WW | Chapter 29

Guess this level of interference is fine. Just as he was about to walk away, Yul’s cold voice stopped him in his tracks.

“What’s your deal?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why are you pretending to care? When did you start acting like this after pushing me away and mocking me? Are you making fun of me?”

Although Yoonjo’s intervention saved her from a disaster, Yul’s mood only worsened. His unpredictable behavior was frustrating. If he had already rejected her, he should act accordingly—any behavior that didn’t match his stance only felt like a betrayal. It would just lead the other person to hold onto pointless hope.

The murmuring around them grew louder as the kids noticed the two standing side by side. Yoonjo remained silent, watching her, while Yul felt more and more trapped. The other students approached, some brushing past them. Just as Yul was about to walk away, Yoonjo finally spoke.

“Do you think hiding behind me will make things easier?”

“…”

“Don’t think about hiding in someone else’s shadow. Handle your own issues yourself.”

His cold words cut into her. She hadn’t asked for his help, so why was he lecturing her? Just as she was about to snap back in disbelief, he added something different.

“After that, do whatever you want—stand beside me or don’t. It’s up to you.”

His unexpected words left her frozen. She wanted to ask what he meant, but he turned away, leaving her with an enigmatic puzzle. As Yul turned, mulling over his words, she caught sight of Jieun standing nearby, watching her with a frosty expression.

“Ah…”

Yoonjo opened his bag and took out Yul’s notebook. He’d meant to give it back but had either forgotten or missed the chance until now. Strangely, despite it being a precious item, she didn’t seem to notice it was missing—though, considering her current situation, she probably had no room for such worries.

He walked over to her desk and set the notebook on top, just as an unexpected voice stopped him.

“What’s your deal with Yul?”

It was Yul’s seat partner. She was barely noticeable, so he hadn’t really paid her any mind before. Now, with her asking a worthless question, he had even less interest in responding. Ignoring her, he turned to leave.

“Yul’s in the audiovisual room.”

She volunteered the information without him even asking. Yoonjo narrowed his eyes, watching her. What could this girl’s motive possibly be?

“Yul’s been struggling more because of you. Don’t you think you should help her?”

Her words, spoken with an almost testing tone, dripped with chilliness. He stared at her, baffled, before curling his lips in a slight smirk.

“And you?”

“What?”

Surprised by his unexpected question, she looked at him, widening her eyes.

“She’s your desk mate. Shouldn’t you be helping her?”

“W-why should I?”

“Poor Seomun Yul. She really can’t see people for who they are, can she?”

This girl was exactly the type of person he detested. Just talking to her made his skin crawl, as if he had an allergic reaction. She was the type who would cling to Yul, fawning all over her, only to ditch her the moment she became inconvenient.

“…!”

Suddenly, a memory flashed through his mind. A girl who had confessed to him with a nasal, cutesy voice right when he first started high school. He’d rejected her, but she still tried to talk to him a few more times. He vaguely remembered her name, but he’d dismissed it as soon as he’d heard it. She was in another class, so he’d forgotten entirely—until now. It was that distinct tone of voice he disliked that brought it all back. He also remembered her expression, her eyes turning venomous the moment he rejected her.

“It was you, huh?”

Yoonjo let out a short laugh as he asked her.

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m asking if you were the one in the middle, the go-between.”

He recalled seeing this girl hanging out with Seohee’s group once or twice. Despite rarely paying attention to people, he’d noticed her because she and Seohee’s crew would sometimes hang around places he preferred to nap. This girl often huddled shyly with Seohee, then left on her own afterward. Even on the day of PE class, he’d seen her and Seohee talking outside the gym doors before entering to glare at Seomun Yul as if to devour her. It had irritated him so much that he’d hit the volleyball to disrupt whatever they were doing. He hadn’t thought much about it, but now, seeing the vicious look in this girl’s eyes, things started to make sense. She was involved with those who were tormenting Yul.

“What are you even saying?”

She feigned ignorance, her eyes glued to her book, though her flushed cheeks and reddened earlobes gave her away.

“Wow. You’re a complete psycho, aren’t you?”

Yoonjo scoffed, picked up Yul’s notebook again, and turned on his heel.

The heavy audiovisual room door closed with a thud. Now, no sound from inside would escape to the outside. Yul felt uncomfortable, while the others’ faces grew more relaxed, though Seohee and Geonju’s smiles were laced with venom. Perhaps it was because they’d seen her with Yoonjo that their mood seemed soured.

“What do you want to talk about?” Yul asked, looking at Seohee, who was the ringleader of the group. She knew their invitation wasn’t a simple chat and wanted to get this over with quickly.

“How’s the injury?”

“I’m fine.”

“Oh, why would you be fine? It’d be better if you weren’t.”

Seohee’s smile twisted. She was quick to pick a fight, as if her patience had already worn thin. Sure enough, her expression turned icy, her eyes narrowing viciously.

“Why are you bad-mouthing me?”

“What?”

“Damn it, I let it slide last time, but not this time.”

“What are you talking about? I’ve never done that.”

Yul shouted back, remembering that Seohee had once made a similar accusation. At the time, she’d been under so much pressure that she’d dismissed it as trivial. But bad-mouthing? Sure, she didn’t like Seohee, but she hadn’t said anything about her to others. Yul never engaged in that kind of gossip about anyone.

“Oh, really?”

With a sneer, Seohee reached out and grabbed a fistful of Yul’s hair. Yul yelped as she was yanked forward. The pain at her scalp was dizzying, the sudden movement disorienting her.

“Hey, you crazy girl. How would you know if I did drugs in the States?”

“What are you even saying? Let go!”

“Even if my mom ran a bar or a kennel, what does it matter to you?”

“What are you talking about? Let go!”

Struggling, Yul stretched out her arms, barely managing to grip Seohee’s wrist. But Seohee yanked her hair down even harder, bending her head lower. The ground tilted, her vision spinning as she tried desperately to break free.

“Seohee, go easy. If her hair gets pulled out and she looks ugly, are you gonna take responsibility?” Geonju, seated on a line of chairs, interjected half-heartedly. He usually sided with Yul against Seohee, but not today. If he wasn’t siding with Seohee due to any real misunderstanding, then there could only be one reason. He must’ve been annoyed after seeing Yul and Yoonjo together, especially since rumors about Yul’s interest in Yoonjo were already circulating.

Ignoring Geonju, Seohee continued tugging Yul’s hair harshly. Her voice was laced with irritation as she went on, “Still, don’t go crossing the line. Let me teach you what happens when you run your mouth.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Seohee shoved Yul’s head away. Yul stumbled back, barely able to regain her balance, as two other girls stepped in to lock her arms, holding her in place. Panting heavily, Yul watched as Seohee swaggered over.

“Do you know what’s trending in makeup these days?”

Seohee brandished a permanent marker in front of Yul’s face, grinning.

“It’s drawing eyeliner and lip lines with a marker. I’ll make sure to use this indelible one, so it won’t come off. You should thank me.”

“What are you doing?”

“And next, I’ll draw a bikini on you. I hear you’ve got a pretty nice chest, huh?”

Seohee poked Yul’s chest with her finger. Geonju, who had been watching, chuckled with a leer.

“Yeah, that’s something she can brag about. Not like you’d know, huh? You’re flat as a pancake.”

Geonju openly ogled Yul’s chest, grinning. Seohee’s gaze sharpened, annoyed, as she approached Yul. Grabbing Yul’s chin roughly, she held the marker close to her face.

“Close your eyes.”

“Don’t do it!”

The pointed tip of the marker felt like a weapon as it neared her skin. Yul, terrified, tried to shake her head and wriggle free, but the marker missed her eyes and left ugly streaks across her face instead. The girls holding her laughed mockingly, and even the onlookers snickered.

“Hey, unbutton her uniform.”

At Seohee’s command, one of the girls let go of Yul’s arm and grabbed her collar. At that moment, something snapped inside her. Her instincts took over, flooding her with a fiery rage that drowned out any fear or worry.

This was beyond her limits.

Driven by fierce resistance, Yul wrested a hand free and seized Seohee’s hair, yanking it furiously. As anger replaced all other emotions, Yul released the other arm, snatching the marker from Seohee’s grip.

“Oh, that trending makeup? Let me do it on you.”

Gritting her teeth, Yul thrust the marker toward Seohee, preparing to make her mark.