It was early morning when a bus pulled up in front of Hanseong International High School. As the doors hissed open, a girl stepped off, her headphones resting snugly over her ears. She moved toward the school gates with an air of quiet confidence, oblivious to the curious gazes of the other students who watched her intently.
As she walked through the corridors, searching for her classroom, a voice called out,
"Excuse me!"
She halted mid-step, thinking someone had addressed her. Pulling off her headphones, she turned around. She was an Indian girl with warm brown skin, medium-length hair, and deep brown eyes. A small nose ring adorned the left side of her nose, adding to her distinct appearance. Her slim frame carried an air of quiet confidence as she faced the person who had called her.
It was Ms. Park, the English teacher. With a kind yet inquisitive look, she asked,
"Are you new here?"
She gave a silent nod in response. Ms. Park offered a brief smile before adding, "Make sure to meet the principal before heading to class," then turned and walked away.
Left alone, the girl sighed, slipping her headphones back over her ears. But even as she resumed her steps, she couldn't ignore the stares. "Why is everyone looking at me like I'm a ghost?" she thought, feeling a mix of unease and frustration.
It wasn't hard to figure out the reason. Though the school welcomed students from various countries, the majority were Korean. And yet, despite the diversity, she was the only Indian—an unfamiliar presence in a sea of familiar faces.
She made her way to the principal's office, knocking lightly before stepping inside.
The principal, Mr. Han Jung-Hoon, looked up from his desk and gestured for her to enter. "You must be Jayshree Oberoi, correct?" he asked.
She gave a small nod.
Mr. Han continued, "Since you're new here, I suggest you catch up on the lessons by taking notes from your classmates."
Jay—she preferred everyone to call her that—nodded again, acknowledging his words before quietly excusing herself.
Meanwhile, outside the school gates, a boy had just arrived. His hands rested casually in his pockets as he strode through the entrance. Every girl who saw him seemed to fall under his spell, their whispers and longing gazes trailing after him. Yet, he paid no attention to any of them, his expression unreadable as he walked past without a second glance.
As Jay stepped out of the principal's office, she made her way toward the staircase, scanning the hallways in search of her classroom. But just as she took a step down, her foot slipped.
Before she could even react, she found herself falling—only to land in the arms of someone.
Startled, she looked up. It was him. The boy from earlier. A tall Korean guy with pale skin, sharp features, and messy bangs that framed his undeniably handsome face. His grip was firm, catching her just in time.
For a brief moment, their eyes locked. Jay could hear the hushed gasps of students nearby, but neither of them spoke.
Then, without warning, he pushed her away.
Jay stumbled slightly, regaining her balance. Her initial shock turned into irritation. "What's wrong with you?" she snapped. "You saved me, and then you pushed me? You bastard!"
He didn't even acknowledge her words. Without a single glance back, he turned to leave.
Just then, Ms. Park's voice rang out. "Hey kid! I need you for something."
The boy paused before heading toward the teacher, completely ignoring Jay's glare.
Jay huffed in annoyance as she watched the boy walk away. Shaking off the encounter, she glanced around and spotted a girl nearby.
Stepping closer, she asked, "Hey, do you know where Grade 3, Class 1 is?"
The girl turned to her with a friendly smile. "Oh, you're in that class too? I am as well! Let me take you there."
Jay felt a small sense of relief. At least someone was helpful.
"I'm Kim Yu-Ri, by the way. What's your name?" the girl asked as they started walking.
"Call me Jay," she replied simply.
Yu-Ri nodded. "Alright, Jay! Let's go."
Together, they made their way toward the classroom.
As they stepped into the classroom, a wave of noise engulfed them—students chatting loudly, laughter echoing, and the occasional playful shouting. It was a typical lively morning at Hanseong International High School.
But the moment Jay walked in, the energy shifted. Conversations slowed, heads turned, and curious eyes fixated on her as if she were some rare spectacle. It was obvious—she wasn't like the others. This class was full of Koreans, and her presence stood out.
Yu-Ri, unfazed by the stares, leaned toward Jay and said, "You can sit wherever you want."
Jay scanned the room, ignoring the whispers. Then, her eyes landed on an empty seat by the window. Without hesitation, she walked over and sat down.
A hushed murmur spread through the room. Some students exchanged surprised glances, while others simply stared.
Jay furrowed her brows. "What's with these people?" she thought. "Haven't they seen a new student before?"
As Jay settled into her seat, a sudden presence loomed over her.
A girl, exuding an air of self-importance, strutted up to her desk, flipping her perfectly styled hair. Behind her stood another girl, clearly her devoted follower.
"Get up," the first girl demanded, crossing her arms.
Jay arched a brow. "Why?"
The girl scoffed, as if the answer was obvious. "Because this is Lee Soo-Ho's seat. Sit somewhere else."
Jay leaned back, unimpressed. "And who is Lee Soo-Ho? A celebrity?" she asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
The girl smirked. "Kind of. And he's my boyfriend too."
Jay rolled her eyes. "Then ask your boyfriend to sit with you. I'm not moving."
A snicker broke the tension—Kim Yu-Ri, standing nearby, barely held back her laughter. "Boyfriend? Min-Young, stop being delusional. He doesn't even look at you."
Kang Min-Young's expression darkened. Her best friend, Nam Soo-Ji, quickly intervened, patting her shoulder. "Forget her. She's just another girl trying to get his attention. You're the only one for him."
Jay chuckled, shaking her head. "One blind person leading another. How fitting."
That was enough to make Min-Young's face flush with anger, but with an indignant huff, she turned away, dragging Soo-Ji with her back to their seats.
As Jay enjoyed the quiet view from the window, a voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Get up."
She turned around, only to find herself face-to-face with the same boy from earlier—the one who had caught her and then pushed her away. Realization dawned.
"Ah, so you're Lee Soo-Ho," she mused, a smirk tugging at her lips. "I don't mind. Sit beside me."
Soo-Ho's expression remained unreadable. "I said, get up."
Jay leaned back in her chair, unfazed. "Not happening. You pushed me earlier. Consider this payback."
Soo-Ho narrowed his eyes. "What?"
Before he could say anything else, Kang Min-Young quickly interjected. "It's okay, Soo-Ho! Come sit beside me," she purred, tossing Nam Soo-Ji's bag off the seat next to her.
Soo-Ho glanced at Min-Young, then at Jay, his expression unreadable. For a moment, the class held its breath, waiting for his decision.
With a sigh, he turned away from Min-Young and slid into the seat beside Jay.
Min-Young's jaw dropped. She had been completely ignored.
Flustered but trying to save face, she awkwardly picked up Soo-Ji's bag and placed it back on the bench, flashing an unconvincing smile at her best friend—who was now death-staring at her in pure betrayal.
As Soo-Ho settled into his seat, he shot Jay a glance and muttered, "Just don't disturb me while I'm studying."
Jay let out a scoff, crossing her arms. "As if I'm dying to disturb you."
She rolled her eyes and turned back toward the window, while Soo-Ho simply sighed and opened his book, acting as if the conversation never happened.