Back to Class: Awkward Glances and Introductions
Seo Joo-hwan gazed toward Jeong Ha-yeon, lost in old memories. Their eyes met, and she widened hers in surprise before turning away with a troubled expression. He caught a familiar flicker of unease on her twisted face—a look he'd read countless times from people before his regression. It screamed I don't want to get involved.
What's her deal? Seo Joo-hwan tilted his head, puzzled by the inexplicable reaction. They hadn't exchanged a single word, yet here she was pulling that face. It didn't match the Jeong Ha-yeon he knew.
I want to get close this time.
He owed her a debt in his heart—or more accurately, gratitude. Back when he was struggling through unwanted class rep duties, she'd helped him out several times. They were just casual words, probably born of pity, but to him, drowning in misfortune and trauma at the time, they'd left a deep impression.
The temporary class rep's changed this time.
It was because he hadn't attended the entrance ceremony. In his previous life, he'd been tapped as temporary class rep at the ceremony—highest student number and all—and it turned permanent, making him suffer through it. In the second semester, Jeong Ha-yeon had volunteered, letting him step down early. Class reps usually served a full year, so he'd been immensely grateful. Even now, nearly a decade later, the memory lingered.
Seemed like she did it because of me.
Feeling guilty, he'd even asked her outright if she'd volunteered for his sake. She'd brushed it off, telling him not to worry about it.
Lost in thought, he was jolted by a frivolous voice nearby—Lee Seok-chan's grumbling.
"Ugh. Who the hell invented these all-in-one desks?"
"Pfft."
"Laughing? Dude, this ain't funny. Means we're stuck with this crap for four years. Damn it."
Lee Seok-chan hammed it up like he was in a play. Seo Joo-hwan chuckled despite himself, inwardly agreeing. Those desks weren't just uncomfortable—they were torture. If he met the designer, he'd grab their collar and shake them silly.
Lee Seok-chan nudged him with an elbow. "Hey, Joo-hwan. Billiards after class?"
"Call me hyung first."
"...You serious?"
"Pffft. Kidding."
He planned to treat him like a buddy anyway—no need for formal titles.
"Never played billiards before."
"For real?"
Lee Seok-chan blinked in surprise.
"Weird?"
"Nah, not weird. Plenty of folks haven't. Just figured you had, a ton."
"Why?"
"Thought you were the type to toss TP rolls at clubs and party."
"You do that?"
"Yeah. Total blast. Wanna join sometime?"
"...Sure."
He was curious how that even worked.
As their silly banter continued, the professor entered. A bald guy in his sixties, surprisingly—he was actually late forties and the current department chair of Publishing Content.
The professor pushed up his glasses. "Heh heh. Everyone's so quiet on the first day. If only it stayed this way."
Every prof's dream, probably. The lecture hall hung in heavy silence, save for him and Lee Seok-chan. But it wouldn't last—once folks loosened up, it'd be noisier than a flea market, prof or no.
The professor started roll call. Electronic check-ins weren't widespread yet, so many still called names.
"All present. Hm, first day—let's do introductions?"
"Aww~."
Groans rippled through; most hated it. Lee Seok-chan looked annoyed too.
"Hate it? Then straight to lecture."
"I'll go first! I wanna bond with my classmates through this!"
Lee Seok-chan shot up before the words even landed. Right—guy hated studying. Never saw him crack a book in his past life.
The prof chuckled at the lively vibe. "Feisty one. You the class rep?"
"Nah! He's over there!"
Lee Seok-chan pointed. Eyes turned, including Seo Joo-hwan's. Jeong Ha-yeon looked mortified.
"You the rep? Name?"
"Jeong Ha-yeon, Professor. And I'm... not full rep, just temporary."
"Temporary?"
"Yeah. Kinda happened..."
"Got it. Introductions by roll number. Let's see... Seo Joo-hwan?"
"Yes?"
Seo Joo-hwan answered blankly. He was number four.
"You're number one, huh? Wait, you're a..."
"P-Professor! Introduce from my seat? Or out front?"
"Ah. Just stand there."
He sighed inwardly in relief. Officially number four, but as a returning student with a high number, he was first on the list.
Almost blew my ancient fossil status right off the bat.
It'd come out eventually, but he wanted to delay. Already three years older than freshmen—top number too? Might hinder bonding.
Lee Seok-chan muttered oddly. "I'm number one though...?"
"Shh. Explain later."
Seo Joo-hwan shushed him and scanned the room. All eyes on him. Stage fright hit—his old loner vibes resurfacing.
"Ahem. Hi, I'm Seo Joo-hwan. Kinda blanking on what to say. Hobbies: reading, gaming. Special skills..."
He paused. System gifts piled up: writing, fighting, dancing, gaming...
"...Gaming and dancing. Nice to meet you all."
Safe choice after a split-second debate. Regretted even mentioning skills.
Whew. Overthought it.
He sat, relieved. New looks helped—no fat kid backlash this time. Whispers of "handsome" maybe.
Lee Seok-chan's turn. He grinned standing. "Hi, Lee Seok-chan here. Twenty-two. Hobbies: soccer, billiards, bowling—all ball sports. Games too. Love boozing with friends most. Let's grab drinks later. Oh, banmal's fine—we're peers. Questions?"
He gestured confidently. Same as past life.
A few guys and girls raised hands. His energy sparked queries.
"What games?"
"League of Champs now. CyKickWatch Over soon—wanna team up?"
"GF?"
"Nope. Hook me up with cuties."
"Bro, good at soccer?"
"Golden foot. Game soon. And drop the formal?"
Hands multiplied. Could drag all class. Prof cut him off for next.
"Hi, Joo Hana."
"Yoon Bo-mi..."
"Lee Soo-hyun."
Others kept it simple: name, age, high school. Seo Joo-hwan listened closely—ammo for later bonding. Wanted siblings, friends, connections.
Temporary rep Jeong Ha-yeon went. "Hi, Jeong Ha-yeon. As I said at orientation, twenty-th... three. Was working, but late itch for uni—took SATs. Nice to meet you."
Meek tone unlike with Lee Seok-chan, soft smile making her seem sweet. Strangers might buy it.
Tough gig.
Seo Joo-hwan propped his chin, smirking. He knew her a bit: prim in public, bold underneath.
Lee Seok-chan grinned mischievously. "Whoa! Noona, own that rep! Suits you!"
"Rep's a bit..."
Her lips quivered. He cackled.
They were high school pals, right?
Introductions rolled on to last: massive frame rose, late 180s cm, broad shoulders intimidating—not quite Baek Kang-ho level.
"Hello. Jang Deok-hoon. Twenty. Hobby: exercise. Motto: diligence, perseverance, effort."
Military stiff. Content stiffer.
Lee Seok-chan whispered. "Whoa. Super straitlaced."
"Nah."
"You know him, hyung?"
"Huh? Nah, just vibe."
Not close, but good memory. Stiffly polite, overdid respect for elders. Same to past-him. But not rigid fully—as Jang proved.
"Hobbies: webtoons, webnovels, manga, anime."
True otaku.
OT week means most classes end with intros. Today's two—morning, afternoon—wrapped quick in an hour each.
"Class done for today. Got it?"
Students loved it. Life's flexible.
Post-class, Lee Seok-chan bounced. "Joo-hwan, billiards! Grab Deok-hoon too."
"Yeah. Few guys—better bond."
"Right? Hey, Deok-hoon! Billiards! Newbie? Hyung'll teach."
He nabbed packing guys. Seven males in '16 Publishing Content total; eight with him. A/B split; his A had him, Seok-chan, Deok-hoon only.
Packing up—
Drag!
"Attention all!"
Man burst front door, booming. Eyes locked. Black class tee.
"Welcome all. I'm 2nd-year rep Baek Jeong-gi. Saw me at orientation?"
Scanned room, head tilt. "Some missed? Let's see."
Pretended oblivious, pulled note—targeted.
Baek Jeong-gi called: "Jang Deok-hoon, Joo Hana."
Deok-hoon flinched from Seok-chan's grip. Joo Hana startled, stared.
Baek glanced, continued. "Seo Joo-hwan."