Where Yoo Mi-kyung had gotten her intel about Eun-woo's perennial last-place ranking was anyone's guess.
But in a blatant display of her new 'status,' she'd actually suggested to Eun-woo's mother that if he 'wasn't university material,' he should just drop out. She'd have her husband, Director Joo, arrange a menial office job for him instead.
A mother could criticize her own son all she wanted, but hearing it from an outsider was a different story. The suggestion had infuriated Song Mi-kyung.
And now, seeing this same man, Joo Dae-sik, bring it up to his face, a flash of irritation shot through Eun-woo.
However, he felt it would be beneath him to trade barbs with someone so petty. He forced a bland smile.
"Ah, Joo Seonsaeng-nim," Eun-woo said, using the overly formal 'Teacher' title with a hint of mock deference. "Thank you for the generous offer. If I don't get into university, I'll be sure to look you up. I'm running late for school, so I'll be on my way."
Without waiting for a reply, he pushed off on his bicycle and pedaled away.
Watching the retreating figure, Joo Dae-sik shook his head with a performative sigh. "Aigoo… What a hopeless kid. Truly, a tile that can't be glazed."
Just as he was about to roll up his window, a voice called out from the sidewalk.
"Omo! Director Joo! Is that a Porsche? Must have cost hundreds of millions of won! Cham, being an executive is something else!"
It was a neighbor from the complex, Mr. Bang. Hearing the flattery, Joo Dae-sik's chest puffed out. A smug smile settled on his powdered face as he waved a dismissive hand.
"Eoi, it's nothing special, just for basic transportation. Bought it used, didn't cost much. Maybe around 50 million won or so. I have to get to the office, Mr. Bang. Let's catch up later."
With that, he finally closed the window, stepped on the gas a bit too hard, and the old Cayenne sputtered away with a faint puff of grey exhaust.
Mr. Bang watched it go, his lip curling in disdain. "Ppalli-ppalli try-hard. My son sells used imports. A 2000s Cayenne like that… 50 million? Maybe 5 million, if you're lucky. Thinks I don't know the market…"
---
The brief encounter faded from Eun-woo's mind as quickly as it came. Just like yesterday, the moment he arrived in class, he pulled out his stack of books and began his rapid, methodical page-turning.
One book, then five… Perhaps because the core concepts across subjects began to interlock, his pace accelerated. By the time the lunch bell was about to ring, he had finished the last page of the final study guide Teacher Park had given him. It was half a day ahead of his own schedule.
"Phew~ Finally done."
He let out a long exhale and stretched his arms above his head.
He could now say with absolute confidence: there wasn't a single high-school-level concept in the standard curriculum he didn't fully understand. With his current grasp, scoring a perfect or near-perfect on the Suneung was entirely within his control. The confidence was a solid, steady warmth in his chest.
Now that knowledge was secured, the next step was capital.
Ding-dong-dong-ding…
As if on cue, the bell for lunch rang.
"Hyung! Jjajangmyeon is on me! Let's go!"
Kim Do-hyun sprang from his seat like a released spring and called out to Eun-woo.
But Eun-woo wasn't thinking about food. While his focus had been locked on his books all morning, now his mind was completely occupied by the treasure in his backpack and the fortune it promised.
He was about to brush Do-hyun off when his gaze drifted to the front row. Han Seo-jin was quietly pulling a simple dosirak (lunchbox) from her desk drawer.
He immediately changed his mind.
Money could wait a few more hours. The treasure wasn't going anywhere. Matters of the heart… those were more pressing.
"Hyung? What are you looking at?" Do-hyun was already at the back door. He turned, followed Eun-woo's line of sight, and his face twisted in confusion.
The direction his hyung was staring… was it… Han Seo-jin?
Eun-woo's next move confirmed Do-hyun's worst suspicion. Slinging his backpack over one shoulder, Eun-woo stood up and walked purposefully toward the front of the classroom.
His destination was unmistakable—Han Seo-jin's desk.
"Aish, I skipped breakfast. My stomach is eating itself. Hm? Seo-jin-ah, you brought extra ssal-ppang? Perfect, let me have one. I'm starving."
Weaving through the stream of students heading for the cafeteria, Eun-woo reached her desk and sat down in the empty chair opposite her with casual ease.
Seo-jin was eating a simple meal: homemade steamed rice cakes (ssal-ppang) with a side of kimchi. Before she could even process his presence, Eun-woo reached over, plucked the second rice cake from her lunchbox, and took a large bite.
"Mmm, not bad."
The sudden scene left Seo-jin frozen, a bite of food forgotten in her mouth. Her desk partner, Park Min-young, stared, jaw slightly agape. Is this real? Song Eun-woo just took Han Seo-jin's food?
"Ya! Hyung! What the hell are you—?!"
Do-hyun's voice erupted from the back door, equal parts shock and secondhand embarrassment. Had his hyung lost his mind from overstudying? That was Han Seo-jin! The girl everyone ignored! And he was eating her lunch?!
In an instant, the noisy classroom drained into an awkward, heavy silence. The few remaining students gawked.
Noticing the stares, Eun-woo frowned and shot a look over his shoulder. He didn't need to say a word. The onlookers flinched and quickly scrambled out the door.
But the damage was done. By the end of lunch period, a seismic piece of gossip would ripple through Daehan High: School heartthrob Song Eun-woo's tastes are so bizarre he stole the 'Quiet Girl's' lunch…
Once the spectators had fled, Eun-woo turned back. Ignoring Seo-jin's stunned expression, he reached over again, this time picking up a piece of her kimchi with his fingers and popping it into his mouth.
"The kimchi is good too. Your mom makes it?"
Seeing his brazen actions, Seo-jin finally blinked back to awareness, her face a canvas of confusion and mild panic.
Then, Eun-woo finished the last of the rice cake and reached his hand toward her again.
Instinctively, Seo-jin flinched back, clutching the half-eaten rice cake in her own hand protectively to her chest. "I… I'm still hungry…" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Eun-woo paused, then a genuine, warm laugh escaped him. "Ya, I'm not a monster."
His hand continued its path, but not toward her food. Gently, he brushed his thumb against the corner of her mouth, wiping away a tiny crumb of rice cake that clung there.
The touch was fleeting, but Seo-jin's face instantly flushed a deep, brilliant scarlet.
From the doorway, Kim Do-hyun witnessed the entire exchange. His eyes widened. "Ssi…" he breathed, the curse dying on his lips, replaced by utter bewilderment.
[To be continued…]