The Girl My Eyes Keep Drifting To
Yeah, romance has no place in my life. So I resolved not to give my heart to Mary or anyone else.
That said, separate from that determination, I was fully committed to making the most of this hard-earned second youth. I'd aim for top scores on every exam, earn glowing evaluations from teachers for my student record, and build a solid network of friendships through smooth, drama-free relationships with my peers. To do that, I'd naturally need to mingle actively with the other students—which meant going all out even in PE dodgeball.
"Kim Manbung! Pass here!"
"Hah! You think I'll let it through?!"
Were they just at that boisterous age? The boys played with ferocious intensity, friend or foe alike, and thriving in that chaos took real mental fortitude. But who am I? A guy who'd survived boys' middle school, high school, engineering college, and the military—I've got chops when it comes to ball games.
"Goal! Kim Manbung scores!"
"Damn, again?!"
"Whoa, Kim Manbung's killing it! They're already up by double digits!"
"Kid's got it all except that weird name of his."
They harped on my name again. Whatever—proof their perception was improving. I brushed it off and headed to the bench for a break, quenching my thirst while scanning the field.
First PE class ever. The teacher encouraged us to bond through games rather than drills, so the whole class was deep into competitive play centered around balls. Boys on soccer, girls on volleyball...
"Soeun! Ball's coming down there!"
A familiar name from the girls' side drew my gaze instinctively. Just then, a volleyball arced perfectly into enemy territory after a spike—and right in its path stood grade-topper Yoo Soeun, my new seatmate. She stared at it intently, but her hands never moved, letting it sail past and hit the ground.
"Ah, shoot. Another point lost."
"Hehe, targeting her makes this too easy~"
Disappointment from her team, glee from the opponents. The pattern repeated across sets, and soon whispers among the girls turned openly critical.
"Soeun's great at studying, but zero athleticism, right?"
"More like, what even goes on in her head? She just zones out into space unless you call her..."
"No small talk, just nods if you say anything... Kinda off-putting, honestly?"
Beyond shy—she was uncooperative. No wonder she didn't mesh. One girl seemed friendly, but even I caught the sharp edge beneath it.
"Soeun~ If games are too much, why not sit out? Sports aren't your thing anyway, and we don't wanna push you~"
It came from a popular girl with clear influence. The others nodded subtly, and Soeun quietly slipped away to an empty spot, just watching the play. She looked so forlorn it stirred an urge to approach and chat.
But nah, that'd be meddling. I could help if something serious happened in class, but friendships and athletic woes weren't my domain. Plus, with Mary's warnings, getting closer to girls spelled trouble.
Yeah, best to ignore it... usually.
"Hey, Kim Manbung! Quit slacking and get back in! They're catching up!"
"You sneaky bastard, pulling another Manbung miracle?!"
...Screw it. Whatever happened next, I'd just roll with school life.
Of course, a student's real duty is studying, not soccer. As one of the top schools in the capital region, the teachers were elite, and their lessons packed real punch. Math especially—advanced formulas beyond applications right from the semester start had even the top students sweating.
The teacher couldn't baby us individually, naturally.
"Yes, from here to here is exam material—take notes. I'll put a problem on the board as a challenge. Anyone confident, come solve it."
No mercy, even demanding volunteers. Everyone hesitated to avoid embarrassment, so the teacher sighed and pulled out what looked like a prepared card.
"Right, this class has the top student this term. Yoo Soeun, come solve this equation."
Makes sense—the topper should handle it. But at her name, Soeun didn't budge, just stared blankly at her textbook, lost in thought.
No way she's spacing out in class too.
"Hey, teacher's calling you."
I nudged her quietly. She finally reacted, glancing at the teacher, then slowly stood and approached the board. She stared at the equation, pondering—from seconds to minutes...
"What's with her, can't solve it?"
"If she can't, just say so."
Silence dragging in the middle of class irked everyone. The teacher reached his limit.
"Yoo Soeun. If you can't solve it, just say—"
Tap. Chalk hit the board. After an eternity, she broke the silence, writing steadily. The scribbles grew complex, erasing the classroom tension. We all gawked—high school first-year stuff? This was university-level math.
"Uh, Soeun, that's enough."
The teacher stopped her. She set down the chalk, turning hesitantly.
"D-did I... do good?"
"Y-yes, correct... We knew you're brilliant. Back to your seat."
She bowed and returned beside me, acting like nothing happened. But the board she'd left behind rippled through the class.
"What was that? Super complicated."
"College material, right?"
"No wonder she's top."
Awe and admiration on the surface, but undercurrents of snide murmurs leaked through.
"Tch, annoying."
"Right? Acts all superior."
...One thing was clear. Unlike my goal of positive peer bonds, her reputation sucked.
Break time. Kids unwound from class, chatting in groups. I joined mine for banter, gauging the room's vibe.
"So~ what'd that guy do next~~"
"Pfft, hilarious."
Shin Jiho's jokes, Lee Nari laughing along. I nodded along, eyes drifting to the popular girls' clique on the opposite side.
A dominant girl led the chatter, others orbiting. Soeun sat among them but stayed silent, listening passively. From my angle, she seemed tacked on reluctantly.
"Oh, Soeun. Quick favor~"
The leader singled her out, handing over her wallet with demands.
"Thirsty—grab juice from the shop?"
"J-juice?"
"Pretty please~ We're friends, right?"
Friend-zoned errand. Humiliating unless truly close, but Soeun nodded and left without protest. The leader giggled once she was gone.
"Nice~ She even grabs snacks~ That's what friends are for?"
"Aren't you overworking her?"
"Nah, she'd say no if she minded~"
They dove back into gossip. It grated on me. They'd never initiated with her—just kept her as decor, dispatching her for needs.
"Manbung, what's up?"
Jin Seohyun noticed from my group. I realized I'd stared too long and deflected.
"Nothing. Just... noisy over there."
"You've been glancing their way awhile."
"Ooh, Kim Manbung~ Mastered studies and PE, now chasing romance?!"
"Manbung's got a crush? Who?!"
Shin Jiho and Lee Nari pounced. They saw me as a hormone-fueled teen interested in dating—but my concern for her was worlds apart.
"Not that. Mind your business."
Yeah, just concern. My seatmate not thriving in school life clashed with my ideal peer harmony.
Lunchtime. Most kids stampeded to the cafeteria. Me? Bento as always. And starting today, rooftop with Mary per her demand.
"Um, hey."
As I grabbed my bento to leave, Soeun—who'd waited for this—held hers out, gauging me shyly.
"Bento... together...?"
"...Sorry, prior engagement today."
"P-prior...?"
"Yeah, pushy childhood friend insists. Gotta hang with her awhile."
No way she'd sulk and spam texts at midnight if refused. Better appease Mary—but that meant ditching the girl before me. She struggled eating alone in the cafeteria anyway, and her peer ties were toxic.
"......"
"......Hey."
Her head drooped, face darkening noticeably. She'd clearly hoped to eat with me. I got it—solo lunches suck.
"......Ugh."
Unable to ignore the empathy, I clutched my head and reluctantly invited her.
Same class, seatmate—nurturing that bond was necessary too.
"Come on. Someone to introduce you to."
"...So you brought her too?"
"That's how it went."
"That's how it went?! No!"
Ah, yep. Total strikeout.