The classroom basked in the gentle morning light that streamed through its expansive windows, casting a radiant glow over the bustling space. Inside, desks and chairs were arranged in a disorganized circle, encompassing a group of tightly-knit friends engrossed in lively conversation. Amidst this animated cluster sat a boy known as Ace-Lackey, his back firmly against the wall, using his desk and chair as a feeble barricade against the looming presence of four bullies, who seemed to embody the spirit of delinquency. Their imposing forms cast sinister shadows across the floor, their demands for completed homework cutting through the vibrant chatter of their peers.
"It's already the second semester," remarked one of the bullies, their conversation carrying an air of pressure as they targeted Ace-Lackey.
"We'll have to put in extra effort if we want to graduate this year," another added.
"Yeah, but why should we even be worrying about that? We should be out having a good time," chimed in a third.
"My grades are abysmal; I'll probably end up failing this year," lamented a fourth.
"Hehe, well, at least I won't fail. Maybe you should consider getting some tutoring," taunted another, to which the reply was a dismissive, "Yeah, right, like you can even afford that."
"Oh yeah, I forgot," the bully responded, a hint of sarcasm in their voice.
As the four bullies continued their conversation, Ace Lackey, their targeted victim, remained silent, his gaze fixated on the ceiling with a distant, weary expression. His bloodshot eyes bore the marks of countless sleepless nights spent grappling with academic challenges. Despite his relentless efforts to keep up with schoolwork and assignments, his academic performance consistently fell short, with his grades steadily declining over the years. He had never been the brightest student in the class, often becoming the target of his peers' bullying. Nevertheless, he managed to maintain an average grade of C. Yet, this wasn't due to any inherent lack of intellect or intelligence.
"Looks like we lucked out with a free tutoring session today," one of the bullies remarked.
"Seriously? You're one lucky bastard!" another exclaimed.
"Hah! Don't let it get to your head too much," retorted the third, a hint of mockery lacing their words.
The quartet of bullies cackled amongst themselves, their laughter resembling that of mischievous imps, before redirecting their attention back to their chosen target.
Amidst their banter, intermittent voices akin to those of young girls could be heard. Approaching the clustered boys was a young woman with sleek black hair concealing a portion of her face. Though she appeared no more than twenty years old, certain subtle cues hinted at a maturity beyond her years. Her attire was modest and unassuming, and her features were devoid of any embellishments.
"I was hoping to reach out to Ace-Lackey for some help with my English assignment," she stated, her voice calm but determined.
"Ace-Lackey is offline," one of the bullies responded bluntly.
With a sigh and a roll of her eyes, she lamented, "That means he's no longer available."
One of the delinquents couldn't help but snicker. "You can be quite childish at times, can't you?"
"Don't call me that," she retorted, her tone laced with a hint of annoyance.
A swirl of dust traced the footsteps in the classroom, led by none other than the formidable Mrs. Hotta, the teacher.
"Quiet! Return to your seats, students!" she bellowed.
"We have a new student joining us," she announced.
With her words, every head swiveled to catch a glimpse of the solitary figure nestled in the corner. The classroom hummed with whispers as curious eyes followed the newcomer's hesitant breaths.
In walked a radiant figure, gliding towards the heart of the classroom.
"Hello, everyone. It's a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Liu Yemui."
In an unexpected twist, the entire class was taken aback by his breathtaking beauty and alluring demeanor. A collective gasp swept through the room as most of them couldn't help but liken him to a charming idol singer, mesmerized by his delicate yet captivating features, his hair elegantly tied in a ponytail, and his warm brown eyes.
Amidst the whispers of admiration that filled the room, phrases like "He's drop-dead gorgeous!" floated between the students. Initially perceived to be around 5'10", he surprised everyone with his towering 6'3" frame.
The girls couldn't help but be captivated by his adorable yet handsome presence, reminiscent of an idol, akin to an idol singer, while the boys couldn't shake the feeling that he was a heartthrob.
Then, a drowsy boy stirred from his peaceful slumber, also exhibiting a keen interest in Liu Yemui, a curiosity not lost on the others.
As Liu Yemui made his way to his seat, he couldn't help but sense the weight of numerous gazes fixed upon him. A feeling of unease settled over him, yet he endeavoured to brush off the attention.
It was then that Taek Kim, his seatmate, broke the silence, "Is something bothering you? Don't pay too much attention to the stares."
"Huh?" replied Liu Yemui, caught off guard.
Taek Kim persisted, "Well, it seems like you're not quite accustomed to this environment. Are you sure you're all right?"
Yemui shook his head. "No, really, I'm fine. Why do you ask?"
"It's always good to share if something's bothering you, you know," Kim advised.
Yemui gave a small sigh. "Ah, sorry. It's nothing, really."
Kim nodded understandingly. "All right, then. If you ever feel like talking, just let me know."
Before Yemui could respond, a girl approached him, calling out, "Hi, Liu Yemui! I'm Eliza. What are your hobbies?"
Eliza's beaming smile hinted at her cheerful and vivacious demeanor, although her true intentions revolved around getting closer to Liu Yemui.
"Uhmm... Well, uhm..."
"Oh, Handsome things."
"Uhh..."
Then as Eliza continued to flirt with him, Teak yelled in frustration, "You b****, can you go somewhere else, with your filter body, it's f**king annoying."
Eliza replied, trying to keep her composure, "Oh, scary Taek Kim, please stop yelling. Everyone will hear us."
"Go away."
"Ooh, now you've done it, I'm gonna kick your a**!"
Teak screamed, "Go ahead, just try it and see how far I punch you in the stomach.
The institution bore the name "Tough," a title that seemed to imply resilience and strength. However, this perception was quite misleading. In reality, this school was a hotbed of bullying, a place where such behaviour had become disturbingly commonplace. Standing up against bullies was perilous; it often led to dire consequences, sometimes even life-threatening.
This high school was known as 'Campus K High School,' a place with a previous life as a college before the government's decision to repurpose it into a high school. Its former name, 'Campushigh,' lingered in the memories of those who had once attended.
Today, the campus was eerily empty, devoid of students, with only a handful of teachers remaining. The reason for the student exodus was the rampant bullying that had plagued the institution, rendering it an unsafe and unwelcoming place for them.
As the school bell resounded through the corridors, students flocked towards the cafeteria, a buzz of anticipation filling the air. Amidst the excited chatter, discussions centered on the arrival of the new transfer student, Liu Yemui. Carrying his tray, Liu Yemui made his way to a table occupied by Teak Kim, only to find it already crowded with girls vying for his attention, some even attempting to flirt with him.
A magnetic aura seemed to surround Liu Yemui, drawing everyone towards him. Despite the attention, Liu Yemui chose to step away from the table, intending to find a quieter spot. His departure, however, was swiftly obstructed by a trio known as 'Snake Eyes,' identifiable by the snake tattoos etched on their faces. These three, Hoonki, Haojun, and Jungho, were infamous members of a local gang, exuding an intimidating combination of muscular physiques and slender frame.
Their monikers reflected their notoriety:
Hoonki, known for his perplexing behaviour; Haojun, often referred to as 'Stupid'; and Jungho, who carried the label 'Bullshit.'