Chapter 29
“You’re the one, right? The one who became Cha Dowoon Esper-nim’s pair?”
“What’s he like?”
“Is he as strong as the rumors say?”
“Have you seen him fight?”
“Is he as scary as they say?”
Seoyul was startled by the barrage of questions coming from all directions, his eyes widening in surprise.
He was flustered, not knowing how to answer, but as he listened carefully, he realized the questions weren’t about him but about Dowoon.
Only then did he feel relieved, letting out a sigh. It was easier to talk about Dowoon than about himself.
“Hey! Ask one at a time. You’re confusing him with too many questions.”
Among them, the one with the most mischievous face playfully began to quiet the commotion and organize the surrounding area.
He even made everyone line up in a row, saying he would take questions one by one.
“Now, Number 1. Kim Dongwoo.”
“What was your matching rate?”
Seoyul’s eyes widened at the direct question that came from the very first person. He wondered if it was okay to tell them, but since it wasn’t exactly a secret, he cautiously opened his mouth.
“Um, 87…?”
“Ohhhh!!”
Exclamations of admiration erupted throughout the classroom. Seoyul became even more embarrassed, his cheeks turning a bright shade of red.
Thanks to Dowoon, he felt relieved that he might be able to adapt quickly. The attention from everyone wasn’t all bad.
But there was one thing.
Far away, he noticed someone giving him a different kind of look.
‘Huh…?’
What was there was clearly hostility.
Having always been sensitive to the moods of others, Seoyul was particularly perceptive when it came to negative emotions. So he could easily understand the meaning behind that gaze.
‘Why…?’
It was confusing to receive such a look from someone he was meeting for the first time. Given his personality, he had been ignored before, but he had never received such hostile stares.
Moreover, since he had been surrounded by mostly well-meaning people lately, this stood out even more.
“Ah. It’s really noisy in here.”
The person muttered in a languid voice. Immediately, the bustling classroom fell into silence.
“Class is about to start, isn’t it a bit too rowdy?”
Though he spoke with a subtle smile, there were thorns in his voice. Seoyul wasn’t the only one who felt it; those around him began to disperse in small groups, sensing the mood.
“Ah, sorry. We were being too loud.”
“Let’s get ready quickly.”
“Hey! Scatter now!”
As everyone returned to their seats, Seoyul was left feeling bewildered.
He was relieved that he didn’t have to answer any more awkward questions, but something felt off about how quickly everyone had dispersed.
And his intuition proved to be right.
‘No one… is talking to me.’
Despite the initial interest they had shown, no one was approaching him anymore. He wondered if there was something odd about what he had said or done, but he couldn’t be sure.
However, there was something that bothered him.
That hostile gaze directed at him.
That person’s thorny remark.
The cautious behavior of the others.
‘Haah…’
Seoyul let out a long sigh. For some reason, it seemed like he had earned someone’s hatred. School life wouldn’t be easy.
But surprisingly, time passed uneventfully. He simply didn’t engage in conversation with others.
He attended lectures alone, ate alone, and then attended more lectures before returning home.
And when he got home, Dowoon was there. Seoyul was used to being alone anyway, and since Dowoon was at home, he thought it was fine.
Not making friends was… a little disappointing, but he repeatedly told himself it was okay since he hadn’t come here to make friends.
But after about two weeks, strange things began to happen.
‘No one… is here.’
The classroom was completely empty. Information about a canceled class hadn’t been passed on to him.
At first, he thought it was just a coincidence. But when such incidents began to happen repeatedly, even Seoyul couldn’t help but think.
That they were deliberately… ostracizing him.
‘Haah…’
Leaning against the corridor next to the classroom, Seoyul let out a small sigh. The subtle bullying and ostracism from his classmates. It was slowly beginning to gnaw at his nerves.
As Seoyul showed no reaction, they became increasingly blatant in their actions to exclude him.
He hadn’t expected to be treated this way, even if he didn’t make friends, so he didn’t know how to handle it.
He couldn’t consult with Sunjeong or Dowoon because he didn’t want to worry them, so he had no choice but to endure silently.
But as time passed, other thoughts came to mind.
Should I have tried talking to them more instead of giving up from the start?
Would things have been different if I had approached them first?
All kinds of negative thoughts began to overwhelm him. Even as he told himself he shouldn’t think this way, he couldn’t stop. He couldn’t calm his sinking heart.
“Is this really okay?”
Just then, a familiar voice was heard from somewhere. It was one of the people who had first spoken to Seoyul.
“Hey, what power do we have? When the A-rank Guide-nim doesn’t like him?”
“Still, isn’t this a bit childish?”
“Then you be friendly with him.”
“Tsk. Do you want to ruin your life? He’s definitely going to go to a high position, either in the Association or a Guild. There’s nothing good about getting on his bad side.”
“Anyway, those people are too much. Even though he’s a C-rank?”
“I guess his pride was hurt, given his personality.”
“True. His personality is notorious.”
They left the place, giggling. Seoyul stood frozen, unable to move.
Because he had a feeling he knew who they were talking about.
‘Yeon Jiwoo.’
It was the man who had been giving him hostile looks.
Seoyul knew quite a lot about him because information about him was easily heard even without asking.
A talented A-rank Guide that everyone wanted.
Since A-rank Guides were sought after everywhere, everyone was busy trying to stay on his good side.
So it seemed that he and his followers were inciting other friends to participate in the bullying.
‘Why…’
Why does he hate me?
He knew there was no point in dwelling on it. But it was hurtful to know that someone disliked him enough to go to such lengths.
‘Still, I just have to endure for a few months.’
Half a year.
After taking the exams, he would have fewer reasons to come to school. He just needed to study hard until then.
But the effect of such a resolution was very short-lived. He didn’t feel good.
It seemed he had been secretly hoping. That he could regain and lead a normal life.
‘As if that would happen.’
Seoyul smiled bitterly as he moved on. In his right hand were the cheapest bread and milk he had bought from a convenience store.
He planned to quickly eat his meal somewhere deserted and then head to his afternoon class.
As he was looking for a place to eat, he faintly heard the sound of laughter and chatter nearby.
He turned his head and quietly observed the scene.
Did he want to be a part of that? Barely moving his reluctant feet, he entered the building where his next class would be held.
And he climbed the stairs, and climbed, and climbed. When he reached the top, a locked iron door appeared before him. It seemed to lead to the rooftop.
‘Maybe… I’ll eat here?’
The entrance was blocked and dark, but warm light was pouring in from the window one level below.
It was quiet, probably because no one came here, which he liked.
Seoyul sat down and relaxed. Through the window, a gentle breeze blew, rustling his hair as he gazed at the blue sky.
‘This might not be so bad.’
Yes. Being alone was fine. It wasn’t possible to make everyone like you. Even if the number of people who disliked him was quite large, it was okay, he repeated to himself over and over.
But the more he tried to convince himself, the more miserable he felt. It felt like he was back in that small, dark, and gloomy room.
It was as if he had returned to those days when his Guiding was exploited, when he had no hope at all.
‘This isn’t… good.’
If his mood dropped, it would burden Dowoon. He might not be able to perform Guiding and could face interrogation.
He didn’t want that. He didn’t want to show this side of himself.
‘What should I do…?’
The unopened bread package in Seoyul’s hand crinkled as he squeezed it, the sound echoing throughout the stairwell.
Just then, an unfamiliar voice was heard from the bottom of the stairs.
“Huh? What’s this? Someone’s taken over my hideout.”
Seoyul looked up to see the owner of the voice. It was a tall man with clean-cut features.
He stood with his hands in his pockets, leaning slightly to one side and smiling playfully. Judging by his expression, he didn’t seem to be picking a fight; he just seemed to be making conversation.
“I’ve never seen your face before. Are you a transfer student?”
He approached with incredible friendliness and sat down next to Seoyul. Then, looking at the bread in Seoyul’s hand, he exclaimed in horror and murmured.
“Ugh. That tastes awful. Hey, eat this instead. You’ll throw up if you eat that.”
He took the bread from Seoyul’s hand, put it in his bag, and replaced it with a new one. Though Seoyul hadn’t said anything, he had to listen to the man’s praises about how delicious the new bread was.
“This corn cream bread, let me tell you, is one of the must-try breads if you come to this school. Since they only sell it here, you should eat as much as you can before graduating.”
His words seemed to be true, as the bag was filled with the same type of bread. He took one out, skillfully tore it open, took a big bite, and asked.
“What’s your name?”
“…Seoyul…sir.”
“Ah, so you’re Seoyul?”
He also seemed to know about Seoyul. It was surprising, yet a bit disheartening to realize just how influential Yeon Jiwoo was.
Is this person also one of those who are wary of Yeon Jiwoo…?
Just as he thought that, the man threw an unexpected question.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
