---
"What is this stinging gaze?"
"...Should I go out?? "
Lee Seok-min sent Kim Min-gyu, who was oblivious, out. I tried to follow him, but was caught by a classmate. The classroom door closed.
" why.. "
'What is it?'
" what. "
'Can't you tell just by looking at it?'
'What is your relationship with Kim Min-gyu?'
"Is Kim Min-gyu famous..?"
"You're famous. You didn't know? Oh, that could be true. Since I don't have any friends, I lack information."
'So what's going on?'
"Well, what kind of relationship would it be?"
I shook off Ban-ai's hand and left the classroom. Lee Seok-min was with Kim Min-gyu at the end of the hallway. When he saw me, he motioned for me to come over.
***
Lee Seok-min and I came up to the rooftop, a place we often frequent. Kim Min-gyu seemed to enjoy the rooftop, too.
"What? Why didn't you just talk about it in class? Why did you come up here?"
"I guess the rooftop is more comfortable?"
Kim Min-gyu questioned him, seemingly unsure why he'd come up to the rooftop. Lee Seok-min replied that the rooftop was more comfortable than the classroom, and Kim Min-gyu nodded in agreement.
"But the class atmosphere was a bit tense earlier. What's going on?"
"It's nothing."
"The kids in our class are a bit wild. Right, Seokmin Lee?"
"I guess so."
Lee Seok-min shrugged. Kim Min-gyu, his eyes filled with suspicion, stared intently at me.
"Lunch time is over, I'm going!!"
"Senior, no, Han Seol-ah!"
***
'What did you do?'
" why. "
'What did you do during lunch earlier?'
"You guys only do this when Lee Seok-min isn't around? Why? Are you scared when Lee Seok-min is around?"
I closed my eyes tightly and spoke. The faces of those who had been picking on me in front of me turned bright red. They seemed to be feverish.
'You have one more friend, so you can't see anything?'
" ... sorry.. "
It may seem petty, but there's nothing I can do about it. It's how I survive in this classroom without Lee Seok-min, so it's only natural that the me in the novel and the me in real life are different.
***
"Are you going straight to the boarding house?"
"Yeah, you're coming late because it's your turn, right?"
"Oh, go home with Kim Min-gyu."
"Okay. Come quickly."
***
"It's really nothing, right?"
"Of course. It's nothing."
"Well then, that's good. Why are you so tired today?"
"Just a little..."
"Can you please sing it like you did before until I get home?"
" huh? "
"Speak politely to your seniors..."
"Is that so? No, is that so?"
"But it's been a while since I've been polite, so it feels a bit awkward..."
"Phuhat, so cute."
Kim Min-gyu blushed shyly while speaking formally, which was cute. He really seemed younger than me (despite his height). I lifted my heel and ruffled Kim Min-gyu's hair.
***
"I'm back."
"Seol-ah,.. are you here..?"
"Brother, what about me?"
"Oh, Seokminin?"
"Brother, what about me..?"
"Yes, Min-gyu In-nu."
It was Yoon Jung-han, covered with a blanket on the sofa. He looked half-asleep, as if he'd just woken up. When Kim Min-gyu said, "Me, me," Yoon Jung-han said, "Come here." As Kim Min-gyu approached, Yoon Jung-han suddenly pulled him into his arms. Kim Min-gyu was disgusted by this.
I was laughing while looking at the scene in front of me, when someone next to me put their arm around my shoulder.
"Did you have a good time at school?"
"Yeah. Where are you going?"
"Yeah. Jihoon, go to school."
"Lee Ji-hoon? University? Why?"
"Come out. Should we go together?"
"No, I'm tired. Have a nice trip."
"Let's go and play together."
"Yeah. Come quickly."