Chapter 7
At his openly spoken words, even the students who had been whispering suspicions fell silent.
Yeji had been working only at school the entire time to prevent exactly this kind of doubt.
All her classmates—
she had made every one of them a witness that she painted that work herself.
Of course, Jian was included too.
Hadn’t she seen enough during class and shared studio time?
“What? What are you trying to say?”
Yeji was about to ask that, but Jian cut her off.
“Or maybe you took some amazing classes somewhere, or used some kind of special ‘medicine.’”
“Medicine”? This isn’t the U.S. or Europe.
Comparing her to people who mess around with weird substances in the name of art irritated her.
Jian’s tone hovered strangely between praise and mockery.
“Did you watch too many TV dramas or something?”
Dahye, who was busy fixing her painting, frowned and looked up at Jian.
“I’m just joking. Why are you taking it so seriously?”
Jian smirked and added casually,
“You even quit your academy recently, yet your skills suddenly improved so much. I was just curious how you did it—I want to learn too.”
Kim Jian was the top student in the first-year art department.
She must already know Yeji painted this herself.
So why say something like that here, in front of students from other classes and grades?
Yeji could clearly feel the jealousy and ill intent hidden in her tone.
Whether it was true or not didn’t matter to Jian.
She just wanted to plant a negative rumor while people were watching.
If that rumor spread and affected Yeji’s results, it would benefit her.
“Well…”
Of course, Yeji had no intention of letting that happen.
She smiled slightly.
“I just spent all day painting in the same classroom and studio as you.”
She had shown her entire process openly.
But what about Jian?
“Oh right. You were hardly ever at school because of that expensive academy, weren’t you? So maybe you didn’t see it.”
“What?”
Jian looked flustered.
Yeji added calmly,
“And you did watercolor, right? I’ve never seen your work. I’m curious what it looks like.”
Watercolor dries quickly.
If someone were to cheat, it would actually be easier with watercolor than oil painting.
You could carry it back and forth between school and an academy.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Jian’s work either.”
Dahye added sharply, glaring at Jian.
Jian quickly defended herself.
“What do you mean? Everyone’s seen how I paint in class. Are you saying I cheated?”
Yeji responded with a calm smile.
“I’m joking too. Why are you taking it so seriously?”
The situation completely reversed.
Yeji’s painting became one of impressive growth.
Jian’s painting became one that no one had really seen in progress.
Ending it there, Yeji decided not to escalate things.
“Anyway, you’ll probably still be first in the grade this semester. Why worry?”
She meant it.
In Korea, being a top student isn’t just about talent.
Truly talented students often get labeled as “odd.”
Top students are usually those who follow the system well.
Jian’s work was more suited for exams than true artistic expression—
precise, sharp, technically strong still-life paintings.
Teachers would likely give her higher technical scores.
“I wasn’t aiming to win anyway. I just wanted to create something I wouldn’t be ashamed to show Chloe.”
Grades didn’t matter much to Yeji.
In the art world, grades don’t define success.
Their goals were different—there was no need to fight.
But Jian thought differently.
“Chloe is one of the judges this time. You might be the top student instead.”
That mattered.
This time, the main judge wasn’t someone focused on Korean entrance exams.
“Even if your practical score is high, your academic grades matter too.”
Yeji said it to ease the situation—
but Jian’s face hardened.
“Oh, so you’re saying your practical score will be higher than mine?”
Did she really have to take it that way?
Even after everything, Jian remained hostile.
Yeji simply smiled.
That was enough.
Jian’s expression twisted in anger.
The tension was about to explode—
“Sir! Sir!”
Hyunmin’s cheerful voice cut through.
Their homeroom teacher, Kihoon, arrived with him.
“Sir, you don’t even have anything to do during the exhibition! Come to the after-party with us!”
“What are you talking about? Don’t you remember finals start right after this?”
Kihoon noticed the strange atmosphere.
Yeji and Jian facing off.
Students gathered around them slowly dispersed.
Anyone could tell a fight was about to start.
The teacher called them out.
“Kim Jian, Lee Yeji. What are you doing?”
“…Nothing.”
Jian, face flushed with anger, brushed past Yeji and left.
“Seriously, what’s wrong with her…”
Dahye muttered irritably.
But Yeji didn’t care much.
She looked at Hyunmin instead.
He grinned and flashed a V sign.
“So he brought the teacher before things got worse.”
Instead of saying there was a fight, he made an excuse.
Even though he seemed carefree, he was actually smart in handling situations.
“I can’t trust you guys out there. Stay in the classroom. I’ll order pizza.”
“Yes! Extra cheese crust, please!”
“Post it in the class group chat! I’ll contact Jian.”
The teacher quickly left.
“Better if she doesn’t come…”
Hyunmin whispered.
Yeji let out a small laugh.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“Yeah, but you weren’t going to lose anyway.”
Yeji shrugged.
There was no need to be close to someone like Jian.
People who doubted others despite seeing their skill were just twisted inside.
Even kindness wouldn’t reach them.
If she provoked Jian a little, Jian would eventually ruin her own image.
That might have been enough.
“That’s not a good idea either.”
Hyunmin said firmly, as if reading her thoughts.
Then he changed the subject.
“Dahye, you done yet? Let’s go eat.”
They gathered the rest of the class and left together.
Hyunmin paused for a moment and looked back.
Yeji’s painting—
It looked as if the waves inside it were alive.
“Full Bloom.”
Flowers were fully bloomed beneath the water’s surface.
The thick layers of paint created strong texture, like frozen waves.
It wasn’t something shallow skill could produce.
Despite its dark tones, it carried a deep, emotional feeling.
“Full bloom…”
The flowers were blooming, yet hidden.
Trapped underwater, unable to show their full beauty.
Would they ever rise to the surface?
Or had they already shone at their brightest and sunk?
Hyunmin wanted to understand the meaning.
Could a 17-year-old really create something this deep?
He felt a strange sense of familiarity.
Then—
Click.
He took a photo and followed his friends out.
“Ah…”
Yeji woke up, clearing her dry throat.
They were supposed to go home after pizza—
but they ended up at karaoke.
Her voice was hoarse.
“Being young really is nice…”
Mentally, she was exhausted.
But physically, she felt fine.
She recalled her classmates’ words:
“Congrats, Yeji.”
“Honestly, I’m jealous… but I watched you work. It felt strange.”
“It made me think—maybe I could do it too.”
“Check my painting next time! Let’s start a study group.”
Yeji smiled faintly.
She was satisfied with her work.
Even if results weren’t out yet.
Meanwhile—
Jian’s jealousy wasn’t supported by others.
Her “perfect student” image felt artificial to classmates.
So everyone celebrated Yeji’s growth instead.
Whether it was sincere or not—
it still made Yeji hopeful.
“Maybe my grades will really improve too…”
Grrr…
Her stomach growled.
Today was the first day of the exhibition.
Visitors and judges would start viewing the works.
She was going later with her parents.
“I should eat something… maybe paint a bit.”
Final exams were in two weeks—
but she decided to think about that later.
“Ugh…”
Getting out of bed was hard.
Then—
Her phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
“Hello?”
Half-asleep, she answered—
Then frowned.
“…What? No…”
She sat up suddenly.
“What did you say?”
The voice on the other end said something unbelievable.
“The artwork has been damaged?”
