Chapter 35
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Chapter 35: Nobody Touches Me!
The morning sun cast a soft glow across the school field, the cool breeze dancing through the air. The girls' side was buzzing with laughter as they played Dutch ball, dressed in their matching sports trousers and sweatshirts.
Ju-kyoung's eyes gleamed with excitement. She loved this game — nothing felt better than the satisfying thud of a ball hitting its target.
"Take that!" she giggled as she threw the ball, narrowly missing Kang-su, who screamed and jumped to the side. The girls burst into laughter, their cheerful voices echoing across the field.
Meanwhile, on the boys' side, the atmosphere was far colder.
Soo-hoo and Seo-jin stood on opposite teams, their gazes locked like rivals preparing for battle. They barely paid attention to the others — the air between them was heavy, like a silent challenge.
Seo-jin caught a ball and hurled it toward Soo-hoo with force, but Soo-hoo caught it easily, eyes narrowing. Without hesitation, he flung it back even faster. Seo-jin caught it, gritting his teeth, and returned it with everything he had — but the ball soared over Soo-hoo's head.
"Han Seo-jin, out!" someone shouted.
Seo-jin sighed, brushing his hair back with a glare. Soo-hoo smirked, victorious, as Seo-jin walked off the field.
As he passed the girls' side, a ball rolled toward his feet. Ju-kyoung ran over to grab it, crouching to pick it up — but Seo-jin stepped on the ball first.
Her eyes lifted slowly to meet his.
"Uh… excuse me," she said, voice shaky.
He stared down at her, eyes sharp. "You've seen me before, haven't you?"
Her breath caught. Oh no.
She gave an awkward laugh. "I-I don't think so…?"
But his voice dropped lower, colder. "You ran off with my helmet."
Ju-kyoung froze, eyes wide. He remembers!
She tried to think fast. "Hey—look!" she yelled, pointing behind him.
Seo-jin frowned. "You think I'll fall for that—"
Before he could finish, a ball slammed into his head with a loud thud. He staggered, blinking in disbelief. The nearby boys shouted apologies, pointing toward the class president.
Ju-kyoung snatched the ball and bowed quickly. "S-sorry! I'll return it tomorrow!"
Seo-jin rubbed his head, glaring toward the boys, and didn't even notice when Ju-kyoung tripped over her own foot and crashed face-first onto the grass.
The field went silent.
Soo-hoo walked past her without a glance, stepping over her fallen form like she wasn't even there.
The other students gasped. "He just walked past her?"
Ju-kyoung watched him leave, heart aching yet strangely relieved.
Good… ignore me. Even if I'm bleeding, it's better than you finding out my secret.
Kang-su and Su-ah rushed over.
"Are you okay?!" Kang-su asked, helping her up.
Su-ah huffed, "That jerk! He could've helped you!"
Ju-kyoung brushed herself off, forcing a weak smile.
"I'm fine… really," she muttered, though her heart throbbed more than her scraped knees.
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Later, the three girls headed down the stairs after class.
Kang-su asked, "Why's your boyfriend skipping lunch again?"
Su-ah sighed, puffing her cheeks. "Homework. He said he's just grabbing snacks."
Ju-kyoung tilted her head. "Should we bring him something?"
Su-ah crossed her arms. "Hmph. I don't care if he starves."
"You sound upset," Kang-su teased.
Su-ah groaned. "He hasn't replied to my texts since last night. I think he forgot it's our 100th-day anniversary." She leaned on Ju-kyoung's shoulder dramatically. "If he forgets, I'm dumping him."
Ju-kyoung chuckled. "I'm sure he won't."
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But in the classroom, Su-ah's boyfriend was busy setting up a romantic surprise.
Balloons filled the room, a banner hung on the wall:
🎉 Happy 100th Day Anniversary! Su-ah, I Love You! 🎉
Classmates helped decorate — some arranging flowers on the floor, others moving desks aside.
"Why am I doing flower duty?" one boy complained. "My girlfriend broke up with me yesterday!"
Her boyfriend grinned. "I'll set you up with someone better!"
The boy blinked. "You'd… do that?" He started scattering petals with renewed energy.
"Su-ah's coming!" someone shouted.
Lights dimmed. Music began to play.
When Su-ah stepped in, her eyes widened, her hands covering her mouth as joy flooded her face. She laughed, walking down the petal path as her boyfriend held up cue cards.
Each page made her blush:
> Su-ah, you're prettier than Bae Suzy…
Even when you're old, I'll still love you…
The class cheered. Su-ah's face glowed pink. Then her boyfriend lifted a huge framed photo of their first date and first kiss.
Ju-kyoung's jaw dropped. That's… intense.
Su-ah giggled, overwhelmed, as her boyfriend danced, sending her heart-shaped hand signs.
Finally, he stepped close. "I'd go to hell for stealing an angel like you from heaven," he declared.
The class roared with excitement.
"Su-ah, I love you!"
"I love you too!" she said, hugging him as everyone clapped.
Someone brought out the cake.
"Kiss! Kiss!" the class chanted.
They leaned in shyly, about to kiss—
But the boy holding the cake sighed. "Enough already!"
He moved the cake toward them playfully — but Su-ah pulled her boyfriend aside—
—and the cake smashed into Ju-kyoung's face.
Silence.
Then gasps.
"Ju-kyoung!!!" Su-ah screamed.
Frosting dripped down her cheeks. Ju-kyoung just stood there, frozen, mortified.
"Why didn't you dodge?!" the cake boy cried.
"Why did you throw it, you idiot?!" another yelled.
Someone grabbed tissues. "Wet wipes! She needs to wash her face!"
Ju-kyoung's heart pounded. If I wash my face… everyone will see…
Su-ah reached for her. "Come on, let's clean it off—"
Ju-kyoung's voice cracked as she screamed,
> "Stop! NOBODY TOUCHES ME!"
The room fell silent.
All eyes widened.
Her hands trembled as she snatched her emergency makeup pouch from her bag and bolted out the door.
"Ju-kyoung!" Su-ah shouted, chasing after her with Kang-su right behind.
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