Tomorrow Morning.
At Moonfall, the hallways of the Academy were filled with students wearing their pajamas or casual clothing, each groggily shuffling to the cafeteria for their morning breakfast. The atmosphere was quiet, with a few yawns and casual conversations, as the sun began to creep up over the horizon.
Mujin, both hands in his pockets, now had an annoyed expression, his forehead visibly showing a vein of frustration. His irritation stemmed from the fact that twelve of his classmates—Haneul Yoon, Chiara Ricci, Yan Shi, Kagetsuki Aya, Kang Daewon, Sato Ren, Kaimana Kuro, Hei'an Wu, Huo Hao, Haeun Ara, and Ayumi Tokiko—were all following behind him.
Mujin Daeho(INT):
"How could having one person following me, turn into twelve?!"
"That brat and my so-called 'rival' couldn't just go somewhere else!?"
"And I know exactly why the rest are following me."
Kagetsuki Aya & Kang Daewon ➞
Kaimana Kuro & Sato Ren ➞
Haeun Ara, Ayumi Tokiko & Huo Hao ➞
Yan Shi ➞ Haneul Yoon.
Haneul Yoon & Hei'an Wu ➞ Me.
Chiara Ricci ➞ Haneul Yoon.
Mujin Daeho(INT):
"And it's obvious that Chee-arr'a girl isn't following alongside everyone just so she wouldn't feel lonely like she said."
"It's blatantly clear that she likes Hay-newl. And the fact that the kid doesn't notice it–"
*Sigh*
"The hell am I getting worked up over this oblivious brat?"
He turned his head to glance back at Wu.
Mujin Daeho:
"Oi, why are you following me?"
Wu arched an eyebrow at Mujin, before he let out an exasperated huff and turned his head slightly to the side, taking the time to readjust his glasses on his face.
Hei'an Wu:
"I'm a visual learner."
"I have to be observant on my rival if I want to beat you."
Mujin irritably gritted his teeth, but also looked at him confused.
Mujin Daeho(INT):
"Does this dumba## take me for an idiot?"
"Just say you have no friends, liar."
Meanwhile, Haneul noticed some of the upperclassmen shooting quick glances in the direction of Mujin and Wu, whispering amongst themselves, no doubt gossiping about the duo.
Haneul Yoon(INT):
"Hm, looks like those two are today's topic for gossip."
"Though—"
Mujin walked with an air of nonchalance, while Wu walked with a scowl on his face like usual.
Haneul Yoon(INT):
"It's either they don't notice, or don't care..."
"But I'd expect Wu to immediately start fighting anyone who even breathes badly near him. So they probably don't notice the chatter."
He nervously chuckled to himself while rubbing the back of his neck.
Haneul Yoon(INT):
"Atleast I'm not too oblivious when it comes to people noticing me, huh?"
Ironically, when Haneul thought of that to himself, Chiara, had slipped into place beside him, nervously eying him up before diverting her gaze elsewhere.
Huo Hao:
"ALRIGHT!"
"I'M SO PUMPED UP–"
Ara quickly stuffed a piece of cloth in Hao's mouth to get him to shut up.
Haeun Ara:
"I don't understand how you regain this much energy when you've just woken up three minutes ago."
Kagetsuki Aya & Kang Daewon:
"Well, isn't this is quite the superbulous morning!"
Ayumi Tokiko:
"Uh.. yeah, right..."
Kaimana Kuro:
*Yawn*
"Couldn't they just, like..."
"Bring us the food?"
Sato Ren:
"No, Kuro."
"That would probably be terrible for the people to live their life just like that."
Kaimana Kuro:
"Isn't this a magic academy?"
"Why won't they just 'magic' the food to us...?"
Sato Ren:
"Well maybe the school doesn't want lazy students who sit on their a##es?"
Haneul Yoon(INT):
"I have a feeling that today's going to be a great day!"
Timeskip(Past Breakfast and near mid-day).
In the classroom, Haneul sat between Tokiko and Sato Ren, listening intently to the professor's lecture. A relative calmness permeated the classroom, but suddenly, the urge to go to the bathroom overwhelmed him, and he stood up from his desk to excuse himself.
As Haneul walked through the empty hallways, he unknowingly stumbled upon a trio of upperclassmen huddled around a locker, engaged in a lively conversation. Not wanting to interrupt, he averted his gaze and quietly made his way around them.
??? #1:
"Hey, ain't that the first year?"
??? #2:
"Yeah, he knocked that guy out cold."
"Wouldn't be me though, just being honest."
??? #3:
"Shh, watch this."
Something slid on the ground and brushed against Haneuls foot, looking down, he realized with a start that it was a book that brushed against his foot.
??? #3:
"Hey, d'you mind picking that up for me?"
Haneul Yoon:
"H– huh? Oh."
"Okay...?"
Haneul dropped to one knee and retrieved the book that had tumbled onto the ground. With a small smile, he extended his hand towards the trio to return the textbook.
Haneul Yoon:
"Uhm, here–"
One of them smacked it out of his hands, sending it tumbling back to the floor with a loud thud.
??? #3:
"Good. Now pick it back up again."
Haneul Yoon:
"U– uh–"
??? #3:
"Pick. It. Up."
He hung his head low, kneeling to the ground to grab the book once more. However, as he did so, he could feel the threesome of upperclassmen chuckling to themselves.
He stood back up, arm outstretched to return the book.
??? #3:
*Scoff*
"Enough with the book already."
The third upperclassman snatched it up and casually tossed it aside, leaving it to land with a dull thud on the floor.
??? #3:
"The book isn't even mine anyways. Now tell me, junior."
"Why haven't you tried anything yet?"
Haneul Yoon:
"What?"
??? #3:
"I meant; why haven't you thrown a punch yet? Idiot."
Haneul Yoon:
"..."
"I– I just don't want any trouble, okay...?"
The senior then sauntered around and to the side of Haneul, whose expression was tense, and had his gaze fixed upon him.
??? #3:
"Right..."
"So what if I were to do..."
"This?!—"
The senior student shoved Haneul, sending him into the locker and smashing into the metal frame with a loud clang. With an arrogant smirk plastered across his face, he pinned Haneul against the locker.
Haneul Yoon:
"Ow!"
??? #3:
"And to think a little badass rather turned out to be a pu##y, huh?"
The other two seniors laughed to themselves.
Minho Suhohja:
"The name's Suhohja."
"Ingrain my name into that brain of yours, sissy."
Suhohja gave Haneul a rough shove back into the locker, then walked off with the other two, their chuckling and chattering echoing through the empty halls as they departed.
Frustrated and agitated, Haneul brushed off his shoulders, clenching his fist and biting his lip. Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself and proceeded to the restroom. Upon returning to class, he found that almost a quarter of the period had already passed, and the students were already done with work.
Professor ???:
"Haneul, you've missed a lot of work. Now, you'll have to stay in class during interval and complete what you missed so you don't fall more behind on tomorrow's work."
Haneul Yoon:
"S– sorry Ms."
"I promise I won't do it again..."