Joon-won sighed, shaking his head as he observed the group by the west gate. It was the usual spectacle: a famous student surrounded by an adoring mob. He watched Mo Yang approach the group, his expression fawning, which Joon-won found slightly repulsive.
He didn't let it show. He'd been on both sides of such interactions before. As an orphan seeking roles in city dramas, he had flattered many people. Later, when he became the betrothed of the kingdom's only princess, he had experienced the opposite, receiving endless flattery. While it was gratifying at first, he quickly grew indifferent, trained by the previous king to ignore sycophantic praise.
Scanning his memories, he recognized the focal point of the group: a striking young man with blonde hair, striding confidently while a girl clung to his arm. This was Hyeong Myung, a classmate but leagues above in social hierarchy.
The old Joon-won had occasionally flattered Hyeong Myung, especially at parties Mo Yang dragged him to. He had been a typical follower, lacking his own direction. Hyeong Myung's allure wasn't just his looks; he boasted connections with the Star Batch, or so he claimed. This purported link made many eager to befriend him, hoping to rub shoulders with the Star Batch's elite.
Every Star Batch member was influential or wealthy, making them highly coveted by the regular students. Hyeong Myung's association with them, whether real or exaggerated, had made him an instant star among his peers.
Reflecting on this, Joon-won returned to his meal, biting into his burger. Once satisfied, he paid at the counter with the money Mo Yang left, deciding to stroll around the campus with some time left before class resumed.
The afternoon was reserved for drama practice, but many students preferred to hang out instead. He wandered through the campus, appreciating the vibrant atmosphere as students from various departments moved about. The environment felt lively and invigorating.
His break didn't last long. Back in the classroom, he found the group he'd seen earlier clustered together, filling the room with chatter. Ignoring them, he navigated around to his seat. He noticed Mo Yang still hovering near the group, trying to integrate himself, and sighed.
Settling in, he observed Hyeong Myung at the center, sporting a smile that looked utterly fake. Joon-won's gaze shifted to the girl glued to Hyeong Myung. Her thick makeup failed to enhance her appearance, instead making her look garish. She laughed loudly at everything Hyeong Myung said, draping herself over him, her hands roaming.
Joon-won wasn't interested in her for any superficial reason; he recognized her from his memories. This was Roh Ji, the director of their class play and the one responsible for assigning roles. She had altered the original script, turning it into a mess to highlight a few favored roles over others.
Yesterday, Joon-won had considered discussing changes to the script with either the director or writer. Seeing Roh Ji now, he abandoned the idea. Her name meant wisdom and intelligence, but she seemed the complete opposite.
"Roh Ji," he mused. "Her parents must have been optimistic. She's anything but wise."
He resigned himself to enduring the poor script. "Why does my return to acting after so long have to be in such a mediocre play?" he lamented internally.
Lost in thought, he was jolted by a sharp pain in his back, instantly knowing who was responsible without turning around.