Chapter 43
“Did you seriously snap at the transfer student too?”
“What did I do? And what’s it to you?”
“I’m saying this for your sake, so please just watch your mouth...!”
“You think you’re hot shit now that your grades are higher than mine? I’ll catch up to you by second year for sure, so stay out of my business.”
Si-hu gave a bitter smile as he recalled Seo Yu-na storming off without a backward glance. Thinking back to Yu-na at the start of the semester, her transformation was nothing short of astonishing. The awkward country girl fresh off the bus from the provinces was gone, replaced by a personality sharp as a whetstone-honed blade.
Si-hu had cautioned her several times before about her behavior.
Try being a little more considerate of your friends.
Why should I care about others?
If you keep that up, no one will stick around you.
I’m fine on my own.
Even as she gradually isolated herself from the class, her school ranking shot up at a terrifying pace—from a middling 30th place to snagging 2nd in the semester finals. No one might approve of how she got there, but no one could deny Yu-na’s effort either.
The academy preached that human relationships were just as important as grades, but Yu-na had long since given up on that front. Her classmates avoided needless clashes with her, and she didn’t seem to mind. So Si-hu had decided to stop paying her much attention too.
But this time was different. The transfer student—who might have enrolled with shady intentions—had landed squarely on Yu-na’s radar. It was obvious who’d be the first target.
No matter how much he couldn’t stand Yu-na, Si-hu couldn’t wish ill on her. He had to prevent any clash between Yu-na and NoName somehow. That was the conclusion he’d agonized over all day.
The morning commute to Seferon Academy was utter chaos. It was the day the aptitude evaluation results dropped for years 2 through 6. Most students were already tearing their hair out at the main gate, bodily denying the futures those scores foretold.
If only Yu-na took first this time...
Si-hu shook his head. Sure, a top spot might make her ignore her friends altogether, but that didn’t mean he’d hand it over without a fight. Yoon Si-hu intended to claim first place again in second year, no exceptions.
Crossing Cloud Bridge to the northeast building where the second-year classrooms were, the hallway already buzzed with over fifty kids. Every eye was glued to one massive poster.
The aptitude evaluation ranking list—a reward for the diligent, punishment incarnate for the slackers.
Heart pounding, Si-hu joined the crowd.
First? It was tight on time—even Yu-na probably couldn’t finish. No way it’s Hangeol or Haru, right?
Si-hu could swear this was the toughest test he’d ever taken.
“Yo, Si-hu, sup.”
“Hey, Kyung-won. How’d the test go?”
“Same as last finals. But dude... you see the results?”
“Huh?”
Si-hu scanned from the top without a second thought. But the name at number one left him visibly stunned.
1. NoName(100)
2. Yoon Si-hu(84.4)
3. Seo Yu-na(82.6)
4. I Ha-ru(79.1)
5. Go Kyung-won(78)
6. Kim Hangeol(76.5)
7. Han Se-ri(73.3)
...
Average: 48.3 / Std. Dev: 22.4
“NoName... first?”
And a perfect 100 out of 100. Si-hu swallowed hard.
This can’t be real.
The unbeatable top spot he’d always owned—and Yu-na hot on his heels—suddenly looked pathetic.
“This is insane. The transfer kid finished in like 15 minutes flat.”
“Bull. Teachers cut time short on purpose—no way anyone finished.”
“Swear! Whole class saw her turn it in early for the bathroom.”
“First time Si-hu looks human.”
The kids muttered their takes. Si-hu was too shell-shocked to join in.
And the same went for another girl arriving late.
“What the hell...”
Seo Yu-na. She dumped her bag and shoved through the crowd to the poster. Rubbing her eyes in disbelief, she stammered.
“Why... why...”
Trembling, she slammed her fist into the paper.
“C’mon, back to class. Don’t wanna see what she does next to the king.”
“Ugh, what do I even tell Mom later...”
She wouldn’t buy it. Yu-na had smirked yesterday when NoName bailed early. Plus, she’d pre-studied up to sixth-grade level over break. Starting behind in first year had been rough, but this test? She’d felt Si-hu’s level within reach. Tough, sure, but she’d nailed it better than usual.
Yet Si-hu still stood strong—and now a new mountain dwarfed them both.
How am I supposed to beat that?
She couldn’t leave. Her feet wouldn’t move. Yu-na stood frozen before the poster.
Then she slipped to an empty corner of the hall, huddling silently as tears fell.
* * *
Oh, perfect score. Whatever.
No big thrill. Felt embarrassing playing king among kids as a full-grown adult anyway. Just irked me that the class vibe got all tense because of it.
“Everyone, group up for activities—push desks together, four per team, front to back.”
Si-hu and I rotated our desks 90 degrees to greet the kids behind us. One was Bae Yo-han, a solid, earnest type. The other... well, Seo Yu-na, glaring daggers.
Is this Korean class or a staring contest?
“See, we can read the same poem and take away totally different things. One kid felt the ‘spring rain settling down’ like a person; another said it evoked a gentle drizzle. Now, share with your group a time your take on something differed from those around you.”
Group work during class break. Other teams were already chattering away, but ours? Dead gloom. Somehow, school ranks 1, 2, and 3 had landed together.
“If no one’s got ideas... I’ll go first?”
Yo-han glanced timidly. Tough prompt for kids—probably stuff like I hate rain, but someone likes it.
“I love snowy days, but my brother always grumbles it’s trash falling from the sky.”
Bang on prediction. Textbooks were right—life’s endless conflict. Different backgrounds, values, goals—we’re doomed to clash constantly. If adults listened half as well as elementary kids, half our problems would vanish. Schools should teach that early.
“I like playing guitar in my free time, but Dad thinks instruments are useless, so I get side-eye a lot.”
Si-hu chimed in reluctantly. Cool hobby. But Yu-na crossed her arms, scowling.
“I bust my ass every day, but some people lounge at home wondering what to play and have the nerve to lecture me? That’s total bullshit.”
“Hey, Seo Yu-na, cut it out. You’re crossing the line.”
“You stressing over cafeteria slop versus vending machine snacks? Bullshit. Debating new phones this month? Bullshit. Especially you, transfer—acting all chill when you know you’re hot shit? That’s the biggest bullshit.”
“Seo Yu-na!”
Si-hu finally barked. But Yu-na, emotions boiling over, kept going in a tear-choked voice.
“You have no idea how brutal it is dragging myself to school at dawn every day...”
Bloodshot eyes blazing, she shoved her chair back and bolted from the room.
“What happened?”
Jackie Teacher, prepping next lesson, hurried over startled.
“Test stress, probably. I’ll check on her.”
“No!”
Si-hu grabbed my wrist, face pale as a ghost.
Why’s he look so freaked?
“She’s probably in the girls’ bathroom— you gonna go in there?”