The morning routine was always the same as it started with Jaeho taking care of his sisters and getting them ready for school.
He always made it with barely any time left with the bell ringing shortly after, one delay in his routine and he would be late.
He walked into the classroom, it was easy to tell he was exhausted, sweat already soaked into his collar from the heat outside but something was different this time.
The way he moved, the way he carried himself, his shoulders were straighter as well. Jaeho had more confidence and it was evident in everything about his energy right now but this was something he didn't even realize himself.
The classroom noticed right away, his body language was different which was a positive thing.
Minho looked up from his phone and Jiwon stopped mid conversation with a group of students.
Jaeho walked to his seat in the back, dropped his bag, and sat down with a smile on his face.
This wasn't a nervous smile, it was a genuine one because Jaeho was happy but who wouldn't be when his debt had been cleared.
He looked at all three of his bullies right in the eyes one at a time without much thought.
The rest of the class was watching too, they all ahd different facial expression on their faces.
But as Jaeho's eyes looked across the room, those intense stares couldn't even hold his.
"Good morning, Minho, Jiwon, Daeho," Jaeho greeted him casually, his voice was loud enough for the people nearby to hear.
Jaeho leaned back in his chair, still smiling because the fog in his mind had been lifted.
"You know, you guys should hit me a little harder today. I haven't been able to feel your punches recently," Jaeho teased them.
The classroom went silent the moment they heard this, Jaeho was openly challenging them and there was no way that would end well.
The bullies were furious, the look on their faces showed just that but Jaeho didn't care at this point because they had limits on what they could.
Jaeho didn't know what had come over him, maybe it was the debt being cleared or the dream. Maybe it was just the frustration finally daring them to do their worst by undermining their authority.
But he knew one thing for certain, if they punched any harder, they would hurt themselves more than they would hurt him, this was his only way of getting some form of get back.
And deep down, they knew it, there was a reason they harmed in places he could cover up.
Minho opened his mouth to respond, but the door slid open at that moment making him swallow his words.
Ms. Ahn walked in and everyone turned forward, Jaeho pulled out his notebook.
But he could feel it, the shift, The way Minho glared at him showed his rage. He was the angriest among the three and this told Jaeho something.
"They're going to go harder today," Jaeho thought to himself, satisfied that the ragebait had worked but he didn't care.
-
His phone vibrated while the class was going on but Jaeho was glad it was on silent.
Jaeho glanced down at it, keeping it hidden under his desk.
[[Choi Yura: Hey, Jaeho. I have a job opportunity I'd like to discuss with you. Can I pick you up after school?]]
Jaeho raised a brow right away in suspicion before adjusting his gaze.
"A job? From Yura?" Jaeho thought about it for a second but there was nothing stopping him from accepting this offer.
He typed back quickly before she changed her mind or found a reason to choose someone more qualified.
[[Jaeho: Yes. Thank you!]]
[[Choi Yura: Great. See you at 3:30.]]
Jaeho slipped his phone into his pocket, his life was taking a turn for the positive. What kind of job? Why him? What did she need?
He barely heard Ms. Ahn's lecture for the rest of the period.
-
Break time came and Jaeho sighed, stood up, and walked toward the bathroom where he knew he would be alone.
He knew they would ambush him there. They always were after all so today wasn't going to be any different.
Sure enough, the moment he pushed through the door, Minho, Jiwon, and Daeho were already inside. Minho leaned against the sink with a raised brow. Jiwon stood by the stalls while Daeho blocked the door behind Jaeho the moment he took a step in.
"Feeling confident today, aren't we?" Minho's irritation wasn't even hidden.
Jaeho didn't respond because he knew that was what they wanted.
"Give me your phone," Minho demanded.
"No," Jaeho said firmly but they must have seen him look at it during class.
Jiwon moved fast, grabbing Jaeho's arm and twisting it behind his back but Jaeho didn't fight. Daeho reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
"Let's see what's so important," Minho said, swiping through it.
Jaeho kept his poker face because what were the chances they would even go through his messages?.
Minho's eyes lit up when he saw the message from Yura. He read it aloud.
"'Can I pick you up after school?' Oh, cute. You got yourself a sugar mama, Han?"
"No way. Look at her profile picture," Daeho asked.
They crowded around the screen except Jiwon, who was still holding Jaeho, and Jaeho could see the exact moment they realized who she was..
"Who the hell is this?" Minho muttered.
"Doesn't matter," Daeho said before typing on the phone.
Jaeho struggled, trying to yank his arm free.
"Don't!" Jaeho warned but there was no way they would listen to him.
"Too late," Daeho said before hitting send.
Then he dropped the phone on the tile floor and stomped on it hard.
The screen shattered, the casing cracked, pieces of glass and plastic scattered across the floor.
Jaeho stared at the broken phone in horror not only because he wouldn't be able to rectify whatever they sent but he had no money to get a new phone.
Minho smiled like a sociopath.
"There it is. That's the look we know," Minho mocked him.
They didn't touch him today, no act of physical violence but they found a way to wound him nonetheless.
They walked out, laughing and mocking him while Jaeho tried to see if he could salvage what remained of his phone.
-
The rest of the day went by and Jaeho could no longer focus. All he could do was stare at the broken phone in his bag and wonder what message they could have sent. What if Yura didn't show up? What if whatever they wrote ruined the chance she was offering?
The final bell rang and the school day came to a close.
Jaeho grabbed his bag and headed toward the gates, his stomach twisting with dread because he had no idea if he should wait for Yura or go home.
A car soon pulled up but not just any car, a sleek black Mercedes-Benz, the kind with tinted windows and a body that gleamed with midnight black.
The engine purred softly as it came to a stop right in front of the school gates but Jaeho assumed it must be for one of the other students..
The driver's door opened and Yura stepped out soon after.
She wore a fitted navy blue blazer over a white blouse, the top buttons undone just enough to show off her cleavage but also give it room to breathe.
A fitted black pencil, ending just above the knee. Her heels were elegant, adding height to her already commanding presence. Her hair was styled perfectly helping to frame her face.
Every eye in the courtyard was on her. Jaeho's classmates. Underclassmen. Even teachers.
And most especially the bullies.
Minho and Daeho stood frozen near the gate, his mouth slightly open. Jiwon had already left the school premises.
Yura scanned the crowd, her eyes searching for Jaeho and then she saw him.
She greeted him with a smile.
Jaeho's heart pounded as he hesitated for just a second, then raised his hand and waved.
Yura waved back, her smile widening and the courtyard erupted in whispers.
"Who is that?"
"Is she here for Han Jaeho?"
"No way. That's impossible."
Minho turned to look at Jaeho, his expression twisted with disbelief.
Jaeho walked toward the car, his bag slung over his shoulder, his head held high.
And for the first time in his life, every guy at that school wanted to be him, even if for a moment.