chapter 09

There she was-

The shopkeeper.

"Ma'am, is something wrong?"

She looked at her. Her lips trembled, but she shook her head."No. Nothing."

And then-they all got up.Moonki, Sugang, the gang.

Like nothing happened.Like they hadn't just humiliated her.They walked away, laughing, phones in hand, shoulders brushing past the shopkeeper like air.

Ms. So stood still.Breathing heavy.But she said nothing.

Just like always.

Ms. So was still. Frozen. Her eyes blank. Something had snapped inside her.

Bo Mi walked back, cold drink in hand.

"Ms. So. Here the drink," she said softly, noticing the strange look on her teacher's face.

She looked pale. Like she saw a ghost.

"Ms. So? Are you okay?"

Ms. So suddenly blinked-and then laughed. A little too loud. A little too forced.

"Yeah, yeah."

"Are you sure? Is something-"

"Nothing. Let's go," she interrupted, placing her hand on Bo Mi's shoulder.

Bo Mi tried to speak again, "Hmm... but we didn't even-"

"I'm so sorry, Bo Mi," Ms. So cut her off again. "There's an emergency. I'll give you a proper treat another day, okay?"

Bo Mi slowly nodded. "Okay..."

They were walking out of the grocery store when it happened.

A man, clearly in a hurry, bumped hard into Ms. So. She stumbled back slightly.

"What the hell?" the man snapped, eyes flaring with annoyance. "Are you blind? Are you sick?!"

Ms. So stood silent.

Unmoving.

Not a single word.

"Hey!" The man jabbed his finger harshly at her forehead. "Now you're deaf too?"

And then-

SNAP.

Like a switch flipped inside her.

Her eyes widened. Her lips curved into a small, eerie smile.

Then her right leg flew into the air-

BAAP!

A clean, sharp kick. Right to his temple.

The man collapsed like a puppet whose strings were cut.

Gasps around.

Ms. So turned, smiling like nothing happened. Calm. Composed.

"Bo Mi, I'm sorry I'm late," she said casually, brushing her hair back.

"See you tomorrow."

And just like that, she walked off.

Bo Mi stood there, eyes wide, bottle in hand, completely stunned.

"...What the hell just happened?"

-----------*Next day*

As Bo Mi stepped past the school gates, the sun barely peeking from behind the clouds, a familiar voice called out from behind her.

"Bo Mi!"

She turned.

It was Ms. So.

Her long coat swayed with the wind, her hair gently falling over one shoulder. There was a strange glow on her face, something... light.

"Good morning," Bo Mi bowed politely.

"Good morning," Ms. So nodded, her lips curling into a warm smile-too warm, too radiant for a Monday.

Bo Mi blinked. "You're... looking very happy today, Ms. So."

Ms. So laughed a little, brushing her fingers through her hair. "No, no, it's nothing." Then she glanced sideways and leaned closer, lowering her voice playfully. "Is it that obvious?"

Bo Mi nodded with a small grin. "Kinda. Did something good happen?"

Ms. So lifted her hands defensively. "No, no. Not really."

But her smirk betrayed her. And before Bo Mi could ask again, they found themselves standing right in front of the teachers' room.

"Ah-anyway, have a good day, Bo Mi," Ms. So said quickly and turned around, disappearing behind the heavy door.

Bo Mi stood for a second, confused by the odd spark in her teacher's eyes. Then she shook her head and started walking toward her class.

But something was off.

The halls were louder than usual-not the normal chaotic buzz, but more... hushed, gossipy whispers slithering between students. Curious stares. Quick glances.

Bo Mi blinked. "What's going on?"

She entered the classroom.

And froze.

Her eyes widened.

Sugang's desk-his perfectly clean, untouched desk-was now a mess. Graffiti covered every inch. Scribbles in black marker, deep scratches etched into the surface. A crooked cat mask was drawn on it, fangs and blood and all. Someone had written "MEOW MEOW KING?" in bold, mocking letters across the top.

Her jaw slightly dropped. "What... the hell?"

She leaned closer, noticing the sheer amount of detail. Whiskers. Devil horns. Even a fake phone number scribbled on the side.

Then the door slammed open with a loud thud.

Everyone jumped.

Sugang walked in.

His face was unreadable. No-more than that. His aura was dangerous.

Bo Mi's eyes instantly darted to his cheek.

A bruise.

It wasn't just a slap. It looked like he'd been hit.

Moonki followed behind him, slower, his hands stuffed into his hoodie pockets. His face was stiff. Tired. Disappointed. He didn't even glance at Bo Mi.

Something twisted in her chest.

The rest of the gang trailed in behind them. Everyone's gaze went straight to Sugang's desk.

Sugang's eyes locked on the mess.

A beat of silence.

Then-

CRASH.

He flipped the entire desk over in one swift motion.

The class gasped.

"Who the fuck did this?" His voice cracked through the silence like a whip. His eyes, wild with rage, scanned every face in the room.

Bo Mi flinched.

She could feel his anger like static in the air. Thick. Tangible.

His fists clenched. Jaw tight.

Then one of the girls from his gang-long red nails and gum in her mouth-stood up.

"Yo. Which one of you dumbass bitches thought this was funny? Huh?! Speak up!"

Nobody moved.

Then the heavy sound of shoes echoed through the hallway.

"Han Sugang!"

A sharp voice rang.

The door creaked open.

A female teacher, older, stern-looking, entered. A male teacher followed behind her, his glasses slipping down his nose as he walked over to the desk lying sideways on the floor.

"Who vandalized this desk?" he asked, kneeling down to inspect the damage. "This is serious."

No one answered.

Sugang's chest rose and fell sharply. His lips pressed into a tight line. His knuckles white.

But Bo Mi could tell-this time, he wasn't going to let this go quietly.

Something had changed.

And this? This was only the beginning.

Then the older female teacher stepped forward, her expression sharp with disapproval."Desks can be replaced. What cannot be is discipline. Why cause chaos so early in the morning? School should be a place of etiquette."

Sugang slowly raised his head, his eyes dark beneath the fringe of his hair. He took a step forward.

"Etiquette?"His voice was flat-cold. Almost amused.

The classroom froze.

Even the teachers hesitated. Their eyes flicked to each other, unsure. Intimidated. The tension hung thick like a storm cloud ready to burst.

Then-

He let out a short, mocking laugh. It was dry and bitter.

But before anyone could speak again-

"Sorry ma'am."A soft voice broke through the thick silence.

All eyes turned.

Bo Mi.

She stood up from her desk, her gaze fixed forward-not shrinking, not hiding.

"I'm the one responsible," she said clearly, though her heart thudded inside her chest. "And I'll make sure nothing like this ever happens again."

Sugang turned.

Slowly.

His eyes now locked on her-like he was trying to figure her out. His brows lowered. Confused. Amused. Intrigued.

Moonki, still seated, let out a quiet sigh behind her."She's lost it," he muttered under his breath, rubbing his forehead. "What is wrong with her..."

Sugang stepped forward.

Their eyes met.Bo Mi didn't look away.

"Bo Mi," he said, slowly, dangerously. "Then you should be punished. For destroying school property."

Her lips parted slightly-but she didn't flinch.

The teacher opened her mouth. "Sugang, that's enough. I will be handling-"

But he didn't even glance her way.

"No, ma'am," he interrupted coldly, eyes still pinned on Bo Mi. "She messed up my desk. So I'll handle it."

Then, without warning, his hand shot forward. He grabbed Bo Mi's wrist-rough, not gentle-and pulled her with him.

Gasps spread across the classroom.

The teachers tried to react, but Sugang didn't stop. He stormed forward, pulling Bo Mi behind him like she was a stray he'd caught misbehaving. The teachers stepped aside, too stunned to resist as he passed straight through the middle of them.

Behind them, the gang followed-Moonki trailing last, his expression unreadable.

Bo Mi didn't fight.

She walked silently, her hand in his grip, her eyes lowered-but her mind racing.

This is it, she thought.

And whatever "punishment" Sugang had in mind...She wasn't going to back down.

Not this time.

The wind was sharp on the balcony, biting against the tension in the air.

The door shut behind them with a bang-Moonki was the one who closed it. But he stood back, arms crossed, silent.

"Yah! Stop it-you're hurting me!" Bo Mi hissed, her voice rising in frustration.

But Sugang didn't let go.His grip on her wrist was tight. Too tight.

"Bo Mi," he growled, eyes shadowed and burning. "You had no right to mess with my desk."

He didn't look like the Han Sugang from yesterday-the one who hugged her when she cried, who smirked gently, who felt like a person.

No.

This was the other Sugang.The one people feared.The one who ruled the school like a predator.

"I said I'm sorry!" she snapped, trying to jerk her hand away again.But his hold was hard like steel.

"Sorry? Yah, seriously?"His jaw was clenched tight. "You think 'sorry' undoes it?"

"Sugang-it hurts."Her voice trembled, a quiet groan of pain leaving her throat.

"Stop acting so tough, Bo Mi," he snapped, voice like ice.

Then-

Baap!

A sound echoed from behind them.

A voice.

"Moonki."

They all turned their heads slightly-except Sugang.But Bo Mi knew that voice like a bitter perfume.

Mina.

She was by the balcony door, one hand on the handle, her heels echoing like drama.

"Moonki, I was searching everywhere for you." Her voice was sweet. Sickly."Did I-"She stopped.

Her eyes landed on Bo Mi.Still in Sugang's grip.

And her smirk grew.

"Well, well," Mina cooed. "Moonki, let's go to my apartment after school. I've got unfinished business to do."

She said it on purpose. With poison on her tongue.Right in front of Bo Mi.

Bo Mi stood frozen, her wrist still burning in Sugang's grasp.But it wasn't clear what hurt more-his grip...

Or that.

That image.

Moonki. Mina. Together.

Bo Mi's mind cracked, just a little.

"Leave, it's-" she muttered, trying to pull her hand again.

And this time, Sugang let go.

She staggered back slightly, holding her wrist with her other hand.

"Yah. Everyone, leave," Sugang ordered, voice low and commanding.

The others hesitated, but they obeyed.

Moonki glanced once at Bo Mi-then left without a word.

Only Mina stayed.

Bo Mi turned to walk away.

"I didn't tell you to leave."Sugang's voice sliced the silence. Bo Mi froze.

He looked at Mina next."And you. Didn't I say everyone?"

Mina rolled her eyes dramatically.

"Fine, fine. So uptight."She twirled on her heel and left, finally.

The wind blew again.Just Sugang and Bo Mi now.

"Bo Mi."

She didn't look at him.

"Bo Mi."This time, his voice was a little quieter.

She looked down at her wrist-The skin was red, marked where his fingers had gripped.

She touched it gently.

Sugang saw.

"Was it you?" he asked, his voice tense.

She shook her head. Slowly.

"Then why?" he demanded, frustration lacing his words.

The redness on her wrist was still visible.

But Bo Mi said nothing.

Just held it. Quiet. Bruised. Both in body... and heart.

Sugang stood still, his hand twitching like he wanted to reach for her again-but he didn't.

His voice came out, lower now, almost uncertain.

"I'm sorry. I... I snapped at you. It's my anger issues that-"

She cut him off, still looking down at the floor.

"That's not the problem, Su-gang."

Her voice wasn't loud. But it was heavy.Sharp. Like truth pressed through clenched teeth.

She finally raised her head.

"You're spoiled."

Her eyes met his. And this time, she didn't look scared.

"You walk around like you own this school. Like bullying people is just some part of your daily routine. And the moment someone dares to stand up, you snap. You act like a child who never hears no."

He stared at her, expression unreadable.

"Have you ever tried therapy?" she asked suddenly. Not mocking. Not sarcastic.Just tired. And real.

He didn't answer.He stood silent-his jaw clenched, his fists by his sides.

"Sugang, I don't know what made you like this... but stop it. Please."She kicked her shoe against the ground, frustration peeking through her voice.

"And what's with that bruise?" she snapped, her voice shaking now."Why are you always getting into trouble?"

He blinked. The sharpness in her tone, the sudden worry behind it-It made him flinch.

Was it care?

No. He couldn't process that.

"Because of you, Moonki gets dragged into trouble too," she said, voice softening, almost sulking. "Why do you do this to people around you?"

Sugang finally opened his mouth.

"Yah. Why do you care about him so much?"His voice cracked like glass.

She froze.

"Is he better than me?" he demanded.His words fell out like heat he couldn't hold back.

Bo Mi's eyes widened. She stared.

"Bo Mi," Sugang said, stepping closer, eyes locked on hers. "He's in a relationship. With Mina. So why are you still so attached to him?"His voice was no longer angry.

Just... desperate.

"Why can't I be him?"

Her heart skipped.

She took a step back.Then another.

"I... I have to go."Her voice trembled, as if she didn't even know what to feel anymore.

And without another word, she turned around.

She walked away.

And Sugang...He just stood there.Alone.

With the wind brushing through his hair,and her footsteps echoing down the hallway like the only sound that mattered.

AUTHOR NOTE.-This chapter turned out a bit long, but it seems like you're all enjoying it! By the way, is anyone watching ONE: High School Heroes? I am, and I'm thinking of writing a story based on it too. What do you all think? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

If you haven't seen it yet, I really recommend checking it out. If you enjoyed Weak Hero Class 1 & 2 or Study Group, you'll definitely like ONE: High School Heroes as well.

That's all for now-thank you so much for reading, and I hope you're enjoying my story!