Middle school was a difficult time for Kang Minjun.
On his first day, he felt lost in a new school filled with unfamiliar faces. He struggled to talk with his classmates, who seemed to connect easily with each other. Without his childhood friend Minjin by his side, Minjun felt even more alone.
During lunch, Minjun often sat by himself. He looked calm, but inside he felt lonely. He noticed girls whispering and giggling while looking at him, which made him uncomfortable. To avoid this, he decided to skip the cafeteria and spend his breaks at his desk or in the library.
After school, his mother would pick him up and ask about his day. Even though she cared, he would reply, "It was fine."
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The first exams took place a few weeks into the semester. Minjun worked hard and got a perfect score, and his classmates quickly learned about his intelligence.
Soon, they started coming to him for help with their studies and invited him to group sessions. At first, Minjun was unsure, but he began to enjoy these interactions. Being recognized for his skills made him feel valued.
As time passed, the girls who had once giggled from a distance offered him snacks and drinks with shy smiles. These gestures reminded Minjun of his friend Minjin. Although it felt a bit awkward, he accepted their gifts politely.
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One afternoon, Minjun saw a group of students bullying a quiet boy named Bang Eun-Kyung in his class. They made fun of him because his mother was a shaman. At first, Minjun ignored the bullying.
But the final straw was when Minjun witnessed the group tormenting Bang Eun-Kyung again. He hesitated but decided to step in. He approached the bullies to try to help, but things turned violent. One of the bullies pushed Bang Eun-Kyung, and when Minjun stepped in to protect him, he was hit. Minjun had to defend himself and fought back until a teacher came and broke it up.
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After the fight, everyone went to the principal's office with their parents. Minjun's father, a respected man, came to defend him. The bullies and their parents asked for forgiveness, but Minjun's father insisted on serious consequences and suggested expulsion for the bullies.
After a tense meeting, they agreed on disciplinary actions, and Bang Eun-Kyung's mother deeply thanked Minjun's father for his help.
As news of Minjun's father spread, his classmates treated him with more respect and caution. They seemed afraid to upset him. However, this change made Minjun feel isolated again.
One day, while feeling alone, Bang Eun-Kyung approached Minjun. With a shy smile, he asked if they could be friends. Minjun was surprised but quickly accepted. He felt a real connection for the first time since starting middle school, which marked the beginning of their friendship.