Han Tael hit the ground, his face bruised from Jae Vin's punch.
"Yo, what the hell!" Han Tael's friends screamed, shoving Jae Vin away. But it was too late. A handful of Jae Vin's friends stormed in, and chaos erupted. Fists flew. Jae Vin tackled Han Tael again, landing blow after blow. Eun Shin bolted from the building when she saw the fight, eyes narrowing with anger. Without hesitation, she plunged into the fray.
"Stop!" she screamed, but the fighting raged on. Gripping her frustration, she shoved her way through the crowd.
Seok Jun spotted her and rushed after her, calling her name. "Eun Shin!"
She didn't stop. She pushed forward, finally reaching Jae Vin, still on top of Han Tael. Without thinking, she shoved him off, sending him stumbling back.
Jae Vin's rage flared. He swung a punch at the person who'd dared to push him, but Seok Jun was there in a flash, grabbing Jae Vin's wrist and halting his strike mid-air.
"Enough," Seok Jun growled, shoving Jae Vin's hand away. His glare burned with intensity. Eun Shin pulled Han Tael to his feet, locking eyes with Jae Vin. Her expression was cold, her anger simmering.
"Stop now!" Seok Jun ordered. The group paused, exchanging uncertain glances. Slowly, they backed off. Eun Shin bowed briefly to Han Tael in apology. His friends rushed to him, anxious hands checking his wounds.
"I'm sorry... If anything—"
"It's fine," Han Tael muttered, spitting blood. "Some losers just don't know when to quit."
Eun Shin's fists clenched at her sides. Inside, her fury boiled. Seok Jun let out a long exhale, then turned toward Han Tael with an apologetic gesture.
"As captain of the team, I truly apologize," Seok Jun said, his tone sincere but strained. Han Tael smirked, eyes glittering with mischief.
"Shouldn't the one who started this kneel and apologize?" he taunted. Jae Vin's expression darkened, a growl rumbling deep in his chest.
"Do you want more?"
Han Tael chuckled, the sound rough.
"I think you need to teach your comrade how to be a better teammate," he jabbed, a challenging edge in his tone.
Eun Shin exhaled sharply in frustration. She pulled a sticky note from her pocket, scribbled something on it, and slapped it onto Han Tael's chest. He blinked in surprise.
"Here's my number," she said coolly. "If there's any trouble or financial strain, text me. I'll make sure my father helps."
Jae Vin glared, frustration and pride tangled in his expression.
"I didn't win..."
"Hey, don't—"
"Shut it! This is because of you," Seok Jun snapped, his patience fraying. Jae Vin's eyes flicked to him, clearly upset. Han Tael smiled and nodded, a glint of amusement in his eyes.
"I'll take the pretty lady's number. Expect a call," he said with a smirk, twirling the sticky note between his fingers before strutting off. Eun Shin stood frozen, speechless. Her eyes burned with frustration at Jae Vin's unyielding trouble, but she stormed away without sparing him another glance. Jae Vin didn't stop her or chase after her. He watched her go, fists clenched at his sides, his heart pounding in something between anger and regret.
Eun Shin went straight home, her mind weighed down by the events of the day. Jae Vin stormed into the club, irritation simmering in his chest. He lit a cigarette, the smoke curling around him as he leaned against the bar. A group of women approached, their smiles playful and teasing.
"Where have you been? I've been waiting for you… I thought you liked me," one of them asked, eyes twinkling.
Jae Vin smirked, his exhaustion barely hidden. "Sorry, baby. I've been busy," he answered.
Then a man entered, grinning as he made his way over. "Where have you been all day?" he asked, amusement in his eyes.
Jae Vin groaned, clearly irritated. "Argh. School," he muttered.
The man chuckled, nudging him with a playful shove. "Why'd you flunk two years ago? You could've had a better life."
Jae Vin smirked again, the charm in his expression turning darker. "Mom needed me to stay… at least I get to hang around girls like her," he revealed, the undercurrent of nastiness clear in his words.
The man laughed, clearly enjoying the banter. "Hah, like that little girlfriend of yours? What was her name? Park..."
"Park Eun Shin," Jae Vin cut in. "Her father's a famous judge. My mom's trying to hook him in through us dating."
The man slapped him on the back with approval. "Your family will be untouchable if that happens."
Jae Vin laughed, the sound ringing out over the club's music as he soaked in the lively atmosphere. Just then, his phone buzzed. He pulled it out to see a message from Eun Shin: If you're going to keep that behavior up, I don't want to be a part of it.
He stared at the screen for a moment, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, before he shoved the phone back into his pocket. The night continued around him as he settled deeper into the club's energy. Meanwhile, Eun Shin was already preparing for bed, her mind replaying the unresolved tension from earlier.
NEXT DAY
Eun Shin walked into the classroom and headed straight to her seat. Jae Vin wasn't there. Seung Jee was already at his desk. He spotted her and immediately sat up straighter. His hands fumbled with the edges of a small bottle of matcha.
"G-Good morning." Seung Jee bowed quickly, his hands nervously fidgeting with the strap of his bag as he glanced at her and then away.
"Good morning. You're early today." Eun Shin smiled as she sat beside him, setting her bag down with a casual motion.
"I-I got you this…" He held out a matcha bottle drink, his fingers stiff and hesitant.
"Thank you. How did you know I like this one?" Her eyes lit up as she took the bottle, recognizing the brand instantly.
"I-I saw it in your book the other day… it was sticking out." His gaze dropped as the tips of his ears flushed red.
"Oh. That's so observant of you." Eun Shin chuckled softly, tucking her hair behind her ear, slightly embarrassed.
"Seriously, this is really thoughtful. Thanks." She pressed the bottle to her cheek and grinned at him, her gesture warm and teasing. Seung Jee nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He kept his eyes low, but his posture softened, the tension in his shoulders easing just a little.
Jae Vin suddenly walked by and looked at Eun Shin talking to Seung Jee. He glared at Seung Jee. Rena looked at Jae Vin, then at Seung Jee and Eun Shin. She tapped Jae Vin's shoulder.
"What?!" he groaned. Rena chuckled.
"That's the transfer student. He's a stuttering kid," she said. Jae Vin scoffed.
"A stuttering idiot? What a loser," he commented. Rena smiled as she crept closer to his face.
"She's nice to him… Maybe a bit too nice," she slyly stated. Jae Vin's eye twitched irritably. He stormed away to his classroom without saying hello to Eun Shin. Rena smirked as she walked into the class.
"Wow. You're so smart!" Eun Shin said to Seung Jee, without realizing the hallway conflict. She looked at his old report card from the previous school. Seung Jee blushed at her compliment.
"M-my f-father… d-doesn't think so…" he frowned slowly. Eun Shin smiled and patted his shoulder.
"My father sometimes tells me that I'm the most stubborn daughter in his entire world! Sometimes, I think fathers are just hard-headed sometimes," she stated. Seung Jee nodded nervously. Eun Shin looked at him, wondering why he was getting quiet. He smiled, feeling speechless. She smiled and lay her head down to look at his face. He saw her eyes and panicked.
"Y-yes?"
"You're quiet. I'm not sure if it's nerves or stress, but you should have more confidence in yourself," she said gently. Seung Jee hesitated as he started fiddling with his fingers. His hands were sweaty, and his seat became uncomfortable.
"I-I… I g-get nerv-vous…" he stammered, his face coloring in embarrassment. Eun Shin smiled warmly.
"It's okay to be nervous," she said, "but don't lose faith in yourself."
Seung Jee offered a small, nervous smile, his fidgeting gradually easing. Her encouragement seemed to settle him, a quiet yes escaping his lips. She gave a gentle nod, then opened her drink and took a sip.
Afterward, she swayed playfully, her upper body tipping back and forth in a happy little dance. Seung Jee caught the movement and chuckled. She turned to him, grinning.
"I really love this drink!" she said, still dancing. Seung Jee nodded with his eyes fixed on her. Her little dance was far too adorable to look away. Soon, students began trickling in as the next bell neared.
When the lunch bell finally rang, chatter filled the hallways as students made their way to the cafeteria. At Eun Shin's table, Rena slammed her hands down. Eun Shin looked up.
"Lunch with us today?" Rena asked. Eun Shin wanted to say no—but she nodded instead.
"Okay."
She left her bag behind and followed the crowd.
Meanwhile, Seung Jee quietly moved through the lunch line. He grabbed his tray, picked up his food, and reached for a drink. Suddenly—
THUD.
His tray crashed to the ground. Jae Vin had bumped into him.
The cafeteria fell silent.
Seung Jee froze, trembling as he stared down at the mess. He could feel eyes on him from all sides. Jae Vin leaned in, smirking.
"Oops. Didn't see you there," he muttered before strolling off.
From across the cafeteria, Eun Shin had seen everything. Furious, she rushed over with paper towels and knelt beside him.
"Here. Clean up," she said gently, offering them to him. Seung Jee hesitated, then slowly reached for the towels—but before he could grab them, Jae Vin slapped them out of her hands. Eun Shin glared up at him.
"What is your problem?"
Jae Vin smirked, clearly enjoying her reaction.
"My girlfriend is my problem," Jae Vin said coolly. "Where were you last night?"
He reached for her hand—gentle, possessive. Eun Shin had had enough. With a sharp backhand, she knocked his touch away.
"I already told you I had enough of your bullshit. I don't want any part of it. This childish behavior… This is exactly what I mean," Eun Shin snapped. She spun toward Seung Jee, grabbed his arm, and without a word, dragged him out of the cafeteria. Her grip didn't loosen until they reached the farthest restroom.
Eun Shin waited by the door. Seung Jee changed into his gym clothes. When he finished, he paused, staring at the bundle of dirty clothes in his hands. He sighed heavily and walked out to meet Eun Shin. She smiled faintly at him as he stepped closer.
"I'm sorry that this happened…" she said softly. Seung Jee gulped and nodded nervously.
"I-It's not y-your fault…" he replied. Eun Shin sighed.
"It definitely is my fault. I'm sure he did that because of me… to provoke me when I ignored him last night," she said with a frown. Seung Jee smiled as he stepped closer.
"L-Lunch will be o-over soon… You n-need to eat," he said thoughtfully. Eun Shin froze as she registered his words. Then, she burst into quiet laughter and smiled.
"You're worried about my stomach when you also didn't eat?" she teased. Seung Jee blushed embarrassingly.
"I-I…"
"Let's go to class together. If anything, I can tell the teacher what happened," she said, reaching out a hand to him. Seung Jee looked at her hand and smiled. He nodded, following her willingly. Eun Shin led them back to their classroom, giving him time to tuck his clothes into his backpack.
Afterward, they headed to the gym for physical education. When they walked in late, the coach looked ready to reprimand Seung Jee—until he noticed Eun Shin beside him. She met the coach's gaze, silently daring him to speak. He hesitated, then held his tongue and pretended not to see them. Eun Shin smirked and tugged Seung Jee toward their seats behind the others.