The next morning, Seoul was painted in the soft gold of sunrise. The city buzzed, but inside a sleek, matte-black Rolls-Royce Phantom, things were calm.
Jalen sat in the backseat, one leg crossed over the other, dressed in a perfectly-fitted J High uniform. Even in something so standard, he made it look like luxury. The blazer hugged his frame just right, the collar slightly loosened in effortless defiance of the dress code.
Alphonse sat up front, gloved hands gripping the steering wheel.
"You look… intimidating, sir."
Jalen smirked. "It's just the face."
"That's exactly the problem."
The Rolls pulled into the J High lot.
Silence fell like a bomb.
Phones came out. Gasps echoed. Students in their clusters turned to stare as the car door opened and Jalen Creed stepped out, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve.
"Yo, who's that?"
"No way. That's a Rolls."
"He's gotta be some chaebol heir."
"He looks like he walked out of a drama…"
"His face… that's not fair."
Jalen didn't acknowledge any of it. His eyes calmly scanned the front gates, students parting like the Red Sea as he passed.
Inside, the whispers only grew louder.
"Have you heard? He's in the fashion department."
"No way. Why would a guy like that go there?"
"He's probably some rich brand kid. Look at his skin he glows."
When Jalen walked into his classroom, it was like watching time slow down.
Twenty students turned at once.
Silence.
Then fluttering glances.
He took the empty seat near the window, leaning back casually, one arm draped over the desk.
The girls whispered behind hands, stealing peeks like he'd shatter if they looked too long.
"Is he Korean?"
"No way, he looks half… but fluent…"
"His eyes… he doesn't even wear makeup, right?"
"Is that cologne or just… his scent?"
A brave voice finally spoke.
"Uh, hey! I'm Haeun! Are you, like… new?"
Jalen turned, giving a soft, polite smile. "Yeah. First day."
She froze like a deer in headlights. "I-I see… cool…"
Another girl leaned over from the next row. "Where did you go to school before this?"
He shrugged. "Nowhere around here."
"Are your parents designers? You have that… vibe."
"No," he said with a smile. "My dad owns NewTube."
Gasps.
Even the guys froze.
"You mean that NewTube?!"
"Are you serious?!"
"Wait, so… you're rich and good looking?"
Jalen just leaned on his hand, expression calm but playful. "I guess."
More girls swooned. A few guys scowled.
He wasn't here to make friends.
But he didn't mind the attention either.
Because behind the pretty face and relaxed posture… The Phantom was watching. Calculating.
Every social hierarchy.
Every voice.
Every rival.
J High didn't know it yet, but the game had already started.