During the oath, I spotted Yoon Jiu and his group.
Even in this massive field, their striking looks really stood out.
There was something funny about them reciting the oath with such serious expressions.
Especially Yoon Jiu, who spends most of his day grinning like an idiot—his straight face was the funniest.
...But was I the one who looked even more ridiculous up there at the front?
Thankfully, I got through the oath without stumbling over my words, finished the bow, returned the booklet, and stepped down from the podium.
As I returned to my seat amid the applause and stares, Seong Yurin was looking right at me.
"...Why?"
She flinched for a second, then quickly averted her gaze and answered.
"...No. Just... you did it so well without even shaking."
What, like it was some big feat?
I gave a casual nod, and she turned her head back toward the podium.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"...Um, Seo Ijin?"
After the entrance ceremony ended, as I headed to the bulletin board with the class assignments, I heard someone calling me from behind.
"Yeah?"
"Let's get along from now on. You probably heard earlier, but my name's Seong Yurin."
She extended her hand for a shake.
For some reason, it felt awkward. In my past life, high schoolers didn't go around greeting each other with handshakes.
But I couldn't just leave her hanging, so I took Seong Yurin's outstretched hand.
"Uh, yeah. Seo Ijin."
As our hands met, I felt her soft, girly palm.
It was a strangely nice feeling... Ugh, enough with these pathetic virgin thoughts.
A moment later, I tried to pull away first, but she gripped my hand tighter.
"Huh?"
"Um, this morning. Want to... exercise together? I want to get close to you."
...Pardon?
A whirlwind of complicated thoughts raced through my head.
From questioning why all the way to imagining my grandkids' faces... Stop with the virgin crap, I said.
I thought I'd built up immunity to beauties thanks to Lee Sea and Lee Soyun, but nope—too much for a loser like me.
...I had some dumb thoughts for a second, but in the end, whatever. No big deal.
No reason to push away someone who wants to get friendly.
"Uh, sure. Okay."
I answered a bit dazedly.
Hearing that, she let go and spread her palm wide.
"Huh?"
When I just stood there, she tapped her hand impatiently, like she wanted something.
"Give me your phone. Gotta exchange numbers to set when and where we'll meet."
"Oh. Right."
I unlocked it and handed it over. She punched in her number with a few taps, saved it, and gave it back.
"Text me when you're free."
I glanced and saw she'd saved herself as 'Yurin'—felt way too chummy.
I quietly changed it to 'Seong Yurin'.
With that done, she turned and walked off.
...But where was she going?
"Hey. Where you headed? We gotta check the class board."
...
Seong Yurin turned back, her cool face flushed bright red in a way that didn't suit her at all.
I considered going to check classes together, but she bolted like she was fleeing, so I decided to look for Yoon Jiu instead.
I'm pretty tall, so standing on tiptoes let me see far. I spotted the crowd drawing stares right away.
Pushing through the throng, I got closer, and Sea, who'd seen me from afar, waved.
"Jina~ Over here!"
Suddenly, all the guys who'd been eyeing Sea turned to me—gave me chills.
How do they live under this kind of scrutiny?
"Come on, everyone~ Hurry and check your classes, then head to your rooms!"
Urged by the student guidance team and a few teachers, the crowd dispersed quickly, and we could finally check.
"Same class!"
Jiu, who'd found our names first, pointed.
Let's see. So many freshmen, tons of classes.
1st Year Class C: Seo Ijin, Yoon Jiu, Lee Sea, Lee Soyun.
Feels natural now that we're in the same class.
Of course, for those three excluding me, it was a given. Not for me, though?
"Phew, good."
Soyun let out a relieved sigh.
"Let's go before we're late."
"Yeah."
Almost all the students had gone in by now; the field looked empty.
We hurried after the freshmen ahead.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
When we arrived at class, every seat was taken except ours.
Quick scan: a few standout girls caught my eye.
...First, Seong Yurin, unmistakable even from the back with that striking blonde hair.
Does this school not balance grades by class? Both top scorers in one?
Well, if they'd split us, I'd have been the one bumped out instead of heroine Seong Yurin, so thanks for the sloppy system.
Next, another eye-catching hair color like Seong Yurin.
A girl with bright red hair tied back in a ponytail.
The last heroine I knew: Hong Yeonseo.
A sports specialist, she's a phenom in girls' handball with insane athleticism—a total sports heroine.
She's swept every middle school tourney and chose Dawn High for its powerhouse handball club. Bright future ahead.
And so, all gathered here: 1st Year Class C, seemingly every heroine in year one.
...Love comedy world, so probably Dawn High's 'Four Beauties' or some cringey nickname like that?
Lee Sea: epitome of pure, innocent first-love charm.
Lee Soyun: petite, round-faced cuteness that makes you want to protect her.
Seong Yurin: cool, unapproachable aura that's her appeal, but with endearing clumsiness.
Hong Yeonseo: looks like a goddess, but tomboyish, energetic personality steals the show.
Over-the-top spec heroines crammed together—yeah, total love comedy vibes.
Damn it. Yoon Jiu, you lucky bastard.
"Ow! Why'd you hit me?"
We had to scatter to seats, so as Yoon Jiu dithered, I smacked his annoying head for no reason and headed to the emptiest back-row spot.
Ugh, not quite the corner—kinda gives me anxiety. Not really, though...
Seating'll get rearranged once homeroom starts anyway.
Needs Yoon Jiu and heroines together for smooth plot.
Class wasn't dead silent—some strangers, but others like us who'd been tight since middle school and lucked into the same class chatted away.
Even Yoon Jiu, total stranger to most, was already chatting everyone up like a social king.
I hung my bag on the desk hook, half-slumped over, fiddling with my phone.
A few girls approached me, but I was too lazy and awkward, so I pretended to sleep, staring at my phone.
Exuding 'Don't talk to me' vibes—should keep everyone away now.
Peeking with half-lidded eyes: leads were already swarmed.
Yoon Jiu leading with greetings, joining the social group.
Lee Sea with awkward smiles, answering questions diligently.
Lee Soyun trembling at guys' questions, then swept into a girl posse getting all the cute-treatment.
Seong Yurin exchanging formal greetings with perfect posture.
Hong Yeonseo and Yoon Jiu already the class social peaks, building factions.
As expected of the leads—adapting fast. Unlike some loser.
- Scrrch
Then the front door slid open, revealing a teacher with a sleek figure.
Long, jet-black straight hair down to her waist—stunning.
...No way the homeroom teacher's a heroine too?
No exaggeration: she looked young and gorgeous enough to pass for a college student. Guys' faces lit up.
"Everyone so lively on day one? Great! Heard our class is the ace class. Atmosphere's perfect from the start!"
She beamed at the podium, writing her name big on the board.
Jeong Chaeyeon.
"I'm Jeong Chaeyeon, your homeroom teacher for 1st Year Class C for the next year~! Nice to meet you all!"
- Woo!!
A few guys whooped, confirming she was legit.
...Jiu, you too?
Girls didn't mind either.
She had that drawing-in charm anyone would like.
Waiting for quiet, Jeong Chaeyeon smiled and continued.
"Today till dismissal, we'll do the freshman orientation. Hand out textbooks, schedules, pick class prez and VP, explain class flow, and guide after-school activities everyone's curious about. But... first!"
She slapped the podium, eyes sparkling.
What was this feeling? Dread creeping up my spine.
"Self-intros and seating time!!"
The natural enemy of five million losers nationwide: self-intro time.
...Five million's a rough guess, FYI.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"I'm Bae Hyeongjun, from Hanyul Middle. Hobby's gaming, and..."
He wrapped up a speech about his games, tiers, recruiting friends, aiming pro with gaming specialty club, etc.
No way he's before me. Talks that long burden the followers.
"Big hand for Hyeongjun~ Clap clap. Next, Ijin!"
Damn it. Knew it. My turn.
I stood quietly, no chair scrape, scanning the staring room.
This silence was suffocating.
"...Seo Ijin, from Dawn Middle. Nice to meet you."
Thud.
Sat after that one line, and absolute zero hit the class.
...Should've done casual speech?