Somehow, the rest of the class went on.Barely.
Aera didn't take in much, just scribbled a few things, stole the occasional glance at her silent, unbothered seatmate, and wondered if the clock was broken.
Then finally interval.
Aera let out a soft breath of relief.
Before she could even fully stand up, a cheerful voice popped up beside her.
"Hey! New girl, right?"
Aera turned to see a girl with sharp eyes and a warm smile. Her vibe was a mix of mischief and charm, dangerous in a good way.
"I'm Lia. Lia Kim." She gave a short wave. "Mind if I sit for a bit?"
"Sure," Aera replied.
Lia plopped into the empty seat in front and leaned back. "You survived sitting with him for one whole period. Impressive."
"Him?"
Just then, a boy appeared at the doorway. Loud. Chatty. Eyes scanning the room until they landed on the guy next to her.
"In-su!" he called out.
Aera blinked. So that's his name.
Lia leaned over and whispered, "Yep. That's In-su. The infamous backbencher, sleepaholic, and walking fight machine."
In-su stood up with the energy of someone who didn't care at all and followed the other boy out with his hands in his pockets. Not a single glance back.
"People usually avoid him," Lia added. "He's got a reputation. Fights a lot. Doesn't talk much. Apparently got suspended last year for breaking a guy's nose. With one punch."
Aera blinked. "Seriously?"
"Dead serious," Lia nodded. "Rumor says the guy just tapped In-su's shoulder and said something dumb. Next thing? Blood. Everywhere. And In-su just walked out like it was a regular Tuesday."
Aera stared at the empty seat next to her, the one still slightly warm from the boy who sat there like he owned silence.
"…Interesting."
"Oh, you have no idea," Lia grinned.
Then she clapped her hands. "Okay! I promised a tour. But wait, I didn't even introduce myself properly. I'm Lia Kim, Class 12-E's official gossip queen, unofficial guidance counselor, and now your very first friend. Lucky you."
Aera cracked a tiny smile. "Nice to meet you, Lia."
Lia winked. "You too, Aera. Let's go before the bell traps us again."
As Lia led her outside for a quick school tour, Aera finally had a chance to breathe. She hadn't even noticed how beautiful the campus was earlier, the neat stone paths, the wildflowers curling around the edges of the school garden, the sunlight falling in broken shards through the trees.
But just as she was soaking in the moment, a sudden crowd gathered near the corridor.
"What's going on?" Aera asked, her gaze narrowing on the students pushing toward the commotion.
Lia barely looked up. "Ugh. Again? That's just In-su."
Aera blinked. "Again?"
"Yeah. Fighting with his favorite person in the whole wide world, his greatest rival from Class 12-A." Lia's tone dripped with sarcasm.
Aera followed her line of sight. The other boy stood tall, composed, but his eyes were ice cold. He looked like the golden boy of every school drama, the topper, the heartthrob, the straight-A role model.
Only now, he looked ready to throw hands.
"He's the school topper?" Aera asked.
"Yep. Mr. Perfect. Except when it comes to In-su. Those two? Always at each other's throats."
"Why?"
Lia lowered her voice, leaning in. "So… I heard they used to be best friends. But then Mr. Topper crushed on a girl. And even though In-su knew it, he dated her anyway. Total backstabber move. Or maybe the other way around. No one's really sure. Could just be rumors."
Aera looked over at the boys again, watching the tension in their posture, the way In-su's hand clenched at his side.
"Hmm. Makes sense why he fights," she muttered. Then turned away. "Let's go."
Just then, Mr. Dev stormed into the corridor, banging his long stick on the floor. "Enough! Go to your classes, all of you! Section A, get to your classroom. I don't want nonsense outside my period!"
The crowd scattered like pigeons. Aera and Lia hurried back.
Their next class was Chemistry.
When Aera reached her seat, she rummaged through her bag and froze. No chemistry textbook. Of course. Her mentor had said they were out of stock. She bit her lip, unsure what to do.
Then In-su walked in. Lip split. Bruises on his cheek.
She didn't think twice.
Silently, she took out a small pack of bandages from her bag and placed one on his desk. "Put it on," she said simply.
He looked at the bandage. Then at her.
No expression. But he took it without a word. Sat down. Leaned back. Slept again.
Typical.
The Chemistry teacher, Mr. Kim entered moments later and immediately barked, "Textbook, page 60!"
Aera froze, hand still on her bag.
Before she could say anything, the teacher marched straight to the back and knocked hard on their desk.
"Well, well. Sir was sleeping, huh?" he sneered at In-su. "Did I disturb you? Should I bring you a bedsheet and pillow next time? Maybe a lullaby too?"
In-su cracked one eye open. "No, thank you."
Gasps. Stifled laughter. Aera held her breath.
Mr. Kim's face turned red. "Are you here to sleep or study, boy?! Where's your textbook?!"
Then his eyes shifted to her. "And you! Let me guess you didn't bring it either?"
She swallowed. "I-I…"
"Of course not!" he barked. "Why am I not surprised? Section E! Always the worst. This is why you'll never be like Section A. No discipline. No brains."
The class went silent. Aera clenched her fists under the desk.
But next to her, In-su muttered just loud enough, "He's on his usual rant."
Aera almost smiled.
Mr. Kim slammed his stick once more. "You two! Out of my class!"
Aera flinched, but before she could rise, In-su stood first, slow and deliberate.
He turned to the teacher, voice calm but laced with venom. "I have the textbook. I'm giving it to her."
In-su smirked slightly, tossing the book onto Aera's desk. "Also, didn't know you lacked basic logic, sir."
Gasps echoed. Aera's eyes widened.
He continued, sharp and quiet. "She's a transferred student. The books were out of stock. How do you expect her to bring something she never received?"
A pause. A dangerous one.
Mr. Kim's face turned red, livid. "You insolent—!"
He stepped forward, finger raised, ready to spit another insult but stopped.
Because In-su's expression had shifted. His usual sleepy, uncaring gaze was gone. In its place was something cold, dangerous, and dead serious. His jaw clenched. His eyes were steel. It was like a shadow passed over his entire face.
Even Aera felt the chill crawl up her spine.
Mr. Kim, surprisingly, took a cautious step back.
He cleared his throat. "Fine. Out. Just get out."
In-su turned without another word.
Then the teacher's eyes flicked to Aera. "You. Sit down."
Aera did, clutching the textbook he left behind.
She looked toward the door where In-su had vanished.
Who exactly are you… In-su?