‘What the, why is he here at this hour?’

I hurriedly turned my head to look at Seol Yu Hwa. She was lost in her own thoughts and didn’t even glance at Sung Ji Chan.

The emergency bell rang in my head.

‘Is it okay for them to meet now?’

Confused for a moment, I abruptly stood up from my seat. I slightly covered Seol Yu Hwa with my body and spoke to Sung Ji Chan.

“What are you doing here?”

At that, Sung Ji Chan shrugged his shoulders.

“It’s not like it’s my first or second day being here.”

He’s bragging.

Unable to hold back, I made a pathetic expression and Sung Ji Chan shouted as if provoked.

“Ah, what! Why!”

Indeed, it’s too much to expect the leader of delinquents to diligently attend classes…. Thinking about it that way, it wasn’t so hard to understand. I shrugged my shoulders.

Interpreting my action however he wanted, Sung Ji Chan raised his voice even more.

“I came here because I was injured too, you know?”

Then he lifted his arm. Indeed, there were band-aids stuck here and there.

“Did you fight?”

“Yep.”

Sung Ji Chan grinned.

“Badges of glory.”

Badges my foot. I narrowed my eyes and looked at Sung Ji Chan.

“Who did you fight with?”

“The guys from Haeseong High School.”

Of course. They must have clashed over some nonsense again. I shook my head from side to side.

At that, Sung Ji Chan spoke as if feeling wronged.

“Hey, this is partly your fault too, you know?”

“Why me?”

“You went to Haeseong High with Seon Woo Jin last time, didn’t you.”

I flinched.

Seeing my face, Sung Ji Chan became triumphant and said:

“Those bastards have been acting as if they’re on drugs ever since. What the hell did you do there?”

I had nothing to say as I was guilty. Sung Ji Chan clicked his tongue.

“Chun-ja, I suffer a lot because of you. I suffer a lot.”

This guy called me Chun-ja again…… No. This isn’t it.

Hmm. So it’s my fault in the end. Suddenly I feel sorry.

But since it’s Sung Ji Chan, I decided not to feel sorry. Considering the stress this crazy guy gives me, Sung Ji Chan deserves to suffer a bit more. I casually said:

“The protagonist always faces trials.”

“Am I the protagonist?”

“Yeah.”

Somehow I ended up revealing the truth of this world to the male lead. Though the person hearing it doesn’t seem to care much.

“Yu Bin! The first-aid kit!”

While I was chatting with Sung Ji Chan, Lee Yeon Ho had already returned with the first-aid kit at some point.

Lee Yeon Ho sat in front of Seol Yu Hwa with a silly smile. Seeing that innocent face reminded me anew of the fact that he was Ban Ha Min’s cousin. Seol Yu Hwa looked at Lee Yeon Ho expressionlessly.

…… She’s not even trying to manage her expression.

At that moment, as if discovering something, Sung Ji Chan’s eyes slightly widened.

“Huh?”

Oh no. Right.

Come to think of it, I was deliberately covering Seol Yu Hwa. It seemed Sung Ji Chan noticed her because of Lee Yeon Ho.

I hurriedly turned my head towards Sung Ji Chan.

Sung Ji Chan was already staring intently at Seol Yu Hwa’s face.

‘What is he thinking?’

I observed carefully but unfortunately, I couldn’t read Sung Ji Chan’s expression. The historic moment of the first encounter between the female lead and male lead. I anxiously awaited Sung Ji Chan’s next reaction.

‘…… But is it okay for them to meet now?’

In the original work, Sung Ji Chan and Seol Yu Hwa’s first encounter was in the hallway. When Seol Yu Hwa was being bullied at that.

Seeing Seol Yu Hwa not yielding to the bullying and instead fighting back, Sung Ji Chan became interested in her, and that later developed into love.

But now…… Hmm……. I glanced at Seol Yu Hwa, moving only my pupils.

…… Well, she just got beaten up and came back for now.

To be honest, I’m not sure if Sung Ji Chan will take an interest in the current Seol Yu Hwa.

It can’t be that their first meeting being different will lead to them not falling in love later like the butterfly effect, right? Suddenly I got a bit scared.

‘Well…… Since they’re the protagonists, it should be fine? He’s the male lead, there’s no way he won’t recognize the female lead.’

I believe in you, Sung Ji Chan. I cheered on this crazy guy, the male lead, in my heart.

While I was thinking that, Sung Ji Chan finally opened his mouth.

“Ah, whatever.”

Then he scratched his head.

“Looks like you’ve been doing well.”

…… I don’t know what part of Seol Yu Hwa he looked at to come to that conclusion.

I knew it, but he really is indifferent.

Anyway, that was all of Sung Ji Chan’s reaction.

‘I got nervous for nothing.’

It was half disappointing and half relieving.

But there was still more to check. I glanced around and gestured for Sung Ji Chan to come closer. Seeing Sung Ji Chan leaning towards me, I whispered quietly into his ear after making sure.

“Don’t you think she seems a bit different?”

“Huh?”

At my words, Sung Ji Chan blinked.

“Different? What is?”

Everything from head to toe.

But of course, I couldn’t say that openly, so I decided to give him a suitable hint.

“Just a bit…… Her vibe has changed a bit. She used to be a bit more innocent in the past.”

“Hmm……”

Sung Ji Chan tilted his head slightly.

“Really?”

Judging by his expression, he seemed doubtful. It’s a reaction below expectations.

‘Shouldn’t the male lead recognize it right away?’

Not noticing the female lead’s uniqueness at a glance. Sung Ji Chan, you’re disqualified as a male lead.

Somehow I felt deflated. I let out a sigh.

“Nevermind. Forget it.”

“What the, what’s with you all of a sudden!”

Sung Ji Chan asked me with a dumbfounded expression. Of course, I lightly ignored him.

By the time we were having that small talk, Seol Yu Hwa’s treatment was already finished. Lee Yeon Ho, who lastly put a band-aid on the back of Seol Yu Hwa’s hand, said with an innocent smile:

“All done!”

As expected from someone who has gotten injured a lot from fights, Lee Yeon Ho’s treatment was high-level. Seol Yu Hwa examined the gauze and band-aids stuck on various parts of her body as if finding it unexpected, then bowed her head.

“Thank you.”

“Aw, it’s nothing. For something like this.”

Lee Yeon Ho smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.

“But how did you get hurt?”

Seol Yu Hwa lowered her head and kept her mouth shut tight. I couldn’t tell her exact thoughts, but it seemed like she didn’t want to reveal it to others. Perhaps Lee Yeon Ho noticed that too, as instead of asking further, he patted Seol Yu Hwa’s shoulder.

“Okay. Well…… You don’t have to say it. If you need my help, just tell me.”

He actually seems like a real teacher for once. It newly felt like Lee Yeon Ho was an adult.

Then, as if sensing my admiring gaze, Lee Yeon Ho suddenly made a smug expression. He really is similar to Ban Ha Min…… They’re definitely related. I take back what I said about him being an adult.

“Then I will get going.”

Seol Yu Hwa stood up from her chair to leave the infirmary.

“Yu, Yu Bin!”

Seol Yu Hwa turned around at my call. I greeted her with an awkward smile.

“Well then, bye. See you next time.”

Seol Yu Hwa stared at me for a moment, then slightly nodded her head.

And so, Seol Yu Hwa left the infirmary.

The familiar members were left in the infirmary again.

“Aren’t you going?”

I was spacing out for a bit, then came to my senses at Sung Ji Chan’s words.

“Ah…… Yeah.”

Since I’m skipping class anyway, I decided to ditch this period altogether. As for attendance…… It’ll work out somehow.

‘In the worst case, I’ll just go to regular admission.’

Life is all about hitting it big with the CSAT anyway. Before or after possession, I guess I’m destined to walk the path of regular admission in the end……

No. This isn’t the time for that.

“Ah, right. But do you know why Yoo Hee Na didn’t come to school today?”

“Huh? Ahh……”

Sung Ji Chan glanced at the calendar and said:

“She’s probably at the hospital.”

“Hospital?”

“Yeah. Around this time, Yoo Hee Na’s health always deteriorates.”

According to Sung Ji Chan’s explanation, Yoo Hee Na has a weak body, so she’s still periodically hospitalized even now. He said she doesn’t have a specific illness though…… I don’t know the details. I could only speculate that it’s just that kind of ‘setting’.

“If you have time, you should visit her at the hospital too. Yoo Hee Na will like that.”

“You’re not going?”

“Of course I am. If I don’t go, who knows what she’ll say.”

Sung Ji Chan snickered. One way or another, there was definitely a sense of bond that exists between people who have spent a long time together, which could be felt from Sung Ji Chan and Yoo Hee Na. Even if it’s not love.

‘Anyway, I really should go visit the hospital.’

Now that Sung Ji Chan and Seol Yu Hwa have met, the original story will begin in earnest, and then it’s only a matter of time before Yoo Hee Na turns evil. I think I need to check her condition before that.

“But is Yoo Hee Na hospitalized for a long time?”

“No? She’ll stay for a few days and be discharged soon.”

…… Hmm. I wonder if she’ll be discharged before I even visit. I should go quickly today. Otherwise, she might say something about me not coming to see her.

I got information from Sung Ji Chan about the hospital Yoo Hee Na was admitted to. It didn’t seem too far, so I could probably go and come back within today.

What should I bring as a gift for the hospital visit……

At that moment, the bell rang, signaling the end of class.

“Ah, I should get going now.”

At my words, Sung Ji Chan asked as if finding it strange.

“To attend class?”

“Of course. You should attend class too.”

“No way. I’m in too much pain right now to be in the mood for class.”

Said Sung Ji Chan, who looked the healthiest out of everyone here. I clicked my tongue.

“Stop getting into fights.”

“I don’t want to either, but the Haeseong High guys won’t leave me alone. Thanks to someone.”

Making me speechless again.

Come to think of it, I haven’t heard about Sung Ji Chan going around attacking first. Hmm. I guess even the leader of delinquents has his own troubles.

“Well, do as you wish. Anyway, see you later.”

I said goodbye and left the infirmary.

‘The Haeseong High guys have gotten worse these days……’

It seems what I did had an effect after all. I should be more cautious with my actions from now on.

‘Let’s find another way to approach Ryu Tae Geon.’

Having finished my thoughts, I opened the classroom door.

Suddenly, everyone’s attention was focused on me.

Huh.

Is it class time now? …… No, it isn’t.

Is it such a big deal for someone to come in during break time?

While I was feeling puzzled by the sudden attention, someone shouted from behind.

“Joo Eun! Where have you been!”

Huh?

I turned around to see Ban Ha Min with his hands on his waist, his cheeks puffed out.

…… Oh boy.

I had completely forgotten.

Feeling dizzy, I held my forehead.