YDCFGD 21

Chapter 21

Early morning at Jaedamjae.

I hurriedly packed my things.

‘Why am I this worried…?’

Today was the first day of school at Yeongpung High School, and it was the day my transfer was confirmed.

A few days before school started, I had almost grown a crust in my ears from my grandfather’s worried lectures.

It wasn’t that I was just anxious about my first day at a new school.

Because of my grandfather’s order to get along with the other Joo family members, I ended up in the same class as Joo Suyeon. It was a little annoying, but I could just ignore it.

The problem was Ryu Dokyung.

‘Then our Dokyung will look out for me.’
‘Of course he should.’

Just as we talked at the Korean restaurant, I ended up being looked after by Ryu Dokyung from the very first day of school.

Whether the chairman had instructed him or not, Ryu Dokyung arrived at Jaedamjae early in the morning. He wanted to go to school together with me.

‘This is really extreme.’

He didn’t seem especially eager to get close to me like before. And yet he was going through all this trouble for the heir of the Seohae Group.

I could understand that Ryu Dokyung might have his own reasons, but getting involved with him was the last thing I wanted.

“Finally done preparing?”
“Almost. And don’t just come into my room whenever you want.”
“Did you pack your bag? Even in kindergarten, you often forgot your supplies.”

…When is he even talking about?

“Wh-when did I ever…?”
“Do I have to remind you?”
“…”
“On Parents’ Day, you left the carnation materials at home and I…”
“Stop it! Get out of my room, now!”

Why would he even remember that?

Even the kindergarten days I had almost forgotten were brought up by Ryu Dokyung, and my face flushed red.

He said something from outside the room, but I pretended not to hear and moved around.

After finishing all my preparations, I went outside Jaedamjae with my bag held by Ryu Dokyung.

“…You’re not seriously telling me to take that car to school?”
“Then should we walk?”

The car Ryu Dokyung had come in was a luxury sedan fit for a chairman.

Even though it was a high school established by the Seohae Group’s educational foundation… wasn’t that a bit much?

As I hesitated, Ryu Dokyung didn’t get in, just looked down at me silently.

‘I don’t want to reveal that I’m the granddaughter of Dongwoo Group.’

Once the project was released, my face would be recognized anyway.

If everyone at school found out I was the granddaughter of Dongwoo Group, rumors about my family might spread everywhere.

For example, people might say the granddaughter of Dongwoo Group bought the role with money.

So I wanted to keep it secret until I settled in.

My grandfather had already coordinated this. He even called Joo Suyeon to ask her to keep the secret.

‘But if I ride in Ryu Dokyung’s car, that’ll be ruined!’

The sole heir of the Seohae Group giving a ride to a transfer student? Just imagining the rumors made me shiver.

After much thought, I shook my head.

“This doesn’t seem to match the chairman’s intentions either.”
“…”
“I’ll just take the bus.”

Even thinking about it again, riding in such a car was too extravagant for me, who only ever took a taxi to school in case I was late.

I’d just take the bus.

So, quietly hoping he would take the car alone, I thought…

“…The bus isn’t bad either, right?”
“Huh?”

What? What is he even saying now?

He came with an expensive car and a driver, and now he talks as if we’re taking the bus.

He looked like someone who had never even taken a subway before in his life.

“Since there’s no official schedule today, enjoy the drive.”
“Eh…?”
“You can even take your family along.”

Driver, please don’t go. Even if you go, take Ryu Dokyung with you…

Despite my pleading look, the driver, now freed, kept thanking Ryu Dokyung and started the engine.

‘He looks so happy I can’t even complain…’

I just stared at the car fading into the distance, feeling completely dumbfounded.

Meanwhile, Ryu Dokyung, having sent the driver off, stood with his hands in his pockets, staring blankly at me.

“Why do you look like you’ve lost everything? Regret taking the car now?”
“No, not really…”
“Then let’s go.”

He wouldn’t follow me just to show off without knowing the way, right?

“….”

Since he didn’t move first, that seemed right.

I started walking, and he followed me.

According to the CocoaMap guide, it would take about seven minutes to reach the bus stop.

So I’m supposed to just walk silently without getting distracted?

‘Script… at least let me look at the script.’

I took out the next filming pages from my bag.

Just as I closed the bag and tried to put it on again, Ryu Dokyung grabbed it, as if to carry it for me.

“It’s heavy.”

Right now, the burden of letting the chairman’s grandson carry my bag is heavier than the bag itself.

There was no way I could get it back, so I just decided to walk quickly to the bus stop.

“Here?”
“First time taking the bus, right?”
“Not really.”
“Really?”
“Do I look like some properly raised young master…?”

He said I did not?

I tried to hide my surprise with a cough.

‘I’ve taken buses, but never a school bus in the morning.’

Sure enough, Ryu Dokyung had two bags on his back. Anyone could tell he had never taken a crowded bus before.

“Give it here.”
“Why?”
“It’s easier this way. That’s proper etiquette.”

Taking this chance, I got my bag back and wore it in front to show him how.

Ryu Dokyung obediently followed my instructions.

But his calm expression vanished as soon as the crowded bus arrived. Pale, he looked at me in disgust.

“Hey, I can’t take this.”
“Why not? If you don’t, I’ll go alone. Even now we could call the driver…”
“…I’ll take it.”

Oh, so he’s taking it after all…

My plan to ditch him failed.

In the end, I had no choice but to ride the bus closely with him all the way to school.

The class atmosphere wasn’t bad. Except for Joo Suyeon glaring at me, everything was fine.

At least, following my grandfather’s instructions, she couldn’t openly start trouble like at Jaedamjae, which was a relief.

After introducing myself as the transfer student, I approached the empty seat pointed out by the homeroom teacher.

‘…Nice scent.’

A fresh scent brushed past my nose. Its owner was the boy sitting next to me.

His messy hair and thick glasses partially hid his face, but he gave off a unique aura. Even in the filming set, meeting Byun Seojun and Do Jehyeon drew my attention similarly.

He was tall for his age, fit but not bulky. His straight shoulders made the uniform look good. Even sitting, he seemed tall.

‘He could be a model.’

As I sat, I tilted my head to glance at his name tag.

Un Seongha.

A name that could really suit a celebrity. Not common, yet somehow familiar.

I felt like I had heard it somewhere before… and this feeling. Had we met before?

“Hi.”
“….”
“Please take care of me.”
“….”

Somewhere I had heard it? Nonsense. There was no way I had met him before.

Even after I greeted him, Un Seongha didn’t respond once. Not even once.

No, I didn’t ask for his number. Didn’t borrow money. I just asked a normal question since I didn’t know anyone.

“Do you know what page we need to open in the textbook?”
“….”
“Ah… sorry for bothering you…”

I thought I had gotten used to being ignored after Do Jehyeon at script reading, but completely being ignored was still painful.

“Sei, are you friends with Suyeon? Same last name…”
“Huh? Who’s Suyeon?”
“Oh, just the same last name? Never mind. Let’s go.”

On top of that, classmates lost interest immediately after I pretended not to be the chairman’s granddaughter.

‘I want to go home…’

I would rather deal with Ryu Dokyung. Even the handsome face of Ryu Dokyung, constantly trying to talk to me on the way to school, was starting to appear in my mind.

It made my chest ache.