It was night time in Busan.
The sound of ambulance sirens echoed from all directions, sharp and relentless. Smoke filled the air, thick enough to sting the lungs and blur vision. A massive car accident had taken place—twisted metal, shattered glass, chaos everywhere.
Then, through the noise and confusion, someone's loud voice was heard.
"Ryumin oppa…!"
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"Wake up! It's 6:30 AM!"
"Brother, wake up quickly, you will be late for school. Today is your first day in high school, right?"
A boy suddenly woke up, breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling as if he had just escaped death.
The voice came again, softer this time.
"You had nightmares again, right?"
The voice belonged to Yeorin, Ryumin's younger sister, who was one year younger than him. Both of them were orphans and lived with their uncle and aunt.
After some time, his uncle's voice echoed from downstairs.
"Son, come down. Don't you want to have breakfast?"
Ryumin and Yeorin hurried downstairs but ended up leaving without breakfast.
Yeorin went to her school with her friends, while Ryumin began walking alone toward Busan Tech High School.
Just then, Yeorin shouted from behind him.
"Don't forget to take your headphones! And don't fight with others, please…"
Some time later, Ryumin finally reached his high school.
Students were everywhere—laughing, shouting, pushing past each other. The smell of cigarettes lingered in the air.
Ryumin put on his headphones and walked toward his classroom.
He opened the door and sat down at his seat.
As he looked around, he noticed some students bullying their classmates.
Suddenly, his bench mate—who had been sleeping—woke up and snapped loudly.
"You bastard, what noise are you making? Let me get some sleep, otherwise I will beat you badly. And I told this many times—don't bully your classmates."
The classroom fell silent.
And just like that, Ryumin's first day at Busan Tech High had begun.
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