The Reluctant Delinquent and the Hidden Genius
Strictly speaking, Shin Yerim wasn't really a delinquent. More like, 'She got mixed in with the delinquents because she's pretty?' She wasn't particularly strong-willed or anything. She just ended up hanging with the group because they approached her first. The kind of "good delinquent" you hear about. And like any girl clique, it was a jungle where isolation or bullying could happen anytime.
So it was only natural she'd get lumped in with the delinquents. In the 2010s, bullying was such a common problem. Telling a 14-year-old to risk it was too harsh.
'But that's that.'
I glanced down at Shin Yerim.
"Hic, hic."
Terrified out of her mind, she couldn't speak, just kept hiccuping. And she'd even peed herself, so things were serious.
'I was hoping to wrap this up neatly and bail.' But leaving them like this didn't sit right.
"Anyone live close by?"
At my question, one slender wrist shot up.
Tremble tremble. Hic hic.
Even while hiccuping, she answered straight. 'Decided.'
I nodded, sorting my thoughts.
"Alright, we're going to your place. I'll carry you. Gangshik, keep up."
"Uh, uh, u... uh, uh."
"Uh, uh? Hic hic."
I answered the dazed Shin Yerim matter-of-factly.
"We're going to your house."
+++++
Shin Yerim's life had been utterly ordinary. The only difference was that she was prettier and had better proportions than most. She'd realized this back in elementary school. Kids confessed to her without her even trying—how could she not know?
And that's when the problems started.
-Shin Yerim, you knew I liked him and did that on purpose, right?
-What?
-Don't play dumb, you were trying to mess with me.
Just because the boy she liked confessed to her instead. That day, Shin Yerim got picked on by the group for the first time. Young as she was, one thought naturally hit her.
Ah, I'm a target because I'm alone, isolated.
I need a group too.
She learned that solo survival in a class of about 36 kids was poison. To survive this classroom war, she didn't refuse the first group that approached her—even if they were delinquents. Avoiding isolation came first.
That didn't mean she did anything really bad, though. Sure, some boys showed off by stepping over discarded cigarettes on the ground. But honestly, it didn't look cool.
And as she gradually got used to it from elementary school days, it was hard to tell what was wrong. Boys roughhousing as usual, girls laughing nearby. Learning about class hierarchies among classmates and sorting them out. By the time it all felt normal...
"Today we're gonna mess up that Kim Donghu punk, come watch, Yerim."
"What? Why me?"
Why drag her to watch someone get beat? Fights breaking out while hanging out was one thing, but going specifically to spectate?
She tried to refuse, but...
"Come on, why act oblivious? Seokgu asked."
"Yeah, Yerim~ Watch Seokgu win, then we can hit the arcade."
"...."
Unable to fight the group's flow, she reluctantly joined. Just two days into first year middle school, already heading to a fight. Did they really think this was cool?
Disgusting.
Especially Park Seokgu's sneaky glances—they made her skin crawl. Bigger than most kids his age, swinging fists to show off. Acting like her boyfriend without asking. Made her sick.
But what could she do? Refuse, and it'd be instant bullying.
So Shin Yerim tagged along with Park Seokgu's crew after school.
Whoa... he's seriously handsome.
Normally, you'd like a handsome guy. But Kim Donghu, the rumored one, felt like a gemstone. Would she ever meet anyone more perfect?
Then thinking that face might get ruined hurt. Or it should have.
But.
What the—?
It went beyond just fighting well.
'Wolf's Temptation!'
Shin Yerim thought a web novel protagonist had jumped out for real. Way cooler than any movie version. Every punch made his loose uniform shirt look like a sage's robe.
'Like Jeon Woo-chi.'
Just as various movies flashed in her mind, her eyes met Kim Donghu's unconsciously. She collapsed on the spot.
Fear she might get hit too. Realizing this wasn't the time to gawk. All piling up, making her legs give out and pee herself.
"Sob, euugh."
Somehow things progressed, and...
"Uh, wha—?"
Before she knew it, she was home.
"You got two bathrooms?"
"Y-yeah."
"I'll use this one. Got piss on my hands carrying you."
"Uh, uh..."
Stop mentioning the pee already! She wanted to say, but shower and change came first. Shin Yerim bolted to the master bath shower.
What the hell is this?!
This situation was too much for a 14-year-old pubescent girl. Super handsome guy beats 17:1, comes to her house, showers. Why? What? Where'd it go wrong?
As she panicked, Kim Donghu's voice came from afar.
"My pants got wet too. Got any spare men's track pants?"
"Y-yeah!"
Even his voice was handsome. Thump thump.
At first just a gem, but chatting made him real. This perfect guy talking to her?
Among countless celebs, Shin Yerim declared Kim Donghu the best. Handsome had limits.
Normally, bringing a guy home unannounced would've been a no-go. But his face made her lose her senses.
Anyway, maybe this is lucky. Just looking at a handsome guy made her happy.
Shin Yerim quickly showered, came out, and handed him pants.
"H-here."
"Thanks. I'll wash and return tomorrow. What class you in?"
"M-me, class 2."
"Got it."
Plop.
"Kyaa!"
Their fingers brushed handing it over. Heart zing—fate? Love? Thoughts swirled.
"Uh, uh, I-I gotta go to, to academy, so."
The intruder butted in. She'd just noticed he was there. Na Gangshik?
Guest in her house, so she waved goodbye.
"Uh, uh? Uh? B-bye."
"Uh, uh, yeah bye."
14-year-olds awkward around strangers. Na Gangshik and Shin Yerim said bye without knowing why it felt so weird.
Beep beep beep—click.
Door locked, awkwardness crashed in instantly.
Why do I feel awkward in my house?
But unavoidable. The guy who'd made kids puke was right there. Who wouldn't tense up?
Plus, his face was so handsome. Just his breathing made her heart shrink.
"Why hang with those guys?"
Kim Donghu broke the ice.
"Huh?"
"Why mix with sketchy delinquents and ruin your image?"
"M-me?"
"Yeah, you. Scared of bullying?"
"What?"
"Think ahead. Tough now, but becoming a delinquent won't do you any good."
First-year middle school—still young enough to turn back.
Shin Yerim's only reply to this stranger's blunt advice:
"You're handsome but such a boomer."
"...."
+++++
Clunk.
Leaving Shin Yerim's house, heading home. Her number was now in my phone.
'Hope she takes my advice and shapes up.'
Not like I had feelings for her or anything. I said it because I knew the future.
'Shin Yerim almost killed herself after that past scandal blow-up.'
If she'd been rotten from the start, I'd ignore. But she wasn't, so letting her hit that future was hard.
'Now, time to focus on my own future.'
Middle school, 14 now. Unlike before, endless options.
Still a minor with limits, but smartphones meant places to showcase talent everywhere.
Aple, Googl, Yootoob, FaceStorm.
Era overflowing with possibilities. Just being handsome could aim for top tiers.
On the way home, I made a FaceStorm account.
2010. Time when FaceStorm ulzzangs solidified their status. Even shows featuring hot kids.
Snap.
Quick selfie for profile. No bio, just tags: #Ulzzang #SinbitMS.
Peak embarrassment, but necessary. Register and done.
'Where do I know Na Gangshik from?'
FaceStorm open, searched if he had one.
"Whoa."
I froze in shock.
Na Gangshik. Middle schooler who wants to make games.
That simple line struck like lightning.
'...Right, Na Gangshik.'
The genius who made AAA games and won GOTY in Korea. That was Na Gangshik.
+++++
While Kim Donghu reeled from Na Gangshik's identity...
"...Hyung, we, we got wrecked..."
A new flame of revenge was igniting.