Two years ago, Junhyung was worse off than now. His parents left him without any notice, and he was left all alone without a place to stay, or money to use. Back then, the only thing he was good in was boxing. So, he joined the illegal boxing rings nearby to earn money. People placed bets on him. If more bet on him to lose, he’d let the opponent defeat him, for the money. If more bet on him to win, he’d win no matter what.

Once, he was up with a really well built man, and many people placed their bets on the man to win. So, Junhyung didn’t put any effort. He stood there, letting the man hit him, waiting for his body to crash onto the ground, waiting for him to lose, waiting to get the money. After many strong punches, he finally fell. As he did, the muscular man wrestled him onto the ground and crushed Junhyung’s wrist with all his weight.

********

After you’ve been studying in Kimchi High School for a few weeks, you still didn’t talk much to Junhyung. But you got closer with Junhyung’s good friend, Doojoon. He was really quiet at first, but as you got to know him better, he’s actually quite funny and nice. But he doesn’t care one bit about studying, so he just comes to school because he doesn’t want to stay home.

‘Okay, kids! I’ve some good news to tell you today!’ Teukkie cheerful voice said, and he had a huge grin on his face. ‘What is it?’ IU asked. ‘Kekeke, your exams for your scholarships are up soon! Only two students per class can get it, and if you do, you won’t need to pay your school fees for the whole year!’ Teukkie beamed while saying.

‘Ahh, exams?’ ‘So fast?!’ ‘But we didn’t even study much!’ Many students started protesting. ‘Hehehehe, you’ll also be tested on the stuff you’ve studied the last year and the year before, so you guys better check back on your old books! Good luck!’ Teukkie smiled, and left the class to themselves to talk. Class was over.

‘I don’t want exams!’ you pouted. ‘Haha, you should study! Good luck! I’ve to go home early today, be careful on the road home, yeah? Annyeong!’ IU packed her bag and left the class. You sighed. Most students have already left, and only Doojoon, Junhyung, Dongwoon, Hyunseung and Yoseob were in class. Dongwoon and his friends were chatting and laughing about something.

Then, Doojoon walked towards your table. ‘______ ah, want to have lunch together? I’ve a few questions to ask you.’ Junhyung glanced at the both of you. ‘Uhm, sure! Hold on, I’m almost done packing.’ You got quite close with Doojoon lately, so you didn’t mind going out for lunch with him. Before you left class, you ruffled your brother’s hair and said, ‘Dongwoonie ah, I’m going out with Doojoon today, so you can go home yourself first, okay?’

‘Okay.’ Dongwoon pouted a little because you won’t be walking home with him today. You gave him a big hug and headed off with Doojoon, to the café outside the school. When you reached, there weren’t a lot people there. You guys found a seat at the corner of the café and ordered some drinks.

‘Sooo… What did you want to ask me?’ You were really curious. ‘Well, um, did Junhyung talk to you lately?’ ‘Him? We didn’t talk much since the day he shoved me.’ You gave a frustrated expression. ‘Why does he hate me?’ You asked. ‘Well, it’s a long story. I’m not going to tell you, in case he gets angry at me. But to make it short, you look like someone that he used to know.’ Doojoon knew Junhyung since they were kids, so he knew what happened a few years ago.

‘Oh. So he shoved me because he used to know someone that looked like me?’ You said sarcastically. ‘Basically, yeah.’ Doojoon chuckled. ‘So… He doesn’t hate me?’ ‘Nope!’ Your face brightened. You gave Doojoon a light punch on the shoulder. ‘Thanks for telling me that.’ You ruffled his hair and messed it up. He smiled. After you guys finished you drink, he sent you home.

The next day, you were early again, and so was Junhyung. As you walked in the class, you were thinking about the exams, so you accidentally bumped into a table and made a loud noise. The only guy inside, Junhyung, was startled and woke up from his sleep. ‘YAH!’ He shouted, annoyed. He didn’t know it was you.

When he turned around and saw your face, he was shocked. ‘Mianhae!’ The both of you said at the same time. Blushing, you made your way to your seat, which was next to his. ‘Junhyunggie ahh~’ you said. ‘What?’ he replied dully. ‘Can… Can you tutor me for the upcoming exam?’ You’ve heard many people say that he’s really clever. You used the tutoring as an excuse to befriend him, because you felt curious about him, and because you didn’t want to be ignored by him anymore.

‘Of course, but only if you pay me.’ He smiled slightly. ‘Pay? Can I buy you dinner instead?’ You didn’t have much money, so buying him dinner would be much easier. ‘Sure!’ His eyes twinkled at the sound of food. ‘Starting tomorrow, until the day before the exam. 1 dinner for 1 class, okay?’ ‘Deal!’ You smiled cheerfully.

********

‘Babo, babo, babo.’ Junhyung was scolding himself mentally as everyone was having class. ‘Why did I ever accept her request? I know I’m just going to hurt myself by getting closer to this girl that looked so much like… her.’ He groaned. ‘But… I needed the dinner, and, she did seem like quite a nice girl.’

That day after school, Junhyung went back to his dorm, took a bath and ate cup noodles for dinner. At 9pm straight, he reached his workplace, the convenience store. As he sat at the cashier, he started to drift off to sleep. He tried pinching himself and walking around instead of sitting down, but he was just too tired. He hadn’t sleep well for 3 weeks, and he hardly had 2 hours of sleep each day.

The next day in school, both you and Junhyung couldn’t focus. You were nervous about the tutoring session with Junhyung later, and Junhyung was just… sleepy. After class, the both of you waited for everyone to leave before starting. ‘So… What’s your weakest subject?’ Junhyung asked, and stifled a yawn.

You blushed. ‘Everything?’ Junhyung groaned. ‘Okay, lets start with maths.’ He started writing questions on the board. You sunk down in your seat as he finished writing the last question. ‘Try these questions.’ He passed the chalk to you, and sat on the teacher’s chair.

You stood in front of the whiteboard, without a clue what the questions were about. ‘This is going to be tough.’ Junhyung thought. He stood up and started teaching you the formulas. After 3 hours, he finally finished teaching the basics, and he promised to start with the harder questions the next day.

Your tummy was rumbling, so the both of you grabbed your bags, and walked to the restaurant nearby, with you leading the way, and Junhyung following behind. He looked at you, thinking, ‘How I wish she was her.’

*endofchapter.

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[A/N] So... Who is this person that Junhyung used to know? Keke.