JUST A FRIENDLY REMINDER! 📌
The timeline in this fic was mostly based on the novel (inso's law). That is, unless when i wanted to sped things up. Then i'll just follow the manhwa's timeline alright..
ONE MORE!
There's probably goin' to be a lot of self-made scenes-
So i hope my dear reader wouldn't be too confused in this matter! ( ˊᵕˋ ; )
***
A few weeks passed..
The school days that Cale had thought going to stayed monochrome for the rest of his life has changed considerably into the polar opposite of it.
It started with how the time he spent to hang out with Eun Jiho and Woo Jooin became more frequent than what they had been before. And Cale wondered if it is because of their each outgoing personality that they built a friendship rather easily between them.
As times advanced, they would also share some of their past experience and their respective daily activites to each other. (A/N: Fellow chaebols..oops, Jooin baby can't relate tho..)
Eun Jiho and Woo Jooin also came to known about Cale, Choi Han, and Alberu's background. In fact, they've know about it way long before but only choose to bring the topic out just recently. It annoyed Cale that Eun Jiho once laughed at his dream at that one time when they were talking about his family.
Seriously, what was wrong with it.. Cale was pretty convinced that being a slacker wouldn't harm anyone!
✧✦✧
The other change was Ban Yeoryeong and Ham Dan-i. After their reconciliation, the two girls now had a relationship that seemed closer than anyone, they were said to be best friend ever since their childhood after all... Ban Yeoryeong was also very dependent on Ham Dan-i as she didn't have anyone to talked to other than her.
That, except Cale, Choi Han, Alberu and the so called Four Heavenly Kings whatsoever. What's odd was that Ban Yeoryeong seemed quite attached to Cale, which left Cale feeling perplexed at it despite lacking the mind to care at such matter.
Oh well, despite all that, the fact that they've gotten quite close in those not so short span of days couldn't be denied.
✧✦✧
Next was Yoo Chunyoung. He and Cale weren't especially that close if you may asked. However, Cale felt that their current relationship could be called good enough for them to eat together at the cafeteria, playing mind games like sudoku, crossword puzzle, and etc. They would also occasionally engage a small conversations with one another while sometimes walking together when they by chance cross paths somewhere.
Yoo Chunyoung was a quiet child. And he mainted a taciturn attitude to almost everyone. The class often called him cold because of those particular aloof air around him. Though Cale, being similary a man of few words himself, didn't mind it.
Rather, it was pleasant, somehow... The peaceful air when he was in Yoo Chunyoung's company were quite enjoyable. As in his life, Cale was mainly surrounded by the loud types of people. Is this the so called "upon many, you'll get one different from others?"
Whatever it was, the only wonder remained within Cale was Choi Han's and Alberu's attitude towards Yoo Chunyoung. They continued to stare daggers at him and even bothered Yoo Chunyoung and Cale's peaceful convo by asking, no, interrogating Yoo Chunyoung every chance they got. Aren't bullying a child at their rather advanced age is quite the shameful act.. Cale was confounded, for him to be the judge that Yoo Chunyoung's attitude was, by all means definitely better than that Eun Jiho has.
So why are they behaving like this..
✧✦✧
Lastly, Kwon Eunhyung.
Cale seldom meeting and interacted with him as Kwon Eunhyung was busy dealing with the class matter as their class representative. That makes the amount they chatted to became very few that it could even be counted by a single hand alone.
Kwon Eunhyung sometimes reminded Cale of Alberu because of those smile that always attached to their face like glue. And the way to distinguished it was that Kwon Eunhyung's smile were more like the gentle type rather than bright like Alberu's own. Unsurprisingly, Kwon Eunhyung was also more mature. Stupid hyung-nim, even someone younger compared to you were more mature than your old-ass self.
(Alberu: "...")
Even when Cale didn't get to know him enough, his perception told him that Kwon Eunhyung was a very good person, just like Choi Han. Though sometimes his smile would leave some kind of odd sense to Cale. Was it..dejavu?
...
If so, why am i shivering..?
✧✦✧
If you wondered as to why Cale, Choi Han, and Alberu only getting along with those people depicted above, it was because no one would dared to get close to the three other than them.
Well, it worked in Cale's favor though. This way, no one would disturbed his precious slacking schedule. The less disturbance, the better.
.
.
.
.
.
***
12.10, Ji-jon's cafeteria.
It was the second break, exactly at lunch. You could see the view of many students queuing for their food while some others have already pleased themself with the various appetizing dishes provided by the cafeteria.
And in this nearly full-packed canteen's seat, was where the students would had their shares of meal, stuffing themself for the day. It was no different for these two folks right here.
Ham Dan-i delightfuly ate with Ban Yeoryeong beside her. The two were on their own this time, without Cale nor the others around. There wasn't any special reason behind it though. Cale was just sleeping like usual in the classroom, and the others were accompanying her right now.
Honestly..it was a bit quiet without them arou...-
WAIT!
'What was i thinking..' Ham Dan-i dispelled the thought right away as she shakes her head frantically. She just realized that along with each time that had passed, she seemed to get attached to them more than necessary... Having that thought, she instantly fell into silence.
She know better that the boys would naturally come around as long as Ban Yeoryeong existed. And wasn't my role to be the female lead's friend?
". . ."
'Oh, but there are two female leads..'
No. Ham Dan-i once again shut down her increasingly nonsensical train of thought. Having Ban Yeoryeong by her side was already quite the burden to her, so she doesn't need to add more trouble by staying close to Cale too. Ham Dan-i reminded herself of her initial purposes.... I said that, but our relationship were kind of close already...
"Dan-ah, are you done?"
Ban Yeoryeong's voice helped Ham Dan-i broke herself out of her reverie. She asked in a gentle voice, and her beautiful smile was what Ham Dan-i focused upon the second she turned her gaze to her.
She's pretty as always... Seeing Ban Yeoryeong's beautiful smile, Ham Dan-i couldn't help but to get infected. She smiled in a placid way as a response.
"Yeah, i'm done. Let's get back?" Ham Dan-i quickly offered, despite her earlier struggles with her mind. After all that complete package of lunch, Ham Dan-i felt pretty content now that she was fully satiated. Feeding herself to re-energized her energy because of that torturing lessons was her previous goal after all!
Yeah, no need to think much about it!
Ham Dan-i recovered rather quickly. She got up from her seat with a better mood than before as she goes to returned her tray of food to the canteen vendor. And Ban Yeoryeong, who followed closely asked with a smile, "What's gotten you so happy?".
She got her eyes on Dan-i all the time. Ban Yeoryeong watched how Ham Dan-i's mood changes rapidly from happy to sullen, and then back to happy again. She had to confirm what's on Dan-i's mind or whether there is something that is bothering her Dan-i.
"Oh.."
Ham Dan-i looked over at Ban Yeoryeong and after, turning away nervously. Her smile kind of sheepish as she thanked the vendor lady before she proceed to answered Ban Yeoryeong's question.
"It's nothing.."
Ham Dan-i's response was quite late. That made Ban Yeoryeong looked at her with obvious concern.
"Are you okay, Dan-ah?"
"W-what?"
"I'm okay!" Ham Dan-i couldn't stand seeing the worried look on Ban Yeoryeong's face. Thus, making her replied to her while weirdly stuttering at the beginning of her words.
"Really...?" Her attempt to ease Ban Yeoryeong's worry was clearly unsuccesful as the female lead's face now looking even more distressed than before.
'Ugh'
Foul! That expression is no good. Stop it dear female lead number one! Ham Dan-i held back her inner monologue from blurting out. Thus, making a weird face as a result.
"Uh..Dan-ah?"
'Crap' Ham Dan-i immediately fixed her expression. Then, her next action seemed to surprise Ban Yeoryeong, whose hand being held by her in a blink as Ham Dan-i spoke at the same time in a lively manner.
"I'm fine! Let's go!"
Ham Dan-i smiled before pulling Ban Yeoryeong along with her. Her hurried pace soon turned slow until the tow become side by side, and steps in tone with one another. Ham Dan-i and Ban Yeoryeong were walking side by side by now.
'She would just drag this on if i don't do this..' Ham Dan-i thought helplessly.
"Dan-ah"
When her name was called, all she could see was Ban Yeoryeong's beaming face that could brightened the entire corridor with it. With those blinding smile, she said, "I'm glad you're okay!"
'Sure..your angelic face does say that..' Ham Dan-i secretly praised Ban Yeoryeong inside her mind while lamenting to herself of how amazing the perk of this novel world was.
They began to walked faster but not in an hurried manner, both her and Ban Yeoryeong know the direction they headed to.
However...
"Ow!"
Both girls were surprised as in the middle of their steps, something was bumping onto Ham Dan-i's shoulder with force.
It was a person.
"Hei-" Ban Yeoryeong instantly turned to the person, no. Two people 3. They were an unfamiliar girls that seemed to belong to the other class. Both of them had already walked past from the two however, the words they muttered was clear enough to be heard by Ban Yeoryeong and Ham Dan-i as they weren't yet too far.
"Pfft, Hyang Dan-i"
"Lol, they sure are similar"
Ham Dan-i and Ban Yeoryeong paused. They stood in place as they watched the two unfamiliar girls walked away into the distance.
"..." Ham Dan-i didn't know what to say. She racked her empty brains as she recalled the scene that just happened.
'What cliche move..'
She was used to faced hostility because of her close relationship with the main character. But this is the first time they're daring to go this far.
'Is it because the boys weren't around...?'
Ham Dan-i would be lying if she said that she wasn't angry and scared but... At this moment, she was feeling more speechless at the situation, so she wore a blank face while keeping her mouth shut.
It was at that moment.
"What?"
A murderous aura were radiating in the air as soon as the voice sounded. It belong to Ban Yeoryeong.
'Ah crap..'
"How dare they!?" Ban Yeoryeong suppressed voice could very well potrayed her anger. Her face filled with rage as their linked hands were clenched pretty hard as a result.
The usually normal air of the corridor instantly turned hot in result of Ban Yeoryeong's anger. And Ham Dan-i could feel many eyes peering at the two, especially Ban Yeoryeong who's looks was as conspicuous as always.
This is bad.. Amidst this situation, Ham Dan-i's only resort was to calm the angry Ban Yeoryeong before she goes out of control. She ignored the slight sting on her hand due to Ban Yeoryeong's tight clinch and said, "Ban Yeoryeong, let's returned to the class first"
The moment she heard Ham Dan-i says that, Ban Yeoryeong turned her gaze to Ham Dan-i. Her face no longer looks as angry as before and was close to tears instead.
"I'm sorry Dan-ah.. It was because of m-"
Ham Dan-i was taken aback as she immediately clamped Ban Yeoryeong's cheek with both of her hands. With a stern face, she retorted Ban Yeoryeong's remarks on blaming herself.
"No. It's not your fault, Ban Yeoryeong"
"Don't blame yourself when you did nothing wrong!" As soon as those words leave Ham Dan-i's mouth, she saw Ban Yeoryeong hesitate and seemingly ready to refute her statements.
"But.."
"No buts!"
Before she could finished her words, Ham Dan-i cut her off again. This time she sighed before withdrawing her hands from Ban Yeoryeong's soft cheek. Ham Dan-i then crossed her hands in front of her chest, as if to show her displeasure at the situation.
In a scolding tone, she continued. "Ban Yeoryeong, are you saying that you're sorry for being friends with me? Are u unwilling to be my friend anymore??"
Ban Yeoryeong immediately made a surprised face. She looks horrified and even looks to be on the edge of tears by now.
"Of course not!"
"Dan-ah, please don't say that!"
With Ban Yeoryeong's plea like shout, Ham Dan-i jolted as she now seemed to remember where the two of them was positioned. Oh no.. I was too immersed by the situation i totally forgot that this is indeed the corridor... Forcing herself to calm down, Ham Dan-i looked at Ban Yeoryeong's gloomy face and sighed.
"Let's returned to the class first, ok?"
Ham Dan-i whispered soothingly, coaxing the distressed female lead as she hold her hand gently.
After seeing Ham dan-i's smile, Ban Yeoryeong nodded. And the two went to leave the now crowded corridor. Ham Dan-i boldy ignoring all the looks and whispers all around them while sighing inwardly. The role of female lead's friend sure is hard...
***
Class 1-4.
Ham Dan-i and Ban Yeoryeong finally arrived at class 1-4.
With lots of drama on the way... Ham Dan-i thought exasperatedly. She started having a flashback from the corridor confrontation and then after have to continuously calming the dispirited Ban Yeoryeong on the way.
'I'm glad she didn't dwell on it too much...' Just when this thought came, Ham Dan-i mentally shook her head not long after.
Maybe not.. Looking at Ban Yeoryeong who continued to massage her shoulder repeatedly, the thing sure hasn't been resolved yet.
As soon as the two came in, Ham Dan-i could see the almost full classroom. And yet, the peaceful air still linger. Of course it's because of her... Cale Henituse's sleeping figure and the boys surrounding him came into view, and Dan-i couldn't help but sighed while secretly admiring those view.
'The female lead number two's charm sure is way bigger than Ban Yeoryeong..'
Ban Yeoryeong also seems to takes notice on them and began to hesitated about something. However, she then seemed to eventually gave up a few seconds later.
'What is it..'
While wondering inside, Ham Dan-i and Ban Yeoryeong continue to head to their seat and slowly sat down in their own respective seat. (Ham dan-i changed her seat beside Yeoryeong/A result of Ban Yeoryeong's request ofc...)
"Dan-i..."
Ban Yeoryeong called out to her in a low voice
It was apparent that her dispirited mood hasn't been lifted off yet.
Seeing that, Ham Dan-i could only smiled helplessly.
'She just won't drop this would she..'
Ham Dan-i slowly extending her hand, and with a gentle movement, she clasped Ban Yeoryeong's smooth hand on both of her own's.
"It's fine, Ban Yeoryeong" Putting on a bright smile, she then added, "Let's talk later after school, okay?"
"O-okay"
As if on awestruck, Ban Yeoryeong stammered. She wore a complicated expression and then casted her gaze on the table, she appeared to be in thought of something.
Ham Dan-i stared at the silent Ban Yeoryeong then shook her head in an unnoticeable manner.
"Let's begin the 6th period"
Without realizing it, the teacher had came in, and he announced the start of the class.
The student who either scattered or gathered in a groups immediately return to their respective seat. And a certain person was also being woken up from his beautiful sleep at this moment.
When the class formation already back in order, Ham dan-i slowly retracted her hand from Ban Yeoryeong's and started to look ahead to pay attention to the teacher.
Ban Yeoryeong stilled for a second and glanced at Dan-i. For a moment, her face looks sad again before looking away and casting her gaze forward.
The class fell silent and their teacher's voice was the only one left sounding in the entire classroom.
***
RIIINGGGGGGGG.
The familiar sound that mostly bring a sense of joy resonating through the whole school into the ears of all the students presents. With the last school's bell ringing, that indicated the end of today's lesson.
Ham Dan-i was casually packing her things while thinking about several methods on how to make Ban Yeoryeong not sulking anymore. Haaa... what sin do i have to experience this... As she lamented sadly in her mind, a lump of shadows were blanketing her from above.
Somehow expecting it, she looked up and found the view just the exact as the one she had in mind. They're here..
Ban Yeoryeong start smiling as she greet Cale while nodding at the others. She then stated her question calmly, "You guys want to go home right away?"
"We are! But Alberu seemed to have other business with Eunhyung, so maybe me and Cale will just go home together hehe!" The cute and sociable Woo Jooin was the one who answered, his statement feels odd though, somehow..
'Do our presence seems invisible to you?' Was what Choi Han and Eun Jiho thought in unison while secretly condemned Woo Jooin 'politely' in their minds.
Alberu, with his bright smile then said, "My dongsaeng will be going with me". Those words were like a trigger, and the others in an instant reacted 'excessively'. Especially Cale, who wore a look as if he was betrayed by his most trusted person.
"Hyung... It seems my hearing has gotten worse these days, am i right?"
Ignoring Cale who acts like some elder, Alberu just smiled and was about to said his next word until Choi Han cut him in.
"I'm going with Cale-nim"
"Me too!" Woo Jooin also doesn't wanted to lose. And surprisingly, the apathetic Eun Jiho also joins in the game. He coolly said, "I also have some business with Eunhyung"
With that said, Choi Han gave him a side eye before looking away unnoticed. Ham Dan-i who observed them definitely saw it clearly though..
She heard Ban Yeoryeong who laughed at their antics, sometimes including Ham Dan-i in their conversations while Ham Dan-i can just laughed awkwardly.
"Haha..." She understood Ban Yeoryeong's intentions to get the boys closer to her, and Dan-i herself also tried to cooperated smoothly. However, deep inside her heart, she just... feels empty? somehow..
Ham Dan-i tried her best not to let her emotion shows. Amidst the laughter that soon came to an end, they then bad farewell to each other. And Dan-i who stares at them with a smile suddenly froze.
"Goodbye, Dan-i"
Cale was saying goodbye to her... Ham Dan-i had a brief look of surprise on her before she pursed her lips. Then, with a somehow bashful smile, she replied, "Goodbye, Cale"
The others also followed after Cale, bidding farewell while either in a buoyant or in a rather terse manner. Ham Dan-i replied to them awkwardlky, clearly not used to it.
The two girls then watched the four boys walking away from the class.
Ban Yeoryeong looked away and began observing Ham Dan-i's reaction closely. Two seconds later, she starts smiling.
"Let's go, Dan-ah?"
Ham Dan-i jolted herself awake. Facing with Ban Yeoryeong's smile, she succinctly replied with a 'Hum' before they both also leaving the now almost empty classroom.
***
The next day.
"I'm sorry Yeoryeong, we might be late because of me..." Ham Dan-i, with her obvious eyebags that couldn't be hidden, said gloomily.
"Hehe. No it's fine. I bothered you too much last night was i?"
Ban Yeoryeong was staying over at Ham Dan-i's house last night. They did all sort of things girls their age usually do, thus making them stayin up until late at night. And as a consequence to that, Ham Dan-i ended up waking up late this morning. While remembering last night event, Ban Yeoryeong smiled a little.
'We talked things out..' Ban Yeoryeong wasn't as disprited as yesterday. But even so, there's still some guilt lingering deep inside her heart. After all, Dan-i had to experience harassment from the people around them everytime she got close to her, and Ban Yeoryeong always genuinely feeling guilty about it.... This time also...
'No! I promised Dan-i not to think about this anymore!' She slap herself mentally, trying hard to shakes those bad feeling away. She took a glance at Ham Dan-i's sulky face and subconsciously chuckles. "Don't worry, we won't be late, there's still about 10 minutes and 48 seconds left"
'How do you even know.. WAIT─ no, why are you counting it??' Ham Dan-i's mouth turned agape as she couldn't hide her astonishment. Nearly two seconds later, she recovered. Then, shaking her head in understanding, she began to had a thought.
'She's the main character, alright...'
Ham Dan-i looked at Ban Yeoryeong's confused face for a moment before replying, "Then we better hur-"
She paused before she even finished her sentence. Ban Yeoryeong's voice then came next.
"We've arrived"
'Right..' Sighing inwardly, Ham Dan-i was about to open the door before she stopped her action, leaving her hand hanging in the air.
"She's so annoying, that Ham Dan-i"
"Because the boys are clinging onto Ban Yeoryeong─ She probably wants to get something out of it by staying next to her, don't you think so?"
A voice that sounds pretty familiar coming from the class was reaching Ham Dan-i and Ban Yeoryeong who were behind the door outside. Followed by several giggles that came from the other kids, the voice continued.
"Her name is perfect for her too. She looks like Hyang Dan-i"
"Ah, just compare their names. Haha─ 'Hyang Dan-i' "
(A/N: In a famous story about a ruler in korea, Hyang Dan-i is their devoted follower. So this is them saying Ham Dan-i is a follower of Ban Yeoryeong-)
"Look at her standing next to Ban Yeoryeong. She looks like her maid!"
"Lololol It's perfect!"
"But is she even loyal lol? I heard she was secretly sneaking out an attack behind her back you know.."
"Haha. A traitor should've got discarded!"
"True. Looking at her face makes me sick─"
Words after words of ridicule were thrown one after another. Sounding as if they were having fun. As if they hadn't said something awful─
Unable to bear it anymore, Ban Yeoryeong slammed the door with so much force until it produce a sound that could even waken up an entire city from their sleep.
CRACK.
Everyone, be it their classmates and even Ham Dan-i herself were filled with so much astonishment after seeing that action. T-the door... Ham Dan-i was momentarily flabbergasted that she couldn't even utter any words. She almost forgot her earlier anger if not for Ban Yeoryeong's murderous aura that was emanating in the air.
Heaving a deep sigh while ignoring all their classmates' dumbfounded reactions, Ham Dan-i stares ahead. Looking at the culprit behind all of this.
'It's you'
'Baek Yeomin' Her face turned solemn as she watched Baek Yeomin who had a ridicule smirk on her face now look dumbfounded while being surrounded by her friends.
Then, as if sensing Ham Dan-i's stare, Baek Yeomin suddenly sneered.
"What? Did i say something wrong?"
At Baek Yeomin's clear provocation, Ban Yeoryeong immediately exploded.
"YOU!"
Her face was filled with rage and was ready to pounce at Baek Yeomin at any moment until-
"Stop!!"
Ban Yeoryeong paused. She looked to the side at Dan-i who stopped her abruptly. A bit dazed, she called out, "Dan-i?"
"Don't do anything" Came Ham Dan-i's response, which Ban Yeoryeong couldn't understand. Why? When they said something so cruel?? And no one's stopping them!
'But even now, Dan-ah.. You still─'
Ban Yeoryeong shuts her mouth and do nothing as she was told.
". . ."
The class had a brief moment of silence before several people who's already snapped out of it started to whispering.
"Wow..."
"Are they going to fight?"
"God, do it somewhere else"
Amidst the tense atmosphere, Ham Dan-i and Baek Yeomin began their staring contest.
". . ."
No one spoke, and the crowd seemed ready to hold back the two from wrangling each other anytime the chance comes. However, what they were expecting wouldn't happen.
Ham Dan-i just gave a silent gaze at Baek Yeomin. She too, wishes to wipe that annoying smirk from her face but, this is not the time for her to stepped in.
Public opinion was the key to held the edge over someone.
Therefore, she needed someone to back her up instead of lashing out by herself and ending up in an actual fight. That would damaged her reputation, and it's exactly what Baek Yeomin would wanted. Someone like her, who could twist the wrong into the truth can definitely twist my words as she pleases..
'I need someone to prove her wrong, and that definitely can't be Ban Yeoryeong..' Ham Dan-i observed the situation. And when she realized that no one wanted to speak up for her, she began to get anxious.
'Is this just hoping for the impossible..'
Ham Dan-i pursed her lips tightly.
Seeing Ham Dan-i who's in a pinch, Baek Yeomin smirked.
"Haha. No answer? Does this mean, you agree with what i said?"
The class immediately cast their gaze at Ham Dan-i. Prying curiously as if this is some interesting show.
Ban Yeoryeong couldn't take it anymore. She gritted her teeth angrily. Her mouth was about to form a rebuttal, and Ham Dan-i also seemed to not wanting to stop her right now.
However..
"Hey"
A low voice sounding from behind them. Ham Dan-i and Ban Yeoryeong know clearly who this voice belong into.
"Stop that"
Ham Dan-i immediately turned around. Her initial shock still apparent on her face. Together with Ban Yeoryeong, they called out:
"Cale!"
Cale Henituse looked at the two of them and nodded. Then, he patted their shoulders lightly as he stepped inside. Of course he's not alone. Alberu, Choi Han, Eun Jiho, Woo Jooin, Kwon Eunhyung, and...Yoo Chunyoung were also present.
The class gasped loudly. All of the famous boys in the class were here. They stared intently, anticipating on what would happen next.
Cale ignored all of them. His focus right now was only on Baek Yeomin.
". . ."
Putting on a stoic face after only blankly staring ahead, Cale finally reacted aftter nearly ten seconds later.
Haha... Cale's laugh broke inside in exasperation. He truly didn't know the problem would get this big.
Yesterday, when he passed by some club room right after accompanying Alberu, Cale and the others 'unintentionaly' heard similar nasty words came from there. And judging by their voices, they're all weren't from our class.
They immediately take an action. Apart from the main culprit, which is suspected to be from class 1-4, they had mostly taken care of everything.
And to be honest, Cale already had an inkling on who it was, therefore he silenced those kids properly to fished out the brain bit by bit but..
'Heh.. should i be grateful that you came out from you own's den?'
Cale sneered. Dealing with kids like this were actually pretty easy. Those action of them that stemmed from jealously would naturally formed a big ego. Looking at Baek Yeomin's character, she won't drop this until someone broke those big ego of hers.
'Alright. Let's take care of this quickly'
Cale kept his gaze on Baek Yeomin. And the person in question looked flustered all over. Cale could feel the nervousness from her, but that doesn't explain her increasingly reddening face.
'What's wrong with her?' Cale nearly couldn't control his expression. He wondered if the tense atmosphere was producing heat for her instead of cold sweat before he shrugged in his mind. Well whatever..
Cale closed his eyes for a moment before he shortly opened them after.
"Baek Yeomin"
"Y-yes?"
Ignoring Baek yeomin who stammered on her words, Cale continued, "Can you take responsibility for your words?"
"Huh..?" Baek Yeomin let out a confused noise. Somehow this isn't what she was expecting at all...
"From what i know, Ban Yeoryeong and Ham Dan-i were childhood friends. That makes them naturally inseparable"
"Now tell me, would hanging out with your best friend considered wrong, Baek Yeomin?"
Cale's words was like a thunder that struck Baek Yeomin ruthlessly. Those words could be said by anyone present, but when it was said by Cale, she know what absolute fate that awaits her.
Cale Henituse begin his second acting.
"And.." He deliberately made a 'sad' face, garnering everyone's attention. That makes anyone present wanted to grab the one who made him show such face by the collar and 'judge' them ferociously.
"Hearing such words being uttered by your 'friend' from the same class.. if it were me, i don't know how should i feel.."
'Well, that's bullshit. I actually won't feel anything-'
Regardless of him feeling the opposite of his mind, Cale smiled bitterly. And the class began murmuring. Those sentence, along with his angelic face that showed 'genuine' worry for his classmate instantly moved the heart of everyone present.
However, Cale wasn't done yet. He looks at Baek Yeomin's pale face and continued, "From the time i know Ham Dan-i, as well for the fact that she was like a family to Ban Yeoryeong. It was very unlikely that she would just betray Yeoryeong like what was said.."
"I don't like gossip so i don't know which one is the truth but.. maybe some people in our class could provide evidence?"
Baek Yeomin's face got increasingly paler by time. And Cale was still keeping his 'sad' face. 'Leisurely' saying his last words that were like the green light for them to move.
"I'm sorry. You and Ham Dan-i used to be close.. So i just-" He paused deliberately, as if deeply regretting the words he was about to utter. He then added the last critical blow with a suppressed voice.
"I'm sorry..."
". . ."
No one spoke at first, but that was only within a seconds before they bombarded Baek Yeomin with their comments and 'judge' her for the second time since that day.
"Baek Yeomin really is the lowest, isn't she?"
"I remember she was the one who spread bad rumors about Ban Yeoryeong!"
"WHAT?? REALLY!?"
"So now that she's done with Ban Yeoryeong, she targeted Ham Dan-i instead?"
"So evil! Messing with someone's friendship like that!"
"Right.. How could someone be that evil!"
"Better be careful"
"Already know that one day she would created big trouble.."
"He made Cale cry.." (A/N: He didn't..)
"The worst! Apologize to Ham Dan-i and Ban Yeoryeong, Baek Yeomin!"
"Apologize, Baek Yeomin!"
They spoke at the same time, condemned Baek Yeomin and demanding apology from her.
Baek Yeomin was sweating profusely. Her face turned into one of absolute fury after hearing all the insults thrown by her classmates at her face. What right do they have to sue me like this!?
She glanced at her friends, only to find them looking away. Not wanting to get involved nor helping her to get out of this situation. YOU GUYS! She cursed at them through her gritted teeth.
She then looked ahead and saw Ham Dan-i. That b*tch that she hates so much! The b*tch that could only sticking herself along with Ban Yeoryeong to handsome boys like that...!
She bite her lower lips. While glaring at Ham Dan-i, Baek Yeomin heard another familiar voice.
"Baek Yeomin"
Turning her gaze to the source, she caught the sight of red hair as striking as the one Cale had. That person was Kwon Eunhyung.
"Apologize, Baek Yeomin"
Even Kwon Eunhyung were demanding her to apologize to those despicable people!
She looked around, and found that not only Eunhyung, but Alberu, Choi Han, Eun Jiho, Woo Jooin, and Yoo Chunyoung were the same. Looking at her last hope, Cale, she was then only met with a cold face devoid of any emotions. Not even a pity were left in those beautiful amber eyes of his.
Her expression collapsed instantly.
She looked down. And, with a slightly shaking voice she said, "I'm sorry"
". . ."
'You're meant to look at the person you're apologizing to' As she had this thought, Ham Dan-i succinctly replied, "It's fine"
Things weren't done yet, as they heard Cale started to speak again.
"And you guys, don't you have something to say to Dan-i?"
He meant Baek Yeomin's friends who also take parts in this.
They flinched at the same time before bowing their head lightly while briskly said, "Sorry.."
Ham Dan-i once again only tersely replied to them.
Cale nodded and took a step back. He headed towards Alberu and the others.
"Hyung, you take care of this"
"Sure, my dear dongsaeng"
Alberu was really a dependable person, was what he thought.
Ham Dan-i glanced at Cale. Pursing her lips slightly, she then said with a bashful smile, "Thank you, Cale.."
"For what?" Cale tilted his head, and 'her' tone even sounds genuinely confused.
Ham dan-i and the others was momentarily left speechless by Cale who's denying his own action. Only Alberu and Choi Han had a different reactions that either chuckles or shaking their head helplessly.
"Ten minutes have passed. Let's talk later" Cale was left unfazed. As if anything that just happened didn't bothered him at all. He glanced at Alberu and Kwon Eunhyung, indicating that they should make their move.
Alberu nodded with a smile, while Kwon Eunhyung was dazed for a moment before he was jolted awake when realizing his task. He smiled gently at Cale and began to acts as the class president.
"Now everyone, the class was about to begin so─"
Looking at those two dependable people, Cale smiled lightly. 'Hyung and our class rep will take care of it'
He shot a glance at Eun Jiho, Woo Jooin, and Yoo Chunyoung. Then at Ban Yeoryeong and Ham Dan-i. Feeling as though he had completed his task, Cale walked calmly to his seat. Completely ignoring them who seemed to be dazed for a reason that Cale didn't want to know about.
The chaotic atmosphere soon turned calm under Alberu and Eunhyung's lead. And the class operated just like how it normally should.
﹒﹒﹒✹﹒﹒﹒
END OF CHAPTER
『 Cut Scene! 』
#1
In the meeting room mainly for class reps gathering. (today it's reserved for class 1-4 alone)
"Oh"
(Eunhyung saw Cale coming in with Alberu, Choi Han, Eun Jiho and Woo Jooin.)
"Hello^^" -Eunhyung
"Hello!" -Woo Jooin
"It's nice to see you" -Choi Han
Meanwhile Eun Jiho just nodded.
"It seems.. Yoo Chunyoung's also here?" -Alberu
Yoo Chunyoung met Alberu's gaze and nodded when suddenly, by chance his eyes met Cale's.
"..."
The two looked at each other's eyes for quite a long time.. Then Yoo Chunyoung nodded at him, and Cale followed his action.
The others who saw this were stilled for a moment. It took Cale by surprise when his hand were grabbed by Alberu and he was dragged to sit down.
"Let's begin now, yes?" -Alberu
"Okay.." -Eunhyung
The others also sat down.
In this period moment of peace, the trio, consisted of Choi Han, Eun Jiho and Woo Jooin stared intently at Yoo Chunyoung.
Yoo Chunyoung: "?"
He suddenly feels the air turning hot for some reason.
Thankfully, the atmosphere wasn't too awkward for them afterwards!~ ( ˶•̀ ᎑ - ˶ )
#2
Eun Jiho: "How do you plan to catch the fish?"
Cale: "Recording device"
(Choi Han doing his job...)
Eun Jiho: "You seem very used to it..?"
Cale, Choi Han, Alberu: "..."
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⊹ END'S NOTE ⊹
Okay... First i wanted to say thank you for all of you who were 'probably' still waiting for the continuation of this story...
I was so busy to prepared with my final exams for two weeks from now, with all the tryouts, practicums and so on...
So for that reason, i apologized for not uploading in almost more than a month.. I will try my best to keep this fic updated alright! :D
Just wish me luck!
Here's a chap~
See you in the next chapter! (๑>•̀๑)
( The original novel belong to their respective owner. Yoo Ryeo Han-nim owned TCF and Yoo Han Ryeo-nim owned Inso's Law!
If you haven't read one of these novels, please read it! It's both such an amazing novel! There's also a manhwa version of them! )
***