The next morning, I happened to arrive at school with my neighborhood senior, Kim Seok-jin. When we arrived, I assumed all the students were just chatting amongst themselves, seeing me and Kim Seok-jin. More accurately, Seok-jin. But as if to shatter my thoughts, upon arriving at the classroom, I saw the students chatting amongst themselves, looking at me. Dami and Ga-hyun, who had been talking to me, glanced at me and began chatting amongst themselves. I sat down, my heart filled with confusion.
"hey."
Min Yoongi called out to me, tapping me. I turned around to see him, and he waved his phone around and mouthed "KakaoTalk." As he said, I opened KakaoTalk. Then, I received a KakaoTalk message from him.
‘There’s a rumor going around that you tried to steal the boy Baek So-yeon likes.’
When I saw the content, I couldn't think of anything. I hadn't done anything; I was just secretly in love with Kim Taehyung. No matter how much I liked him, since Kim Taehyung liked Baek Soyeon, I figured I had to endure the pain and suffering.
‘Drrrrrrr-’
The door opened, and Baek So-yeon and Kim Tae-hyung confidently walked in, arm in arm. Baek So-yeon was beaming, while Kim Tae-hyung looked somewhat uncomfortable. Shouldn't Kim Tae-hyung be beaming? I thought for a moment, but Baek So-yeon smiled at me, a sly grin on her face. Without anyone noticing...
‘Drrrrrrr-’
The door opened again and Jiyoon and Jimin came in.
"hey!"
Jiyoon screamed.
“Baek So-yeon. You really..!”
“You haven’t even heard the rumors?”
When Jiyoon was about to say something, Im Nayeon spoke.
"what!?"
“There’s a rumor that Han Yeo-ju stole the boy So-yeon likes, and that if she becomes close with Han Yeo-ju in the future, her high school life will be ruined.”
Jiyoon couldn't say anything.
“So what?”
Jiyoon spoke instead, and Baek Soyeon flinched. Baek Soyeon turned around, seemingly looking at Park Jimin.
“Don’t you know? A senior I’m close with is famous at this school.”
“Oh, really? Who is that senior?”
Jimin, who had been laughing, said with a serious expression.
“Don’t you know seniors Lee Min-hyuk and Lim Hyun-sik? Of course, there are other seniors too.”
"Uh. I don't know any of those seniors, and if you're going to ostracize Han Yeo-ju, ostracize us too."
Im Na-yeon remained silent at Park Jimin's words. Baek So-yeon, perhaps unaware of Jimin's reaction, simply gaped at him, then released her arm and grabbed Park Jimin's.
“Jimin, what are you talking about.. The female lead was the one Taehyung tried to steal away.. You knew that, right.. You’re saying you’ll be bullied because of the female lead..”
His voice sounded quite flustered. However, Park Jimin, seemingly ignoring Baek So-yeon's words, shook his arm, which Baek So-yeon was holding, vigorously. Then, as if revealing her emotions, Baek So-yeon's arm fell to the floor with a thud.
“Don’t stick to me.”
Jimin looked at Baek So-yeon with contemptuous eyes.
“I’ll be back later.”
With those words, Park Jimin and Jiyoon opened the classroom door and walked out. The classmates all tilted their heads, as if sensing something was off.
“Hey Baek So-yeon.”
Dami said, with a look of disbelief on her face.
“If you’re dating Kim Taehyung, why are you trying to stop Park Jimin when he’s personally ostracized?”
All the children in the class nodded at Dami's words.
“That... that's...! Of course!! My friend said he'd be bullied!!”
Baek So-yeon got angry. Then Dami laughed in disbelief.
“Then it’s okay for you to make up stories and get bullied by the female protagonist?”
Ga-hyeon, who had been watching, said.
“...”
Baek So-yeon was speechless, her arms trembling. Wasn't Kim Tae-hyung supposed to be protecting Baek So-yeon in this situation? Kim Tae-hyung ignored her and walked to his seat.
“You’re talking nonsense!! I was just telling the truth!! Han Yeo-ju tried to steal Kim Tae-hyung!”
Baek So-yeon seemed quite excited.
“Why are you so excited? And… is Kim Taehyung an object?”
“I was the first to tell Han Yeo-ju that I liked Kim Tae-hyung! But!! Han Yeo-ju tried to steal Kim Tae-hyung away!!”
Baek So-yeon screamed, her throat bloodshot. But not a single person believed her. No, it's more accurate to say that only one person, excluding Im Na-yeon, believed her.
“Since when have you known Kim Taehyung?”
This time, Min Yoongi opened his mouth and spoke.
“Han Yeo-ju said it from the first day of school. In front of you and me.”
“Who! What!!”
“...”
Min Yoongi remained silent, as if he was watching my reaction. He didn't want to talk here, especially with Kim Taehyung behind him. But if he didn't say anything, Baek Soyeon would speak confidently. Why would he lie when he couldn't say anything? That's why he spoke.
“I like Kim Taehyung.”
*******
Please forgive the lazy writer...