Chapter 1:Unsettling Encounter
The classroom buzzed with chatter as students settled into their seats for the first day of the new semester. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and anticipation, but as the door creaked open, a palpable tension descended upon the room.
The homeroom teacher Mr.Lee walked in "Everyone get in place,Today we have a new student. Please welcome him normally."
Kim Jae-min stepped through the doorway, his presence commanding attention. He moved with an effortless grace, his steps measured and deliberate. There was something about him—a mysterious aura that seemed to envelop him like a cloak.
As Jae-min's gaze swept across the room, it seemed to linger on each student in turn, as if assessing them. But when his eyes met Joon-ho's, something shifted. Joon-ho, who had been laughing and joking with his friends, froze in his seat, his smile fading into a look of unease.
For a moment, the two boys locked eyes, a silent challenge passing between them. Joon-ho's friends exchanged nervous glances, sensing the tension in the air. Jae-min's expression remained impassive,his eyes looked almost bored like he didn't even care about what was going on, but there was a hint of something dangerous lurking beneath the surface.
He then finally spoke"I'm kim Jae-min..."he said with a slight bow and went to his seat that was in the front row.
As the teacher, Mr. Lee, began the lesson, the atmosphere in the classroom remained tense. Joon-ho couldn't shake the feeling that Jae-min was right there, just a few seats away.
Throughout the lesson, Joon-ho's gaze kept drifting back to Jae-min, unable to shake the feeling of unease that had settled over him. He couldn't explain it, but there was something about Jae-min that made his skin crawl.
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During lunch break, as students mill about the cafeteria chatting and laughing, Joon-ho spots Jae-min sitting alone at a corner table, engrossed in a book. A mischievous grin spreads across Joon-ho's face as he nudges his friends and nods in Jae-min's direction.
"Watch this," Joon-ho mutters under his breath, his eyes glinting with malicious intent.
With slow, deliberate steps, Joon-ho saunters over to Jae-min's table, his footsteps echoing in the otherwise bustling cafeteria. Jae-min looks up from his book, his expression guarded but curious.
"Hey, Jae-min," Joon-ho says, his voice dripping with false congeniality. "Mind if I join you?"
Before Jae-min can respond, Joon-ho pulls out the chair opposite him and plops himself down, leaning in uncomfortably close. The scent of Joon-ho's cologne fills Jae-min's senses, mingling with the faint aroma of cafeteria food.
Jae-min tenses, his muscles coiling with unease, but he forces himself to maintain a neutral facade. Joon-ho's friends gather around the table, their laughter growing louder as they anticipate the confrontation.
"What do you want, Joon-ho?" Jae-min asks, his voice steady despite the growing tension in the air.
Joon-ho's grin widens, his eyes glinting with malice. "Just thought I'd say hello to the new kid," he replies, his tone laced with thinly veiled menace. "After all, we wouldn't want you feeling left out, would we?"
With that, Joon-ho leans in even closer, his breath hot against Jae-min's ear. Jae-min's heart pounds in his chest as he struggles to maintain his composure, his fists clenched under the table.
As the cafeteria noise fades into the background, Joon-ho's voice takes on a sinister edge. "Just remember, Jae-min," he murmurs, his words a chilling whisper. "You're not welcome here. And if you know what's good for you, you'll stay out of my way."
With a final smirk, Joon-ho pushes himself away from the table and saunters off, his friends trailing behind him like obedient lackeys. Jae-min watches them go, his stomach churning with confusion and slight intimidation.
There's a way his eyes sparked,sparked with something slightly psychopathic...but Jae-min decided to ignore it.
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The final bell rang, signaling the end of another day at school. With a heavy sigh, Jae-min gathered his books and made his way out of the classroom, his steps slow and deliberate. The echoes of Joon-ho's taunts still lingered in his mind, haunting him like ghosts from the past,but someone has been watching him silently ever since he came to class that morning.
As Jae-min walked home along the familiar streets of his neighborhood, his thoughts drifted back to his childhood. He remembered the days spent playing in the park with Joon-ho, their laughter echoing through the air as they chased after each other, carefree and innocent.
But those memories were overshadowed by darker moments, flashes of anger and resentment that had slowly eroded their friendship over the years. Jae-min recalled the first time Joon-ho had lashed out at him, the sting of betrayal still fresh in his mind.
The sound of footsteps behind him snapped Jae-min out of his reverie, and he glanced over his shoulder, half-expecting to see Joon-ho and his friends trailing behind him. But the street was empty, the only sound the distant hum of traffic and the rustle of leaves in the breeze.
Shaking off the sense of unease that threatened to overwhelm him, Jae-min quickened his pace, eager to put distance between himself and the memories that haunted him. But try as he might, he couldn't escape the echoes of the past that followed him like shadows, lurking just out of sight.
As Jae-min rounded a corner, he stumbled upon a familiar sight—a playground where he and Joon-ho had spent countless hours as children. The sight of the empty swings and deserted jungle gym filled him with a sense of nostalgia tinged with sadness, a reminder of the innocence they had lost along the way.
Lost in his thoughts, Jae-min didn't notice the figure lurking in the shadows until it was too late. Before he could react, a hand shot out from the darkness, grabbing him roughly by the collar and pulling him into a nearby alley.
Heart pounding, Jae-min struggled against his assailant, his mind racing with fear and confusion. But as he turned to face his attacker, the dim light of the alley revealed not Joon-ho, but a stranger—a faceless figure whose intentions remained unknown.
With a surge of adrenaline, Jae-min fought back, his instincts kicking in as he lashed out against his assailant. In the chaos of the moment, the boundaries between past and present blurred, the memories of childhood bullying merging with the stark reality of the present.
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As Jae-min's fists connected with flesh and bone, he felt a sense of catharsis wash over him, a release of pent-up frustration and anger that had been building for years. And as the stranger stumbled back, Jae-min knew that he would no longer be a victim—he would fight back, no matter the cost.
With one final blow, Jae-min sent his assailant reeling, the sound of their retreating footsteps echoing in the alley. And as he stood alone in the darkness, Jae-min felt a flicker of hope ignite within him—a determination to reclaim his sense of agency and take control of his own
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Jae-min's footsteps echoed against the pavement as he made his way home, his mind still reeling from the unexpected attack in the alley. With each step, he replayed the encounter in his mind, trying to make sense of the identity of his assailant.
As he approached his front door, Jae-min's heart skipped a beat, his hand trembling as he reached for the doorknob. With a deep breath, he pushed open the door and stepped inside, the warmth of the familiar surroundings offering a fleeting sense of comfort.
"Jae-min, is that you?" his father's voice called out from the living room, the sound muffled by the walls of the small apartment.
Jae-min hesitated for a moment, torn between the desire to confide in his father and the instinct to retreat into the safety of his own thoughts. But before he could respond, his father appeared in the doorway, concern etched across his face.
"Are you alright?" his father asked, his voice laced with worry as he studied Jae-min's expression.
For a moment, Jae-min considered telling his father about the attack, about the fear and uncertainty that still lingered in his mind. But as he looked into his father's eyes, he saw the same weariness and resignation that had become all too familiar, and he knew that some burdens were meant to be carried alone.
"I'm fine, Dad," Jae-min replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "Just tired from school."
His father's expression softened with understanding, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. Without another word, Jae-min slipped past his father and made his way to his room, the weight of the day's events pressing heavily on his shoulders.
Alone in his room, Jae-min sank into his desk chair, the familiar weight of his textbooks offering a fleeting sense of solace. With a sigh, he buried himself in his studies, the rhythmic scratching of his pen against paper serving as a distraction from the turmoil brewing within.
As the hours passed and the night descended, Jae-min remained lost in his books, the world outside fading into darkness as he searched for answers in the pages before him. And as he finally succumbed to the pull of exhaustion, sleep claiming him at last, he knew that tomorrow would bring new challenges, new uncertainties, and the relentless march of time.
But for now, in the quiet of his room, Jae-min allowed himself to forget—to forget the pain, the fear, and the shadows that lurked just beyond his reach. And as he drifted into sleep, a flicker of hope ignited within him—a determination to face whatever the future held, armed with nothing but his own strength and resilience.
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The next day
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The soft glow of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a warm golden hue across Jae-min's bedroom. As the first rays of sunlight danced across his face, he stirred from his slumber, blinking away the remnants of sleep as he slowly came to consciousness.
With a quiet sigh, Jae-min stretched his arms above his head, the soft rustle of sheets accompanying his movements. He sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he glanced at the clock on his bedside table.
6:30 AM.
It was time to start another day.
With a resigned sigh, Jae-min swung his legs over the edge of the bed and pushed himself to his feet lazily, the cool wooden floor sending a shiver up his spine. He padded across the room to his closet, selecting a simple outfit of his school uniform and a sweater before heading to the bathroom to freshen up.
As he brushed his teeth and splashed water on his face, Jae-min's mind drifted to the day ahead, a familiar sense of apprehension settling in the pit of his stomach. He knew what awaited him at school—another day of lectures, another day of dodging bullies, another day of pretending like everything was fine.
But for now, he pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the task at hand. He combed his hair into place, straightening his clothes with meticulous care before heading downstairs to the kitchen.
The smell of breakfast greeted him as he entered the cozy kitchen, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the scent of toast and eggs. Jae-min's mother stood at the stove, humming softly to herself as she flipped pancakes with practiced ease.
"Good morning, Jae-min," she greeted him with a warm smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she set a plate of pancakes in front of him. "I made your favorite."
Jae-min returned his mother's greetings with a grateful nod, taking a seat at the table and digging into his breakfast with quiet determination. For a few brief moments, he allowed himself to savor the simple pleasures of home—the warmth of the kitchen, the comfort of his mother's cooking, the sense of belonging that enveloped him like a familiar embrace.
But all too soon, it was time to leave.
With a quick goodbye to his mother, Jae-min shouldered his backpack and headed out the door, the cool morning air washing over him like a balm. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the day ahead as he set off down the familiar path toward school, his thoughts already drifting to the challenges that awaited him.
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As Jae-min made his way down the quiet residential street, the morning sun peeked through the branches of the trees, casting dappled shadows on the pavement below. The sound of birds chirping filled the air, a cheerful melody that seemed at odds with Jae-min's somber mood.
Lost in thought, Jae-min barely registered the world around him as he trudged along the familiar path to school. But as he rounded a corner, he was suddenly jolted out of his reverie by a voice that seemed to come out of nowhere.
"Hey, you there!"
Startled, Jae-min turned to see a figure bounding toward him, a wide grin plastered across his face. It was a boy about his age, with wild, tousled hair and a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
"Um, hi," Jae-min replied, taken aback by the boy's exuberance.
The boy stopped in front of Jae-min, his energy practically vibrating with excitement. "I'm Tae-hyung!" he exclaimed, sticking out his hand for Jae-min to shake. "What's your name?"
Jae-min hesitated for a moment, his instincts telling him to keep his distance from this strange, seemingly overenthusiastic stranger. But something about Tae-hyung's infectious energy made it difficult to resist, and before he knew it, Jae-min found himself shaking the boy's hand.
"I'm Kim Jae-min," he replied, trying to muster up some semblance of enthusiasm.
Tae-hyung's grin widened even further, if that were possible. "Nice to meet you, Jae-min! You're new around here, right?"
Jae-min shook his head. "No, I've been living here for a while."
Tae-hyung's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Really? I guess I just haven't noticed you around before. Anyway, I'll see you around, Jae-min! Gotta run!"
With a wave and a cheerful shout, Tae-hyung bounded off down the street, leaving Jae-min standing there feeling slightly bewildered. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something... off about Tae-hyung, something that made him feel distinctly uncomfortable.
But as he continued on his way to school, Jae-min pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind, chalking it up to nothing more than a chance encounter with a quirky classmate. After all, he had more pressing matters to worry about—like surviving another day in the lion's den that was high school.
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Jae-min sat in the back of the classroom, his mind adrift on a sea of troubled thoughts. As the teacher's voice droned on, his thoughts wandered to the countless run-ins he'd had with Joon-ho, each encounter a painful reminder of the torment he endured day in and day out.
In his daydream, Jae-min found himself standing in the schoolyard, surrounded by mocking faces and cruel laughter. Joon-ho loomed over him like a dark shadow, his eyes flashing with malice as he hurled insults and taunts with impunity.
Each barb struck Jae-min like a physical blow, chipping away at his resolve until he felt like nothing more than a hollow shell. He tried to fight back, to stand up for himself, but his words fell on deaf ears, drowned out by the cacophony of cruelty that surrounded him.
As the memory played out in his mind, Jae-min felt a surge of anger and frustration welling up inside him, a simmering rage that threatened to boil over at any moment. He clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps as he struggled to contain the tempest raging within.
But just as the storm reached its peak, Jae-min was jolted back to reality by the sound of his name echoing through the classroom. He blinked, disoriented, as he realized that all eyes were on him, the curious gazes of his classmates boring into him like daggers.
Without a word, Jae-min rose from his seat, his movements jerky and uncertain as he pushed past his classmates and headed for the door. His mind was still reeling from the onslaught of memories, his thoughts a tangled mess of anger, fear, and frustration.
As he stepped out into the hallway, Jae-min took a deep breath, the cool air filling his lungs and steadying his nerves. He knew he couldn't escape the torment of his past, but in that moment, he found solace in the simple act of walking away—away from the pain, away from the memories, and toward a future where he could be free to be himself, unburdened by the weight of his past.
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As Jae-min made his way through the crowded hallway, he kept his head down, hoping to avoid any confrontations with Joon-ho and his cronies. But fate had other plans, as he suddenly felt a strong hand grab his arm, pulling him into a dimly lit corridor.
Jae-min's heart pounded in his chest as he found himself face to face with Joon-ho, his eyes cold and calculating as they bore into Jae-min's own. But instead of cowering in fear, Jae-min met Joon-ho's gaze head-on, his expression calm and composed.
"What do you want, Joon-ho?" Jae-min asked, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
Joon-ho's lips curled into a malicious smirk as he stepped closer, his presence imposing in the narrow confines of the corridor. "What do I want?" he echoed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Isn't it obvious? I want to see you suffer, Jae-min. I want to break you, piece by piece, until there's nothing left."
But Jae-min remained unfazed, his gaze unwavering as he leveled a piercing stare at Joon-ho. "And what do you hope to achieve by that?" he asked, his voice quiet but filled with a quiet intensity. "What are your real intentions, besides bullying me?"
For a moment, Joon-ho was speechless, taken aback by Jae-min's unexpected question. He faltered, his facade of confidence cracking under the weight of Jae-min's scrutiny. But just as quickly as it had appeared, the moment passed, and Joon-ho's smirk returned, his expression once again filled with malice.
"Don't get your mind so far up in the clouds, Jae-min," Joon-ho said, his tone dripping with menace. "But trust me when I say, you don't want to know the answer to that question."
With that ominous warning, Joon-ho released his grip on Jae-min's arm and stalked away, leaving Jae-min alone in the corridor with his thoughts. But even as he pondered Joon-ho's cryptic words, Jae-min remained resolute, determined to uncover the truth behind his tormentor's motives, no matter the cost.
"That spark...it didn't show anything psychopathic,it was different this time."
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