The next day, Eunyeon woke up earlier than usual, the anxiety from last night still lingering in his mind. Although the events of last night had passed, he still felt that something strange was lurking in the shadows of his new school life. With calm steps, he prepared himself to go to school.
Arriving at school, Eunyeon felt a slightly different atmosphere. There was a tension that he couldn't explain, as if there were eyes that kept watching him. In fact, some students seemed to whisper to each other when they saw his pass by, but he chose not to care too much.
In class, Yulhan sat as usual, looking a little more cheerful than usual. Eunyeon didn't know if Yulhan knew about last night's incident, but he felt like telling him, especially since Yulhan had started approaching his more often.
When the break bell rang, Eunyeon decided to look for Yulhan in the cafeteria. he walked with sure steps, but his feelings remained uneasy. Suddenly, as she passed through the hallway near the teachers' room, he heard a noise from behind. Someone ran up to his quickly, and before he knew it, a student appeared in front of him-Minsik, one of the five bullies he took down yesterday.
Minsik stared at Eunyeon with an angry gaze. "You think you can stop us with your power?" Minsik's voice growled. "This isn't over yet, Eunyeon. You'll regret it."
Eunyeon glanced at Minsik with a calm gaze. "Do you really still want to try?" he asked, his voice low but full of power.
However, before Minsik could take a step forward, a voice suddenly rang out from behind. "Minsik! Don't try to interfere with the person who subdued you yesterday!"
The voice came from Minsik's friend, Taegyu, who saw the situation. Minsik turned to Taegyu with a doubtful look, then glanced at Eunyeon once more.
"It's not over yet, Eunyeon," Minsik said in a hateful tone, but he eventually backed away slowly and walked away with Taegyu.
Eunyeon sighed, temporarily relieved. he continued his steps towards the cafeteria, where Yulhan was waiting. Yulhan smiled at him arrival.
"What took you so long, Eune? Is there a problem?" Yulhan asked, a little worried.
Eunyeon smiled casually, trying to calm Yulhan down. "It's nothing. Just a little disturbance, but it's over."
However, even though he spoke calmly, his mind couldn't shake the feeling that the real trouble had just begun. Things were getting complicated, and he felt that some of the people who had followed him the night before might still be there, lurking in the shadows.
That night, after dinner, Eunyeon sat in the living room with his father, Professor Baek. The quiet atmosphere in the house gave Eunyeon the opportunity to speak more openly. he felt it was time to tell him something that had been bothering his since last night-something he couldn't forget.
"Dad, I have something to tell you," Eunyeon said, his voice sounding serious.
Professor Baek looked at his son, put down the book he was reading, and gave him his full attention. "What's wrong, Eune? You seem a little agitated."
Eunyeon took a deep breath before continuing. "Last night... someone followed me home from school. I felt like someone was watching my every move. It made me feel very anxious."
Professor Baek frowned, looking worried. "Who was following you? Did you see that person's face?"
Eunyeon shook his head. "No, I didn't. But I'm sure there was someone walking behind me. I stopped a few times, and each time, I heard steps following me. It's like he deliberately wanted me to know he was there."
Professor Baek was silent for a moment, digesting his son's story. "What did you do after that?"
Eunyeon ran a hand through his hair, trying to recall the events of last night. "I tried to stop at some crowded places, and he didn't chase me. I don't think he really wanted to attack, just... watching. It might have something to do with Minsik or his friends. I don't know for sure."
Professor Baek looked at Eunyeon with concern. "Eune, I don't like you feeling anxious. But remember, you're not alone. If there are people with bad intentions, we will face them together. Don't hesitate to tell me if there's anything else you're worried about."
Eunyeon nodded slowly, feeling a little calmer after speaking. "Thank you, Father. I was just wondering who was following me. But I guess, maybe I should be more careful."
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Yulhan was in a small park near his home. That night, he sat alone on a bench, brooding in solitude. After the events of this afternoon, he felt that something was wrong, even though Eunyeon seemed to be fine. However, there was something inside him that kept bothering him. He felt like something was missing, whether it was a sense of security or the courage to deal with what might happen in the future.
Yulhan glanced around the quiet park. There was no one else to be seen there, only the sound of the night wind whispering softly. He thought of Eunyeon, how she suddenly became the center of attention and changed everything in a short time. Maybe Eunyeon was stronger than he thought, but Yulhan knew, physical strength wasn't everything. In fact, there were deeper things that needed to be understood.
"What's really going on, Eune?" Yulhan muttered to himself, trying to find answers to his doubts.
He felt that there was something bigger than just fights or bullying going on in their school. It was not just about who was stronger, but rather who could survive in a more dangerous game.
The next morning, Eunyeon woke up early, determined to get rid of the anxiety that was still bothering him. With renewed vigor, he decided to go jogging alone in the park near his house. The park was crowded with people doing their morning exercises, but Eunyeon walked calmly, enjoying the fresh morning air.
With his well-built posture, handsome face, and confident stride, Eunyeon immediately caught the attention of the people around him. Several people turned their heads to observe, not only because of his athletic posture, but also because of the charm he possessed. Among the crowd, many couldn't help but stare, especially the women who were mesmerized by his good looks.
In the middle of the crowd, a beautiful girl who was jogging on the opposite lane seemed to stop for a moment, catching Eunyeon's attention. Their eyes met for an instant, and the girl seemed a little surprised, though only for a moment. Eunyeon continued his pace, but the small smile that crossed his face showed that he knew he was being noticed.
The girl, whose name was Kim Seoyun, soon resumed her jogging, but her mind remained on Eunyeon. "Who is he?" she muttered under her breath. Although she looked ordinary, there was something about Eunyeon that caught her attention more than just her looks.
After a few minutes, Eunyeon quickened
His pace, trying to empty his mind and focus on jogging. Despite being newly acquainted with the new situation at school and some of the distractions he faced, he felt that this morning was the perfect time to gather strength and move forward.
On the other hand, Seoyun, feeling curious, quickened her pace as well, not realizing that she had indirectly started following Eunyeon. With a small smile, she thought, It would be interesting if we could meet again, who knows...
However, Eunyeon, with his calmness, did not realize that there was someone secretly following his behind. he just focused on his path, thinking of the more important things he had to face that day.
After finishing his jog, Eunyeon decided to stop at his favorite roadside eatery. It wasn't too crowded, but it was cozy enough to fill his stomach after a workout. he went inside, breathing a sigh of relief after finishing his morning run. As soon as he entered the shop, he could smell the appetizing aroma of the food.
On the other side, Minsik, who worked part-time at the shop, was busy serving food to customers. As soon as he saw Eunyeon enter, his face immediately changed. He frowned, realizing that their problems weren't over yet. Minsik sighed softly, feeling even more annoyed. Eunyeon's presence would definitely create more problems.
Eunyeon sat down at a table in the corner of the shop and ordered some food. Meanwhile, Minsik, with some hesitation, approached the table to serve Eunyeon's order. However, as he approached, Eunyeon immediately greeted him with a casual yet sarcastic tone.
"Ah, Minsik, you work here? So this is your new job after failing at school," Eunyeon said with a small smile painted on his face.
Minsik felt his heart racing as he felt embarrassed and angry. "You're really annoying, Eunyeon," he replied in a depressed voice. "Why did you come here too? You know, we already have a problem."
However, Eunyeon's casual words and cynical tone drew the attention of all the shop customers to them. Some people who were eating turned their heads, looked at them curiously, and some even started whispering. Minsik felt his eyes burning with embarrassment. The entire focus of the shop was now on him, and he was getting annoyed.
Eunyeon remained calm, not caring about the attention they were receiving. "Take it easy, I just want to eat," Eunyeon said casually, glancing around with a mischievous smile. "Why, does anyone dislike it when I come here?"
Minsik could only hold back his anger. He felt cornered and very awkward, especially with all eyes on them. "You're really shameless," Minsik said with a low growl. He tried to calm himself down, but it was hard to stay calm when Eunyeon kept making things uncomfortable.
Suddenly, one of the customers sitting at a table near them said, "Uh, did you guys have a fight? Don't make a scene here."
Minsik just nodded slowly and went back to the back to serve other customers. Meanwhile, Eunyeon sat back and relaxed, still enjoying the atmosphere in the shop, even though he knew that Minsik must be feeling very embarrassed and upset by the situation.
On the other hand, Minsik felt humiliated, but also couldn't do much about it. He knew that dealing with Eunyeon would only bring more trouble. Once he returned to the kitchen, he pounded the table in frustration, trying to calm himself down, but the feelings of annoyance and embarrassment were still heavy.
On the other hand, Yulhan who was at home felt anxious and uncomfortable. The eventful morning, as well as Eunyeon's interaction that kept haunting his mind, made it difficult for him to focus. He sat at his study table, staring at a pile of books and notes, but his thoughts drifted far away.
Ever since the incident at school, Yulhan felt something was off. Although he was impressed by Eunyeon's sudden intelligence and breaking all expectations in class, there was something that made him feel uneasy. That feeling grew stronger as Eunyeon began to approach him more frequently. Yulhan couldn't understand if Eunyeon was really interested in being friends, or if there was something more behind the attention.
Yulhan paused, then reached for his cell phone. He stared at the blank phone screen, feeling anxious but not knowing who to call. Suddenly, a message from Eunyeon came in, greeting him casually, as if there was no problem at all. Yulhan read the message several times, unsure whether to reply or not.
"Yulhan, if you need someone to talk to, I'm right here. Don't keep quiet."
Eunyeon, although seemingly relaxed and intelligent, had another side that made Yulhan feel confused. For some reason, he felt there was something deeper than just the fleeting attention Eunyeon gave him. But Yulhan couldn't blame his attitude, because he knew very well that Eunyeon was always there to help when he needed something.
But there was also a dark side to Yulhan, who still harbored worries about what would happen next. Eunyeon has a unique way of making people feel comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time. She knew exactly how to make people feel small, yet still want to be friends with him.
Yulhan put down his phone, feeling a little calmer even though his heart was still full of questions. "I need to stay alert," he muttered to himself. "But I also want to know more about that."
Meanwhile, Eunyeon who had finished eating at the shop and returned to his home, realized that he and Yulhan were in the same position. The two of them, although in different ways, were observing each other, trying to understand each other more deeply, despite the many mysteries that surrounded them.
That night, after finishing all her work, Eunyeon lay on his bed and opened Instagram. he started scrolling through his feed, looking for some entertainment after a long day. As he was scrolling, he saw a recent photo of his idol, a famous underground musician who had just posted a selfie with an edgy style - piercings in his ears and under his lips, plus disheveled hair that added to his charm.
Eunyeon was stunned. Crazy, so cool... I should try this, he thought. he looked at the photo longer than usual, imagining himself in the same style. The desire grew stronger, and without thinking, he got out of bed, changed his clothes, and prepared to go out.
"If I wait, I'll never go," he muttered to himself as he grabbed his jacket. With quick steps, he left the house, heading for one of the piercing places he knew of in the city center.
Arriving at the piercing studio, the atmosphere was relaxed yet full of character. Rock music played softly in the background, while a man who looked like his idol sat at the reception desk. The man glanced at Eunyeon with a small smile. "Where do you want a piercing, bro?" he asked in a friendly tone.
Eunyeon gave a small smile. "Ears and... under the lips."
The man nodded, letting in. "Cool choice. First time, huh?"
Eunyeon nodded casually. "Yeah, but I'm not scared. Let's get on with it."
The process was quick. The pain wasn't much, but the adrenaline rush she felt made it all the more exciting. Once finished, Eunyeon looked in the mirror and smiled with satisfaction at the results. The piercings in his ears brought out his brave side, while the piercings under his lips gave off a wild, alluring vibe. Perfect, he thought.
"You really look good in this style," commented the man in the studio as he cleaned up his tools. "You'll be the center of attention right away."
Eunyeon just chuckled. he paid with cash, then stepped out of the studio feeling confident. That night, the cold air felt more refreshing, and he felt like he was starting a new chapter in his life.
Tomorrow, they will all see the real Baek Eunyeon, he thought with a small smile. His steps were confident, looking forward to the reactions of his schoolmates - and especially Yulhan - when they saw his new transformation.