’
“No.”
“You motherfu—
“I will be taking this even if you want it or not.”
Soleum glared at him hoping to convey that he wouldn't change his mind. The boy’s irritation became evidently visible as he didn't back down and glared back at him.
“Whatever. Give me back my bag! What are you? Some old-fashioned old man who's obsessed with rules.”
The boy gripped the bag with his hand, snatching it away from Soleum. Just a few seconds of that action was enough for him to notice the light bruise on the boy’s fist. Kim Soleum unconsciously grabbed his bruised hand and then realized what he just did.
‘I didn't mean to hold on to hi—
“ENOUGH, YOU BASTARD!!”
The boy violently slaps Soleum’s hand as he looks at him with pure rage and frustration.
“SERIOUSLY, WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!!”
Kim Soleum was shocked by the boy's outburst that his foot unwillingly stayed glued on the floor. But of course, everyone didn't notice it since he was wearing his usual poker face. The student in front of him was taken back for a second then quickly regained composure.
“I let you slide once for taking my cigarettes and then you go on and start laying your filthy hands on me!”
He was completely frozen but soon was distracted when he saw a leaf fall onto the top of the boy’s head shifting his focus.
….
……
'Wow, shit…’
………
‘I can't focus.’
…………..
‘Fuck.’
‘I want to get it off his head…’
****
It's early in the morning and yet Baek Saheon had it rough already. His fist is throbbing, his head is spinning, in short—he’s in a foul mood.
And as of this moment, his temper turns even more sour. He is extremely aggravated!
Why?
Thanks to the four-eyed old geezer in front of him who is an oh so righteous type of shit that annoyed him to the deepest part of his bones.
‘Seriously. I actually let him take my cigarettes and yet he still has the nerve to touch me.’
Baek Saheon doesn't like being casually touched by others. No, he loathes it in fact. Just by thinking back to what happened earlier, his fury grows even more, making him want to put the animal in front of him in its place.
‘Surely, he doesn't know me…’
If he does, then the person in front of him would start trembling at the sight of Saheon.
He looks at the old geezer in front of him which is currently staring at him dead in the eyes with their red iris devoid of emotion.
….
‘Shit…what a creep…’
Despite being a bit shaken by the unbothered demeanor of the entity in front of him. Baek Saheon still held his stand, not wanting to surrender.
‘I’ll give him a scare and he will be wrapped around my fingers in no time.'
He smirked mockingly.
“You probably didn't hear of me, haven't you?”
“...”
…….
‘...He should at least nod or something!!!’
The person in front of him is giving him chills, not that he will admit it! Saheon cleared his throat to keep the momentum and maintain his dominance.
“I assume not, cause if you did—you wouldn't even bother calling out to me.”
He originally planned to go into this high school without causing trouble hence why he was acting like an innocent goat earlier. But he trashed that plan just a few seconds ago. That won't work, at least now that he stumbled upon this person.
“Allow me to introduce myself, I'm the only son of the owner of Baek corporation! You hear that?! I am the sole heir, you motherfucker!!”
When push comes to shove, nothing beats the old but classic status display of power! He knows that with social dominance, he will remain on top and the person who dared to go against him will crawl and beg at the bottom.
He noticed the students around them started murmuring with each other. Some were passing by quietly to not get involved, some were entering faster to avoid inspection, some were curious, some were full of envy, and most had the face of worry—worry about being in the same space with someone who can destroy their life in a blink of an eye.
He sneers finding everyone pathetic. Looks like he won't be going here peacefully, after all the trouble he went through to transfer.
‘It works everytime. Now let's see him cower in defeat and beg for forgiveness…’
He grinned meaningfully and glanced back at four-eyes.
……….
His smile dropped.
The person in front of him is now staring at him with extreme intensity making their red iris—the color of blood even more noticeable.
!!!
‘Holy shit!’
Saheon has a bad feeling about this person. The instinct in every inch of his body is telling him to get away from him.
‘Fuck! Seems like a simple dominance-display won't work with him as well.’
Despite having the worst attitude everyone has know, Baek Saheon is actually cunning and clever—he knows when to take a step back if his guts told him so.
And right now it's screaming at him.
That's why he decided to end this one-sided conversation while still saving his face as much as possible.
“Forget it! This conversation will lead to nothing.”
He uttered with a scowl—maintaining his tough stance.
“....”
……..
“Be thankful. I'm letting this ridiculous behaviour of yours slide as well.”
“........................”
Saheon groans frustratingly and loosen his neck tie even more. He feels like he aged significantly.
“You overly nosy wannabe model student.”
He mumbles cautiously before taking a step to finally leave this creepy entity alone. But no, the universe has a different plan.
!!!
Just as he was about to take another step, he noticed the creepy student slowly lift his hand—in front of him. In front of his face, casting a shadow on his features.
Baek Saheon felt his stomach twist. His head already hurting earlier now felt like it has multiple bolts dancing in every one of his nerves.
His visions are getting blurry and his surroundings starts spinning.
‘The hand is similar’
…….
‘It’s way too…similar!!’
Baek Saheon can feel his sweat trickling down his face. He didn't even realize how his breathing was spiraling out of his control.
The hand that looks extremely massive in his eyes made its way to the top of his head reminding him of someone—or rather something someone used to do.
Saheon felt the hand brush his hair gently which makes it even more terrifying. It did not touch him but he still wants nothing to do with it. He wants himself away from it.
‘Fuck….I can't breathe.’
Everything that is happening right now is way too disgusting and familiar making him feel awfully helpless and nauseous.
‘No more…Please stop….’
……
‘Please…’
Lost in his thoughts, the hand brushing his hair gradually withdrew, making the light peek into his face once again—snapping him back to reality.
!!!
"..."
‘Right… It’s him I'm talking to earlier. Calm down, it's not them.’
Baek Saheon briefly forgot about the existence of the nosy student making him cautiously glimpse at their expression.
The person is somewhat….
?!
Relieved?
….
Saheon sweated profusely, completely bewildered by the reaction.
‘W-what the hell?’
No way…
‘Is he relieved to see me in such a state?!’
Saheon internally trembled, wondering what kind of person will enjoy someone's suffering.
The face looking at him now is still cold yet unlike earlier, it's now calmer and collected. He looks down at Saheon’s unbuttoned shirt. Realizing this, Baek Saheon hurriedly tried to button it to avoid any more conflict.
‘Fuck! My hand’s still trembling.’
However, much to his dismay—he can't button it!!
The four-eyed asshole sighed and reached out to help him button his shirt.
‘No! Get your hands off my shirt!’
Of course Saheon stayed still. He had no choice anymore and so he stood like a rock—a sweating rock.
The pale slender hand starts to gently button his shirt from the lower part until the top. Baek Saheon now had unwillingly taken a good look at the bastard’s face. ‘He had long eyelashes…I hope it will forever meet his lower eyelashes. In short, I hope he won't be able to wake up anymore when he sleeps later!’ Just as he thought the asshole’s done—he also grabbed the tie and fixed it.
‘Just end it quickly!’
While still having his hand on the neck tie. The asshole slightly leans forward, scaring the shit out of Saheon. Then he saw his mouth slightly opening.
“I’ll let you slide just this once...”
The boy slowly noted in a very low and cold tone sending shivers to Baek Saheon’s soul.
To everyone, it looks like the asshole is just fixing his neck tie. But for Saheon, it feels like he's choking him with the small fabric!
……
“SHIT!!”
He hurriedly stomped away from that maniac while sending daggers to everyone who was looking at him.
‘He’s a psychopath. I better not get myself involved with the likes of him. It will only be me who's suffering—while that psycho savours it!’
‘Absolutely not! Goodbye asshole!’
Baek Saheon raised his middle finger toward the direction of the monster. He made sure that it's not looking at him before he also raised the other.
***
Since it was only the first day. The teachers only did a few orientation here and there so there's really not much to pay attention to. That's why Kim Soleum kept glancing at the left corner of the classroom. At the table at the very back and last row—seated a boy with chestnut locks that is now kissed by the sun making it a shade of golden brown.
‘It’s the leaf…so he’s in the same class as me.’
The transfer student actually managed to leave a strong impression on Soleum due to the incident earlier. He doesn't really mind him that much except for his temperament. He admitted that it's entirely his fault for unintentionally touching him which may come off as rude. ‘I’ll apologize if I get the chance.’
After the 3rd orientation, it is now lunch break. Kim Soleum decided that it was the perfect time to apologize and so—he stood up and started making his way towards the boy when all of the sudden someone shouted at the classroom door.
“Kim Soleum-ssi, let's have lunch together! You see, I have some urgent things I have to do later so I need to talk with you about the punishment I said I……..would…do……”
!!!
Everyone's head snapped towards the loud female voice whose words seemed to be frantic at first but for some unknown reason, melted into a dragging whisper by the end like she saw something she doesn't want to see at all.
“Go Youngeun-ssi, you've been in a rush ever since this morning. Is there something wrong?...”
Kim Soleum asked the woman. He was quite worried about this one as well. There is no doubt—it really is a weird day, maybe that's why people are unusually weird today. He noticed the female’s complexion became paler as seconds passed by. He was about to tell her to go to the infirmary first when she suddenly bolted into his direction, grabbed his hand, and yanked him with her outside the classroom as if there was someone they needed to escape from.
!!!
Kim Soleum can hear the cheerings and teasing remarks of his classmates.
‘No!! It's not like that! (>▂<)’
“Youngeun-ssi, what's happening? It is not polite to grab someone like that and then run around the hallway.”
“You need to be careful of that delinquent!!”
“.....Pardon?”
“Let's grab some lunch first then I'll tell you.”
Youngeun said after releasing his arm. Kim Soleum wearily exhaled, he did not say any word after that and decided to just follow the girl for it to end already. They bought their lunch and sat at the farthest corner of the cafeteria.
“Spill it.”
He uttered, straight to the point while looking directly at the eyes of the student.
“Right! First of all, I am sorry…my body just moved on its own but of course it's still my mistake.
Soleum gave her a nod to signal her to continue.
“I was just surprised to see him there…”
“...See who?”
“That delinquent!!”
“Go Youngeun-ssi, you keep on saying something about a delinquent but I have no idea who or what you are talking about.”
“It's him! Baek Saheon!!”
….
“The transfer student?”
Youngeun nodded with horror in her eyes.
‘Now what is going on?’
“Baek Saheon, the only son of the founder of Baek corporation and he's a natural delinquent I'm telling you!”
Soleum was dumbfounded with the sudden whisper-shout of Youngeun. He knew that the woman in front of him was not one to utter bullshits…..'I mean I guess.'. He nodded his head and so she continued.
“I saw him beating someone on the street this morning. Had I known that I would cross paths with him and witness his evil doings, I would never ever set my foot on that shortcut even if it means being late!”
‘So that's why she looks like she's running away from someone earlier…’
“He was already quite infamous with most of the students around this neighborhood. They said—Baek Saheon beat a group of students in his former school which led to a disciplinary committee then eventually getting him kicked out. That explains why he would transfer in his second year of high school, but fuck! I didn't know it was our school he's transferring to! Why would he choose our peaceful school despite all the choices?! To wreak havoc?! Is that it?!”
‘How should I respond to that?...’ Kim Soleum decided to nod in response.
“And from what I heard…No big school actually wanted Baek Saheon! So his family decided to try small schools, and guess what?! They don't want him too!!”
Go Youngeun burst out laughing then upon seeing Kim Soleum’s dead serious face, she cleared her throat to calm down, muttered a little I'm sorry and continued.
“But of course, that will be a huge blow to the pride of the great Baek corporation so long story short—they bribed the school of their choice, which is our school unfortunately. His whole clan is sketchy as well. I mean they have the money, influence, power and all so they're quite a pain in the ass to get on the wrong side with.”
“….”
“And yeah, Baek Saheon's a selfish, spoiled, evil, little demon! They said that he pretty much beat up someone who gets on his nerves. Can you believe that?"
“….”
“Hmmm, come to think of it. There is this rumor as well about her sister. It’s not that well-known but according to what I heard, his sister is no exception to his violence tendencies.”
“That’s horrible. How is she now?”
“Huh?...”
“The sister…I mean.”
“Oh…she's dead.”
“……….”
“It's ridiculous but some people believed that Baek Saheon attacked his sister so much leading to her death.”
……
“So he was also mostly labeled as a murderer by people. But no one dared say it to his face of course! Let's just kindly stick to his nickname of delinquent. I'm telling you this because I want you to be careful around him. Baek Saheon and his family is someone you should not mess with, okay?”
Go Youngeun genuinely warned in a stern voice. Unbeknownst to Soleum, she was also trying to find a good chance to tell him that he can not do the punishments she promised she'll do so she's feeding him with extra information than necessary.
"…."
“Kim Soleum-ssi?...”
After a long time of silence, she called out his name. Unfortunately, Kim Soleum is facing a battle in his mind as of the moment.
‘...........'
‘Fuck.’
‘SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!! SHIT!!!’
Kim Soleum hates scary stuff but he does like reading them. However, the way Youngeun delivered the lines, demonstrate saheon's expressions, and do some little movements while she's at it makes him feel as though he was watching a horror story based on real-life situation—and so Kim Soleum arrived at one conclusion.
‘I’m fucking scared!’
Yaaay! Congratulations Go Youngeun-ssi, you managed to scare Kim Soleum and now he's scared of Baek Saheon!!!
EXTRA:
‘The leaf… it's green, it's small, and it's on the top of his head. I want to get it off. It's really distracting me!!!’ ರ_ರ
Kim Soleum made sure to look straight at the eyes of the boy for him to not notice that he was currently not listening to him and was distracted by something on the top of his head.
‘Should I get it?...or no?’
….
Kim Soleum slowly lift his hand—
‘No, wait. He doesn't like being touched, what if he gets triggered again—no, my hand is halfway up already, it'll be awkward to take it back.’
He picks up the leaf carefully to not touch the head of the boy.
‘Finally…’
Kim Soleum was glad and relieved that he was no longer distracted by a mere leaf and the boy seems like he's not angry too! Probably because Soleum didn't touch him. The student even started to button his shirt just before Kim Soleum could say anything. However, the boy is quite struggling.
‘I should help him right? I just had to make sure that I won't touch him.’