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โ˜†ใ€‚ *ใ€‚ โ˜† ใ€‚

โ˜…ใ€‚ ใ€‚โ˜…

CHAPTER TEN

โ˜…ใ€‚ ใ€‚โ˜…

โ˜†ใ€‚*ใ€‚โ˜†ใ€‚


It was 8:50 A.M., after a lackluster entrance ceremony, Ban Yeo Ryung stood still, her teary eyes fixed on the class lists. "This can't be happening."

Observing Yeo-Ryeong checking obsessively the list, Mihyun extended her hand to get her attention.

"Don't worry, we'll meet up at lunch."

"But-"

"And after class, we'll head out together," Dan-i also tried to comfort her, but Yeo-Ryeong continued to shed tears, expressing her deep melancholy.

The trio drew the attention of everyone around them. Initially, Dan-i thought it was simply because their behaviors stood forth, but as people's conversations crept slowly towards her ears, she realized that their tragic performance was not the only reason for the mutterings.

"Is that Ban Yeo Ryung from Ji Jon High School? The top student in our grade?"

"She aced our entrance exam with a perfect score. You know how notorious the entrance exam for So Hyun High School is due to its difficulty, but she mastered it."

"Oh, and isn't that Han Mihyun next to her?"

"It is! My goodness, she's even prettier than I imagined. They say she won several tennis medals at just 9 years old, but then she disappeared from tennis world for some unknown reason."

"Yeah, but it looks like she's still incredibly athletic, hahaha."

Ignoring the last comment, Han Mihyun turned her attention to Dan-i, who seemed curious.

"I didn't know you played tennis."

"Oh. Yeah. Neither did I."

"What...?"

"Oh, nothing. Never mind. It was just a joke," Mihyun said, trying to downplay it.

Despite Mihyun's attempt to quell Dan-i's curiosity, she couldn't help but be intrigued by the mysterious response. However, before she could delve deeper into the subject, a wave of excitement and chatter erupted throughout the crowd.

"OH MY GOD! The Four Heavenly Kings!"

"Chun-Young you're so cool~"

"Ji-Ho, please look at me!!"

"Jooin you're so cute~"

"Eun-Hyung, marry me!!"

"I'm so relieved they accepted me into this school, boo hoo..."

The kids paid no heed to the envious and admiring glances directed at them but walked confidently toward the girls.

Mihyun could hardly contain her laughter when Ji-Ho, exuding his trademark confidence, started teasing Dan-i with a mockingly sad expression.

After talking for a while with Woo Jooin and Yeo-Ryeong, consoling the latter, Minhyun left the girl in the hands of her three friends to go to the rescue of her red panda, who already looked quite angry.

Minhyun approached the two and, "Police. Stop!" She interjected between them.

Amused by the phrase, Ji-Ho left Dan-i alone and turned to look better. "What are you doing? Are you a police officer or something?" He teased despite feeling himself softening a bit.

The opposite of Han Mihyun, who still held her ground with her weapon. "Have you forgotten that my dad is the chief of police? I can lock you up if I want to." The blonde girl threatened playfully.

"Sure~ Last I checked, you're just a student. No badge, no authority. Do you understand how it works?"

"That doesn't matter because I'll ask my dad to support my case. You'll have so many charges that you'll spend five, no, ten! Ten years in jail. And I'll make sure that during all that time... your only food is pickles!" She muttered with a disgusted expression at the end.

Suppressing laughter, the whole group tried to stay strong. Even Ban Yeo-Ryeong, who had previously trembled to hold back tears, was now doing so to hold back laughter.

"Hey...~ That's corruption. Besides, don't waste your time; we both know my parents would post bail even before setting foot in the police station." Ji-Ho taunted.

"And you're talking to me about corruption, rich boy? BANG!" Jumping up, Mihyun poked Eun Ji-Ho in the stomach in a quick motion.

"Argh!!"

"... you deserved it."

"But I didn't do anything!"

Infectious laughter filled the air after such a spectacle. Changing the subject, Minhyun turned to Dan-i and smiled at her.

"Don't worry, Dan-ah. I'll make sure to cheer you up."

"Are you together?!!" Yeo-Ryeong asked, startled.

"Yep!"

While Yeo-Ryeong fainted, Dan-i was pleasantly surprised to learn that Mihyun and she would be in the same class.

However the news didn't sit as well with others in the group, like Kwon Eunhyung, who, despite his usual smile, couldn't help but repeatedly check the list, not wanting Mihyun to be in a different class. He had grown accustomed to much to having her within his sight.

"Are you sure...?" he ask still searching through the various names

"Yes, yes. See there? I'm with Dan-i."

"... I see." he reluctantly accepted, trying not to show his disappointment too visibly. "Then, I'll visit you during every class break."

Mihyun smiled at him and playfully tapped his nose. "You're adorable when you worry, Eunhyung. But I think visiting us during every break might be a bit much."

Besides... I'm sure if you come to our class, the girls will build a new Berlin Wall to keep you from leaving. She thought to herself.

The red-haired man nodded, still somewhat unconvinced. Then, with great care, he reached for the girl's cheek, tucking a blonde strand behind her ear. Both wore smiles that mirrored each other.

The interaction between Mihyun and Eunhyung didn't escape the notice of the rest of the group, although no one commented on it.

Interrupting the moment, Woo Jooin, who had been ousted from Dan-i's embrace by Ban Yeo-Ryeong, entered the scene still sobbing dramatically.

"No, it can't be. Is my noona leaving too?" the boy lamented. Mihyun felt a twinge of tenderness, thinking he might miss her, but Woo Jooin quickly quashed that notion.

"Who am I going to bother now? Ji-Ho isn't fun anymore." He said, causing a shit-eaten expression to flash across the blonde girl's face.

Mihyun had almost forgotten that with her, Woo Jooin could only be a mischievous fox, not a golden retriever like with Ham Dan-i. But since she didn't want to get too angry, she said goodbye in a warm and soft tone.

"Bye, Jooin. Have a great time at school. Can you take him out with you, Ji-Ho?"

Ji-Ho, who accepted the task with a forced smile, dragged Woo Jooin away, simultaneously helping Dan-i free herself from Yeo-Ryeong's persistent embrace.

As for Chun Young, who seemed somewhat embarrassed about the conversation he had shared with Dan-i the previous day, he moved his lips to whisper "cheer up" when his gaze met Dan-i's. While Han Mihyun give them a conspiratorial glance.

*

-- Class 1-8 --

As in the original, Ham Dan-i had arrived late, although this time accompanied by her. However, the seating arrangement was the same.

From her solitary seat in the front row, the only thing visible was hair as yellow as her own.

Unlucky forever. Han Mihyun sighed, somewhat resigned to this situation.

Taking a look around, her blue eyes scanned the room as the introductions continued. First Lee Ru-Da, then her beloved red panda, Ham Dan-i; followed by the Kim twins, Shin Seohyeon, and Yoon Jeongin.

After that, nothing was very interesting, to be honest. No one talked to her, and the kids only glanced furtively at Han Mihyun but quickly averted their eyes when she looked in their direction.

Normally, on this day, the kids share conversations like asking each other's names and their previous schools, but that wasn't going smoothly for Han Mihyun. Once again, she felt like a doll in a glass cage, which was rather unpleasant.

And although it didn't affect her as much as before, what disconcerted her now was the fact that no matter how hard she tried to have a meaningful conversation with with the two girls behind her seat, it only ended up in trivial matters. Trivialities that made her eternal smile waver with boredom.

That's when she realized how much she had become accustomed to her small social circle.

Is Chun Young really right, and am I rusty? She chuckled with amusement at the thought of having to admit that maybe she had forgotten how to socialize properly beyond diplomatic relationships.

Naaaah, it doesn't matter. Let's focus on getting to know the new pretty faces. She thought, smiling more at ease as she watched Lee Ru-Da and Ham Dan-i head towards the staff room.

"It seems like this year I won't be-"

"Oh. Han Mihyun, you should go too. I forgot that we need a treasurer. It will be you." Her teacher declared before leaving.

Silly author.

*

-- Class 1-1 --

Ban Yeo-Ryeong and the Four Heavenly Kings exuded a cold and depressing aura around them.

The class separation from Ham Dan-i and Han Mihyun not only shook Ban Yeo Ryung's composure but also affected another person. It was Woo Jooin, who was sitting diagonally behind her, flipping through his freshly received literature textbook with tears in his eyes.

Perhaps his frustration was less compared to hers since he wasn't crying at his desk. Eun Jiho thought this as he glanced at Woo Jooin's profile. Woo Jooin, however, made random grimaces as if he were in distress. When a weak, trembling voice escaped his lips, Eun Jiho was finally at a loss for words.

"On the flo'r of novemb'r... Oh... 'tis depress'd to forswear down with a summ'r clothing. I liveth in thy mem'ry, dearest... Dong dong bridge... sob, sob."

When Woo Jooin began reciting a popular song from the Goryeo dynasty with a pathetic and shaky voice, while shrugging like Ban Yeo Ryung, it was like seeing a woman with a broken heart.

Eun Jiho, who had studied classical poetry before and understood all the lyrics, sighed and said, "You're acting as if Dan-i and Mihyun have transferred schools. Should I remind you that they're just a few classrooms away from us?"

Uncomfortable and a little annoyed that his words didn't console anyone, Ji-Ho was forced to ask help, but he was stunned to see the mother of the group in the same condition.

In normal circumstances, Kwon Eun Hyung would comfort his friends with a generous look, but this time, he too looked worried and downcast. This set off alarm bells in Eun Ji-Ho's head.

Had he really made a mistake, and should he be equally concerned about his friends? The silver-haired boy wondered.

Yoo Chun Young, who was sitting next to Kwon Eun Hyung, also seemed uneasy as his mind was filled with nothing but concern for Ham Donnie.

"Do you think she's doing fine?"

"What?"

"Ham Dan-i."

"Oh... yes. Don't worry. Dan-i is good at making friends," Eunhyung assured with a faint smile. However, since he hadn't mentioned the blonde girl, Ji-Ho had to ask.

"And Han Mihyun?"

The redhead's face remained hidden behind his reddish hair, partially covering his eyes and cheeks, only the silhouette of his face was enough to reveal the soft green lights that shone in his absent eyes. He didn't know how to answer that question.

Unlike Ham Dan-i, he wasn't so sure that Mihyun was doing as well. She could be a genius at dealing with them, but... between strangers idolizing her and her unconsciously imposing a barrier of cordiality...

"I... I don't know," he replied, sinking onto his desk, leaving his friends speechless with his behavior.

However, before they could ask him anything, Ban Yeo Ryung and Kwon Eun Hyung received a call from their teacher and left the classroom.

*

She was walking alone through the hallways, on her way to the teacher's office. Along the way, she crossed paths with pairs of class representatives and vice-representatives, with no treasurer in sight.

Isn't my position a bit forced? My destiny has so little creativity. She thought with rolled eyes.

Mihyun was about to continue complaining, but when she arrived at the place and saw Lee Ru-Da standing just 3cm from Dan-i's face, her body moved on its own and she ended up placing her hand as a barrier between the two people who were discussing the seating arrangement.

Noticing that the teacher was giving her a strange look, Han Mihyun internally cried with embarrassment and apologized, removing her barrier. Still, she involuntarily made the blonde boy step back by his arm, acting friendly with a diplomatic smile. "I'm sorry. I'm the treasurer."

"You're late," scolded the teacher.

"I'm so sorry, sir."

"And you almost poked my eye with your hand," he emphasized.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," the blonde continued to apologize, tears of embarrassment welling up as she unconsciously tightened her grip on the blonde boy's arm.

After a tense silence, the man accepted the apologies and shifted his gaze to his papers. "You two suggested that the seats remain the same, right? Well. Now, you can go."

*

When they left the teacher's office, Minhyun quickly let go of Lee Ru-Da when she realized she had dragged him along with her.

"Oh, um, sorry. It's a bad habit," she apologized, avoiding the boy's eyes that were examining her up and down.

Han Mihyun couldn't help but feel quite nervous under the inspection, blushing on the spot, however, she didn't say anything. She probably looked like a weirdo after all. Who in their right mind would carelessly touch a stranger?

No one would know how relieved she felt when Dan-i let out that 'wow' and diverted Lee Ru-Da's attention.

For a second, he looked confused, then slowly swept his face with his hand. It was a gesture to check if something was on his face, so in the end, Dan-i shook her head. Then at some point, Lee Ru-Da might have realized it was because of his eyes. Soon something strange happened.

The boy was putting on a bitter smile that left them speechless. Han Mihyun already knew his thoughts, but since they were somewhat ridiculous, just as Dan-i had thought at the time, she remained expressionless except for the slight curve of her pink lips. Especially when the blonde boy said, "My eyes... they look like a monster's, right?"

She wanted to slap herself to keep from bursting out laughing right there because she knew that if the boy continued his drama, she would most likely end up on the floor spewing her guts.

Unaware of Han Mihyun's thoughts, and probably of Ham Dan-i's as well, Lee Ru-Da continued his script.

And he said, "Don't come near me."

"..."

"Nothing good would ever happen to you if you get close to a monster like me."

Not wanting to hear more, Minhyun raised a 'stop' sign in front of Ru-Da. "Dude, if you keep going, I'll stop taking you seriously," she said while controlling her laughter.

Ham Dan-i, who also regarded the boy's words as a joke, taken from a clichรฉ play, thought that she was probably making fun of the author for his next response.

With a bright smile, Dan-i suddenly quipped, "Yeah, a little."

"...?"

"You look a bit different, but not like a strange monster. Just a normal monster."

*

-- P.o.v Ham Dan-i -- (Remember that she still thinks Lee Ru-Da is a girl) --

Lee Ru-Da looked at me with a stunned expression. I mentally apologized to her. I'm not a stupidly racist person, so I didn't want her to be offended. I mean, her blue eyes were beautiful. If I cared about looks, why would I be friends with Yoo Chun Young or Han Minhyun?

However, I couldn't just drop those confessions so indifferently. Seriously, I needed to distance myself from her.

When her bitter expression appeared in my eyes, it made me think: Yes! Hurray! I did it!

As I was going completely insane inside my head, a slight laugh burst out from beside me. There was Han Mihyun, smiling with her hand covering her mouth. Her gorgeous eyes were narrowed like crescent moons as she looked at me with complete amusement, as if I had just told her the funniest joke in the world.

Lee Ru-Da, however, didn't even realize that she had been the subject of their teasing. Was it too shocking? I slowly took her arm and shook it. Then she had her eyes on me.

I shrugged with an indifferent smile.

I told her, "Ru-Da, let's go."

As soon as I opened the teacher's office door, I reached out for her while hesitantly grabbing her arms. If Lee Ru-Da pulled her arms away from me, my plan would be 100% successful.

As we exited the teacher's office, I frowned as I noticed that we were still walking arm in arm. And to top it off, Minhyun had joined in, holding my free arm, giggling from time to time. She seemed to be having way too much fun with my predicament!

Come on, Lee Ru-Da, aren't you upset that I, who called you a monster out of nowhere, suddenly took your arm and started acting friendly after throwing a stone at you? Aren't you angry? Don't you want to tell me to buzz off for being two-faced? Now, reject me! Come on!

I almost wanted to cast a spell like that while we were moving very slowly to our classroom. However, even after we had taken ten steps from the door, nothing happened.

I looked down blankly at my arm and raised my head to look at Lee Ru-Da's face. She, however, seemed rather strange.

Had her cheeks, which were transparently pale just a moment ago, suddenly flushed for no reason?

My blank stare at her made me think, Is she catching a cold? Maybe.

But the answer came from Mihyun, just as she often did when I silently asked myself something.

"She's not catching a cold," Minhyun whispered in my ear.

That's when I realized something that left me stunned. Come on, Lee Ru-Da wouldn't say something silly like, "You're the only girl who says that!" or something like that, right? No way.

When I tried to see at her direction... It was at that very moment that I felt a strong shiver. A little way behind me, Ban Yeo Ryung was staring at us like death itself.

And as if that wasn't terrifying enough, she was accompanied by a Kwon Eunhyung with no smile whatsoever. His usual kind olive-green eyes now looked like the time he confronted those guys at the beach.

However, the worrying part here was that this time, that hound seemed to be lurking around my beautiful companion and friend, Han Mihyun.

I had never seen him like this, but it wasn't a good sign. Mihyun's life was in danger. Right now, Eunhyung looked just as terrifying as Yeo-Ryeong!

I kept moving, almost running. I had to let go of Lee Ru-Da to make sure Mihyun wouldn't get left behind. The goal was to escape with my innocent and beautiful kid.

I had never felt so scared walking down a sunny hallway.




AUTHOR'S NOTE:

โœฟ Finally, inspiration! ~ ( > v <) ~


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