I Like You
From childhood, I'd always admired the idea of being a leader. A leader stands at the forefront of the masses, asserting their presence. They draw the attention of countless people and always take on the most dazzling role. Yeah, the leaders in those girls' anime shows on TV back then always shone so brightly. The girl who yearned for that dreamed every day of standing at the head of the pack, but one day, that desire twisted into something more extreme—raw violence.
It started with the boys who bullied the kids she played with. To energetic boys in their prime, delicate girls were easy targets for teasing, so defeating them became her role as the group's leader. As those fights piled up, her fame began to spread. Soon, violent kids hungry for notoriety started challenging her, and as she beat them down one by one, she earned the moniker Red Mask. A ferocious fighter who dyed her mask in the blood of challengers, a local legend who could leave you half-dead for even a single sideways glance... Once those rumors spread, many began to follow her like devotees, and before long, she rose to lead a fairly large gang.
It was exactly the kind of role befitting the leader she'd idolized since childhood. And yet, deep in her heart, there lingered an unfillable void and an indescribable unease. 'This isn't it. The leader I wanted isn't some bloodstained throne.' Harboring such doubts, the girl wandered in search of what she truly desired, until one day she found her answer staring back from a billboard ad in the city square.
It featured celebrities in a music video, dazzling in extravagant dresses and adored by throngs of fans—like princesses straight out of a fairy tale. The moment she saw it, life stirred in her deadened heart. 'Yes, this is it. This is the position I wanted.' She no longer wanted a life of brawling and scraping by without any grace. What she needed was elegance and beauty. Charisma and leadership to command everyone without lifting a fist... And all of that bundled into the noble aura of a princess.
Just as she realized this, her father announced a promotion that would relocate them to the capital region—a perfect chance to bury her violent past. 'Cover it all up. Pretend none of it ever happened and start a new life where no one knows me.' Driven by that hunger, she dropped her weapons, dyed her hair, and transformed her rough features with makeup to become someone new.
Since she was starting fresh, she aimed for a place far from violence: an elite high school. Studying her ass off, she barely scraped into Hyeoeun High. Dreaming of the brilliant future ahead, she reaffirmed her ambitions—not to dominate through force and submission, but to become the ultimate insider, surrounded by genuine friends who adored her.
Having the class topper as her vice president was the crowning achievement. With such a capable girl under her thumb, her own status would rise accordingly. Soon, she'd be the princess of this school... no, the queen. Yeah, she thought everything was falling into place. If only for one person.
If not for that annoying guy who nominated her for class president and dumped all the hassle on her.
"Hand that over!"
"Whoa, no can do."
He'd gone so far as to dig up her past to taunt her. As he pulled back the smartphone clutched with her photos, Baek Hara ground her teeth and glared daggers at him.
"No wonder someone showed up yesterday. It was you! Coming all the way to my house just to unearth my past!"
"I didn't exactly force my way in. I went to your place, your mom showed me the albums, and I cross-referenced your old school with stuff online to piece it together."
Whatever the means, her buried past was out. Unable to snatch the phone, Baek Hara grabbed his collar instead and screamed furiously.
"Do you even know who I am, you punk!? I'll kill you!!!"
"...Whoa, scary."
Even if she'd turned over a new leaf, old habits died hard. As a infamous thug from the neighborhood, if it came to blows, blood would spill. "You sure you wanna lose it right here?"
Of course, she'd be the one in deeper shit if it escalated. Knowing her position perfectly, he smirked even with his collar gripped tight.
"If you beat me half to death here, your past goes public in no time. Gotta hit where it doesn't show, right?"
"You... fucking bastard...!"
She gnashed her teeth and finally released his collar. As curses died on her lips, a voice laced with defeat slipped out.
"What do you want."
"Now we're talking."
He grinned, pocketed his phone, and got to the point.
"Not much, really. Just..."
"Hah, obvious. What all you guys want."
Before he could finish, her hand went to her uniform buttons. As one popped off, exposing her shirt's curves, bewilderment crossed his face.
"Hey, wait. What the hell?"
"What else? Giving you what you want. You're blackmailing me with my past to make me do this and that, right? You demon, you trash—from the name Cheolsu, I knew you were shady, but acting on your filthy desires so casually."
"...That's not it. Button up."
Would a guy aiming to be an upstanding adult break child protection laws? Swallowing the retort, he clarified before more misunderstandings.
"I want just one thing. From now on, do your class president duties yourself instead of dumping them on others."
"Tch, that's it?"
She clicked her tongue in annoyance. It wasn't the worst, but the follow-up still irked her.
"You came to my house and dug up my past for that? You've got too much time on your hands. It doesn't hurt you if I delegate."
"Doesn't hurt me, but it screws over the others. They work hard, but you hog all the perks."
"I told you before. They didn't refuse, so I asked. If they had, I wouldn't have forced it."
"Ironically, some people suck at saying no. Exploiting that psychology is pretty unethical."
"...You talk a good game. Bet it's just to look good for the girl you're into."
"No, it's not—"
"Oh right, she's your seatmate. If she has no time to study, you could take top spot next exam. Win-win."
Hah, coming at me from a whole new angle. Brushing off the jab casually, he replied.
"I don't want top spot like that. Her grades dropping doesn't boost mine."
"Ah, so you're totally lovesick? What a match made in heaven."
"Like I said, it's not—whatever. Pointless arguing."
Sighing lightly, he shifted back to the main topic.
"Anyway, that's it. No dumping class president work on Soeun or anyone else. Do that, and I won't breathe a word about your past."
It wasn't what she wanted. Her plan was to prop up a star as president, control her, and rule the class. Being president herself to boss others around was plan B, but this interference distanced her from princess dreams.
"Fine, got it. I'll handle it myself from now on!"
With her weakness in his hands, she had no sharp comeback. Reluctantly agreeing, she watched him smile in satisfaction and head for the rooftop exit.
"Looking forward to your diligent attitude, Class President~"
That parting smirk was pure mockery. Clenching her fists until veins bulged, she swallowed her rage.
"That damn Kim Cheolsu... Pissing me off since the election, now strutting because he has dirt on me?"
Her long-suppressed temper flared. But now wasn't the time. Regaining composure, she vowed inwardly for later.
"Just you wait. When I get the chance, I'll make you pay."
The Red Mask of Daeseong Girls' Middle School—the legendary thug who'd conquered a district—had declared bitter enmity with one boy.
Blackmailing her with her past worked; Baek Hara stopped exploiting other students and handled her own duties. It didn't make my life easier, though. Early in the semester, class president tasks were hefty, and splitting them solo took time. Thanks to that, I was stuck at school hours after class again. By the time I got home, it'd be dinner... I'd owe my little sister another one. Heading out the school gate—
"Ah."
Someone at the gate spotted me and slowly approached. The silhouette against the sunset felt familiar—not my imagination. Guessing who it was, I reflexively called out as she faced me.
"Soeun? What are you doing here?"
It was hours past normal dismissal. Puzzled, I got her delayed reply.
"Waiting... for you."
"Waiting? For who?"
"......"
She stared silently. As the quiet stretched, a hunch escaped me.
"No way... You waited all this time to walk home together?"
"......Yeah."
She'd really waited for me? Why? Our trains home were the same, sure, but no need to wait.
"Can we... go together?"
Despite my questions, she insisted. Shrugging off the confusion, I nodded and walked with her.
"Uh, yeah. Sure, let's go."
Sunset hour. Over the hill, across the bridge, to the city station. Waiting for the train, we stayed silent. To me, her waiting felt awkward...
But her? There had to be a reason, yet she just stared into space, saying nothing.
*The doors are opening.*
The train arrived amid my thoughts. We boarded the empty car—too early for rush hour. Nice, we could sit comfortably. She plopped right next to me, barely a handspan away. Despite empty seats everywhere.
"Um..."
"......"
She kept silent, eyes down, but stole glances. Like she had something to say but couldn't start. Guessing, I broached gently.
"The class president didn't hassle you more today?"
"Hassle... me?"
"She piled work on you forever."
Exploitation at its worst. She was the victim beside me, yet no anger or relief showed.
"Didn't... think that way. She just needed help... so I did."
"Oh... okay?"
Only outsiders cringed; she saw no issue. I'd intervened for her sake, but her chill vibe made me feel like a busybody.
"Um..."
Then she asked me.
"You... helped me, right?"
"Helped?"
"Yeah... for me. Talked to the president... right?"
"......"
"Why... help me?"
She pressed my silence. Why had I? Even when she'd almost been president, exposed to Baek Hara's malice... Despite her saying she was fine, I'd stepped in—for my own reasons. I didn't want a kid I'd grown close to, one I cared about, suffering like that. Yeah, pure friendship. Convinced, I started to explain.
"Nothing big. Just..."
Because we're friends, seatmates.
"You like... me?"
Her sudden words choked me off. My eyes widened staring at her.
I couldn't ignore that short phrase.
"Like me..."
The meaning was clear. She thought I'd helped because I had feelings for her. She'd concluded today's events that way.
"I... like you."
Before I could respond, she met my gaze squarely, baring her heart. In our private world, her heartbeat—unmasked by the train's jolts—pressed hand to chest.
"I think... that's it."
A shy blush too vivid for even the sunset to hide.