The Backseat Literary Girl
She loved books. She loved losing herself in stories. The literary girl in the back row. Everyone liked her, admired her. Blonde hair and blue eyes. She shone brighter than anyone, more beautiful than anyone. Her unfamiliar looks didn't matter—every guy had harbored a crush on her at least once, and the girls flaunted their friendships with her. Family background, looks, aura. She lacked nothing, and even her personality was perfect. She didn't talk much, but she granted almost any request, so people never left her alone.
But all Seo Seohyeon wanted was to read her stories. Anywhere with books was fine. Raised under family education that demanded constant perfection, she had to cater to everyone's whims. That's why she turned away from her boring reality, yearning for new tales.
For fifteen years, Seohyeon's life was the same. Reading books, granting someone's request when interrupted, minding human relationships as best she could. She was tired, but what could she do? She knew better than anyone that she'd been born into a blessed environment. So she saw this as the price and followed it faithfully.
That's what she was doing, reading in the back row. A philosophy book on life and death. It was a rare intriguing story, so she tried to take in every single word. She hoped no one would interrupt this time. She wished this moment could last forever.
"You're Seohyeon, right?"
Seohyeon sighed and set her book down. Of course they won't leave me alone.
"Who are you?"
It was a face familiar enough that it wasn't a total stranger. The guy scratched his cheek.
"Your brother asked me to fetch you."
That damn jerk, interrupting when I was really enjoying myself?
Seohyeon pressed her forehead and bowed her head. At least it wasn't a pointless errand; she comforted herself with that.
"Thank you."
She stood, heading to where her brother was.
"You came?"
"...What is it this time."
"Dad said let's eat out today. But listen to how you talk to your brother?"
"...Can't you be quiet?"
"Wow, I'm really gonna live feeling wronged. Suhyeon, look at her. Is this right?"
"Dunno. I've done what I came for, so I'm out."
...Suhyeon? That's why he seemed familiar. A pretty famous senior at school. The only one who'd beaten our damn—no, her brother's grades. Her brother might seem like that, but he was a genius who heard it at every meal. Top ten nationwide. But this guy had surpassed him less than a month after transferring in. Thanks to that, she'd had to deal with her brother's whining for a full hour.
"...Bro, didn't you hate that guy a lot?"
"Huh? Oh, that guy's weird. Won't even talk to me once."
"Then why'd you ask him for a favor?"
"Turns out he's a friend of Dad's son. So it just kinda happened."
"Dad's friend?"
"Yeah, that guy. The one who helped Dad succeed."
She'd heard of him. The one who'd lifted her despairing father and offered a hand.
"He seemed really nice, but that guy's totally different? Like some middle school edgelord, all curled up and self-centered."
"Yeah. Anyway, my business is done, so I'm going."
"What? He asked me himself, the crazy bitch."
She plugged her ears with both hands and headed back to the classroom. She'd only been a little curious because he'd beaten her brother. Nothing more, nothing less. She figured she'd never cross paths with him again anyway.
"You can clean... right?"
"...Sure."
"Thanks, Seohyeon! You're the only one I can count on."
A classmate girl grabbed Seohyeon's hand. She barely managed a smile and slipped her hand free.
"It's nothing... It won't take long."
"I'll buy you something yummy from the canteen later, seriously thank you!"
"Just go already. Got it."
She didn't want to hear it anymore. If it kept up, she'd lose control of her expression. Finally, the girl bowed her head again, chattering with her friends as she left the classroom.
Seohyeon sighed and picked up the broom.
"What a tiring life."
Then, a voice she'd heard somewhere brushed her ear.
"...What did you say?"
Grind. Her teeth ground together. Who the hell was picking a fight out of nowhere? She looked up. It was her brother's friend from before. He stood at the classroom door, hands in his hoodie pockets.
"Sorry, I saw the whole thing."
He must've watched the entire scene just now. But that didn't excuse suddenly picking a fight.
"What do you want this time?"
"Your brother asked."
"Ha, you live a tiring life too."
"At least I don't hand out pointless favors like you."
He smirked at her, approached, and snatched the broom. Then he started sweeping the floor.
"...Then what's this?"
"I told you, I don't do pointless favors. Just trying to look good to you guys. You're the kids of Dad's friend, right?"
Is that it? She'd seen countless people like him. It made her sick. People who only saw the money.
"Give it here. Your plan's already failed. This is the worst way."
"Yeah?"
He handed over the broom without a second's hesitation. Then he went somewhere and came back with another identical broom.
"Can you not be annoying?"
"You talk well. But why'd you do it earlier then?"
"No point sucking up to someone like you. Happy?"
"Nah, I disagree. I need to look good to you."
"...I won't say a word about you, so just go."
"Much better than before. Your brother wants you again."
"Got it."
Soon she started sweeping the floor too. Talking to that kind of person any longer was a waste of time.
A few minutes passed like that.
"...Why haven't you left yet?"
"If I don't take you back, it'll be a hassle for me too."
"Senior, you got no friends, huh?"
"Unfortunately."
Unfortunately my ass, that's why you have no friends with that attitude.
"Figures. I bet you don't have good relationships like that."
"I like being alone anyway, so whatever. Better than befriending people like this."
This crazy bastard. What the hell? Picking fights nonstop, grating on her nerves. He'd never understand in his life. How important human relationships were. How much effort she put into keeping them smooth. That girl who'd just asked was the most popular in class, and she'd used that well.
"All done now. Go on, to your brother."
In the end, she realized. She'd never understand that lunatic, no matter how long she lived.
"Who's that?"
Why'd this girl suddenly show up here? I needed a moment to process the situation.
"...Hello. I'm your brother's close dongsaeng."
She bowed her head as if apologizing for her rudeness just now. Then added,
"So, I think I need some time to talk to bro. That okay?"
"...W-Wait a sec...!"
As Seohyeon grabbed my arm to drag me somewhere, Han Seol grabbed Seohyeon's arm. What a ridiculous situation. To onlookers, it looked like a jealousy catfight.
I pulled my arm free from Seohyeon first to calm them down.
"Hold on, Seohyeon. What're you doing showing up out of nowhere."
"...Then why are you at a cafe alone with a girl? Weren't you always saying you had no interest in girls?"
"When did I even—whatever, it's not what you think, so pipe down. Everyone's staring..."
"..."
Only then did Seohyeon seem to notice the attention we were drawing. She sighed and finally sat down.
"So, she's just a college junior, and you were giving career advice or something?"
"That's what I said. I don't even get why I have to report this to you."
I explained the whole story, and Seohyeon nodded, then formally apologized to Han Seol.
"Sorry. I apologize for everything up to now."
Han Seol waved her hands frantically, looking burdened.
"Ah, no, it's fine..."
"You can drop the formal speech. I'm younger."
"Oh, yeah..."
Gulp. The sound of swallowing hard. It was my front-row junior, who'd clearly been tense watching Seohyeon until now.
"Seohyeon, why'd you come here so suddenly?"
I wanted to chew her out more, but she'd apologized, and dragging out a cleanly resolved issue would be silly. I could warn her later. For now, I asked what I was most curious about.
"...Bro told me. The place."
"You should've at least texted."
"I just came to check it out, like sightseeing."
She sure talks smoothly. Seohyeon stated her business, then extended a hand to Han Seol.
"I'm Seo Seohyeon. One year younger than you, sis."
"...Han Seol."
"You must've been shocked, right? This bro's such a punk, I thought he was picking a fight with someone else again."
"...Punk?"
Seohyeon, I'm not that guy anymore. Please don't bring up my dark history.
I shot her a desperate look. She might not fully get it, but the "don't say it" message seemed to land. Seohyeon fiddled with her beret for a bit, then sighed.
"I brought up too old a story. Our connection goes way back... Sometimes I get lost in the past."
My front-row junior met eyes with the faintly smiling Seohyeon and bowed her head deeply. Probably still confused. Honestly, so was I.
"Seohyeon, I have plans, so wanna set something up later?"
"...Right. I interrupted too much."
She stood briskly, nodding. Then she approached Han Seol.
"...?"
She seemed to say something, but I couldn't hear. She patted Han Seol's shoulder and vanished quickly.