WW | Chapter 24

“……”

Yul froze, staring at the screen in front of him. It was as if Medusa’s snake-headed figure was painted there, sending chills down his spine and leaving him immobilized. It was the screen of a popular SNS app, the one everyone was on these days. Jung-woo had nagged him endlessly to create an account, saying nobody his age wasn’t on it. But Yul disliked revealing his daily life, found taking and posting photos a hassle, and had no interest in it. Especially as someone constantly pursued by debt collectors, he couldn’t afford to indulge in such things. So he hadn’t imagined anything like this would ever happen.

The picture uploaded on the screen was of Yul’s face. A photo taken when he was forcibly held by Seohee’s group in the gym, struggling to pull away, looking ridiculous as he scowled. Scrolling down, another photo appeared, zoomed in on his face.

Yul’s mind went blank as he read the caption below.

“Looking for this student’s past. Currently Seomun Yul, 2nd Year, Class 6 at Bi Hyun High School.”

Beneath the post were keywords too painful to read.

#Wanted #SeomunYul #DamnBitch #BiHyunHighSchool #IdentityWash #PastWash #PleaseShare

“Did you think we wouldn’t find out just because you wouldn’t talk? Seomun Yul from Mucheon High and Hae Myung Girls’ High, huh?”

“How… how could they do something like this?”

Yul’s clenched fist trembled as his nails dug into his palm, leaving marks. He’d never expected them to go to such cruel lengths. He hadn’t thought they’d trap him and smear him with dirt using such filthy tactics.

“What’s going on? Let me see.”

Geonju, now curious, snatched Seohee’s phone. After looking through Yul’s photos, the phrases, the hashtags, and even the comments, he let out a laugh, clearly entertained. Then, with a delighted expression, he looked over at Yul and said,

“So, you were one of ours, huh? No wonder you didn’t seem unfamiliar. Nice to meet you, pal.”

Geonju extended his hand playfully for a handshake. Until now, he had shown some respect, but it was evident that he was seeing Yul as easy prey. What would come next was obvious. Geonju would likely approach Yul without hesitation, making his power even more blatant.

“Her dad’s a conman, and she’s a thug and a thief. Hey, everyone, keep an eye on your stuff from now on.”

Seohee, looking around theatrically, let out a high-pitched laugh. Then, as if she felt pity, she looked back at Yul with a mocking expression.

“A two-time offender, trying so hard to pretend to be just another civilian. Two outs, Sunbae. Take care of me, okay?”

Seohee placed her hands over her belly and gave Yul a mock bow. Her and Geonju’s crew erupted into laughter. Their loud guffaws drew everyone’s attention, leading to hushed whispers and curious glances. Not many would hear it firsthand, but soon, it would spread across the entire school.

“Those other kids told me to be nice to you. They even asked for a favor, so it’d be rude not to oblige.”

With that, Seohee wrapped her arm around Yul’s shoulders, speaking to him warmly.

“Let’s get closer from now on. Much, much closer.”

Instead of a fallen tray, Seohee shoved a stainless-steel cup toward Yul. As she applied pressure from the edge, the cup flew into Yul’s chest and tumbled onto her skirt. In an instant, the top of her blouse and skirt were soaked in cold water. Yul gasped, springing to her feet as the cup clattered loudly to the ground. Geonju, who had feigned concern, backed off as her damp clothes clung to her, then returned to his seat.

“Oh, sorry. That was an accident.”

Seohee exaggerated her remorse, pursing her lips into an over-the-top pout. But soon, fierce laughter erupted again, clouding Yul’s mind in chaos. She couldn’t make sense of the best course of action in this situation. In the end, she lowered her head, unable to summon any will to fight back.

Once again, it ended up like this.

***

“Why don’t you go help her?”

Kahi, who had been watching the troubling scene, turned her head and spoke to Yoonjo. He was also observing the malicious group. Whether his interest ran as shallow as hers was uncertain.

Yoonjo, shifting his gaze, responded in a dry tone.

“Why should I?”

“Didn’t you say you were interested in her? That seeing her kept you up at night?”

“Is that what you call interest?”

Yoonjo chuckled, lifting his spoon without much enthusiasm. He barely touched his fried rice, simply poking at it. Kahi, resting her chin on her interlocked hands, stared intently at him.

“She’s pretty, right?”

“What?”

“She’s definitely pretty. Not as much as me, but still. Look at that delinquent drooling over her.”

At that, Kahi turned to look back at the group. Park Geonju was sticking close to his prey, grinning like a fox. She returned her gaze to Yoonjo, studying how he looked at the girl entangled in the web. But, as always, his gaze was a closed-off curtain, showing no clear emotion. She had no choice but to ask directly.

“Does it bother you?”

“What are you even doing?”

Yoonjo put down his spoon and glared at her.

“I’m just curious. About the girl who managed to disturb the eternal sleeper’s rest. Have you ever met her privately?”

“No. So, stop being curious.”

“Good to hear. I was going to do that anyway. I don’t want to stir up unnecessary drama.”

Kahi backed off just before the conversation went too far. She knew it was dangerous to keep digging and pressing Yoonjo’s nerves. Whatever interest he had in that girl, she hoped he’d never realize it himself. Stirring it up would be foolish. Without some kind of push, Yoonjo would likely never understand his own feelings. His sleep, born of his scars and defenses, would suppress anything from surfacing. It was best if things passed by quietly.

Kahi put on a sweet smile and changed the topic.

“I’m officially transferring out. I’ll only be around until the end of this month.”

“Good for you.”

“Is that sincere?”

Kahi pouted, side-eyeing Yoonjo. She had expected this reaction, but his complete lack of regret was disappointing. His personality was part of what had made her decide to transfer, but still…

“Who will you eat with after I’m gone?”

“I’ll eat alone. Who else?”

“Aren’t you embarrassed?”

“Why should I be?”

“Ugh, you’re annoying.”

She had no counter, so her frustration simmered. Though he usually napped through lunch, if hungry, Yoonjo would eat alone just fine. If friendly classmates joined him, he’d eat with them too. He always did what he wanted, regardless of what others thought. Kahi admired his disregard for others’ opinions but occasionally felt the urge to shake him out of his indifference. It let him live contently alone, yet isolated him too.

“Fine. Keep eating alone, then.”

“What?”

“But don’t eat with *her*. Promise me.”

Kahi pointed to the girl at the center of Choi Seohee’s group. She almost regretted not learning her name when she had the chance.

She knew she was being irrational. If Yoonjo hadn’t looked her way earlier, she wouldn’t have said this. But there was something off about how Seohee suddenly whipped out her phone, drawing the crowd’s attention, including Yoonjo’s. Yoonjo usually ignored anything he wasn’t interested in, so why did his gaze keep returning to that spot? It unsettled her. Though improbable, the idea of Yoonjo sharing lunch alone with someone else was unbearable.

“A promise?”

Rather than the word “promise,” Yoonjo seemed drawn by her mention of “her” as he openly looked over at Seomun Yul. She seemed to be hanging on by a thread, face pale as a ghost. Whatever that delinquent girl did on her phone had drained her completely.

“Don’t tell anyone else what you heard about me. Please, I’m begging you.”

The memory of her desperate plea when they first met resurfaced.

“Did you tell anyone about me?”

The way she’d questioned him earlier, trembling with anger and anxiety, came to mind too. It must be connected to why she was in this predicament now. He couldn’t understand why she was enduring it when she could have just left. She hadn’t seemed weak-willed when they’d locked eyes before.

An unexplained irritation flared. His voice sharpened as he responded to Kahi’s pointless question.

“Do you think I make promises?”

“Of course. You don’t do promises. But then, promise me you won’t make any with other girls either.”

“Hah!”

Yoonjo let out a dry laugh at her persistence. But his gaze drifted back to the girl Kahi had mentioned. He couldn’t understand why Kahi was so fixated on her.

She was the one who had transferred from Mucheon, and the homeroom teacher had coolly listed her alleged history of bullying and theft right in front of her. She didn’t seem like that type, and if she were, there must be a

reason.

He didn’t remember much else, but he remembered her holding onto his arm that day. Nobody had ever held onto him like that in this school. Her unsteady gaze also felt familiar, like the one someone from long ago used to have.

Just then, Seohee deliberately spilled water on Yul, who stood up, soaked. The nearby Park Geonju was shamelessly ogling her, eyes on her wet chest.

“Don’t piss me off, Yoo Kahi.”

Yoonjo gulped down water and stood up. He’d lost his appetite and had no patience left for this pointless conversation.