“I hate it when people who aren’t handsome get called handsome.”

“…”

For a reason like that…?

“Hey… Seo Jae-gyeom is handsome.”

A firm reply came back to the words I’d blurted out in disbelief.

“That’s why I hate you too.”

“Ha…”

Thanks for letting me know, I guess?

“Why do you call an ugly kid handsome?”

“No…”

Because he really is handsome…

I mumbled to myself in disbelief.

“I guess Jeong Eun-seong will never like me in my entire life.”

“Nope.”

Geez.

“You know, I don’t like you either, Jeong Eun-seong.”

“I dislike you more.”

“Uh, no~ I dislike you more.”

“Think again~ Jae-consider it.”

“Ah, you’re seriously…”

So annoying!

“Are you going to keep making those ‘Jae-Jae‘ puns?”

“I have a mouth, why can’t I speak? Are you a dictator (dok-Jae-ja)?”

By the time we finished our nonsensical exchange, we had arrived at our classroom.

This time, I tried to go in first and close the door on him, but he must have noticed my plan because he went to the back door, and my attempt failed.

“Tsk.”

I clicked my tongue and looked around the classroom.

Among the students chatting in small groups or doing homework, I saw Do-yeon sitting alone, reading a book.

I took all of today’s textbooks out of my unlocked locker, stacked them under my chair, and approached Do-yeon.

“Hi.”

Do-yeon, who had been focused on her book with a blank expression, looked up in surprise.

As if she’d never imagined someone would talk to her, yet had perhaps been hoping for it. A complex expression flickered across her pale face before quickly disappearing.

“What are you reading?”

“The Maze Runner.”

“Ah. Is that series finished now?”

“No, not yet.”

“Oh.”

I’ve read it to the end! I know how it all turns out!

“In the end, all the main characters get infected.”

I dropped a fake spoiler on Do-yeon and looked around the classroom.

The classroom was filled with the excitement of a new semester.

Students arriving one by one greeted each other cheerfully or shyly, but no one came toward where Do-yeon and I were.

‘You shouldn’t talk to Woo Do-yeon.’ That already-established atmosphere dominated the classroom.

For kids who spend all day together in one classroom, following the group’s opinion and being part of the majority is the most important thing. Going against this is harder than death for teenagers.

I was a teenager once, so I know.

‘Just me becoming her friend isn’t enough.’

To get Do-yeon out of her long-term isolation, I first needed to get rid of this atmosphere.

What can I do?

‘If only one person, just one more person would reach out, things would change.’

And that opportunity came sooner than I expected.

During the break before geography class.

As I was reviewing the day’s lesson with Do-yeon, someone called my name cautiously.

“Um, Da-hye.”

“Yeah?”

When I looked up, a classmate with light brown hair was holding out a workbook to me. Her cheeks were red.

“Could you maybe help me with this?”

“Ah, of course. Ask me anything.”

But your name is…

‘Gyeong Se-in.’

She was the classmate who had been next to me when I broke my locker’s lock yesterday.

I remembered her as being gentle and easy-going, someone who got along with everyone.

‘But I don’t think she was the type to be super outgoing or take the lead.’

For her to come and talk to me, someone she wasn’t even close with.

And now, of all times.

It was clear from her tightly pressed lips that she had worked up a lot of courage just to ask about a problem.

She couldn’t be nervous just because she was talking to me.

So, could this be…

“You know, I’m not sure about this problem either… Can we ask Do-yeon?”

Do-yeon is better at math than me, I added.

After hesitating, Se-in gave a small nod.

Oh my god!

“Sit here!”

I excitedly offered her the seat next to me.

I nudged Do-yeon, who was staring with her mouth slightly agape in surprise.

“You heard her, right? Help us with this.”

“…Uh. Oh, yeah.”

Do-yeon blinked and slowly picked up her mechanical pencil.

Equally tense, Se-in clenched both her hands into fists under the desk.

An amount of concentration that seemed excessive for just solving one problem was poured over the workbook Se-in had brought.

Gulp. I don’t know which of the three of us swallowed.

“This one is really easy once you know the type…”

“Oh…”

“Ooh…”

Reactions that seemed like an attempt at being sociable in an awkward situation floated in the air.

“If you don’t get it, just try plugging in the numbers one by one. If it’s multiple choice, that can be faster.”

Do-yeon finished her explanation, drawing a star next to the answer.

“Did you get it?”

“Yeah! Thanks, …Do-yeon.”

“…It’s nothing.”

Do-yeon shook her head and replied in an even smaller voice to Se-in’s whispered addition.

And then a moment of silence.

Like that awkward pause on a blind date…

As for me, I felt so proud of Se-in for speaking up first that I wanted to give her a kiss, but…

I really had no idea what to say next.

My wandering gaze landed on the smartphone Se-in had placed on her desk, and the celebrity photocard tucked behind it.

I saw a member of a boy group who, in the future I came from, had practically disbanded and gone their separate ways, but who were currently freshly debuted rookies.

“Oh, Se-in, you like him?”

“Yeah! You too, Da-hye?!”

I guess that was the right thing to say. Se-in’s voice suddenly got louder.

She asked me if I was also a #)$(# (I think it was the fan club name) and then suddenly started showing me dozens of pictures from her phone gallery of a guy with similar-looking eye makeup in all of them.

“I seriously want to marry him. But the problem is.”

“The problem is?”

“The age gap is too big.”

“You mean you’re worried you’re too young?”

“Yeah. I don’t think he’d see me as a potential girlfriend.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

He’s going to marry a woman 7 years younger than you later on.

Age is the problem, alright.

You’re too old!

“And I have another concern…”

Se-in’s eyes gleamed as she showed me a picture of her future husband being physically close with another member, passionately arguing that the two of them must be dating for real.

“So you’re saying the man you want to marry is currently dating a member of the same group?”

Knowing who both of them would eventually marry, I could only chuckle, but surprisingly, Do-yeon listened with a serious expression.

“If they’re being this obvious, everyone in the industry probably already knows.”

“That’s what I’m saying! So…”

Se-in stopped talking and glanced over at Jeong Eun-seong, who was sitting in the corner.

She lowered her voice and asked secretively.

“Da-hye, are you close with Jeong Eun-seong by any chance?”

“No? Not at all?”

I lowered my voice too and turned to look at him.

He had a 1-liter carton of milk on his desk, which he must have bought at some point, and was applying hand cream. From this distance, I could clearly see the girls in our class constantly sneaking glances at him.

“Really? You guys were joking around during class.”

“Joking around? I was the one being unilaterally attacked.”

“Still. You’re the only one in our class who’s talked to Jeong Eun-seong. I want to get to know him and ask about my boys… He seems like the quiet type, Jeong Eun-seong.”

He talks a lot, though.

“How is he? Is Jeong Eun-seong nice?”

“He’s a total weirdo.”

“That’s so cute…”

“Huh…?”

“Come to think of it, there was a handsome guy on the number 12 bus this morning…”

“Oh? I know who you’re talking about!”

“Right, want some MyChew?”

“Yeah!”

Before we knew it, the awkwardness between me, Do-yeon, and Se-in had completely vanished.

-Things high school girls need to become friends-

1. MyChew

2. Handsome guys

“So Da-hye, you don’t go to an academy?”

“Nope. I just study on my own.”

“I’m jealous. You must be smart.”

“No, I was planning to ask Do-yeon for help with math, too. It’s hard.”

“I know, right? Do-yeon explains things really well. …Hey guys, if you have anything you don’t know, ask Do-yeon.”

Se-in looked up and suddenly called out to some other classmates.

One was the girl in front of me, and the other sat in the 4th row. They seemed to be Se-in’s friends.

It looked like they had already talked about Do-yeon and me amongst themselves, judging by Se-in’s determined expression.

At Se-in’s words, my deskmate in front (Se-in’s friend 1) stayed quiet with a sour look, while the friend in the 4th row cut her off flatly.

“I’m good.”

If the bell for class hadn’t rung at that exact moment, the atmosphere we had just managed to lighten would have become extremely awkward.

Se-in gave an embarrassed smile and whispered.

“Sorry. She’s been a little on edge lately. Says she can’t sleep.”

“No, it’s okay! It happens.”

And then silence again…

“But why isn’t the teacher here yet?”

“I know, right.”

Seriously, where is she?