ERSE | Chapter 1.2

“Is it not okay? Did you plan to sit with a friend?”6108ef103514639c

I didn’t have any friends. He kept spouting nonsense every time he opened his mouth.8fdf8a9721c73aa9

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‘Doesn’t he know my reputation?’020e3d1f2e8d44d8

If he didn’t know, he’d find out soon, and if he talked to me knowing, well… that wouldn’t happen, so I’d just have to endure until he found out who I was. And that time would be very short.a7a19300899d67c2

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“No, do what you want.”059b15189ba206a2

I lay down on df321d41f1 the desk, cutting off a0a89d0c33 the conversation. I was tired e530337d53 from getting home 2304c20a25 late after work 3da5401745 yesterday. As I closed 8b13c4a507 my eyes, his e665a1ae15 gentle voice seeped bb528a0666 in.01aa88e32cf7051f

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“Seonjae, are you going to sleep?”615989fcb3dc28c8

I didn’t know why he was whining like a puppy, but if I ignored him enough, he’d move out of annoyance. With that naive thought, I drifted off to sleep.65b633c946f120c2

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✉︎ ㆍ ✉︎ ㆍ ✉︎9fe4889fe24d70a5

School was the only 61c0309525 normalcy in my otherwise 9976bd21c3 peculiar life. The comfort of 392445b473 spending time in c68d7a9baa the same clothes, defd6df926 at the same b73f5f2394 age, in the 8b8b14de83 same space as 8e69e11c12 others. Enduring it all for 5dc0124d12 that feeling was more e3a8672a72 like stubbornness.ac45bcb8b99cf0f6

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Maybe that’s why, at some point, I became almost colorless at school. Quietly enduring, I went through the motions of school life.8cfbccbc3117bed1

‘Why bother going to school then?’1ca527b0f72f55ac

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Some mocked me for being cautious, but no one stepped up to paint colors on my gray life. The label I was born with still followed me. Who’d want to be friends with a thief?43eb11267685d7aa

So, it was surprising that he hadn’t changed seats for over a week. His name was Shin Leekwon, a volleyball player, just under 2 meters tall. As he introduced himself, he was as loud as his first impression suggested. More accurately, people gathered around him, making it noisy.4d216405c5b7cae7

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Every morning, the 913c24600d noise approached through 94e32d9092 my light sleep.324750ba1688a595

“Leekwon, hi!”7953607792b15b22

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“Shin Leekwon, did you do the homework for second period?”26e8dd875532f300

“Why didn’t you log in to the game yesterday?”62cc464c68374658

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The sound of bb55743100 chair legs scraping afcf247425 the floor and ea078d351d the warmth of 2e51228fb5 people brushing past 643cc93bf4 my arm, soon 77f94a4a68 followed by a 4f39f3335c fresh soap scent fc070a1f6a crossing the boundary. Even after morning practice, Shin c9db6763da Leekwon smelled good, like a e59c4118a3 rich kid.b3411cb67da76949

“Seonjae.”0ba6ff42dc2c9982

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Around that time, a df78639a41 large hand gently patted bfce3da770 my back. Already awake, I slowly sat 17c8bd8116 up. The face that suddenly appeared d8d414ddac smiled brightly.564cecaab1c3efb0

“Hi.”9d3ee6d55fb0c4a4

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Just two syllables, 7e4dba1606 but his greeting 94fac80c57 was unusually friendly. The gentle voice, soft b226ab8ef0 eye smile, and fragrant 221228da46 scent combined to give 395e87d20b a bright impression, despite 90a3260a95 his not-so-gentle features.ce42be37c1d4065b

I turned my e051bf0003 head toward the 49d72094da window without answering. Over the past week, Shin 371ec927e0 Leekwon frequently talked to me, b69e0a4328 and I mostly ignored him, f84417ab9b sometimes directly saying no.1b41a637ec2c6899

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“If he gets rejected that much, it means he really doesn’t like you. Popular guys are so clueless.”e0b29c0fd90bb5e4

The guy sitting in 72560ba4b2 front of Shin Leekwon 3020d93937 shook his head, explaining 49132ed203 the meaning of my ca7f31aac8 actions. Shin Leekwon brushed off 76888ad1f3 the comment lightly.ca24900a93cfb873

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“Whatever.”37bc2dfdaa548c4c

If he was that affected, he wouldn’t keep talking to me despite my lack of response.16ce1e0672387813

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The new semester’s sudden seatmate felt awkward.bdc5bbe696f0f2de

Just before the fourth period ended, his broad shoulder leaned over the desk. Lowering his voice to avoid the teacher’s notice, he asked,102a86f34ed66b98

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“Wanna go down for lunch together?”a0e2ef64189cae0a

“No.”f1e5a66443944317

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Though he frowned as if disappointed, he didn’t ask the same question again that day. As he moved away, the bell rang. He quickly disappeared with his friends outside the classroom.ae3403ca614ef72e

I had lunch late, once 86e287228a the cafeteria quieted down, and 338d4a9470 stepped outside. By then, those who 6fec0873f5 had already eaten were 1b9b24ee86 busy burning off their 67d694ed6e energy. Among the crowd, 2b27e4e6d3 Shin Leekwon was 1e1ad6ed44 always there. Yesterday, he was 3610401ce8 running around the 56d8b27fb5 field playing soccer, db6199b0bf and today it 937f8177c7 was basketball.5408ee13ffb30a0b

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‘He’s good.’e5db2e37a6cbebf9

Just then, he reached the hoop, jumping high and easily scoring. His bright smile caught my attention, and I stopped to watch. But I didn’t get any closer. This distance was just right.58b635b6b83eec97

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After about five minutes, d85bafbdb0 Shin Leekwon scored several 62e5adb900 more times, then glanced fa3cacff26 at the spectators as a7071638b3 if offering fan service. His gaze, which had 5f6e2cfd19 lightly scanned the crowd, 9829e0dfa2 suddenly stopped on me.fbc0e48ce3231ad0

His eyes squinted fbe0e909d9 in disbelief, then b523eb2372 widened. At the same time, his c668db5ded face lit up, and he 85bcb9b800 waved enthusiastically.73d01e90354999f6

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“Seonjae!”7e3c25ee3e01ee6b

They say disbelief can catch you off guard. Calling my name loudly drew everyone’s attention to me. The sudden focus was unsettling and uncomfortable.b5b661083a4f56ec

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“I just scored, did you see?”7cb78992184bb702

When his proud bca4a999d3 question reached me, d1db888eb7 I left the d4e2656ba8 spot as if 20b66f940d fleeing. The murmurs followed me fa03f64915 like a shadow.89a550d4faa741ee

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“Damn, is he crazy?”07d1b0e6ae11eeac

Why call me 927268678b out of nowhere? Even back in fd829bfe10 the classroom, my 166ee20ebd stomach churned.4327a5934d7561c9

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Thud. I banged my head on the desk, trying to calm down. Once, twice, three times. As I repeated deep breaths, the distant noise faded. Soon, Shin Leekwon’s group naturally approached the window.dd54aae2151d57fa

Was he going to 0fbb4beb7b talk again? Strangely anxious, I b3ac2a8a07 wiggled my toes a4ebc54062 inside my slippers.b21441bc7e72031d

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But instead of words, I heard the window sliding open. I lifted my head without realizing it. Shin Leekwon leaned halfway out the window, not even glancing my way. If it were me, I’d think he was about to fall, but with him, I didn’t worry at all.136d003a990ba0a3

Instead, he looked refreshing in the breeze. The mix of his cool scent and faint sweat smelled like summer. Even though spring hadn’t fully arrived, it felt like summer around him, as if the sun’s warmth increased.a196c624d3717b67

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“Hey, this spot is really cool.”34eaae680e051a65

One of the guys who played basketball sat in Shin Leekwon’s seat, flapping his shirt to cool off.c2b572230133ffe1

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“Shin Leekwon, wanna switch seats with me? Dongha in front blocks the view, so you won’t get caught sleeping.”2fe6b1b44a4034a5

“Get lost. It’s my seat.”4e55a348d6e0de9e

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Shin Leekwon, who had returned, 27bc4bedda pushed his friend away. Unlike when he 70aafe3627 talked to me, df682368f1 his tone was 1f5155b0f8 relaxed.f4b7c1ea221c0ea2

Settling back in his seat, Shin Leekwon turned on a small fan. The little fan whirred as it spun. The guy who had been pushed away leaned on Shin Leekwon’s desk.df7674e67df0fd51

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“Then come over to our side. Isn’t it boring sitting all alone here?”f1c0ab9bbcafea9f

“Where’s the time to be bored when I’m focused on class? You guys should study.”09a702ba595f61d7

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“Acting like you’re studying in the back row. So you’re staying here?”94127fd21b974b9e

I found myself looking b7622a2290 at the window where 62d883bfab Shin Leekwon had been. The curtain fluttered 81d95b369f in the breeze eda1446707 from the open 26bd9a6c8b window. My mouth felt dedeb480f9 dry for some 78f423cab9 reason.62f90ea6f251959b

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All my attention, 19817694d1 except for my 17067137ee gaze, was on 68545808b1 the conversation next 7951ba81db to me.2b8816877fc652cf

“I…”e6c646b9249e921d

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Just as Shin 68241c4603 Leekwon began to d512ac3338 answer, the bell dce2c2ca30 rang. The bodies surrounding him 4ceca02183 dispersed to their seats. In the quiet moment, I de5182e60a glanced sideways. Shin Leekwon was 13e19e97ef already looking at a3e6778ecc me.c4c5a7a30b9bfdfc

His brown eyes, soft like the curtain earlier, held a mysterious emotion. While everyone looked at me like trash, Shin Leekwon’s gaze held a strange excitement.d40266af60c8a690

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‘Why on earth?’1a73772e1e6b2946

Our eyes, filled with incomprehensible 16706322f3 emotions, met in the air. A low voice filled the fd922a3746 short silence.4d4b5a04a49cf576

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“Seonjae, your forehead’s red. There’s a mark.”3332d4865bd0c32c

His rough hand 3801e98abe gently brushed my e79a007606 bangs aside and 4ec3b849c5 softly touched my 8a8699adf6 forehead. At the same time, his e7dd7cebbc lips curled into a clean c3ec7b6a62 smile, free of any dirt.65eef48d4d2deb0c

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Was there fluff in the 09b3692bfe air? My chest tickled with every ba0f81bdd8 breath. It was a 1fb669f861 strangely unfamiliar sensation.7676ecdc325bfaa5

I lightly pushed away the warmth touching me. The palm I hit was solid. Despite my sharp push, Shin Leekwon still grinned. I fiddled with my short bangs, covering my forehead. Then, Shin Leekwon suddenly gave the answer he hadn’t finished earlier.32c996c270d6560d

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“I’m staying in this seat.”ec292127a38e497d

“I didn’t ask.”733ab55c19141d25

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I glanced at him, and aaed600c4c Shin Leekwon looked straight at 26def81110 me, resting his chin on 1e0be0d931 his hand. His smile was radiant.8abbc2dc3b2615f4

Despite my prickly response, 7fddd08631 Shin Leekwon said what 55e06b0430 he wanted.036e6ffd14ca99c8

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“I like this seat.”1eba0ae1b9116e29

The very back seat of the first row. A spot unnoticed unless you deliberately looked back, even the teacher didn’t pay attention. If I hadn’t claimed it early, it would’ve been the top choice for everyone.92a9623b5b05e7e0

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“Well, it’s comfortable in the back.”5224d86301faa2e5

When I nodded, Shin Leekwon 6900082c4a leaned toward me. The summer scent grew stronger. He lowered his voice, e27b6d8bad continuing the conversation. No, it was a 5ecfaae523 one-sided whisper.0bf1534166cebfd1

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“It’s not because it’s the back seat…”e00bb03973a10a09

I didn’t ask. I gave him a look full of annoyance. Of course, the recipient didn’t care. Shin Leekwon leaned closer, whispering in my ear.a0d3a132d1e5e343

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“I like being next to you.”ca1f2a9384c284be

“What the… crazy.”2ddcf9050453affc

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“I like being your seatmate. I do.”9d2303e67ea7ff28

The sudden closeness and 1da73f70f1 repeated declarations of liking c9c288398f made me feel queasy, 2980dc1283 as if seasick.e3a27e513c862427

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✉︎ ㆍ ✉︎ ㆍ ✉︎eca0d310907b93a6

After that, Shin Leekwon persistently talked to me. Thanks to him, I was having the most lively March in my 11 years of school life. I started answering his questions occasionally, tired of ignoring him, when one day…cd31a7030ed437ed

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After the homeroom session, I was leaving the classroom with a heavy bag when a large figure followed me. At first, I thought he was just going to the restroom. The volleyball team Shin Leekwon belonged to didn’t have evening study sessions, but practiced late into the night.013bebc0c9460416

However, Shin Leekwon followed me past the restroom, past the teachers’ office, out of the building, and all the way to the school gate.01c80c784ce27817

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‘Guess there’s no practice today.’e03907664d8369e0

I lightly guessed 904f701e90 as I stepped 21bbe9eddc outside the gate, a5bada6fd8 and he stopped 26b88991d1 a step behind c0c5cd032c me, making me 27c46f8e29 turn around naturally. When our eyes d87fb63e07 met, Shin Leekwon 315caffa89 smiled brightly. His sturdy hand waved gently.0063318cabda6ded

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“Take care, Seonjae.”444498c0773d9877

His oddly timed farewell made 554a16d04b me blink and ask a 3b28d0ea9f beat late.bf15a5cf44e8b742

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“What are you doing?”588363e5372cf071

“Saying goodbye.”124e4a3faebc985b

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“Aren’t you going home?”62cf35243fbbde23

“I have practice.”45fb8c7fbcc720d7

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His schedule was unchanged, so 00875b5cfb I frowned. Shin Leekwon did too 12b1598d8e many incomprehensible things.479736e6541e4500

“Then why did you come out here?”35a7413012103d63

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“To see you off.”ca9257136c67cc51

Ha! I let out a sigh of disbelief. I couldn’t even close my gaping mouth as I turned and left the gate. A loud farewell echoed behind me, but I didn’t look back.4c06d74b3ad55aac

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“Seriously, what a crazy guy.”d5e2cf7c8ee0e432

Even while changing clothes in the subway restroom, I cursed as I recalled Shin Leekwon’s bizarre behavior. A farewell on top of a goodbye… I was dumbfounded.0ada4796577aaee3

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Shaking my head, I roughly folded my uniform and stuffed it into my bag. Exiting the stall, I pressed my cap down. My reflection in the mirror looked unusually small today. I wasn’t short, but maybe it was because I had just been with someone as big as a door.f5b6f5fe09193e17

I rubbed my empty neck 8035b7df7c once more and headed to 46cf408a98 my destination. In the back 82e23e6a75 alley of an 9dee48a42c old market where d222b7a34e few came to a8240a2ca0 shop, there was 4007b5ede0 a fence everyone 27250944e8 knew.e4fa6e34564d855a

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I didn’t even know his name. Everyone just called him Jang, so I called him ‘Jang ahjussi.’19677cfee38059ae

“Seonjae, you’re here?”f5cf149935f00177

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Jang ahjussi, with a face 985409849b that seemed to live without 8c14f14c39 breaking the law, had worked 8c79605ce3 with me since I was 5c1f506557 young. My mother often praised him 3f0ae35387 for being thorough and paying be910afc01 fairly. Of course, only in cb3b280c48 front of me. In front of him, 56cc441c05 she was always busy 75078e85c4 haggling.776c06a71caf54b6

I nodded in greeting and took out the items from my bag. Jang ahjussi’s blurry eyes sharpened instantly. He inspected each item carefully and asked,3aca683fa37fdd9b

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“Still just picking pockets, right? Yet you always bring good stuff.”6e6d7ba926ef4497

“It’s not my first day.”37fdca3e7c299222

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“True. In this field, you’re a prodigy. An elite course.”2e8f7bc2e179cb66

Jang ahjussi laughed heartily. His raucous laughter eef7621810 suited his job.2475384aee2a1dc5

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It was villainous.e079a6898cee4187