Don't Give Up Either
Mary Christine was the heiress to Mary & Chris, the global toy conglomerate. Even after enrolling at the prestigious Hyeoeun High School, her aura remained undiminished, and naturally, the students who knew of her reputation had shown her intense interest from the very first day.
"That's the girl from that massive corporation, right?"
"Our family's well-off and all, but nothing compared to hers."
"Wonder if getting close to her could score us something?"
Bribing with gifts was a childish notion of the past. Now, it was a scene filled with eyes brimming with envy and admiration.
To Mary, this was all too familiar. But she had long since graduated from looking down on those around her just because of their attention. After all, those at the top had a duty to lead people, not trample them.
If there was anyone she could afford to look down on, it was just that one boy she'd considered her rival since time immemorial.
"Mary, want to grab lunch in the cafeteria together?"
"Sorry. I'm more of a bento kind of girl."
"B-bento?"
At lunchtime, the students who'd invited her were thrown off by her response. The school cafeteria served gourmet meals befitting the elite. Rejecting that for a homemade bento was something you'd expect from kids from struggling families who couldn't afford the fees. For someone like Mary, in her unrivaled position, it felt utterly out of place to anyone.
But—
Thud!
"Wh-what... what's this?"
"What else? A bento."
A bundle piled high, heavy enough to feel its weight. Inside were dishes worthy of the term "feast"—far superior in taste and nutrition to the school's quantity-focused meals.
Yes, a meal fit for a chaebol family, one that made even upper-class dining seem pedestrian.
"My tastes are picky, so I prefer what I'm used to. I'll keep bringing bento from now on, so it might be hard to eat with you guys."
"Uh, yeah. I guess that makes sense... but can you really eat all that?"
"Alone? No way. I'll donate the leftovers to some kids in need—as a little act of charity."
"Ch-charity?"
"There's one pitiful soul in this school who couldn't survive without my help."
With that, Mary brushed off the invitations, grabbed her bento, and left the classroom. Her steps led to a different class from her own, and a triumphant smile played on her lips as she imagined the scene awaiting her.
That Kim Cheolsu guy's probably eating his own bento instead of the cafeteria food.
In middle school, he could eat cafeteria food without worry. But this elite high school didn't suit his family's means. Sure, as a top student he might get scholarships, but he'd pour those into books or club activities, leaving his meals as meager as ever.
Present him with a chef-prepared gourmet spread from her house, and he'd surely feel grateful—maybe even show some affection.
The guy's a total glutton. He'll be super thankful to me.
Yes, then he'd realize: get together with her, and he'd enjoy meals like this forever. Boost his affection, hear a confession, and everything would fall into place.
Buzzing with excitement at the thought, Mary headed to his class. But what she saw upon arrival was a shocking sight she never expected.
Huh? Who's that?
He was eating a bento with someone else. She'd imagined him eating alone in the classroom while others went to the cafeteria. Yet here he was, sharing a bento with someone—not just anyone, but a girl.
What's with that girl? Why's she eating with Kim Cheolsu?
Her plan to win him over with charity to an isolated boy had sunk from the start.
But now, her own generosity wasn't the issue. The problem was another girl eating with him.
Saying he doesn't like me... and yet...
No, from Mary's perspective, this was utterly unforgivable.
Telling me he doesn't like me, but hanging out with a girl?
It had only been two days since enrollment. To advance his relationship with someone else to the point of sharing lunch—
It might just be classmates, but even she, after over ten years as childhood friends, had been stuck in the friend zone. How could she calmly accept a girl who'd possibly surpassed that decade-long bond right before her eyes? Who could swear that a boy-girl relationship was purely platonic?
Y-yeah. You never know. What if that girl's a gold-digging snake closing in with malicious intent...
If so, as his childhood friend, she couldn't forgive it.
Steeling her hostility toward the girl, Mary focused—but then she noticed the blush on the girl's face, and her negative thoughts crumbled in an instant.
The girl's expression was blank yet her bright eyes brimmed with innocence. She'd even set down her chopsticks mid-meal, just staring at him vacantly. To Mary, who knew him so well, it looked all too familiar—like someone utterly smitten with the boy before her.
Just sitting next to him was enough to fall head over heels...
Yes, that girl wasn't a gold-digger. If anyone was slyly seducing, it was him, not her.
Kim Cheolsu... With me right here, you still go after other girls!
Her body trembled, her gaze sharpening. Sensing the hostility radiating from her, his eyes shifted from the girl to Mary.
After a moment's thought, he set down his chopsticks and said to the girl,
"...Mind giving us the room for a bit?"
It was a voice familiar in its weariness, yet tinged with fatigue.
*****
"Who's that girl?"
"...My seatmate from class."
"Liar. Does it make sense to have an intimate lunch alone with someone you've known for just two days?"
Sigh. So that's what she wanted to talk about, dragging me to the rooftop at lunch.
To Mary, openly radiating hostility, I gave my honest take, no lies.
"Intimate? I don't know about that. But I prefer eating with someone to talk to over eating alone. And when everyone's off to the cafeteria with their trays, if there's a girl with a bento nearby, sure, why not eat together?"
"Hah, so you saw a chance and latched onto the girl who happened to bring a bento?"
"'Latched onto' is a bit harsh... Sigh, whatever. I know what you're getting at."
It was natural for her to be hostile. She had feelings for me, so anyone else around me was a threat. Even if I had no such intentions, appearances mattered—and with her possessive streak, it'd get under her skin.
"Idiot, moron. Who do you think you are, Kim Cheolsu? Daring to hang with someone other than me..."
How to calm this trembling, misunderstanding girl... As I pondered, my eyes fell on her pile of bentos, and I casually asked,
"You brought all this bento to eat with me?"
"Wh-what?!"
Mary flinched, shoulders jumping at my words. She whipped her flushed face away and muttered strenuously,
"N-not specifically for you, okay? For us chaebols, laying out a feast like this is just normal."
"You don't eat that much without dessert anyway."
"I'll just throw out the leftovers. You commoners wouldn't get it, but that's how the elite roll."
"...I don't think being a chaebol means you have to be wasteful."
"Wh-what? Well, anyway, the leftovers go to charity for the poor—in the spirit of noblesse oblige. So don't misunderstand. It's not for you; I was just gonna share my scraps."
Ha ha, charity from noble spirits. Awkward.
Whatever. I'd already grasped this dishonest girl's feelings. Plopping onto the rooftop bench, I pointed at her bentos and said,
"Then I'll gratefully accept your charity. You don't have anyone to eat with anyway, right?"
"I-I do! Plenty of people begging to eat with me."
"Cafeteria-only. Obvious you turned them down because even that didn't suit your tastes."
"...Y-yeah, well. I'm allowed to. So be grateful—someone like me eating with you."
As she unpacked the bento, revealing a banquet-like spread, I felt oddly tense. I savored each portion she served, eating slowly.
"Delicious. Just like something from a fancy restaurant."
"Hmph, of course. Prepared by our top chefs."
Ha ha, that makes it even more intimidating. "Maybe I shouldn't mooch next time."
"What?! Rejecting the goodwill of someone who went out of her way?! Act like the poor commoner you are and take our handouts with thanks!"
"Yes, yes, I'll gratefully accept."
Even as an adult, feasts like this were rare for me—a real treat. After finishing, I thanked Mary sincerely for making it possible.
"Thanks. For joining me."
"N-no big deal. Not for you or anything..."
Still dishonest, trailing off. But unlike usual, unease lingered in her voice, shaking at my next question.
"...You're really nothing with her?"
Her wariness was expected. Aware of her feelings but unable to let go, she'd want to eliminate any obstacles.
"Nothing. Just seatmates."
"Really? Really?"
"...Really."
I emphasized in response to her persistence. But after over ten years knowing her, I knew it wouldn't convince her.
"No matter how much I stress it, it won't ease your mind."
"Obviously. Even if it's not you, who knows what she wants... or how your feelings might change."
Her fists clenched tight. Today's scene had shaken her resolve, yet she doubled down to hold firm.
"I won't accept that. You have to like me. I decided it."
A girl who'd assumed everything was hers from birth. Her obsession with the one she couldn't have had swelled uncontrollably with puberty's storms.
"...You're really not giving up, are you, Mary?"
Yes, she wouldn't. Giving up meant crumbling over a decade of bonds overnight.
"No. I'm not."
With resolve blazing, she leaned on my shoulder and whispered softly,
"So don't you give up easily either. Even if you like someone, I have to be your first. I decided that."
Whether she gave up on me or I developed feelings for her—who knew? But with her declaration and steely resolve, any confession to another girl would wound her deeply.
I didn't want that. Over those ten-plus years, she'd become as precious to me as family.
"Don't worry. I'll never like anyone but you—not in a lifetime."
A man scarred by past betrayals, unable to accept even someone like her. My resolve wouldn't waver for a girl I'd known just a day or two.