Past (1): The Shadow's First Smile
After that awkward parting that day, Siu began putting a little distance between himself and Isul.
"Uh, Seol-ah. I'm finishing the rest of the math problems with Juwon today, so you go on ahead."
"Vending machine? Ah... My stomach's not feeling great. Go with Ji Yoon."
A string of clumsy excuses. It wasn't Isul's fault. It was simply Siu's own problem.
Every time he faced her, the image of Eunho smiling by her side overlapped in his mind. Each time such pathetic imaginings consumed him, Siu struggled to forgive how utterly inadequate he felt.
Isul noticed too, of course, that Siu was clearly avoiding her. But with exams looming and her innate pride mingling with resentment over his sudden change, she didn't grab him and demand answers.
Once exams are over, I'll talk to him properly then.
And so a transparent wall rose between them.
The two who had always been glued at the hip suddenly grew distant, forcing their friends to sense the subtle tension and tread carefully around them.
That awkward dynamic lasted until the exams finally ended.
"Whoooaaa! It's over!!"
"Hey! If we bolt right now, there'll be PC bang seats!!"
The moment the final bell rang, Class 1 erupted in chaos. But amid the rowdy celebration of freedom, Siu alone slumped over his desk like a sodden sponge.
"Hey, Nam Siu. You bomb the exams or what? Why's your face all rotten like that."
Juwon, slinging his bag over his shoulder, pulled out the chair at Siu's front desk and plopped down.
Siu lifted his head, his face unmistakably that of someone in pain—dark circles drooping to his chin, eyes unfocused like he hadn't slept in days.
"Uh... No, didn't bomb 'em. Just tired."
Siu forced an awkward smile, but Juwon's eyes narrowed further.
"Bullshit. What's the deal with you and Baek Isul lately? You two fight or something?"
"..."
Siu's shoulders stiffened—he'd been hit right on the mark.
Juwon let out a sigh.
"If you fought, make up quick. That girl acts all cool on the outside, but she's clearly stressing hard inside. Her face goes stone-cold every time you dodge her—it's brutal."
Those words sent a sharp pang through Siu's chest.
...Isul's been thinking about me that much...
But just as quickly, the library scene replayed: Eunho standing before Isul, grinning. It churned Siu's mind all over again.
He dry-washed his face, hesitating for a long stretch. His lips twitched dozens of times. Finally, unable to swallow the frustration choking him, Siu spoke cautiously.
"...Juwon-ah."
"Yeah? What. Spit it out already."
"Am I really that inadequate compared to Isul...?"
"What the hell kinda nonsense is that?"
Juwon flicked Siu's forehead, his face screaming utter disbelief.
"Doesn't make a lick of sense. Then why the hell would she date you?"
"But, haa..."
Juwon waited patiently, frustration mounting as Siu kept hesitating.
"Actually, a while back at the library... I ran into Isul with this guy, and she smiled at him. You ever seen her smile at anyone outside our group?"
"...A guy?"
"Yeah. Said he was a middle school friend or something. They were chatting like they had all these memories, right in front of me..."
Siu poured it all out, spilling every pent-up detail like he was emptying his soul.
"...So I can't even look at her anymore. Imagining stuff between them makes me feel so damn pathetic..."
Juwon listened in silence, then slowly tilted his head.
"You catch that guy's name?"
"Uh, yeah? Y-Yoo Eunho..."
"Yoo Eunho?"
The name from Siu's lips wiped the cheeky playfulness clean off Juwon's face. His expression hardened as he chewed his lip.
"That motherfucker was there? Approaching Baek Isul?"
Juwon's features twisted in an instant.
"W-what...? Who's the guy?"
"..."
Juwon stared into space, his face grave, sinking into heavy silence.
"...Hah. Figured Isul would tell you herself eventually, so I kept quiet. But shit, this is partly on her too."
Moments later, a resolute look settled on his face, like he'd made up his mind. Juwon locked eyes with Siu.
"Whew... Where to even start. Listen up good—won't say it twice."
He scooted right up to Siu.
"You asked before how we got tight in middle school, right?"
"Y-yeah."
"Our first run-in was..."
With Juwon's voice dropping low, the two were pulled back into the past.
Middle school, first year—spring. Back then, honestly? I was a total prick. Didn't bother hiding my family's money, strutted around like I owned the place, whether people noticed or not. Kids kissed my ass even when I was being a dick—it felt like my god-given right.
All flash, no substance. Immature as hell. That summed me up perfectly.
And glued to my side was Park Geon, my sniveling buddy since kindergarten. Already pushing 180cm in freshman year, built like a mountain—dude could breathe and get dirty looks. Sure, he was soft as butter inside, but only I knew that.
Rich loudmouth plus hulking tank. We never went out bullying, but kids treated us like a no-touch zone anyway.
Naturally, the flies swarmed. Scroungers after crumbs, posers riding our names for clout, fake pals sizing up backstabs.
Surviving that shitshow probably honed my bullshit detector to a razor's edge.
And among those flies? Yoo Eunho. That bastard was one too.
"Juwon-ah, vending machine? My treat."
Every break, he'd show at my desk with that "nice guy" grin. Perfect model student cosplay for teachers, but around me? Subtly sucking up. The mismatch creeped me out.
Behind that sweet smile lurked this... indescribable wrongness. I'd rolled with trash before, but my gut screamed: hang with him, and you'd sink into an endless cesspool.
"...Nah, going with Park Geon."
So I stonewalled him, drew a hard line. Bastard was sharp—got the hint quick, tucked tail, and vanished from my orbit.
Figured I'd ditched one shady fucker. Wrapped up first semester like that.
Then summer break ended, second semester kicked off. New transfer in our class.
The girl by the lectern was breathtakingly beautiful, but her face? Dry as dust, utterly blank—like emotions were a myth.
"...Baek Isul. Nice to meet you."
Tiny frame. But bristling like a feral cat ready to shred anyone who got close. That was my first read on Baek Isul.
And from across the room, I could feel it: Yoo Eunho's eyes lighting up like a predator's.
That was how it all began.
Teacher dipped out, break time hit. Isul's desk turned into a total circus.
Pretty face plus that untouchable, mystical vibe? Curiosity had the whole class buzzing like bees every break.
"Hey, where'd you transfer from?"
"What makeup? Your lip color's killer."
"Seol-ah, vending later? We'll show ya around!"
But that hype died in under a week.
"Yeah."
"No."
"Not really."
Barrage of questions met with her flat, clipped replies. Zero expression shifts, never started a convo. Jokes that cracked everyone up? She'd just stare out the window, deadpan.
Her gaze was always edged like a blade, invisible thorns bristling everywhere. Like she wanted zero human contact.
In the end, the shallow gawkers pouted off one by one.
"What the hell's her deal? Pretty don't mean shit. Fucking annoying."
"One-word answers every time. Snooze."
"Ghosts my greetings. Whatever."
Ten days in, her zone was a ghost town.
PE? Solo on the bleacher corner. Lunch? Farthest spot, eating alone.
Even yakking with Geon, I couldn't help stealing glances. Not 'cause she was hot or some pity play.
Just... felt like those walls had a reason. And to someone, her self-imposed isolation looked like fresh meat on a platter.
My gut feeling? Dead accurate.
Two weeks into her total outcast status. Lunchtime—kids herded to the cafeteria, leaving Isul slumped alone at her desk.
Drag—
Front door slid open. In strolled the "friendly" class prez: Yoo Eunho.
Scanned the room, flashed a smile, then sauntered right to Isul's spot like it was nothing.
"Isul-ah."
Gentle, velvety voice. Isul jolted, head snapping up.
"Not eating lunch? Good stuff today."
He hopped onto her front desk, beaming that pure, flawless smile.
"I'll eat with you. C'mon."
Her wary eyes flickered—just a hair—before his fake warmth.
Leaning by the back door, watching it all unfold, I clenched my fist without thinking.
I could see it plain as day: what happened if she took his hand.
Just don't react...!