Taking out the letter, for the third this day he lost his usual bored expression as his eyes were wide seeing the content inside the letter.
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25/3/20XX
Dear Mr. Kim Seo-Joon,
It is with great enthusiasm that, I inform you that your admission has been accepted in [COLD BREEZE] High school Gyeryong, with the recommendation and benevolence of a certain military authority you have been granted a full scholarship for the coming three years of your high school.
Your school year will start from 2nd of March 20XX. The books and other formalities have been paid for in advance by the said individual. you are to be expected on time, any other queries will be answered after your arrival
Once again it is with great pleasure that I congratulate you on your acceptance.
Regards,
Lee Ho-Seok.
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FLASHBACK ENDS..
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Replaying the memory for the hundredth time in my head I was still trying to find some clue or hint, Some mistake that I had missed which could give me a proper understanding about my current situation, as far as I remembered there was no one I knew let alone a military individual that will show such an act of kindness, and the most suspicious part of this whole plot was the timing right after my graduation when my need for resources was genuinely desperate, and for someone to pull this off they need to be in a high position even in the military. I had many doubts as I was never a fan of being kept in the dark more or less quite the opposite I like to have as much information as possible to understand the mind of my opponent better, after all mystery is one of the few tics I have. 'The bus arrived already..' I started to jog and entered the bus the few things I noticed immediately after boarding the bus was that it was mostly empty some kids with the same uniforms as me were sitting a few elderly and that's it the rest was empty. Taking a corner seat, I sat down facing the open window looking out to notice that the light rain had stopped now but it was still cloudy.
Putting my headphones that were resting on my neck back on my ears. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the moist breeze lightly humming the song, after what felt like 10 mins the bus stopped, opening my eyes I cracked my neck and stood from my seat and went outside. the bus had stopped a few yards away from school from here, I had to walk by foot to reach my destination as I started walking I noticed that many students were walking to school, the reason why I took the bus was because I had directly arrived from subway this morning in Gyeryong, the others who were with be must live far from here i concluded.
Walking to school my mind was occupied by many thoughts as I still was still oblivious to them, but the most important was. Is this invitation an opportunity for me or fate was still not tired of fucking me over. Judging by my current standpoint logically speaking this can help me a lot I just needed to pay rent and cover my food expenses AND!! I can easily save money even for my college tuition, but the thing is I know NOTHING in this accursed world is goddamned free. Its the law of the world everything comes for a price. The problem is can I afford that price that is coming with this sweet offer, putting the thought at the back of my mind. I entered the school gates of my new high school life.
Walking in I noticed that the school is slightly big compared to other high school school considering how it was located in Gyeryong the least populated city of South Korea. I assumed that it will certainly be smaller but to my surprise it exceeded my expectations. looking around I can see a lot of kids getting to know each other, some are introducing their friends to others while many are introducing themselves and trying to socialize. I never saw the advantage in socializing with others except for gathering information and using each other in some way to benefit you, but gathering info can be done in other ways as well, its not that it doesn't have it perks but the cons are just too much for someone like me to handle.
Ignoring others I tried to get by unnoticed while everyone is busy socializing outside on the gates. I have a chance of slipping in the class early. One of the few advantages of getting before everyone is you can pretend to be a sleep, while everyone arrives after you they usually don't bother waking anyone up just to exchange a few words trying to socialize they leave you be. keeping this act up for a week or two are the first steps in becoming the 'PERFECT' Shadow as within these two weeks everyone had formed their groups and social circles, it becomes relatively harder for anyone to accept a random person into their group. and they mostly close up to people who don't usually talk to them, and focus on those who do. The psychology effect works most of the time.
Entering the class I see 2 students already seated in there place while 3 others are by the window talking. Incase a small amount of students are already present in the class the bored expression of mine usually fends of anyone who thinks about approaching me, as it seems to them that I'm not having a good day, they abandon the idea of talking with me, as they presume it will only irritate me further. One more thing is to not make any big movements and lean in as I walk. Making them less interested in me. Sitting on a middle row corner seat which is close to a window. I was honestly satisfied with myself with perfectly executing the ULTIMATE LONER SECRET JUTSU!!, hehh...
looking outside the window I take off my headphones and try to listen to the three classmates of mine in front, The other way of gathering useful info without having to socialize is trying to listen to other when they talk with others, Simply put the art of eavesdropping, By pretending to look in a completely different direction while concentrating on the conversation. A useful trick I picked up a while back. Listening to them for about 5 min rendering out the useful info from the rest, a interesting topic came up.
"Hey you guys do know that our new dean was recommended by a military official" "huhh.. what are you talking about" the other guy also intrigued by the information asked "well you know, my cousin graduated a year ago and he said after the previous dean was caught in a scandal with a teenage student he was arrested and the current replaced him.. Apparently he was recommended by a high ranking military official" "So he bootlicked his way up" "yup apparently.. you know its quite common nowadays you can also become quite a good boot licker." he snickered after saying that and again they started goofing around. after a while the homeroom teacher arrived introduced himself the first class was basically just introduction nothing new.
Just like that the day came to an end, I started packing my stuff as I had to start visiting real-state agency almost immediately and also look around for a part-time job. A lot of stuff to do after all it was my first day here had to settle in quickly. I could somehow manage a few nights in a motel but after that I needed to settle down or I would blow my current finances, with a new objective found I stood up from my seat and started walking towards the door which was suddenly swung opened revealing our home room teacher. He scanned the room as if scanning, after a second or two nodded "everyone settle down I am going to call out a few names. The people mentioned will stay for a while others can go. A student wryly asked " sir is there a..a problem" the teacher listening to the kid smiled and replied "no it's nothing like that, It's just these students are not from around here so the principal would like to chat with them" listening to this many relaxed while I felt a tinge of curiosity, excitement as my heart started to beat faster.
Many thoughts came in mind while the most I was excited about was the person behind all this. and many were answered as the teacher just confirmed that I wasn't the only person getting special treatment. there were people other than me who are also invited and the fact that only few had to stay meant not all were "recommended". The teacher started announcing the names.
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Park Jong-Dae
Kim Ae-Cha
Kim Seo-Joon
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'I fucking knew it' I yelled eternally, so far my guesses were on point. 'Lets see what they want from me' I resolved my self to come out on top of anything they throw at me, as I walked behind the teacher.