ERSE | Chapter 1.2

“Is it not okay? Did you plan to sit with a friend?”fc4113eee2692521

I didn’t have any friends. He kept spouting nonsense every time he opened his mouth.1f2d6b8d936c78be

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‘Doesn’t he know my reputation?’84a44925454f6c10

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.006d8511b1a2b6c5

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“No, do what you want.”d49e467897cc3e0f

I lay down ec81ed909f on the desk, 483907ec77 cutting off the 486d048ff5 conversation. I was tired 7b4a714033 from getting home df3988bea6 late after work 028b363dda yesterday. As I closed my eyes, 5a2137cd19 his gentle voice seeped in.42e31f412e7bd527

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“Seonjae, are you going to sleep?”8d9a67c3cefd6826

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.9a5652d63bd93a71

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✉︎ ㆍ ✉︎ ㆍ ✉︎8b6ff8cf5c40f127

School was the c9a0385acf only normalcy in ff2b66f2e7 my otherwise peculiar 0139949db3 life. The comfort of b207a1c7a7 spending time in 0f2a04a5fc the same clothes, bf76e5efe0 at the same 96c8ef4c0c age, in the 7a6e59dabd same space as 6505f1a0c7 others. Enduring it all e3a321b4ac for that feeling 0e53aa7bd2 was more like aa06b98993 stubbornness.5b80eb46b04d25d3

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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.a8956542f4e9105b

‘Why bother going to school then?’741237d3d37e9011

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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?a7abb6a328e20196

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.8f60d538caaab07c

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Every morning, the ed6049bbca noise approached through 9b89ff276b my light sleep.ed5c43e7afd4c8b8

“Leekwon, hi!”668b645bf63c92b1

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“Shin Leekwon, did you do the homework for second period?”1017531f0aa8040e

“Why didn’t you log in to the game yesterday?”db69a9a88b7ff407

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The sound of d849838a72 chair legs scraping bb3ef9a51d the floor and 3e5b9a108b the warmth of d46a75603a people brushing past 176ffa7d5c my arm, soon 118ee1ce12 followed by a 58ccf32f1d fresh soap scent 0ca5e400b7 crossing the boundary. Even after morning practice, b14171ebce Shin Leekwon smelled good, 5d33c728cc like a rich kid.e28d912f85ab05fe

“Seonjae.”b426a97c16815918

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Around that time, 960f537683 a large hand 9a87056bc4 gently patted my 449353873f back. Already awake, I slowly 4829d8d950 sat up. The face that suddenly 424f66ef77 appeared smiled brightly.c8e8a18950d95642

“Hi.”f00a398c2c7822d9

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Just two syllables, but his 456d519a8a greeting was unusually friendly. The gentle voice, soft 4565004f13 eye smile, and fragrant 3b9afb608a scent combined to give b5be61ba95 a bright impression, despite ef3b090d18 his not-so-gentle features.11f2e6070b9eb0e4

I turned my head 675f9351df toward the window without 3e864796a0 answering. Over the past week, 334c46eb23 Shin Leekwon frequently talked bdba7b9e7a to me, and I 6909165e2d mostly ignored him, sometimes 2e917352f9 directly saying no.46d580fc3696059e

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“If he gets rejected that much, it means he really doesn’t like you. Popular guys are so clueless.”53ae6981a60b62b5

The guy sitting 62d5302dbe in front of 05dc16b996 Shin Leekwon shook 6b73c79c40 his head, explaining 4f13b94e58 the meaning of fa9fdf640c my actions. Shin Leekwon brushed off e6b457638e the comment lightly.8fe176583dfee27f

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“Whatever.”5c0c10530e1f1bbe

If he was that affected, he wouldn’t keep talking to me despite my lack of response.3b05b2297d62ed9f

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The new semester’s sudden seatmate felt awkward.685280c6af5cdfbc

Just before the fourth period ended, his broad shoulder leaned over the desk. Lowering his voice to avoid the teacher’s notice, he asked,22bd454072e31190

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“Wanna go down for lunch together?”85de68fe83fb949d

“No.”21c81c24ba91cae5

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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.a83f39e96ab9296e

I had lunch late, 4ce60722bf once the cafeteria quieted 01aca59be6 down, and stepped outside. By then, those who had fc455995d1 already eaten were busy burning 6ee32d336a off their energy. Among the crowd, Shin 0eff954271 Leekwon was always there. Yesterday, he was running around dd7c8a0f90 the field playing soccer, and 395f903e24 today it was basketball.b1c88fc62732e6ca

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‘He’s good.’429ac8d2e12cc502

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.61d61bb5d9da68b3

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After about five minutes, cebbd11691 Shin Leekwon scored several 5ef3214b02 more times, then glanced 8144074306 at the spectators as 9d48bd4631 if offering fan service. His gaze, which had lightly 30e14d185d scanned the crowd, suddenly stopped 99aff575b5 on me.a675c77b6e6aac58

His eyes squinted in 11355b32b9 disbelief, then widened. At the same time, his dd29f4ee7f face lit up, and he c27be63cf6 waved enthusiastically.9aea807118aedbc4

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“Seonjae!”e341d88e13c7c75c

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.51ceaff05544089a

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“I just scored, did you see?”a99a32b0a88a82fc

When his proud baf10ec28c question reached me, 4630dd3180 I left the cd5f2e5c68 spot as if c3d608419f fleeing. The murmurs followed 52eaadd02d me like a 8478ce0c52 shadow.c0d46673cb1a761f

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“Damn, is he crazy?”a6d1700634cc6498

Why call me out b60a031aa0 of nowhere? Even back in the 2cddb64426 classroom, my stomach churned.90a69e5fe09509c6

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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.48136b0389cbd2d9

Was he going 873e99ecae to talk again? Strangely anxious, I wiggled f73d3006e2 my toes inside my 3e8c8cff37 slippers.9bb7456ad92f1762

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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.925a88b306182bc9

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.56731b41e0af25bd

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“Hey, this spot is really cool.”df6b72edba2d99f9

One of the guys who played basketball sat in Shin Leekwon’s seat, flapping his shirt to cool off.d7d00dbc054d22de

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“Shin Leekwon, wanna switch seats with me? Dongha in front blocks the view, so you won’t get caught sleeping.”a68512d069663c7f

“Get lost. It’s my seat.”0e16e5c1f17ed732

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Shin Leekwon, who had 501674181f returned, pushed his friend bd6c1481f2 away. Unlike when he d055ae8435 talked to me, f0355fd452 his tone was a8d7c6e15a relaxed.47637870b6527fe9

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.d9621ec9ecf0329d

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“Then come over to our side. Isn’t it boring sitting all alone here?”1c98f37980c9d25b

“Where’s the time to be bored when I’m focused on class? You guys should study.”36484888d19a2194

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“Acting like you’re studying in the back row. So you’re staying here?”d71fc615b4368e76

I found myself looking at 30ef999a04 the window where Shin Leekwon 3e00206f8f had been. The curtain fluttered in the d5ad0813a5 breeze from the open window. My mouth felt dry 0677317855 for some reason.6b690fe8fcab651f

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All my attention, except for 83b51af7b6 my gaze, was on the 37fc8ac077 conversation next to me.992799541a692e39

“I…”7529e99c6ddf3a39

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Just as Shin Leekwon ea67e5cc1e began to answer, the d473aa1222 bell rang. The bodies surrounding 2004469bec him dispersed to af36115b59 their seats. In the quiet 75415b2aa6 moment, I glanced 130ed681c4 sideways. Shin Leekwon was 7e439868e7 already looking at 33b1e3ed11 me.25b7b8f09ce28644

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.d7309f25bfa9bc28

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‘Why on earth?’adc87d14b8b011bc

Our eyes, filled with 91f40aac9e incomprehensible emotions, met in b5b1f4228a the air. A low voice c46423dc5c filled the short 97426a143e silence.7299a7b5b65f22ea

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“Seonjae, your forehead’s red. There’s a mark.”5c54186ce0222136

His rough hand gently brushed e2205b5e28 my bangs aside and softly 2b9c497a0a touched my forehead. At the same time, his 530cfca615 lips curled into a clean f4cd87cb9f smile, free of any dirt.63a1eb540ea880a0

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Was there fluff 40bee47b2c in the air? My chest tickled with 2cf0624775 every breath. It was a strangely 2618599146 unfamiliar sensation.c852063a6c9ee596

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.1d65254c030b7101

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“I’m staying in this seat.”1aecd137bef29a00

“I didn’t ask.”ac97ebdbfa1cd4c8

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I glanced at him, 471043f30b and Shin Leekwon looked 68b0c7615c straight at me, resting 8e261a272a his chin on his 3a6f112567 hand. His smile was radiant.5b24c673b3e4b6b7

Despite my prickly response, Shin a0d827df51 Leekwon said what he wanted.3d20b5cce379f755

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“I like this seat.”3baec0bc9bf987b4

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.f66177c2de6d8629

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“Well, it’s comfortable in the back.”085953d32b098529

When I nodded, ac6989aff2 Shin Leekwon leaned 0c9a4ff523 toward me. The summer scent grew stronger. He lowered his 78e7ff6f31 voice, continuing the d98fc9ddb6 conversation. No, it was a 2bdb7f0e12 one-sided whisper.c12cd3472b20faf8

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“It’s not because it’s the back seat…”9114692b04cd4c77

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.905eb12b26c51da0

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“I like being next to you.”18e7068bbc3d2f11

“What the… crazy.”0dccb4a3f10c3832

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“I like being your seatmate. I do.”e675074dbf3e87fc

The sudden closeness and repeated 33d8412798 declarations of liking made me 8ab74e8951 feel queasy, as if seasick.db9967df70ee97ab

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✉︎ ㆍ ✉︎ ㆍ ✉︎f13ca54fdc38e70d

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…67d54a5d1ce8841f

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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.6fd6385eca2ffc77

However, Shin Leekwon followed me past the restroom, past the teachers’ office, out of the building, and all the way to the school gate.91f54657e4b7a25e

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‘Guess there’s no practice today.’3872b8ca59b02c50

I lightly guessed as 8b7a01fcf0 I stepped outside the fed23b9567 gate, and he stopped 820f14b12a a step behind me, 9818d0be70 making me turn around a06d027479 naturally. When our eyes b6bf9ed0c0 met, Shin Leekwon 8744902b8e smiled brightly. His sturdy hand waved gently.6aa20264f2ef3957

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“Take care, Seonjae.”2a4c9307eccfe7e7

His oddly timed dfdd12fd7f farewell made me f727ee7661 blink and ask 0c242acc59 a beat late.d4c3d6c9902b78ea

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“What are you doing?”1444e1dec12a1780

“Saying goodbye.”f2f13d66f0bd6bc6

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“Aren’t you going home?”1f6d9f317dac5e20

“I have practice.”23674d802bf1b32f

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His schedule was unchanged, 807fa71b6b so I frowned. Shin Leekwon did too many bc8ff35bed incomprehensible things.1276b4db7f4273db

“Then why did you come out here?”2e6a0d2160836ebb

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“To see you off.”f45e8b07aacb8d33

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.1c2f4502e6c04f59

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“Seriously, what a crazy guy.”809e457b09f5c8f2

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.901eeb342e73fed0

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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.fb60b856f1122181

I rubbed my 6ffa542db1 empty neck once f9f7736976 more and headed 6a3095b778 to my destination. In the back alley of 3fa5564e47 an old market where few 35b4950546 came to shop, there was d06f93aaa2 a fence everyone knew.9b02ab5aefb84420

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I didn’t even know his name. Everyone just called him Jang, so I called him ‘Jang ahjussi.’96eca3daa93354ef

“Seonjae, you’re here?”05b80fed07870fd0

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Jang ahjussi, with a face a8491a703e that seemed to live without 46cab24b5e breaking the law, had worked aca11397fe with me since I was 8ebc6f3b08 young. My mother often praised 64166937cc him for being thorough 15e97a3797 and paying fairly. Of course, only in front 10d0c2e972 of me. In front of him, she 1328fd2204 was always busy haggling.a7401244a961e76f

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,665e6e13bbc062fd

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“Still just picking pockets, right? Yet you always bring good stuff.”66b06fd1ce2cbb95

“It’s not my first day.”2a70adba90f1585c

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“True. In this field, you’re a prodigy. An elite course.”7f87c5db1eb3d3a9

Jang ahjussi laughed heartily. His raucous laughter suited 8b1d31f3c5 his job.baec7ad94e704373

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It was villainous.0cfcd95a1e85c67e