WW | Chapter 25

Yul walked into the bathroom on the floor below her classroom, carrying her gym clothes. She didn’t bother changing; instead, she sat on the toilet with the lid down, clutching the clothes to her chest. She felt as if she’d just been through a violent storm, her mind scattered and unsettled. She had been forced to sit there, completely defenseless, enduring the process of her past being laid bare and mocked. The whispers and stares from the other students, so sharp and brutal, had also been unbearable. But more than anything, it hurt the most to see her last glimmer of hope, something she had held onto as her final lifeline, trampled before her eyes.

Bullying often begins with finding a person’s weakness, pressing on it persistently, then exposing it in front of others to bring shame. This was only the beginning; soon it would grow more cruel and detailed.

Yul closed her eyes tightly. She couldn’t live like this again. After coming all this way, what was the point of enduring it all? All she wanted was to graduate peacefully, without any physical or mental injuries. She knew, though, that if she fought back, it would only lead to worse consequences. Unlike those kids with powerful parents, she didn’t have anyone to back her up.

After a long while, Yul slowly opened her eyes. It was a weak plan, but it was the only thing she could think of.

Yul entered the teachers’ office but stopped in her tracks. Her homeroom teacher was chatting and laughing with a middle-aged woman. Should she come back later? She thought for a moment, but since she was here, she decided to at least schedule a time for a counseling session and walked toward them. As she got closer, she inadvertently overheard their conversation.

“You know, kids around this age, they’re naturally curious and all,” the woman said, smiling softly as she spoke to the teacher. Even from the side, she was clearly a stunning beauty, with a carefully styled bob, natural makeup, elegant accessories, and high-end clothes, handbag, and shoes. Yul guessed she must be a parent, but whose mother?

“Still, it’s an important time, and they need to focus on their school life, don’t they? Clubs and all that—she’ll have plenty of time to enjoy them after graduation,” the teacher replied.

“Oh, I know, Teacher. But if kids listened just because we told them to, they wouldn’t be kids, would they?” The woman laughed good-naturedly and took an envelope out of her bag. After making sure no one else was watching, she discreetly handed it to the teacher. He gave a little act of being surprised but quickly tucked the envelope into his coat.

“Oh, you didn’t have to. I already feel guilty with all the gifts of liquor I’ve been given.”

“It’s nothing. Compared to how well you’ve been looking after our Seohee, it’s a small token of appreciation,” she replied, gesturing modestly as she praised him.

Yul froze. The woman was none other than Seohee’s mother—a millionaire who ran a luxury club with private rooms in Gangnam. Her heart felt like it was quaking. She had come here after gathering so much courage, only to have it all come to nothing. She had thought, “What do I have to lose?” but in reality, her only trust had been in her homeroom teacher. Maybe if she begged him earnestly enough, he would act as a teacher should. The chairman, who was distantly acquainted with her, had at least asked him to “take care of her,” so he wouldn’t ignore her completely. But still, it wouldn’t make much difference. It was only natural that his loyalty would lean towards Seohee, who came from wealth, over her, who brought nothing but trouble.

With a bitter smile, Yul turned and left.

Walking down the hallway, her mind was blank. As she passed, the kids’ glances latched onto her, one by one. Some had overheard what happened at the snack shop, and the rest must’ve heard it from them. Their looks—filled with surprise, judgment, speculation, and even warning—shot at her like arrows, stinging her as she trudged on.

Up ahead, near her classroom, Yul spotted a boy and girl standing together in the hallway—Kang Yoonjo and Yoo Kahi, looking worry-free as if they had no troubles. Kahi playfully tapped Yoonjo’s arm with a smile as she turned to leave. Yoonjo sighed, though he didn’t look uncomfortable. It was clear that they were close.

As Yoonjo, ready to enter the classroom, turned his head and saw Yul, he stopped. Even from a distance, their gazes clashed with intense force.

Suddenly, an idea surged through Yul’s mind like a gust of wind.

“Kang Yoonjo…”

Just saying his name in her head made her heart race. If her lost hope had been white, this was dark and dangerous. Still, Yoonjo had appeared like a narrow path in the sealed darkness. Whatever lay at the end, she didn’t need to think any further. Her feeling was distinct, her conviction intense, and her desperation far surpassed them both.

Clenching her fist, Yul walked toward Yoonjo as if drawn. Afraid he would slip into the classroom, she hurried her pace and stopped in front of him.

“Kang Yoonjo.”

Her mouth was dry as she called his name. His indifferent gaze fell upon her, as it always did. Even though he had seen her breakdown at the snack shop, he looked as uninterested as if it had nothing to do with him. Yet, in this moment, his detached calmness oddly gave her courage.

“Are you dating Yoo Kahi?”

“What?”

For the first time, Yoonjo’s usually composed voice wavered. He was so unshakable that her question must have seemed utterly absurd to him. He must’ve thought she was acting strange, like something had snapped after what happened in the snack shop. But whatever he thought, Yul needed his answer.

“Are you dating Yoo Kahi?”

“What does that have to do with you?”

“It’s important to me. Are you dating her or not?”

Yul asked again, struggling to keep her emotions in check. She feared he would just brush her off and leave, so her legs trembled. She braced herself, but now her hands shook as she held them tightly. Her lips quivered, and her dampening eyes flickered uncontrollably. Why, at a time like this, wouldn’t her body cooperate? She wanted to pull herself together, but instead, everything seemed to be falling apart. It was pitiful and humiliating, but she had no choice but to stand there.

Yoonjo’s gaze found her trembling. Her legs, hands, lips, eyes, and maybe even her wavering intentions—he could have read it all.

“I’m not dating her.”

Maybe he sensed her desperation, for he replied calmly. Relief washed over her, though inside, she felt as dry as a desert.

“Then…”

Gathering her courage, she looked straight at him.

“Date me.”

She had finally done it. She had blurted out the most absurd, ridiculous, and insincere confession in the world.

For the first time, Yoonjo’s mouth opened in shock. A brief sound escaped him, as if he was so stunned that he couldn’t form words. He had probably received countless confessions before, but hers must’ve struck him as distinctly different.

After a long moment, he finally regained his composure and let out a small, incredulous laugh.

“Well, that’s… a refreshing confession.”

“I’m not doing this because I like you. It’s just that if I’m next to you, no one will mess with me, so just until graduation… let me stay by your side.”

“So, you’re planning to use me as a shield?”

“I won’t bother you. Just…”

“What, does anyone and everyone think they can just hang around me?”

“……!”

Yoonjo’s blunt response left her speechless. It felt as if a fog had cleared, revealing the harsh reality she now faced. She’d known what kind of person Kang Yoonjo was; what confidence had made her come here and do something like this? She hadn’t even considered the possibility of being rejected, let alone such a humiliating response. That’s how desperate she’d been. So now, there was no reason to resent his coldness. She had discarded her pride the moment she decided to approach him.

“Didn’t you hear me?”

As Yul remained silent, he tilted his head to one side, his gaze growing even chillier as he pierced into her.

“Aren’t you scared of them, but not of me?”

His changed gaze was colder, tearing through her resolve. Her dry mouth quickly froze. Though he hadn’t said it outright, Yul understood what he meant. He was basically saying, “I’m rumored to have killed someone. Do you still want to come near me, knowing that?”

A shiver ran down her spine, but she didn’t avoid his gaze.

“I’m not afraid.”

“…….”

“I’m not afraid of you.”

What I’m afraid of is not being able to graduate.

Yoonjo’s words had startled her because the rumor itself was chilling, not because she thought he’d actually done it. While others feared and avoided him, she had never truly been afraid of him. He didn’t give off the slimy, unnerving vibe of Park Geonju or the delinquents; she never felt that her safety was threatened by him. The unease of approaching him was something entirely different.

At her response, he fell silent, then finally let out a small laugh.

“You’re fearless.”

“If the rumor’s true, there must have been a reason.”

Yul replied calmly. This time, his eyes widened in genuine surprise. Even if the rumor were true, the fact that he was still here, unscathed, suggested it had either been self-defense or an accident. If so, people shouldn’t be afraid of him but rather pity him, since he would carry that burden for life.

“So, help me.”