One day, a boy named Jae Hyun woke up late, the alarm clock blaring in the background. His heart raced as he scrambled out of bed, rushing through his morning routine. He didn't have time for breakfast, and his school uniform was still wrinkled. His house, though simple, was peaceful, with barely any noise outside. It was small, but it was home—well, for now.
He lived alone in that modest house, far away from his family, as his sister, Eun Seul, was a successful director who lived in a luxurious apartment downtown. Jae Hyun had been living independently for the past few months after transferring schools. His sister, while busy with her career, supported him financially, paying for the rent of the house and making sure he had everything he needed. She wasn't around often, but she made sure Jae Hyun could focus on his studies.
Jae Hyun had moved from Seoul High School to Gangnam High School, a school known for its intense academic pressure but also its reputation for producing talented students. He was excited, but also nervous. His first day was something he had been anticipating for weeks, but now that he was running late, he couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed.
As he rushed into the school, Jae Hyun was assigned to a lower-tier class. He sighed in disappointment, but it wasn't long before he noticed something unexpected. The class wasn't filled with unfamiliar faces. In fact, three familiar faces sat in the back row—Min Joon, Seok Woo, and Ji Hoon, his childhood friends from his old school.
They hadn't seen each other in years. The three boys were always troublemakers, mischievous and full of energy. It seemed like they hadn't changed much. Min Joon was the most daring of the bunch, Seok Woo had always been the prankster, and Ji Hoon was the quiet observer who would laugh at the chaos the other two would cause.
"Jae Hyun?" Min Joon exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Is that really you?"
Jae Hyun stood frozen for a moment, taken aback. He had forgotten how boisterous Min Joon could be. "Min Joon? Seok Woo? Ji Hoon?" Jae Hyun said, a small smile forming on his face as recognition dawned.
The three friends stared at him in shock before erupting into laughter.
"Wait a second," Seok Woo chuckled, "so the kid who used to be afraid of getting his hands dirty is now at Gangnam High School? This is priceless."
"Guess we'll see if you're still that good at running away from trouble," Ji Hoon teased with a smirk.
Despite the teasing, Jae Hyun could tell that they were genuinely happy to see him. It had been so long since they had last spoken, and their playful banter was just like old times.
During break, they gathered around the school courtyard, catching up on everything that had happened since they last met. The conversation was lighthearted, but it wasn't long before Jae Hyun realized that they were still the same mischievous boys they used to be. However, something had changed too. Their personalities, once full of recklessness, now had a certain charm to them, and they seemed to draw people in.
"You know," Seok Woo said, leaning back on a bench, "everyone's afraid of us. It's crazy. We don't even try, but people just... respect us, I guess."
Jae Hyun laughed. "I can see that. You guys haven't changed at all."
Ji Hoon looked around at the group of students who had gathered to listen to them talk. "People like us because we're real. We don't hide who we are."
As their school life began, Jae Hyun quickly realized that he was no longer the quiet, shy kid he used to be. His friends, despite their troublemaking nature, had a way of making him feel welcome in a new, intimidating environment. Their easygoing personalities, mixed with their infamous reputation, allowed them to make connections quickly, and soon enough, they had a group of classmates who were eager to get close to them.
However, not everything was perfect at Gangnam High. As much as they were respected, they also had enemies. Their school was being terrorized by a rival school, Cheongdam High, a place where the students were known for their cunning and ruthless behavior. The two schools had been rivals for years, and it was no secret that a showdown was inevitable.
One day, as Jae Hyun and his friends sat in the cafeteria, the tension in the air was thick. Word had spread that Cheongdam High was planning something big.
Min Joon leaned in, his expression turning serious. "They're making their move. We all know it's coming."
Seok Woo cracked his knuckles, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips. "Let them come. We'll show them what happens when you mess with us."
Ji Hoon, usually the quiet one, looked up with a rare intensity in his eyes. "We'll have to be smart. It's not just about who's stronger; it's about who can outplay the other."
Jae Hyun listened, his heart pounding. This wasn't the carefree high school life he had imagined. But with his friends by his side, he knew he could face whatever challenges came their way.
As the school year unfolded, the rivalry between the two schools grew fiercer, and Jae Hyun and his friends found themselves at the center of it all. They would need to navigate not only their relationships with their peers but also the escalating tension between Gangnam High and Cheongdam High. It was a battle of wits, strength, and loyalty—and Jae Hyun was ready to face it head-on, alongside his old friends.
Continuing in class, the three of them—Min Joon, Seok Woo, Ji Hoon, and Jae Hyun—began discussing the troubling news that had been circulating around Apgujeong High School. They leaned in, speaking in low tones so that no one could overhear.
"You guys have heard about it, right?" Min Joon asked, his voice serious. "The drugs are everywhere. It's spreading fast through the school."
Seok Woo nodded, looking around cautiously. "Yeah, it's no longer just rumors. We've seen it with our own eyes. They've been dealing right under our noses."
Ji Hoon, who usually kept to himself, spoke up with a rare intensity. "The real question is, who's behind it? It's one thing for drugs to get into the school, but someone has to be bringing them in."
Min Joon leaned forward, glancing around before he spoke again. "We found out that one of the main dealers in this mess is someone from Cheongdam High. His name's Kang Doo Hyun. He's been sneaking his way into Apgujeong High to make deals, using the chaos as a cover. He's smart—he knows exactly how to stay out of sight, but he's been doing it for months."
Seok Woo's eyes narrowed. "It makes sense now. I've seen some of the shady characters hanging around lately, acting like they're just students, but they're always with the wrong crowd."
Jae Hyun frowned, feeling a sense of unease. "So, what do we do? Do we just sit here and let this continue?"
Ji Hoon, ever the strategist, thought for a moment. "No. We need to find out more. We can't just let someone like Kang Doo Hyun control the school like this. If we expose him, we might be able to stop it before it gets worse."
As the conversation continued, the group realized that their bond was going to be tested in ways they hadn't expected. Apgujeong High was no longer just a place for learning—it was becoming a battleground for something far more dangerous. But with their skills, their determination, and their loyalty to each other, Jae Hyun and his friends knew they had no choice but to confront this growing threat head-on.
After school ended, as they walked towards the parking lot, Min Joon, Seok Woo, Ji Hoon, and Jae Hyun noticed suspicious behavior from one of the students known to be a drug addict. The student appeared nervous, glancing over his shoulder as if worried someone was watching. They all paused for a moment, observing carefully, but eventually decided not to pay it too much attention.
"We can't just ignore it, but it's not the right time right now," Ji Hoon said, watching closely. "We need to be cautious."
They then continued their ride home on their motorcycles. Min Joon and Jae Hyun rode together, cruising down the increasingly quiet streets. The evening breeze hit their faces, and the mood felt much more relaxed compared to before.
As they reached a narrow alley and Jae Hyun, who was driving, tried to take a shortcut he thought would be faster, they found themselves at the end of the alley. To Jae Hyun's surprise, his house was very close to Min Joon's house. They were actually living in the same alley!
Min Joon burst out laughing, unable to contain his amusement. "Seriously, Hyun? We're neighbors? Hahaha, looks like it's fate!"
Jae Hyun chuckled too, a bit embarrassed but also relieved. "Wow, I didn't expect that. Guess I don't have to go too far, hahaha!"
They paused for a moment in front of their respective houses, still laughing at the unexpected coincidence. It felt strange but also nice, like a new bond was forming, bringing them closer as friends. Before parting ways, Min Joon gave Jae Hyun a playful slap on the back.
"Well, at least now we can hang out more often," Min Joon said with a wide grin.
"True," Jae Hyun replied, waving his hand before heading inside his house. "See you tomorrow, Min Joon."
They waved goodbye to each other, then headed to their homes with light hearts and laughter, thankful for the unexpected twist in their friendship.
That evening, while Jae Hyun was relaxing in the living room, his phone rang. He looked at the screen and saw the name "Eun Seul" flashing. His older sister, who worked as a director, often called to make sure everything was going well.
With a bit of a sigh, Jae Hyun answered the phone. "Hello, Eun Seul," he said, his voice sounding a bit lazy.
"Jae Hyun," Eun Seul's voice came through firmly on the other end of the line. "Don't get into any more trouble, understand?"
Jae Hyun sighed, feeling like a little kid being scolded. "Aduh, Eun Seul, I didn't cause any trouble. It was just a little argument with my friends. Nothing major!"
Eun Seul wasn't convinced. "You know I don't want to hear things like that. Apgujeong High isn't a place for reckless behavior. Focus on your studies and don't get involved in anything that could ruin your reputation."
Jae Hyun muttered under his breath, although his voice wasn't very loud. "Yeah, yeah... I get it. But you guys always treat me like I don't know anything." He held the phone against his ear, signaling that he was listening.
Eun Seul heard his small complaint, but her tone remained firm. "You're more than capable of making good decisions. Don't let other problems get in the way of your future. I know you can do better than that."
"Hmm..." Jae Hyun grumbled, a little frustrated. "Alright, I'll try. But is it really so bad to have some fun every now and then?"
Eun Seul sighed deeply. "Just don't let things get out of hand. Understand?"
"Yeah, okay, I promise." Jae Hyun replied in a somewhat reluctant tone.
After that, they ended the call. Jae Hyun placed his phone down and grumbled again, but this time more quietly. "Why does she always have to be like that..."
Despite his annoyance, Jae Hyun knew that his sister truly cared about him. He just needed to be more careful and avoid getting caught up in bigger problems.