The next day, Jasper's father, Victor, drove him to school in his luxurious convertible. The car was sleek, with the top down, letting the cool morning breeze tousle their hair. The sun was just starting to rise, casting a golden glow over the city as they cruised down the road. Jasper, who usually preferred to keep to himself, was unusually quiet, his gaze fixed ahead.
Victor glanced over at his son, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He was dressed in a sharp suit, looking every bit the businessman he was. "You know," he began, his voice casual, "I was thinking about your future last night."
Jasper didn't immediately respond, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the window frame. He was wearing his usual outfit— a black hat, black jacket, a cream-colored shoulder bag, and classic Vans shoes. He looked every bit the rebellious teenager, his attire matching his indifferent expression.
"You haven't been the most... sociable lately," Victor continued, his tone shifting just a little. "Why don't you try making some more friends? I know you're not into the usual crowd, but maybe it's time to give it a shot. You never know what might happen."
Jasper turned his head, giving his father a glance before looking back out the window. His voice was laced with a hint of sarcasm as he replied, "Friends? They're overrated. And I'm not interested in being a part of their games."
Victor sighed, knowing this conversation wasn't going anywhere. "I get it. But don't shut yourself off completely, Jasper. People can surprise you."
Without saying anything further, Jasper pushed open the door of the car, hopping out of it with ease, not bothering to open the door fully. He jumped over it, landing on the ground with a smooth roll, as if this were the most normal thing in the world. His move startled a few students who had just arrived at school.
"See you later, Dad," he called out without turning back, his voice casual but distant. Victor watched him go, shaking his head with a smile that was both proud and somewhat worried.
The students around him stopped and stared, whispering among themselves. "Did you see that?" one of them muttered, wide-eyed. "That was crazy! How did he do that?"
Jasper walked past them, his presence commanding attention even without trying. His eyes remained forward, unfazed by the attention. He adjusted his hat slightly and walked into the school gates, as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened.
Inside the school, the whispers continued, and for a brief moment, Jasper wondered if his actions would stir anything new. But, true to his nature, he didn't care.
As Jasper entered the classroom, the air was thick with murmurs. His nonchalant stride commanded the room, but he paid little attention to the whispers around him. His eyes scanned the class, and he headed straight for his seat, ignoring the glances directed his way. He had become accustomed to this—people's fascination with his every move. But it didn't bother him. He never cared.
Jun Ho, standing at the front of the class, cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "Listen up, everyone," he started, his voice firm yet calm. "Today, we won't have regular lessons. There's a special arrangement. The class monitor will be overseeing the time, and there will be no formal teaching today. It's just a day to relax and catch up on work, but I need everyone to behave."
The students nodded, some relieved that they wouldn't have to face the usual pressure of schoolwork. But not everyone was happy with Jun Ho's announcement.
At the back of the room, a group of boys, the usual troublemakers, exchanged glances. Kyung Ho, Taehyun, Min Joo, and Jin Woo—four of the most outspoken bullies in the class—were visibly irritated. Kyung Ho, with his sharp features and a look of perpetual annoyance, muttered under his breath, "Great. Just what we needed. More of his attention-seeking nonsense."
Taehyun, a tall and broad-shouldered guy, chimed in, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "He thinks just because he's in charge for the day, he can be a hero. What a joke."
Min Joo, sitting beside them, rolled his eyes and added, "Yeah, it's always the same with him. Always looking for ways to play the teacher's pet."
Jin Woo, the quieter of the group but just as bitter, snorted. "He'll probably go around trying to act like a leader. Trying to impress the teachers, as usual."
They all shared a collective sneer at Jun Ho's position as class monitor, resentful of the authority he held, even for just the day. But their focus shifted when they noticed Jasper, still unbothered, sitting at his desk. They exchanged glances again, their annoyance clearly growing.
"Look at him," Kyung Ho sneered, "he's always trying to get attention. He's probably gonna start acting like some cool guy, just to get a rise out of everyone."
Jun Ho, noticing the tension building among the group, tried to keep the peace. "Kyung Ho, Taehyun, Min Joo, Jin Woo—don't start anything today," he said, his voice calm but firm, aware of their usual antics. "It's not worth it."
But Kyung Ho wasn't in the mood to listen. He shot a look toward Jasper, who was pretending not to care about their conversation. "He always finds a way to get under our skin, doesn't he?" Kyung Ho muttered, just loud enough for everyone around him to hear.
Jasper's eyes flicked up for a moment, but he didn't respond. His silence was often more powerful than any words he could say, and it left the group frustrated. They couldn't figure him out, and that was something they couldn't stand.
Jun Ho, stepping up to the front again, addressed the class. "Alright, let's settle down. I'm still in charge here, and I expect some level of order. No more drama, alright?"
The room fell into a tense silence as Jun Ho turned to write something on the board. But even as he did, the tension lingered. Jasper could feel the eyes of the bullies burning into the back of his head, but he simply leaned back in his chair, unfazed.
As the class went on, Jasper's calm demeanor became even more noticeable. It wasn't long before the whispers started again, but this time, there was something different in the way the students looked at him. Maybe it was the fact that he didn't try to fit in with anyone, or maybe it was the way he seemed untouchable. Whatever it was, it made some of them question what was really going on inside his head.
Jun Ho glanced over at Jasper again, his eyes narrowing slightly. He couldn't help but wonder if the tension would ever ease between them, but for now, he had his own battle to fight—keeping the peace in a class full of distractions and hostility.
During the break, while everyone else was mingling and socializing, Jasper chose a quieter spot in the school garden. He sat on a bench, enjoying a quiet moment alone with his burger. The soft rustle of leaves and the occasional chirp of birds filled the air, a peaceful contrast to the chaos of the school. As he took a bite, savoring the flavor, he was in his own world, away from the noise and distractions.
But his peace was soon interrupted. Kyung Ho, Taehyun, Min Joo, and Jin Woo—his usual group of tormentors—approached him. Kyung Ho sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "Look at you, eating a burger like some rich kid. So typical," he said, his tone clearly meant to provoke.
Jasper didn't respond immediately, simply continuing to eat as if they weren't even there. He took a sip of water, finishing his meal, then stood up slowly. He turned to face them, not an ounce of fear or hesitation in his posture.
Min Joo, ever the bully, took a basketball and shoved it into Jasper's stomach, a taunting grin on his face. "Hey, rich kid, let's play a game. You and your team against us," he said, challenging him.
Jasper didn't flinch. He looked at the ball for a moment before replying, his voice steady and calm, "I'm not interested. But I'll grab my team and be ready."
Without saying another word, he gathered his things, putting the remnants of his meal into his bag and preparing to leave the scene. As he started walking away, Taehyun shouted, "Don't be a coward!"
Jasper paused, turning his head slightly to look at them. His voice was low, but it carried enough weight for them to hear clearly, "I'm no coward. But I'll make sure I have my team ready."
As Jasper made his way to the basketball court, a surprising turn of events unfolded. It turned out that he had strong connections with the school's basketball players. Jasper, despite his reputation, had earned their respect over time, and they were more than willing to lend him a hand when he asked for help.
The entire school buzzed with excitement as word spread that Jasper was about to take on Kyung Ho and his gang in a basketball match. Whispers and cheers filled the hallways as students gathered to watch what promised to be a thrilling showdown.
When Jasper finally arrived at the court, he stood in front of the basketball team, his expression focused. The members of the team were already there, warming up. Jasper looked at them and asked, "So, what's the wager here? What are we playing for?"
The team exchanged glances, a mix of curiosity and anticipation in their eyes. Jasper, for all his rebellious attitude, had earned their trust and respect. They were ready to play, but they needed to know what they were fighting for.
One of the players spoke up, "How about if we win, they have to leave you alone for good? No more taunting, no more games. But if they win, we'll back off and let them do whatever they want for a week."
Jasper nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Sounds fair," he said. "Let's make it happen."
The game began, and the entire school gathered to watch the intense match unfold. The stakes were high, and everyone knew that this game would determine more than just the winner—it would settle the tension that had been building between Jasper and the bullies for so long.
The game was intense, with the tension between Jasper's team and Kyung Ho's group palpable throughout. The court was filled with the sound of sneakers squeaking, the bounce of the basketball, and the cheering of students from the sidelines. Jasper, though quiet and focused, moved with precision, displaying skills that took everyone by surprise. His team worked together seamlessly, and despite the taunts and challenges from Kyung Ho's group, they managed to secure a victory.
As the final buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the game, Jasper's team erupted into cheers, having defeated Kyung Ho and his group in front of the entire school. It was a hard-fought win, and Jasper felt a quiet satisfaction wash over him. The bullies, though disappointed, were forced to accept defeat.
From a distance, Jun Ho watched the game unfold. He had been keeping a low profile, observing the match from the sidelines. As the players celebrated, his eyes locked onto Jasper. There was a certain intensity in Jun Ho's gaze, a mixture of admiration and curiosity. Jasper had proven himself in more ways than one today, and it was clear that Jun Ho was starting to see him in a new light.
Jasper stood in the middle of the court, his chest rising and falling with each breath, a slight smirk playing at the corner of his lips. He turned his gaze toward Kyung Ho and his group, who were still processing their loss. The students around them were murmuring, some teasing the defeated group, while others were in awe of Jasper's performance.
Jasper's eyes narrowed as he stared at Kyung Ho, his voice carrying clearly across the court. "I won the bet," he said coolly, his tone firm and authoritative. "From now on, stop bullying the class president."
Kyung Ho's face darkened, but he didn't respond. His pride had taken a hit, and he knew better than to argue in front of everyone. The loss stung, and Jasper's words only made it worse. The entire school had witnessed his victory, and there was no way to spin it.
Without waiting for a reply, Jasper turned on his heel and walked away, heading toward the locker rooms with his team in tow. As they left the court, Jasper gave one last glance in Jun Ho's direction. Jun Ho, standing on the sidelines, watched him with a mix of surprise and respect. Jasper had handled the situation with confidence and ease, and it was clear that things were shifting in the dynamic between the two.
In the locker room, Jasper's team congratulated each other, celebrating their hard-earned victory. But even as they cheered and joked, Jasper's mind was elsewhere. He couldn't shake the feeling that the win today wasn't just about basketball. It was a turning point—a message to Kyung Ho and anyone else who thought they could push him around.
The school bell rang loudly, signaling the end of another long day. Jasper, as usual, was quick to leave the classroom, heading out the door with his headphones securely in place. He made his way out of the building, heading straight for the parking lot where his father, Victor, was waiting for him in his sleek luxury car. Victor had promised to take him somewhere special today, and despite Jasper's lack of enthusiasm, he was curious about what it might be.
As they drove through the streets, Jasper gazed out of the window, trying to ignore the ever-present feeling of boredom. It wasn't long before they arrived at an old, worn-down music store tucked away between other, more modern buildings. The sign above the door read "Vintage Instruments," but to Jasper, it looked more like a place that belonged in the past. As they got out of the car, Jasper groaned internally.
"Are we really here for this?" Jasper muttered, his voice full of annoyance. "This is so boring."
Victor, on the other hand, was practically buzzing with excitement. His eyes sparkled as he looked at the store. "You don't know what you're missing, Jasper. Some of the best instruments are hidden in places like these," Victor said with a smile. "Come on, just give it a try."
Jasper rolled his eyes, but he followed his father into the store, trying to make the best of it. The air inside was thick with the smell of old wood and dust. Rows of vintage guitars, pianos, and other instruments were displayed in glass cases. In the back, there was a small section dedicated to guitars, some of which were clearly centuries old.
Victor immediately walked over to one of the guitar cases, his fingers trailing over the dusty glass. "Look at this one, Jasper," he said, pointing at a guitar that looked ancient, its wood weathered and its strings rusted. "This one is a collector's dream. It's from the 1950s."
Jasper, however, wasn't impressed. He glanced at the guitar briefly, then looked away. "Yeah, sure, Dad, if you say so," he replied sarcastically. "Can we just go now?"
But Victor seemed determined to make the most of their time there. He chatted with the shopkeeper, who explained the history behind the guitar, and soon enough, Victor had made his decision. With a satisfied grin, he handed over the money, and the guitar was carefully packed up for him.
Jasper couldn't help but feel like the whole experience was a waste of time. It wasn't long before they were back in the car, heading home. The entire drive felt like it dragged on, with Jasper barely speaking to his father. He was lost in his thoughts, the excitement of the day gone as quickly as it had come.
Just as they were nearing their house, Victor's phone rang. It was Jasper's mother, and she reminded them that dinner was ready at home. "I'll be home soon," Victor said, answering the call. "Tell Jasper to get ready. We'll have dinner together."
Jasper sighed, relieved that the day was almost over. He wasn't particularly hungry, but the thought of a warm meal at home was enough to make him forget about the boring trip to the music store. As they pulled into the driveway, Jasper got out of the car, silently hoping that tomorrow would be more interesting.