The next day, Sungjin walked through the school corridor, flashing a charming smile at every girl he passed.
However, they looked at the chubby guy with disgust, hatred, and anger, but Sungjin didn't notice their contempt because he was so enthusiastic. It had been a long time since he last attended school.
He missed the days of joking around with friends, getting scolded by teachers for being late. Most of all, he missed being the school idol.
From elementary school to high school, Sungjin was the most handsome guy at school. Many girls and female teachers idolized him.
Because of this, he decided to become an idol. Remembering his past success, Sungjin planned to get Youngjae some support from his school friends.
BRUG!
Sungjin stumbled back as someone punched him in the face. "What are you doing—"
Dong-min grabbed Sungjin's uniform collar roughly, lifting him slightly off the ground. "How dare you flirt with my girlfriend! Are you tired of living, huh?!"
Sungjin shoved Dong-min's hand away roughly, surprising everyone watching. "I don't even know your girlfriend! So, you don't accuse me!"
"How dare you defy me, you bastard!" Dong-min punched Sungjin, causing him to fall to the floor and wince in pain.
Everyone laughed loudly.
"Fu*k...!" Sungjin stood up and threw a punch, but Dong-min quickly kicked Sungjin's chubby stomach, knocking him down before beating him mercilessly.
All the students just watched the fight. Some cheered Dong-min on, encouraging him to be more brutal, while others recorded the moment.
Sungjin couldn't move because Dong-min was sitting on his stomach, while his gang members held his hands, preventing him from fighting back.
Bullying at school wasn't taboo anymore.
Blows kept landing on Sungjin's face, causing blood to pour from his lips, nose, and temple.
Sungjin glanced to the side and saw a teacher secretly watching.
Suddenly, the school bell rang, causing all the students to groan in disappointment before heading off to their classes, leaving Sungjin lying helplessly on the floor.
"I never imagined Youngjae's life could be so horrible."
Sungjin couldn't deny that he had bullied a quiet, unattractive student when he was in high school. Now, he never expected to experience it himself.
Sungjin struggled to stand and limped his way to his classroom. When he opened the door, the teacher glared at him.
"You're late again, Youngjae!" the female teacher scolded.
"I'm not late!" Sungjin retorted firmly. He pointed at Dong-min, who was sitting in the back. "Dong-min, that delinquent, beat me up in the corridor! You saw it too, so you should punish him!"
The atmosphere turned tense. All the students glanced nervously at Dong-min to see his reaction. Dong-min was the son of the school's biggest donor and the leader of a gang of delinquents.
He and his friends often extorted and forced weaker students to do their bidding and take their money. Many chose to transfer schools or even commit suicide.
Sungjin smirked mockingly at Dong-min. That bastard was sure to get suspended or expelled.
"Nonsense! Don't accuse someone without proof!" Seo Yoon snapped.
Sungjin's eyes widened, then he responded angrily, "I saw you there when Dong-min was hitting me!"
"Shut up, idiot! Now, come with me! I want to talk to you!" Seo Yoon stormed out ahead of Sungjin.
"Shit! Because of Dong-min, I'm going to get punished!"
Sungjin had come to school to practice. Because Youngjae was poor, he had to borrow the school's musical instruments to practice for the upcoming audition! If he failed, he swore he'd never forgive Dong-min!
"Why are you just standing there?! Hurry up and follow me, you brat!" Seo Yoon roughly grabbed Sungjin's ear and dragged him to her office.
"Let me go. It hurts!" Sungjin whined in frustration, but Seo Yoon ignored him. She only let go once they were inside her office.
"You fool! How much longer is your mother going to take to pay off your tuition, huh?! This school needs money too! It's not free!"
Sungjin was shocked. "What do you mean?"
"Don't pretend to have amnesia! You've been behind on your tuition for three months!"
"Three months?!" Sungjin was stunned. Didn't his mother go into debt just to send Youngjae to school? How could he be three months behind?
Sungjin growled in anger. "Did Youngjae spend the tuition money on buying my albums? What a waste," he muttered.
"Answer me!"
Sungjin stayed silent, confused. He did have some money from selling albums, but he needed to use it to pay off Yoon Ah's debts after school so they wouldn't get killed.
But if he got expelled, he wouldn't be able to borrow the school's instruments to practice singing. Then, he'd lose the chance to make Youngjae a great musician.
"Are you deaf, Youngjae?!"
"Can you give me three more days?" Sungjin gave her his best smile. "I'll pay it off once I win the singing audition."
"Singing audition?" Seo Yoon laughed loudly. "Are you crazy? You're not fit to be a singer with that ugly face of yours!"
Sungjin's fists clenched tightly without him realizing it. He almost slapped the annoying old woman's wrinkled face.
Sungjin felt sorry for Youngjae. Had he been bullied like this for years? Now Sungjin understood why Youngjae hated going to school so much, and why Yoon Ah always scolded him.
"But I have an amazing talent," Sungjin replied firmly. "I'm sure I'll win."
"Nowadays, people only idolize those who are handsome and beautiful, not talented! Even if you're good at singing, no one will support you because you're ugly. You should know your place!"
*BUM!*
Seo Yoon screamed hysterically and jumped back when Sungjin slammed the table harshly. The sound echoed through the room.
The old woman was shocked because Youngjae dared to yell at her for the first time. She stood frozen, staring at the change in her student's demeanor.
Usually, Youngjae would tremble in fear and cry whenever she scolded him.
Why had he suddenly become brave and no longer afraid of her?
"How dare you—" Seo Yoon's words were cut off when Sungjin threw a wad of money in her face.
"Is that enough, huh?!" Sungjin smirked in satisfaction as Seo Yoon looked stunned.
"Where did you—" The short-haired woman instinctively backed away as Sungjin approached her, glaring sharply. She suddenly felt breathless as Sungjin's deadly aura emanated from him.
"Because I'm not the Youngjae you know! If you keep bullying me, you'll face the consequences because I won't stay quiet," Sungjin threatened before walking out.
Sungjin sighed heavily outside the door. He approached the nearby window and stared at his reflection. He admitted that his new face was ugly, very different from his old self.
Because of this cursed face, he found it hard to gain support.
"Youngjae's life is worse than mine. Even though I had no parents, everyone loved me because of my good looks."
Suddenly, several people passed by carrying suitcases, cameras, and musical instruments.
"What's going on?" Sungjin asked curiously, stopping one of the men.
"Shine Entertainment is holding auditions at this school to find new trainees. Registration for students will be held this afternoon," the man explained.
"Shine Entertainment?" Sungjin shouted in delight. That was his agency.
"I'm signing up too!"
The woman with the man looked Sungjin up and down with disdain. "You shouldn't bother, so you don't get disappointed. Shine Entertainment isn't just looking for talented people, but also good-looking ones."
After making that hurtful remark, they walked away, secretly laughing at him.
"Why does everyone always underestimate people just because they're ugly?!" Sungjin shouted angrily, but then he paused. He had no right to complain since he had often done the same to his juniors at the agency before.
"Maybe this is karma for me."
Then, he decided to go to the music room. Even though he was already skilled in music, he needed to practice hard to adapt to his new voice. His and Youngjae's voices were different.
He wanted to train. When he opened the music room door, he was shocked.