1st in class hides regression

“I hate being told I’m handsome when I’m not.” “…….” 

Just because…?

 “Dude… you’re handsome.” 

I blurted out in disbelief and was met with a firm reply.

 “That’s why I hate you too.” “Heh….” 

Thanks for reminding me on purpose?

 “Why do you call an ugly kid handsome when he’s not?” “No…” 

Because he’s really handsome…

 

I said to myself in disbelief.

 

‘Jung Eun-sung will never like me.’

 “Ugh.” 

Oh, come on.

 “I hate you too, Jung Eun-sung.” “I hate you more.” “No, you don’t~ I hate you more.” “Think again~ Jae, try it.” “Oh, you’re crazy….” 

I’m pissed!

 “Do you want to keep saying JaeJae?” “You have a mouth, why can’t you talk, you poison JaeJae?” 

We exchanged nonsense and before I knew it, we were in our class.

 

This time, I went in first and tried to close the door, but failed because Jung Eun-sung, who realized what I was up to, went out the back door.

 “Tsk.” 

I clicked my tongue and looked around the classroom.

 

I saw Do-yeon sitting alone, reading a book, amidst a group of kids chatting in small groups or doing homework.

 

I grabbed all of today’s textbooks from my locker and stacked them under my chair, then walked over to her.

 “Hi.” 

Do-yeon, who was concentrating on her book with an expressionless face, looked up in surprise.

 

It was as if she hadn’t expected anyone to talk to her, but she was expecting it. A complex expression flashed across her pale face, then quickly disappeared.

 “What are you reading?” “Maze Runner.” “Ah. Is it finished?” “No, not yet.” “Oh.” 

I finished it! I know the whole story!

 “In that one, all the main characters get infected at the end.” 

I looked around the classroom, sprinkling Do-yeon with fake spoilers.

 

The classroom was filled with the excitement of a new semester.

 

One by one, students arrive and greet each other happily or shyly, but none of them come over to Do-yeon and me.

 

‘You can’t talk to Woo Do-yeon.’

The atmosphere had already been established.

 

For kids who spend all day in the same classroom, it’s important to conform to the group and be included in the majority. Going against this is harder than death for teenagers.

 

I know because I was a teenager once.

 

‘It’s not enough for me to be your friend.’

 

If I want to bring Do-Yeon out of her long isolation, I have to break this atmosphere.

 

‘What can I do?’

 

‘If just one more person, just one more person, would reach out, it would make a difference.’

 

And that opportunity came sooner than I thought.

  

* * *

  

Recess before geography class.

 

Do-yeon and I are reviewing what we’re going to learn today, when someone calls out to me softly.

 “Hey, it’s Dahye.” “Huh?” 

I looked up, and a friend with light brown hair held out a problem book to me. My cheeks were red.

 “Do you think you can teach me this?” “Oh, sure. Ask me anything.” 

But her name is…

 

Kyung Shin.

 

She was the guy who was with me yesterday when I broke my locker lock.

 

I remember her as a mild-mannered, easy-going kid who got along with all her friends.

 

‘But I don’t remember her being very active or outgoing.’

 

She came up to me, I didn’t even know her.

 

And now. Why?

 

She was just asking me about a problem, but she approached me with a big smile on her lips.

 

I don’t think she was nervous to talk to me.

 

So maybe this is.

 “But I don’t know this problem either… Can I ask Do-yeon?” “She’s better at math than I am.”

I added.

 

Shin, who was hesitating, nodded slightly.

 

Oh, my God!

 “Sit here!” 

I excitedly offered the seat next to me.

 

I patted Do-yeon’s slightly open mouth in confusion.

 “Did you hear? We need you to teach us this.” “…Uh…uh.” 

Do-yeon blinked and slowly gripped the sharp.

 

An equally rigid Shin clenched her hands into tight fists under her desk.

 

Too much concentration for just one problem spilled over onto the book of questions Shin had brought with her.

 

I don’t know which of the three of us swallowed.

 “This one’s pretty easy, you just need to know the type…” “Oh…” “Ohhh…” 

Reactions float through the air, like we’re trying to be as sociable as possible in the midst of awkwardness.

 “If you don’t know, just guess one by one. It might be faster if it’s multiple choice.” 

Do-yeon, who had drawn a star on the answer, finished her explanation.

 “Do you understand?” “Yes! Thank you, …Do-yeon.” “…No.” 

Do-yeon shook her head as Shin added in a small voice and Do-yeon replied in an even smaller voice.

 

And then a moment of silence.

 

It’s like a blind date with a horse…

 

Speaking for myself, I felt like kissing Shin because he was the one who spoke to me first…

 

I really didn’t know what to say next.

 

My gaze wanders to Shin’s smartphone on her desk and the celebrity photo cards she has tucked behind it.

 

In the future I came from, I could see the members of the girl group who had already ended their activities and gone their separate ways, but in the present, they were freshly debuted rookies.

 “Oh, Shin, do you like them?” “Yeah! Dahye, do you?!” 

It must have been the right answer. Sein’s voice suddenly got louder.

 

She asked me if I was in #)$(# (I think that’s the name of the fan club), and then suddenly showed me dozens of photos in her phone gallery of all the similar-looking guys with eye makeup.

 “I really want to marry him, but there’s a problem.” “What’s the problem?” “There’s too much of an age difference.” “You’re worried because you’re too young?” “Yeah. I don’t think she’ll see me as a romantic interest.” “Well, don’t worry about that.” 

He’s going to marry a woman seven years younger than you.

 

Age is an issue.

 

You’re too old!

 “And I have a problem…” 

A wide-eyed Shin showed me a photo of her future husband making out with another member, and said they looked like they were in a real relationship.

 “So the guy you want to marry is dating the same group member right now?” 

Knowing who they were marrying in the future, I could only laugh, but Do-yeon was surprisingly serious.

 “If you’re making such a big deal about it, I’m sure everyone already knows.” “I know, so…” 

Shin stopped talking and glanced at Jung Eun-sung in the corner.

 

She lowers his voice and asks privately.

 “Dahye, are you friends with Jung Eun-sung?” “No? Not at all?” 

I also lowered my voice and looked back at Jung Eun-sung.

 

He has a 1L bottle of milk on his desk and is applying hand cream. From this distance, I could see that the girls in my class were constantly staring at him.

 “Really? You two were just flirting in class.” “No, we’re not. I was attacked.” “Still. You’re the only one in our class who’s ever talked to him. I’d like to get to know him and ask him about our kids… He doesn’t seem to talk much.” 

She talks a lot.

 “What do you think, is he nice?” “He’s a total asshole.” “He’s so cute…” “Pweh…” “Come to think of it, there’s a handsome guy on the 12 bus in the morning too…” “Huh? I know him!” “Oh, right, do you want some maichu?” “Yeah!” 

Soon, the awkwardness between Do-yeon, me, and Shin was gone.

 

<What high school girls need to get along with each other.>

 “So, Dahye, you don’t go to a cram school?” “Nope. I just do it on my own.” “I envy you. You must have a good head.” “No, I’m going to ask Do-yeon about math. It’s hard.” “Yeah, she’s really good at it. Guys, if you guys don’t know something, ask her.” 

Shin looked up and spoke to the other kids, who were not looking too happy.

 

One was sitting in front of me and the other was in the fourth row. Apparently, they were Shin’s frie

nds.

 

Shin’s face was full of excitement as if they had already talked about Do-yeon and me among themselves.

 

The person in front of me (Shin’s friend #1) stood still with a nervous expression, and the friend in the fourth row cut her off.

 “I’m done.” 

If it weren’t for the fact that we were classmates at the same time, the already relaxed atmosphere would have become quite awkward.

 

Smiling awkwardly, Shin whispered.

 “Sorry. He’s been a little cranky lately. He can’t sleep.” “No, it’s okay, I can handle it.” 

And silence again…

 “But why isn’t the teacher here yet?” “I don’t know.” 

Seriously, why isn’t he coming?