There's one truth that never changes every new school year:
People still think I'm weird.
My name is Hanz Hyungsoo.
The boy who rarely talks, answers bluntly, and somehow offends people without trying. They say I'm too honest, too cold, too unreadable…
Whatever.
As long as I can play my games in peace, I don't care what they think.
I walked down the hallway with my earphones in, carrying a stack of books. The noise of gossip around me buzzed like mosquitoes—annoying, but not important.
"Hey, that cold guy is here…"
"I heard he once—"
"Don't stare into his eyes too long, he might—"
I ignored all of it, like always.
When I opened the door to my new classroom, every head turned toward me. Some stopped talking. Some pretended to look busy. Others stared cautiously, like I was some kind of unusual specimen.
I pulled out my chair and sat down without a word.
✦ ✦ ✦
"…Good morning, Hanz."
A soft, familiar voice.
I turned.
OhBomi.
The most popular girl in our grade—smart, pretty, kind. Everyone liked her.
And for some unknown reason…
she always talked to me.
"Morning," I replied, flat as usual.
Her shoulders relaxed slightly, as if my single-word reply made her day. Her long brown hair swayed gently as she lowered her head.
"We're… in the same class again," she said quietly, fingers nervously pinching her sleeve—her habit when she felt shy.
"Looks like it," I said.
Silence.
Then she tried again.
"I mean… I'm glad. Because you—"
"Just say it. Don't circle around."
She froze.
Her cheeks instantly turned pink.
"S-sorry! I just… I'm happy we're classmates again. That's all."
I looked away.
My stomach felt weird.
Not sick.
Just… unfamiliar.
✦ ✦ ✦
Before I could reply, two of Bomi's friends appeared beside her desk.
"Bomi? You're sitting next to him again?"
"You're too nice. Be careful, or he'll ghost you like last time."
Bomi shook her head quickly.
"He won't. Hanz is… actually really kind."
"Me?" I muttered without thinking.
She looked at me—eyes soft, honest.
"Yes. You're kind. People just don't see it."
I went quiet.
For the first time today…
my mind froze.
The bell rang, dragging everyone back to their seats.
But her words stayed with me:
You're kind. People just don't see it.
✦ ✦ ✦
Class began.
I could feel Bomi glancing at me, checking if I was okay, making sure I wasn't uncomfortable.
Idiot.
Why does she even care?
I wasn't lonely.
I didn't need anyone.
…That's what I'd always believed.
But her voice wouldn't leave my head.
Good morning, Hanz.
I'm glad we're classmates again.
For someone like me—
a quiet boy whose world had always been silent…
Maybe, without realizing it,
things had already begun to change.