Episode 05
“What is it? What are you two talking about?”
Seo Eunho suddenly cut in, and Han Yi-hyeon’s immediately wiped the murderous look from his face. He brushed it off as nothing and shot a glance at Jaei.
It was a clear warning—don’t say anything stupid. Stay quiet.
“Don’t tell me you were talking about me behind my back?”
“Yeah. We were trash-talking you.”
“Wow. Han Yi-hyeon, that’s cold.”
Seo Eunho laughed and lightly smacked Han Yi-hyeon on the shoulder. The faint smile that curved Han Yi-hyeon’s lips was a far cry from the glare that had looked ready to kill just moments ago.
Somehow, Jae-i felt like the only one who didn’t belong here.
Well, of course. Those two had known each other forever. Jae-i had only just started getting to know them.
Why am I even here?
“Jae-i.”
Just as regret crept in, Seo Eunho called out. Jae-i looked up and met his bright smile, directed straight at her.
“Come on. It’s almost our turn.”
That smile melted away even her second thoughts. Like an idiot, dazzled once again by a handsome face, Jae-i walked over to Seo Eunho.
Only then did she realize—too late—that Han Yi-hyeon was staring at her as if he wanted her dead.
Jae-i hurriedly moved closer to Seo Eunho’s side, pressing a hand to her racing heart.
“Spaghetti!”
After a long wait, it was finally time to get food. Jeong Daum, excited at the thought of eating, went ahead first, and Jae-i quickly followed, eager to avoid Han Ihyeon.
Luckily, when they sat down, Jeong Daum took the seat next to her, with Seo Eunho sitting across from her. Jae-i didn’t even glance toward Han Yi-hyeon, who sat diagonally across.
Throughout the meal, Jeong Daum talked nonstop. Han Yi-hyeon ate in silence, clearly annoyed, while Seo Eunho kept the conversation going with easy responses.
For Jae-i, who was experiencing this for the first time, just reacting to everything Jeong Daum said left her barely able to eat.
It was a chaotic first meal.
Before she knew it, a full week had passed since she’d started eating lunch with Seo Eunho—as friends.
The awkwardness had mostly faded, and they’d grown fairly close… but that only applied to Seo Eunho and Jeong Daum. Han Yi-hyeon remained as cold as ever.
This is exhausting.
Even during meals, things never stayed peaceful. Whenever Seo Eunho talked to her or showed even a bit of concern, Han Yi-hyeon’s gaze sharpened instantly.
Each time, it made her stomach churn, so she deliberately avoided looking in his direction. It didn’t really make things better—but at least she didn’t have to see it.
Lunch is coming up soon.
Jae-i glanced at the clock and let out a deep sigh. Just thinking about another uncomfortable meal killed whatever appetite she had left.
Maybe she should say she wasn’t eating today. She wasn’t starving, and skipping meals wasn’t good, but grabbing some bread would be fine.
Come to think of it, the school store had a new pastry. A chocolate roll, wasn’t it? It was popular enough that it was probably sold out, so she didn’t get her hopes up.
Ding-dong-daeng—
Class ended before she realized it. Students who’d been waiting for lunch rushed out as soon as they greeted the teacher.
Kids from other classes poured into the hall as well, turning it into a stampeding herd. Somewhere in the distance, the discipline teacher shouted for them to stop running.
“Jaei.”
As always, Seo Eunho was the first to find her. When he told her to hurry, Jaei hesitated, then forced herself to speak.
“Eunho, today I—”
“Hey! Hurry up!”
Jeong Daum burst in through the back door, urging them to come out already. Judging by his gym uniform, he had a soccer match scheduled.
“It’s a really important game today. We can’t be late.”
“Okay. I’m coming.”
After calming Jeong Daum down, Seo Eunho turned back to Jaei.
“What were you going to say?”
Jae-i shook her head. This wasn’t the right time.
“No, it’s nothing.”
“Really? Then let’s go. Daum looks like he’s about to pass out.”
Jae-i stood and left the classroom with Seo Eunho.
Out in the hallway, Han Yi-hyeon greeted Seo Eunho warmly—then shot Jae-i an openly displeased look.
“Let’s go, hurry.”
Jeong Daum rushed ahead, and the others followed. Walking side by side, the three of them completely blocked the hallway, so someone had to fall back.
Jaei tried to discreetly step behind, but Seo Eunho stayed right next to her.
Naturally, Han Yi-hyeon was pushed to the back.
Even though she hadn’t meant it, she could feel the sharp glare burning into the back of her head.
“We’re too late.”
Jeong Daum sighed deeply at the crowded cafeteria. He picked the shortest of the two lines and waved them over.
The four of them lined up together. Some conversation passed between them, but nothing memorable—just trivial talk.
I’m really hungry.
She’d thought she’d be fine, but the smell of food made her stomach protest. This wasn’t the kind of hunger bread could fix.
Well, she’d already tried running away and surviving on snacks. It hadn’t worked, which was why she was here now.
She decided to give up and accept it.
I need to eat to survive afternoon classes. Even if it’s uncomfortable… I’ll get used to it.
“Yoo Jae-i.”
When Seo Eunho was distracted talking to others, Han Yi-hyeon called her name. Jae-i flinched and turned around as he leaned in and whispered,
“Come to the back garden after school.”
“W-What?”
“I said, the back garden.”
The back garden was tucked away and hard to see—smokers’ territory, and a known hangout for delinquents.
Normal students avoided it out of fear alone. Being told to go there meant something bad was about to happen.
“Why… why the back garden?”
“Just come. And don’t tell Seo Eunho.”
With that, Han Yi-hyeon walked past her, tray in hand, heading for the food line.
Terrified, Jae-i grabbed a tray as well, acutely aware of the stares from students waiting behind her.
When they sat down to eat, she couldn’t tell if the food was going into her mouth or her nose. She was too busy watching Han Yi-hyeon out of the corner of her eye.
Is he… going to get rid of me back there?
The more she thought about it, the worse it got, until she reached one horrifying conclusion—
Han Yi-hyeon is going to kill me.
Jae-i desperately searched for a way to avoid going to the back garden.
But how?
She could avoid him for a day, maybe. But unless she transferred schools, she’d end up there eventually—dragged there if necessary.
Maybe she could get through today and then tell her parents she wanted to transfer—
No. She couldn’t. She didn’t want to worry them over nothing.
“Jae-i, are you sick?”
Seo Eunho suddenly asked. Startled, Jae-i widened her eyes and shook her head.
Her head did ache a little, but she couldn’t tell him what she was really thinking—Han Yi-hyeon was right there.
And sure enough, when she glanced over, Han Yi-hyeon was staring at her with a terrifying expression.
She shut her mouth.
What if he takes me out right here?
“You look really pale.”
“Do I?”
“Shouldn’t you go to the nurse’s office?”
“I’m fine. It’s not that bad.”
Seo Eunho, who had no idea about the threat—no, the appointment—after school, looked genuinely worried.
She appreciated his concern, but the more attention he gave her, the sharper Han Yi-hyeon’s gaze became.
“Really, I’m fine. Eat your food, Eunho.”
“…Okay.”
Please. Don’t pay attention to me.
Jae-i could only hope.
