Cat-Like Devotion in Action
Baek Isul's cat-like declaration wasn't just empty words. Every break time, she fired off a text to check if he was heading to the canteen, and whenever Nam Siu said yes, there she was, planted firmly at the back door of Class 1 like a sentinel.
It's only the first day back, and she's going this far...! Touched by her thoughtfulness, Nam Siu spent the whole day trailing after her with sparkling eyes.
But her promise didn't end on day one.
A few days later.
The bell for the end of second period barely rang before Baek Isul was stationed at the back door of Class 1, arms crossed and unyielding.
"Let's go."
Park Geon and Seo Juwon flanked him on either side, but she ignored them completely, sticking right to Nam Siu's side as they walked.
"U-um... Isul, aren't you tired? It must be annoying trailing me like this..."
"Don't wanna hang with me?"
Caught off-guard by her sudden piercing gaze, Nam Siu could only shake his head.
"No, it's not that. I just don't want to be a hassle for you."
"Not a hassle. So text me every time from now on. No wandering off."
Nam Siu grinned ear-to-ear and nodded at her words. Watching from behind, Park Geon let out a massive sigh.
"Sigh... Some people run over from Class 2 every break to drag us to the canteen. But she never says sweet stuff like that to me..."
"Then don't come anymore."
"What?"
Park Geon, who'd been whining playfully, was genuinely hurt by Seo Juwon's deadpan response—totally at odds with his burly frame.
While Baek Isul kept a tight leash on Nam Siu, joint PE class for Class 1 and Class 2 rolled around.
"Hey, Nam Siu! Pass! Over here—it's wide open!!"
Late summer sun poured down on the field as the boys' soccer match heated up. Thanks to endless training with Seo Juwon and Park Geon over break, Nam Siu could now hold his own without embarrassing himself.
Gone was the awkward form from first semester; his newly broadened shoulders powered through tackles as he dribbled the ball. From the stands, the whole scene was on full display.
Oh. He's really been hitting the gym.
Ignoring Ji Yoon dozing on her lap, Baek Isul tracked Nam Siu's energetic runs to fend off boredom.
"Was Nam Siu always that buff?"
"You can't tell with Park Geon and Seo Juwon around, but yeah, he looks decent solo."
"Those two are a lost cause, but he's worth a shot, right? I've got an extra ion drink—maybe give it to him after?"
The girls' chatter behind her drifted straight into Baek Isul's ears. Her brows furrowed sharply.
She was already on edge from all the lingering glances on Nam Siu lately. They might not know he was taken, but treating someone else's boyfriend like easy pickings? It grated on her like never before.
"...What the hell? It's still summer."
Sensing the chill, Ji Yoon jolted awake, rubbing her arms like she was freezing.
Baek Isul silently grabbed a cold water bottle from class supplies.
Peep-!
The whistle blew for a break—still sweltering under the sun. Seo Juwon brushed back his sweat-soaked bangs, panting, with Nam Siu stumbling up behind him, gasping for air.
That's when one of the girls behind stood with her ion drink in hand.
Whoosh-!
Something blunt hurtled straight from the stands toward Nam Siu.
"Wh-whoa?!"
He snatched it reflexively and checked. "What the—it's water."
Glancing toward the stands, Baek Isul sat in the front row, radiating icy displeasure.
"I-Isul, this yours?"
"Drink."
"Huh?"
"Drink it."
Nam Siu gulped it down without thinking at her frosty tone. The cool rush down his throat drew a satisfied "Ahh."
"Hey, gimme some."
Seo Juwon reached out casually while wiping sweat, but Nam Siu clutched the bottle to his chest and shook his head firmly.
"No way. Isul gave this to me."
"Damn... you sneaky bastard. Too gross and unfair—pass."
Nam Siu just beamed, tongue clicking ignored, cradling the rest like treasure.
The girl watching from above quietly set her ion drink down.
Classes ended, homeroom wrapping up.
"Cleaning duty stays behind to sweep and mop spotless."
The homeroom teacher—Ha Taemu—barely exited the front door before cheers erupted and kids bolted.
"Ugh... my turn already..."
Nam Siu slumped his bag onto his desk.
"Good luck—we'll grab prime spots at the PC bang with the AC blasting."
"Seriously? No loyalty at all?"
Seo Juwon waved dismissively and slipped out the back. Nam Siu glared daggers, but grabbed the broom from the corner anyway.
Ten minutes later, the other duty kids rigged rock-paper-scissors marathons, dumping trash and fleeing—leaving Nam Siu the loser.
"Sigh... my luck sucks."
As he grumbled, sweeping the back row:
"Doesn't look like bad luck to me."
Her voice floated in from the open back door—the girl who'd shadowed him all day.
Startled, Nam Siu looked up to see Baek Isul leaning crookedly against the frame.
"Huh? Isul! You still here?"
She nodded lightly, scanning the empty room.
"Where'd your other duty kids go? Leaving you solo?"
"Rock-paper-scissors. I lost, so I'm finishing up. But why didn't you go with them?"
Baek Isul stepped inside casually. "Boyfriend's on cleaning duty—how could I ditch without loyalty?"
"Gasp...!"
Overwhelmed, Nam Siu dropped his broom, clapping a hand over his mouth in awe.
Ignoring his dramatics, she perched lightly on the windowsill, gazing out. Late summer sunset bled orange through the glass, bathing her pale face and swaying bob in a soft glow.
In the quiet classroom, her languid beauty left Nam Siu staring blankly mid-cleanup.
Wow... she's so pretty.
Sensing his burning stare, Baek Isul flinched, clearing her throat and hopping down. She headed to the blackboard.
2nd Semester Midterms D-21
Eyeing the bold chalk scrawl from Ha Taemu, she spoke without turning.
"...How long since school started, and midterms already?"
"Right? But I heard next year they might swap exams for performance assessments!"
Nam Siu chattered broom in hand; she glanced back with a smirk.
"Idiot, you believe that? Even if they do, our stuck-up school gonna implement it right away?"
Nam Siu nodded glumly. "Yeah, probably not..."
"Then we'll study together again, right?"
She snatched his broom smoothly, pitching in on cleanup. His exam worries melted into a smile.
"Obviously! If you say so, I'm in 100%!"
"Three weeks left—start this weekend. City Library, by 10."
"Hehe, got it. I'll be there at 10."
With plans set, Nam Siu hummed beside her, sweeping up the last dust cheerfully.
"Done. Lock up—I'm starving."
"I'll get the front door!"
They double-checked every window and exited side by side. Sunset stretched their shadows long down the hall.
Mid-stride, Nam Siu reached out, gently enfolding her pale hand.
"..."
Baek Isul glanced sideways at the sudden touch. But he just smiled, squeezing a bit tighter.
"Guys are at the PC bang—wanna grab tteokbokki on the way? My treat."
"...People might think you rigged cleaning duty for this."
She huffed amusedly but didn't pull away. Instead, her fingers intertwined, gripping back lightly.
"Tteokbokki's iffy. Ice cream. You buy."
"You got it!"
Nam Siu nodded with a radiant grin.