Hong Shi-Woo looked at me, his eyes searching for answers. "What do you expect me to do?" he asked a hint of desperation in his voice. "Fight them? And then what?"
I leaned in and said, "Who said anything about fighting with our fists? We just need to beat him at his own game."
Hong Shi-Woo looked at me, curious. "And what game is that?" he asked.
I stood up and motioned for him to follow me. We walked toward Goo Ja-Sung and his gang. I looked Goo Ja-Sung straight in the eye and said, "How about a little competition? A basketball match. The first to score five goals wins."
Goo Ja-Sung smirked, his arrogance evident. "You're on," he said without hesitation. "But what's the bet?"
I held Goo Ja-Sung's gaze and said, "If I win, you'll apologize to Hong Shi-Woo."
Goo Ja-Sung sneered. "Fine. But if I win, I get to punch you ten times."
"Deal," I agreed, my voice steady.
The match began shortly after. I glanced at Hong Shi-Woo, who was still nervous. "Don't be nervous," I encouraged. "Trust yourself."
Goo Ja-Sung and his friend formed one team, while Hong Shi-Woo and I made up the other. I scored the first goal quickly, and in the second round, I passed the ball to Hong Shi-Woo. He hesitated at first but then passed it back to me. As he neared the goal, I passed the ball back to him, giving him the chance to take the shot.
He scored, and I saw him smile for the first time, his confidence growing with each passing moment. We started racking up goals, one after the other, with the crowd cheering for us and jeering at Goo Ja-Sung.
We reached five goals in no time, while Goo Ja-Sung scored none. Embarrassment flashed across his face. I walked up to him and demanded, "Apologize. Now."
With everyone watching, Goo Ja-Sung had no choice but to walk over to Hong Shi-Woo and mutter an apology before leaving with his friends.
Hong Shi-Woo approached me, gratitude shining in his eyes. "Thank you, Vlad," he said.
I smiled at him. "You did this, Hong Shi-Woo. You played well and won. Goo Ja-Sung apologized for his mistake, and he won't bother you again. You should be proud of yourself."
Hong Shi-Ah and her friends joined us, overhearing our conversation. I turned to them and said, "Let's go. The class will start soon." Looking back at Hong Shi-Woo, I added, "Let's meet after school," before heading to class with Hong Shi-Ah and her friends.
I returned to the class, and the lecture soon began. I paid attention throughout the entire class, occasionally glancing over at Hong Shi-Ah and her friends. I noticed Hwang Young-Sun stealing glances at me from time to time, so I smiled back at her, acknowledging her attention.
I looked at Seo Ji-Ho sitting beside me and noticed him stealing glances at Hong Shi-Ah from time to time. With a mischievous smile, I used my Power of Life to animate his bench and ordered it to tip over, making him fall flat on his face.
The next second, a loud boom resonated through the classroom, startling everyone. Seo Ji-Ho's head slammed against the table due to the lack of space between the bench and the table. A small, bloody cut appeared on his forehead, drawing gasps from the surrounding students.
I quickly stood up, my chair scraping against the floor as I assessed the situation. Everyone's eyes were fixed on Seo Ji-Ho, their expressions a mix of shock and concern. Seeing that he was still conscious, I turned to the teacher, "He needs medical attention. I'll take him to the school medic," I said, my voice calm and assured.
The teacher nodded, a look of relief on her face. "Yes, please do. Thank you, Vlad."
I helped Seo Ji-Ho to his feet, his body slightly wobbly from the impact. "Are you okay?" I asked, steadying him with a hand on his shoulder.
He nodded, pressing a hand to his forehead. "Yeah, I think so. Just a bit dizzy."
With my arm around his shoulders for support, I guided him out of the classroom and into the hallway. We walked slowly, his steps gaining steadiness with each passing moment.
Upon reaching the clinic, I explained the situation to the school nurse, who quickly took charge of Seo Ji-Ho's care. "He'll be fine," she assured me, cleaning the wound with gentle efficiency. "Just a minor cut. I'll take care of him from here."
I nodded, grateful for her help. "Thank you. I'll check on him later."
With Seo Ji-Ho in capable hands, I stepped out of the clinic and into the bustling hallway. Students milled about, chatting and laughing as they made their way to their next classes. Deciding to take a moment to clear my thoughts, I began to roam around the school, taking in the sights and sounds of the campus.
Feeling a rumble in my stomach, I decided to head to the cafeteria to grab something to eat. Along with satisfying my hunger, I was also curious to see if there was another beautiful teacher at the school besides Ok Hye-In. The thought of discovering more about the faculty piqued my interest.
As I entered the cafeteria, the aroma of various foods filled my nostrils, making my mouth water. The bustling environment was filled with the chatter of students and the clinking of utensils. I scanned the room, taking in the variety of food options available. Although the hot food stations were closed, I noticed that packaged snacks were still available for purchase.
I approached the vending area and perused the selection. My eyes landed on a pack of chips, and I decided that would do for now. I grabbed the packet, the crinkling sound of the plastic adding to the symphony of cafeteria noises. Opening the bag, I started munching on the crispy, salty snack, the flavors satisfying my immediate hunger.
With the chips in hand, I began to roam around the campus, taking in the sights and sounds of the school environment. The sun was shining brightly, casting a warm glow over the grounds. Students were scattered about, some sitting on benches with their friends, others walking briskly to their next classes. The energy of the campus was palpable, a mix of excitement and the routine of daily school life.
As I walked, I kept an eye out for any beautiful teachers who might catch my attention. I passed by classrooms, peeking through the windows to see if any unfamiliar faces were teaching. The search added an element of intrigue to my stroll, making the simple act of eating chips and exploring the campus feel like a mini-adventure.
After realizing there were no beautiful teachers around, I decided to head back to the classroom. I returned to my desk and settled in to attend the rest of the lecture.