The huge gates bearing the name 'State Institute of Technology' lumbered open as one guard yawned and the other checked his wristwatch with impatient taps. A convoy of college buses rolled through, tires crunching on the gravel. When the last one cleared the threshold, a third guard shouted, "Count forty-six, all buses arrived," prompting the pair to drag the heavy gates shut again.
The final bus rumbled down the long road and settled in the vast open ground where forty-five others already waited. Engines coughed to silence. Almost immediately, students spilled out, their chatter and clattering footsteps filling the air until the bus emptied, leaving behind only the scent of diesel and a sudden, heavy stillness.
Three boys stepped off last, their deliberate stomps loud enough to comfort the vacancy of the lot.
On the right stood Jack, a tall, muscular, and broad-shouldered, already resembling a working adult more than a student. On the left was Seth, average in height but carrying himself with the practiced ease of the wealthy, his branded clothes flaunting money. Between them walked Ajin, the shortest of the trio. He was lean and fit, moving with an easy warmth. His smile, gentle as a mother's lap, made him instantly noticeable.
Jack reached out and caught Ajin by the sleeve, tugging him back. "Ajin, why are you in such a hurry? Classes aren't starting yet. Come to the canteen with us."
Before Ajin could answer, Seth cut in. "Let me guess. 'I do not have any money,' right? That was what you were going to say?"
Ajin blinked, his expression unreadable. Seth scoffed and turned to Jack. "Forget it. He never brings money and he never lets us pay for him. Going to the canteen with him is a waste of time. Actually, Ajin, what do you even do with your scholarship money?"
Ajin's warm smile grew even warmer. He pulled a single crumpled note from his pocket and lifted it with mock grandeur. "Do you want your favorite beer, Seth? I think I can treat you."
The ridiculousness of it made them both laugh.
"You can't even get the cheapest beer with that," Jack said, slinging an arm around Ajin's shoulders. "Use it to buy your own food while Seth treats me."
"Why am I treating you every day?" Seth groaned.
"Because you are rich," Jack replied. Seth considered this, then nodded with an exaggerated air of wisdom. "Makes sense."
Ajin watched them go, and placing the note back, "Enough for lunch at least," he murmured. He headed toward his classroom, but in the corridor, a hand clamped onto his sleeve. A boy named Jason glared at him, his face twisted with habitual impatience.
"Did you finish the assignment?" Jason demanded.
"I already uploaded it in the group chat," Ajin said. "Copy it onto paper and submit it."
Jason's expression shifted into a mocking grin. "Really? I thought you'd skip it this time. You have a lot to deal with, being the College President and all."
Ajin's smile did not waver. "If I do not do it, who in our class will? Besides, it did not take much time."
"Thanks, dude!" Jason blurted, sprinting away.
Twenty minutes into the lecture, Jason reappeared at the door, calling out loudly to the lecturer. After being ignored several times, the lecturer slammed his chalk down in frustration. "Jason, you are twenty minutes late. Go roam the halls, just stay out of my sight."
"I completed the assignment!" Jason announced theatrically. "It was very tough. I finished at two in the morning and fell asleep in the canteen. That's why I'm late."
The lecturer's face tightened. "Your story is, like you, garbage. But show me the work."
"Ajin has it," Jason said without missing a beat. "I gave it to him before I went to the canteen."
Every head in the room turned toward Ajin.
"Ajin, do you have Jason's assignment?" the lecturer asked.
"Yes, sir," Ajin replied. He opened his bag and retrieved the neatly stacked papers.
"Keep it for now," the lecturer sighed. "During the break, collect everyone's assignments and submit them to me. If anyone fails to submit, I trust you are prepared for the consequences."
As Jason slumped into the back bench, the student beside Ajin hissed, "Why did you cover for him? Did you forget he tried to beat you last time?"
Ajin only answered with that same gentle smile. When the class ended, he walked back to Jason. Before he could speak, Jason smirked. "I forgot to write my name. Write it for me before you hand it in."
Ajin's expression tightened. "It is wr—"
Jason stood abruptly, stepping into Ajin's personal space. He pressed a crumpled biscuit wrapper into Ajin's hand. "Throw this away on your way, Prez. After all, it's part of your job to keep the campus clean."
"Yes," Ajin said softly. He crossed the room, dropped the wrapper in the bin, and returned to his seat.
"You look like a coward sometimes," his friend muttered.
Ajin gave a little laugh. "Maybe I am. But it is easier to write the assignment again than to fight someone I cannot beat."
Later that afternoon, Ajin stood in the Director's office. The Director, a man in his fifties with suspiciously shiny hair and a pressed coat, gestured for him to sit.
"Your mother called me this morning, Ajin," the Director said. "She said you received two offers from big companies and rejected both. Is that true?"
"Yes, sir. Maa registered me without telling me. I only took the tests because she pushed me."
The Director nodded. "Ajin, I respect you. You're the university topper and the best President this place has ever had. So be honest, why did you reject them?"
"I have a plan, sir. I want to graduate, study abroad, research, and eventually start a company using my own inventions. Maa doesn't listen when I tell her."
The Director chuckled. "That matches what she told me. If you have a clear plan, I won't interfere. But your mother also mentioned you aren't using your scholarship money?"
"I'm saving it for my future plans, sir. I don't want to be a burden to my parents. And... I have a request. Maa thinks the scholarship only covers my fees. Please keep it that way. If she finds out how much I'm actually receiving, she'll blame herself for not providing enough."
The Director's brows lifted, but he eventually nodded. "Alright. I will keep it confidential."
Ajin hesitated. "One more thing, sir. I barely slept last night. May I take a break in the infirmary?"
"You may. But Ajin... many people talk about your smile. They say it makes them forget their worries. I'm one of them. I hope you can protect that smile."
"I will try my best, sir."
The peace of the afternoon was shattered during the final period. The lecturer from earlier burst into the room, holding two sheets of paper, his face tight with fury.
"These are two assignments," he barked. "Both belong to Ajin. And Jason, yours was the only one missing from the bundle."
A ripple of murmurs filled the room. Ajin and Jason were ordered to stand.
"Explain this, Ajin," the lecturer demanded.
"Jason asked me to write his name... I think I accidentally wrote mine," Ajin whispered, eyes lowered.
"A terrible liar," the lecturer sighed. He turned to Jason, his voice thundering. "I checked the handwriting. Both were written by Ajin. In fact, I found no assignment in your handwriting at all, Jason. Did you force him?"
"No sir," Ajin said, his smile finally twitching with strain.
"Enough," the lecturer roared. He stepped toward Jason, his voice dropping to a dangerous, quiet growl. "This isn't about assignments anymore. Do you remember the first-year student who 'slipped' in the restroom? We lacked evidence then. We didn't want a riot."
Jason's face drained of color.
"Someone uploaded a video," the lecturer continued. The classroom erupted into a frenzy of students pulling out their phones. "It shows everything. How you attacked that kid. How you tried attacking Ajin when he tried to stop you. The National Anti-Ragging Helpline has the footage. They are taking charge of your case."
He leaned in until Jason was shaking uncontrollably. "It means your life is ruined."
The lecturer stepped back and looked at the class. "Everyone leave. But before you go... give a huge round of applause to the President who tried to stop this monster."
The room erupted. As the students filed out, they surrounded Ajin, cheering and praising his kindness. Ajin stood among them, the center of their admiration, his warm smile fixed in place as they led him out of the room.