It was a bright morning at Handul High School. Sunlight bathed the campus in a warm golden glow, and a gentle breeze rustled through the trees, carrying bursts of laughter and chatter as students filled the grounds.
Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted.
A young guy, ethereal and striking in presence, strode confidently through the school gates.
As he passed, students slowed mid-step, their gazes locking on him. Soft murmurs spread through the crowd, and girls leaned into each other, eyes bright with surprise and admiration.
He moved with quiet elegance, his uniform sharp, and his dark hair tousled just enough to look like perfection without trying.
From a distance, Linda stood with her best friends, Sophia and Alex, near the front steps of the school building.
"Wow," Alex whispered, blinking in awe. "That guy is seriously handsome," he said, pointing in his direction.
Sophia clasped her hands together dramatically. "Oh my God! He's cute—and he looks rich. Is he new here?"
Linda narrowed her eyes slightly, studying the boy as he moved. "Maybe. I've never seen him before."
As if on cue, three senior girls strutted up to him, brimming with confidence.
"Hey there," one of them said sweetly, flipping her hair, trying to draw his attention.
At first, he ignored them completely. Then, after a brief pause, his gaze slid over with a cool, unreadable look. "Hi," he said.
The boldest of the three smiled and took a step forward, slightly raising her hand as she introduced herself and her friends. "I'm Jisoo, and this is Minji and Hyejin," she said, smiling sweetly.
He gave a slight nod with a distant expression.
"Are you new here?" Minji asked, batting her lashes.
He stared at her for a moment, his eyes cool. He raised a brow as he asked, "Have you ever seen me before?"
"No…" she replied, puzzled.
"Then why ask such a dumb question?" His voice cut sharp with irritation.
The girls giggled nervously, caught off guard.
"Um… we could show you to the registration office," Hyejin offered quickly.
"No need," he said curtly. "I already know where it is."
And just like that, he walked past them without another word. The girls froze, left standing with flushed faces and restless curiosity.
Back across the courtyard, Linda's eyes stayed fixed on him. Something about the boy seemed… different. Not just his looks, but the way he carried himself—calm, calculated, cool.
When he stepped into the registration office, the room seemed to pause. The principal, seated behind her sleek desk, looked up. For a heartbeat, her eyes widened in surprise.
He really was that striking.
The secretary blinked twice, then shuffled her papers nervously before standing. "Um, welcome! You must be the new transfer student."
He nodded silently, offering a faint, polite smile.
They got to work. Forms were signed, documents verified, and minutes later, an official student I.D. card rested in his hand. The glossy tag showed his name, grade level, and a picture that barely did justice to his real appearance.
Stepping back into the sunlight, he paused, studying the I.D. with a small smirk tugging at his lips. His sharp eyes lifted, scanning the school grounds like a hunter marking prey. They flicked from face to face until they landed on two girls standing apart.
Linda and Sophia.
They hadn't noticed him yet. Alex was gone off to the restroom, leaving the girls alone.
"That's him!" Sophia gasped, grabbing Linda's wrist.
Before Linda could protest, Sophia dragged her forward, a nervous smile blooming across her face.
"Hello," Sophia said softly when they reached him. "I'm Sophia, and this is Linda."
She extended her hand. He hesitated for a moment, then slipped his hand from his pocket and gave her a light shake. His touch sent shivers down her spine.
Then he turned to Linda. For the first time, his smile grew warm. "Hi," he said. "Nice to meet you."
Caught off guard by the sudden gentleness in his tone, Linda smiled back. "Nice to meet you too…"
"What's your name?" Sophia asked quickly.
He glanced at her, then replied, "I'm Jae-min."
"Nice to meet you, Jae-min," Linda repeated, her voice calm but curious.
Sophia, ever the enthusiastic one, clapped her hands once. "Why don't we show you around the school? It's big—and honestly, confusing for newcomers."
Jae-min gave a half smile. "That would be nice."
So the three of them walked together, Sophia leading with her constant chatter, Linda adding the occasional quiet comment, while Jae-min stayed composed, his sharp eyes absorbing everything: the science lab, the music room, the library, the cafeteria, and the wide school garden.
At each stop, he nodded with quiet courtesy, offering thanks and the occasional thoughtful question. His manner was calm, his kindness unmistakable—gentle in a way that set him apart.
They had just stepped out of the music room, the echo of piano keys still lingering, when someone came barreling around the corner.
"Whoa—!"
Alex crashed right into Jae-min and stumbled to the ground.
"Alex!" Linda gasped.
Before anyone could react, Jae-min stepped forward, extending his hand. His expression was calm. "I'm sorry. May I help you up?"
Alex blinked, dazed, staring at the boy's face. "Uh… sure."
Jae-min grasped his hand firmly and pulled him up with ease.
Sophia laughed lightly, brushing her hair back. "Alex, this is, wait, what's his name again?"
Linda smirked. "Jae-min."
"Right!" Sophia nodded. "Alex, this is Jae-min. He's new here. And Jae-min, this is Alex, our friend."
Jae-min extended his hand again for a proper shake. "Nice to meet you, Alex."
Alex took it, polite but cautious. "Yeah… nice to meet you too."
Then he glanced at the girls, brows raised. "Have you forgotten? It's time for class."
Sophia gasped. "Oh no, you're right!"
Linda checked her watch. "We should hurry."
As they started walking, Linda turned to Jae-min. "Wait, what grade are you in?"
"Grade 11," he replied.
"Same as us!" She beamed. "Perfect. You're in our class."
"Looks like it," he said with a faint smile.
And just like that, the four of them, Linda, Sophia, Alex, and Jae-min, headed toward the classroom building together. The hallways buzzed with students walking around.
Jae-min walked quietly beside them, listening more than speaking, his eyes discreetly studying each of them.