Chapter 36. My Share

During the break, Cha Kyung looked worried as she spoke to Haeyoung, who was preparing for class.

“Are you okay, Haeyoung?”
“What?”

Haeyoung smiled as she replied. Cha Kyung held Haeyoung’s hand tight.

“Today’s performance test….”
“I’m fine.”
“I just… felt like it’s my fault that you got involved with Gye Nari….”

Cha Kyung’s eyes grew teary. Haeyoung had helped Cha Kyung escape bullying, but she felt bad that Haeyoung was now suffering because of her.

Haeyoung smiled faintly and put her hand on top of Cha Kyung’s hand.

“It’s not because of you.”
“Haeyoung….”
“The person bullying is at fault, not you.”

Haeyoung glanced toward Gye Nari’s seat, then met Cha Kyung’s eyes.

“Anyway, she and I don’t get along. Even if it weren’t for you, I would have fought her.”

Haeyoung spoke in a light voice.

“So today’s ‘duel’ was bound to happen.”

Haeyoung patted the back of Cha Kyung’s hand and smiled. Even though she knew she would lose to Gye Nari, she chose to take it easily.

Maybe I’ll just stand for a punishment in front of the school gates.
If she acted like she lost her mind for a moment, it wouldn’t be that hard.

Sixth Period: PE Class

Sixth period came, and it was time for the test. The students, remembering the hair‑pulling fight between Haeyoung and Gye Nari, watched closely to see the result.

Each student went to the court for dribbling, passing, and shooting while the teacher gave scores. Gye Nari went first.

Haeyoung watched, gritting her teeth.

“…Why is she so good?”

Haeyoung mumbled quietly. It didn’t matter that she was bad at basketball, she just hoped Gye Nari wouldn’t be too much better. Even if she was sure about the outcome, the process felt important.

But Gye Nari was perfect — dribbling, passing, and shooting. Haeyoung buried her head between her knees. After a few more students, it was Haeyoung and Cha Kyung’s turn.

“Cha Haeyoung! Moon Cha Kyung!”

With a blank stare, Haeyoung walked to the center of the court. The test order was dribble, pass, and then shoot.

Cha Kyung started first, dribbling to the goal. Then Haeyoung began. Luckily, she remembered the feeling Taeseong had taught her and didn’t lose the ball until she arrived. Though her form wasn’t great.

Then came the passing test. They had three tries and needed ten passes. But Haeyoung lost the ball after only the second pass.

Last was the shooting test. Cha Kyung went first and made all three shots. As she passed Haeyoung, she gave her an encouraging look. Haeyoung nodded and took a deep breath.

“Phew….”

Please, just one shot.
God, Buddha, Virgin Mary — every god out there, have mercy on me.
I’ll live a good life….

Haeyoung prayed in her heart and threw the ball. This was about pride, not about winning or losing.

Bang!
The first ball hit the rim and bounced out. The second didn’t even reach the goal.

And the last chance came.

Haeyoung closed her eyes, tightened her grip, and shot.

“Ha!”

With a strong shout, she threw the ball. The ball flew in a long arc, and all eyes were fixed on it. But once again, it hit the rim and bounced out.

“No….”

Haeyoung watched the ball roll away. The teacher spoke sharply:

“Didn’t practice, huh? Try practicing harder instead of fighting.”

Haeyoung picked up the ball with slumped shoulders and walked back. She knew she would lose, but the sting of defeat felt bitter.

After class, Haeyoung received a sketchbook from Gye Nari.

“Anyway, you or I weren’t going to apologize sincerely.”
“So, what?”
“Check the page.”

Gye Nari smiled and pointed. Haeyoung flipped to a page and read the words written in bold black marker.

“I am this school’s crazy bitch.”

“What… Crazy bitch?”
“Yeah. Did you think if I said ‘I’m sorry, Nari’ I would really mean it? So, let’s settle it like this.”
“…Are you serious?”
“If you stand at the gate holding this until every student goes home, I won’t touch you or Cha Kyung anymore.”

Haeyoung glared at Gye Nari, then agreed.

“Fine. But if you break your promise, I’ll show you what a real ‘crazy bitch’ is.”

Haeyoung tucked the sketchbook under her arm and walked to the gate. Cha Kyung offered to stand with her, but Haeyoung refused.

“Cha Kyung, this is my job. I pulled hair, I agreed to the bet. So you… just watch from afar.”

Haeyoung stood at the gate, holding the sketchbook.

“I am this school’s crazy bitch.”

Students leaving school stopped and watched. The exhausted students found this scene like a big event.
“Wow, she really is a ‘crazy bitch.’”
“Wait, she’s a senior too. Must be ruined for the CSAT.”

Haeyoung felt sweat run down her spine. Becoming a spectacle felt horrible, like being a monkey in a cage.

Then, a boy called out from the crowd:

“Hey, I’m pretty good at training ‘crazy bitches.’”
“What about it, want to try?”

Haeyoung whipped her head toward him, glaring sharply. Suddenly, Taeseong pushed through the crowd and stood in front of Haeyoung.

“What are you doing, Cha Haeyoung?”
“Why are you here?”

Haeyoung looked up, shocked. Taeseong’s eyebrows were furrowed, and his gaze was dark. The soft smile he usually wore was gone, replaced with a cold, stern expression.

“Answer me first. Why are you doing this?”
“Uh….”

Haeyoung was speechless. Suddenly, Cha Kyung came running and explained the whole situation — how Haeyoung got tangled with Gye Nari, accepted the bet, and ended up holding this sign.

Taeseong listened quietly, then turned to Haeyoung.

“…You bet for this? Not for ice cream?”

Haeyoung avoided his eyes.

“Cha Haeyoung.”
“So what? What difference does it make?”

Haeyoung spoke emptily, like she no longer expected anything.

“What?”
“If it happened like that, would you have come to me?”
“…….”
“Ju Taeseong, this is my problem, my mess. So just go your own way.”

Haeyoung spoke sharply, voice bitter. Taeseong watched her quietly for a moment. Then he sighed, pulled out a navy cap from his bag, and placed it on Haeyoung’s head. He gently smoothed down the stray strands of her hair and pulled his hand away.

Haeyoung, surprised, looked up at him. The brim of the cap was too big and blocked his eyes, showing only the line of his lips.

“What are you doing?”

Taeseong didn’t answer. He simply pulled the sketchbook out of Haeyoung’s hand. Haeyoung pushed the brim of the cap up and met his gaze.

Taeseong smirked faintly, and a soft voice came from him.

“Finally, you’re looking at me properly.”