Seoul, South Korea – April 4, 2016

LEE JIYEON | AYAKA

      Another week had passed since we arrived here in South Korea and slowly, I’ve been adjusting living here. I’m still getting used with everything but since there is only a small comparison between Japanese citizens and Koreans, I’m coping very well. Our new house on the other hand is quiet big for Keiko-chan and I. The house is colored light green and has a front porch which I surely love. The house is very westernized but I still love it. There are four rooms and I chose the biggest one which is located upstairs since it has a balcony where I can view the stars every night and watch the people pass by our house. My room is just a simple white colored room with a touch of navy blue furniture since it’s my favorite color, my dad specifically picked every furniture in the house and I’m thankful for that because my preference and dad’s are really similar. We like hues of blue and white and we’re on the minimalist side.

      Today is my first day in school even though class had started a month before but it’s okay since I’m a transferee. I’m really excited with my new school but nervous at the same time. I don’t know if this year is going to be well but I just wish that I will make good friends.

      “Fighting Lee Jiyeon,” I told myself and smiled.

      I looked at the mirror and looked at my reflection. I am wearing a khaki skirt, black and blue striped ribbon, white blouse and black coat lined with white linings. I wore my black knee high socks and white sneakers to go with it. After fixing my long curls, I immediately went down and the smell of pancakes wafted my nose, making me remember mom’s warm breakfast.

      “Come, eat breakfast before you go. I made your favorite pancakes.” Keiko-chan smiled.

      I went on the dining table and sat down. I still can’t get used to every morning not seeing my mom or my dad or my brother. But good thing that my sister is here, showering me with all the love that I need and I’m just thankful that she’s here.

      “Joon-oppa will accompany you to school and teach you how to commute. I’ll be going to my work after I do the chores.” Keiko-chan informed me.

      She is works part time in a nursery school which my family owns and she is a nursery teacher there but she’s a full time COO in our company here in Seoul so she’s quite busy with everything.

      “Okay. Then maybe I’ll go home alone to try it.” I told her and she just nodded.

      After some time, Seojoon-oppa arrived and he accompanied me to school and taught me how to commute and I immediately got the gist of it.  It only took us about 20 minutes to arrive at school and when we arrived, Seojoon-oppa bid goodbye while I went inside the school. I stared everywhere and I couldn’t help but to feel nervous. The school is seriously huge and I’m sure that there are many students who are enrolled here, besides, as I have searched, Seoul High School is one of the most prestigious schools here in South Korea. The buildings are mainly made of glass and you can clearly saw how impressive the school is. Everything is colored green because of the beautiful grass surrounding the whole school as well as the beautiful trees planted in every direction. I breathed deeply as soon as I saw the crowd of students going inside the school. I’m seriously shaking inside and many things are coming to my mind. I’m a timid person so I’m just nervous if I will have a friend here in this school.

      “You can do this, Jiyeon,” I told myself.

      I quickly brushed my worries away and searched for the faculty room. After searching, I finally found it. I knocked three times and slowly opened the door and went inside.

      “Hello, you must be Lee Jiyeon.” A woman in her mid-thirties greeted me and I nodded.

      “Yes, hello,” I smiled with formality on my voice.

      “Welcome to Seoul High School Ms. Lee. We’re much pleasured to have you here,” she smiled.

      I smiled back at her and greeted back, “Thank you,” I told her shyly.

      “Well let’s see,” she exclaimed as she look into my records. “Oh, that’s nice. You’re in class 12/1.” She informed me as she gave me a piece of paper where my schedules were printed.

      “Good morning Ms. Yu.” A student greeted from my side.

      I looked at her and she’s really pretty—well I guess everybody here is pretty. She has a beautiful white skin which is like the color of milk, while her cheeks are flushed pink. Her hair is curled and colored dark brown, contrasting to her bright skin tone. Her eyes are hugely beautiful and whenever she smiles, it turns into crescent moons that make her more beautiful.

      “Oh Ms. Moon, you’re here,” the teacher exclaimed as she acknowledges the presence of the student. The teacher turned to me and smiled. “Ms. Moon here will accompany you to your first subject.” She informed and I just nodded.

      “Hi, I’m Moon Gayoung, the PRO of the Student’s Council here in SHS.” She introduced as she offered her hand.

      I smiled, took her hand and shook it, “I’m Ayaka Lee but you can call me Jiyeon since we’re here in Korea,” I smiled and she smiled back at me and nodded.

      “Ms. Moon and Ms. Lee, please proceed to your first class.” The teacher exclaimed and we both nodded.

      The both of us went outside the faculty room and went on our way to our first class which is Korean History. We arrived inside the room and everyone was looking at me. I hate the attention and I just wish that they will not watch me yearlong just like what they’re doing right now.

      “Ms. Lee, you’re already here. Why don’t you introduce yourself?” the teacher smiled.

      I nodded and bowed, “Hello, my name is Lee Jiyeon.  Please take a good care of me.” I smiled and greeted them cheerfully.

      I can hear how the girls scowled and saw how the boys smiled happily.

      “Thank you Ms. Lee. Please take a seat at the back, near the window.” I nodded and went to my seat.

      I’m currently alone here in my seat and then, my mind suddenly went to the girl who I was with a moment ago. I don’t know but I feel like she’s a good person and I want to be her friend. I looked at Gayoung who was sitting far from me and sighed. I guess I will have a pretty long year here in Korea.

      Time has passed, and I was just there, listening hard since I’m really poor when it comes to Korean history. However, the class’ concentration was interrupted when the door banged open and everyone was startled and even the teacher was surprised.

      “Sorry I’m late,” a guy exclaimed.

      I couldn’t see his face clearly since he was looking down and wearing a black cap but somehow, I felt like I know him. He looks so familiar that I kept on remembering where I saw him.

      “Mr. Kim, late comers are not allowed to enter the classrooms. Please proceed to the detention room right now.”  The teacher told the guy.

      “I don’t give a damn,” he cursed.

      What the heck?! Did he just curse in front of the teacher?! How shameless of him. Doesn’t he have any respect for the teacher?

      “I have someone to deal with.” He slowly raised his head and surprise was written all over my face.

      I felt my heart stopped and my breath hitched. I can’t believe that I’ll be seeing him again for, I don’t know, third or fourth time? He still has that sun kissed skin that adds to his manliness. His sharp cut jaw was more prominent, his blazing eyes and luscious lips were the same. His hair is scruffy but still, it suits him. He was wearing his uniform in a bad-boy stylish way and he was wearing a cap inside the room. Everything screams ‘jerk’ but he still looks handsome. However, just like when I first met him, his bad personality still makes him stink and unattractive.

      He faced me and smiled slyly, “I didn’t know that you were following me,” he exclaimed.

      “This jerk,” I mumbled under my breath, gritting my teeth.

      What the hell is he doing here?!

      “We’ve met again, Ayaka,”

KIM JONGIN | KAI

      “Love, have a good day in school!”

      A smile immediately made a way in my face as soon as I’ve read Sooyeon’s message to me. I immediately typed my message to her and sent it saying, “Have a good day too, Soo. See you later.” I grabbed my bag and went straight to school. It has been a week since Sooyeon and I have fought in Japan but when I arrived back here in Seoul, I quickly apologized to her and made up with her. I just can’t stand the thought that she’s mad at me.

      I finally arrived in school, excited to see my Soo again but as I was walking on the corridors, I saw a very familiar face coming out of the faculty room. She’s still as pretty as I last saw her. Her long, brown, curly locks are cascading down her back, her beautiful doe-like eyes are glistening under the sunlight and the way she smiled just screams ‘goddess’… She’s really pretty but—I was cut off when the scene that happened in Japan suddenly flashed back inside my head. Wait, what is she doing here? And she’s wearing our uniform. Is she studying here? I don’t know but I suddenly felt like I wanted to know all the answers to my questions.

      I went to the faculty room to get some of the papers that my mom asked me to get and as I was getting it, I asked Ms. Yu, my adviser about the girl who came out of the faculty room.

      “Ms. Yu, do you know the girl who’s with Gayoung?” I asked as I get the papers from her grasp.

      “Oh, the transferee?” she asked and I nodded, “She’s Lee Jiyeon.” She answered and smiled.

      Lee… Jiyeon? I thought her name’s Ayaka? Maybe it’s her Korean name?

      “What class is she in?” I asked.

      Ms. Yu eyed me and answered, “12/1. Why? Are you interested in her?” she asked.

      I scoffed. Me? Interest in that brat? Hell to the no! I guess destiny is with me because it’s telling me to get back at that brat.

      “I don’t cheat on Sooyeon, Ms. Yu.” It was the only thing that I said and she shook her head and nodded.

      “Yeah, I forgot. You’re still dating Ms. Park. Well anyway, you need to get going now. You’ll be late for your class.” She exclaimed and I just bowed before I left.

      I was about to go to my room when I saw Sooyeon coming out of the girl’s restroom at the 2nd floor. This unknown happiness suddenly blossomed inside my heart as soon as I saw her. I immediately ran and went to her place.

      “Soo-yah!” I called happily.

      “Oh, you’re here?” she greeted with a bright smile in her face.

      Those smiles, it is one of the reasons why I fell in love with her. Her smiles are just exquisite. I’m just grateful to have her in my life and I’m relieved that even though we fight most of the time, we never get tired with each other—I guess that is what love really means.

      “What’s your class right now?” I asked.

      “Mathematics, how about you?” she asked.

      “Wish you luck,” I laughed. “Anyway, see you later at lunch because I miss you already.” I added.

      “Don’t worry,” she smiled, “We’ll see each other later at dismissal too. Anyway, you should get going, love. You’ll be late.” She chuckled.

      She kissed my cheeks, making my heart flutter and making the tiger in my stomach roar a little louder. Yes, there are no butterflies inside my stomach, just tigers and lions. I quickly hid my red-painted face as she went to her room while I did the same with a smile in my face. Well, that was a good thing to start the day. I looked at my wrist watch and I couldn’t help but to shake my head, I’m already late so there’s no point on running. I went to my assigned room and went inside since I’m already late but our history teacher stopped me before I could go in.

      “Mr. Kim, late comers are not allowed to enter the classrooms. Please proceed to the detention room right now.”  The teacher told me.

      Detention room? I smirked, is this teacher trying to make me laugh?

      “I don’t give a damn,” I answered back. I don’t actually care about rules. Especially that my parents are one of the major stockholders here in this, so basically I rock here. “I have someone to deal with.” I exclaimed as I slowly lifted my face.

      I searched for that particular girl and saw her sitting at the back of the class, shock was written all over her face and I just smiled at her cunningly. “I didn’t know that you were following me,” I exclaimed.

      “This jerk,” she mumbled, gritting her teeth.

      “We’ve met again, Ayaka,” I smiled, teasing her.

      “What are you—“ she wasn’t able to finish what she was about to say when Mr. Han cut her off. “Both of you, it’s not time for greetings. Do it later and focus on my subject.”

      She faced Mr. Han and bowed, “Yes sir, I apologize,” she exclaimed.

      Mr. Han then turned to me and raised his brows, “Mr. Kim, why don’t you take your seat beside Ms. Lee and let’s resume the lesson.” He exclaimed and I just nodded and went straight to the seat next to Ayaka.

      I think I’m going to enjoy this school year. I’ll love to annoy this girl beside me. If you guys think that I have forgotten the thing that she did to me at Japan, well you’re wrong. I badly want to get back at her and I guess the heavens are with me. I decided to annoy her by staring at her and I can clearly see how irritated she is right now.

      “Will you stop staring?!” she mumbled through gritted teeth.

      “I don’t in’ like.” I answered back childishly.

      I saw her nose flared and I can clearly see the redness in her ears. I bet she’s very pissed off with me now. Well, I want her to pay for what she had done to me in Japan. She made me look like a complete idiot!

      “Will you just stop?” she whispered, “I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry for everything that I have done in Japan.” She told me.

      Sorry? Is she kidding me?! Sorry is not in my vocabulary so I basically don’t accept such things.

      I smiled cunningly and crossed my arms, “Apology…” I sighed and looked back at her, “Rejected.” I exclaimed.

      “Why, you little—“ she exclaimed, almost bursting into anger but she was cut off by a loud voice from in front, “BOTH OF YOU! LEAVE MY ROOM, NOW!” we were both surprised when the teacher shouted. “Both of you kept on murmuring and I couldn’t concentrate on my lecture! GET OUT, NOW!” he exclaimed.

      I just rolled my eyes and stood up. It’s not like it’s my first time being sent out of the room. For your information, I have spent half of my school year outside the room but I still pass my subjects. I shook my head and was about to leave when I noticed that Ayaka was still sitting and she was covering her face in humiliation. Isn’t she leaving? Or she’s just going to sit there and look like a complete statue?

      “Yah, aren’t you leaving?” I asked her, “Let’s go or he will get ing mad. And I assure you, you won’t like it when that picks on you.” I whispered.

      She immediately gathered her things, stood up and went out quickly. I just sighed and left the room and followed her.

      “Yah! Ayaka!” I shouted and called her.

      “Will you shut up?!” she exclaimed angrily, “I just made a very bad impression for the first day, you dimwit!” she shouted.

      “It wasn’t my fault.” I answered back and shrugged but I was shocked when I felt a blinding pain hit my face and I was surprised that she actually threw me her shoes and it hit my face.

      What the ?!

      “YAH!” I shouted

New Character;

Moon Gayoung
19 years old
12th Grade at Seoul High School
PRO of the Student's Council

Acts 3:19 - Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,