1st in class hides regression

“…Ah.” 

I pause at the unexpected glance.

 “Move.” 

A shadow looms overhead from behind.

 “Why are you blocking the way?” 

The asshole, that’s for sure.

 

Without turning around, I reach out to close the classroom door, but Jung Eun-sung, who has appeared from behind, stops me with ease.

 

After glancing back and forth between Seo Jae-gyeom, who had turned his attention back to Jisoo, and me, who was standing there, Jung Eun-sung asked,

 “Is that her?” “What? Why are you here, Jung Eun-sung? You’re in class A.” “I’m in this class.” “Think again.” “Wow. Look at you ignoring Kang Dahye.” 

Do-yeon smiled and went to her seat first.

 

When Jung Eun-sung stared at her, I added an excuse.

 “No… I know you speak English well.” 

I remember his pronunciation was really good.

 “But were you good at math…?” “No. I don’t even know how to add one to one.” “Then why are you here?” “They said there’s no room in the C class because it’s overflowing. I’m at least an A in English.” “What about all the other kids in C…?” “Uh.” “…….” 

The world’s herpers are united…

 “So, is he the star of your playlist?” “Uh, no.” “Of course not. He looks the part.” 

You’re so low. Jung Eun-sung snorted as he looked up and down at Seo Jae-gyeom, who was playing with his big palm covering the problem book where Jisoo had stuck her nose.

 “So, what class is he in?” “…He’s in our class… 2nd class.” 

How could he not recognize Seo Jae-gyeom even though he had only transferred to the school a few days ago?

 

Doesn’t he stand out when he walks into the classroom?

 “What’s his name?” “Seo Jae-gyeom.” “…That’s Seo Jae-gyeom?” “You know?” “Isn’t he better looking than me?” 

I’m better, Jung Eun-sung insisted.

 

I didn’t know what to say, so I looked up at him.

 

Jung Eun-sung met my gaze with a confident stare as if there was nothing wrong.

 

Yeah, you’re good.

 “That girl sitting next to you is an indicator that she’s close to you.” “You don’t know Seo Jae-gyeom from my class, but you know Han Jisoo from another class. Do you have a crush?” “Not really, but… Ew. That’s it.” “What.” “You don’t have to know. What about that girl over there? Is she in our class?” “Do-yeon? Do-yeon is in our class.” “Are you friends with her? She was loud earlier.” “Oh….” 

That’s right. He must have been in the cafeteria at lunch.

 

He must have seen me flirting with Song Yeo-reum.

 

I asked him, just in case.

 “Jung Eun-sung, do you believe it? That… Do-yeon…” “Do you think I’m stupid?” 

Jung Eun-sung interrupted.

 “I don’t even know how to add one plus one, but I have a brain, right?” 

I must have laughed at that answer.

 

Eun-sung looked at me in disbelief.

 “Are you so happy that I don’t believe their bullshit?” “Isn’t it obvious?” “It’s not even a rumor about you.” “Not even.” “Either way, you’re… really weird.” 

I’ve known Jung Eun-sung for more than 11 years, so we’ve built up an inner intimacy, but he’s known me for less than a week, and he’s been sniping at me all day today.

 

I made a face and scolded him.

 “Hey, I’m not going to be able to perform music anymore.” “What the hell. You’re good at singing.” “I don’t have a good song.” “Then do a song with difficult lyrics. Make them all wrong and only you can sing it correctly.” “Oh.” 

That’s a good idea.

 

I nod at the plausible suggestion, but Jung Eun-sung keeps glaring at me. I give him a pin for picking at my face, even though I don’t have anything on it.

 “Why, are you pretty?” “Heh!” “Don’t confess. I don’t accept it.” “Suck it up. Hey, my eyes are high.” 

Placing his hands horizontally, Jung Eun-sung raised his arms above his head.

 “My eyes are here.” 

I slapped his arm in annoyance.

 “My eyes are higher than that!” “I don’t think so.” 

Jung Eun-sung glared at Seo Jae-gyeom again.

 “It’s rolling on the floor over there.” “What!” “Your eyes.” “Ouch…!” “Kkkkkkkkk…” 

Jung Eun-sung, who was laughing, suddenly turned sober.

 “Anyway. There’s no way in hell I’d ever like a weirdo like you.” “I didn’t even confess, but you’re kicking my ass…” “The sky won’t fall, so just relax.” “You can’t relax!” 

At that moment, the math teacher who entered the classroom – Ms. Na Moon-gwa, who teaches math class A – heard Jung Eun-sung’s words.

 “The moment you relax, you’ll be dropped to class B. What are you doing, Dahye? Why don’t you sit down?” “Teacher…” 

The historic first question from Kang Dahye, a returnee, to Ms. Na Moon-gwa, the first teacher she sees after her return.

 “Where is my seat…?” “…….” “Over here…” 

From behind, Seo Jae-gyeom raised his hand with a nervous expression.

 “You asked me to sit with you, Kang Dahye. Don’t you remember…?” “…….” “Foot.” 

Jeong Eun-sung ignored the sneer.

 “What’s wrong with you, you don’t know one plus one.” 

‘Why doesn’t he know 1 plus 1?’

 

One plus one is…

 

It’s cute!

 “A quadratic equation whose coefficients are rational numbers, x squared…” “You’re fearless.” 

Seo Jae-gyeom’s words echoed over the teacher’s explanation.

 

He stared at the board with his mouth open and frowning, then turned his eyes toward Seo Jae-gyeom.

 

Seo Jae-gyeom made eye contact and raised the corner of his mouth.

 “Earlier in the cafeteria. To Song Yeo-reum.” “No, I’m not. I’m an asshole.” 

Honestly, I’m still scared they’re going to chase me down and beat me up. When I go home, I go out the back door.

 “If they try to hurt me, please stop them. And be a witness when I call the police. Do you understand?” “Haha.” 

‘Why is he laughing when I’m 100% serious?’

 “Seo Jae-gyeom, why didn’t you help Do-yeon all these years? If someone like you had a word, things would be so different now.” “Because… if I did, it would only make things worse?” “You do realize that’s an excuse, right?” “Yeah, it is.” “…….” 

I don’t even know what to say to that. Just as I was about to turn my attention back to the board. Jae-gyeom said,

“I’m sorry.” “For what?” “For what I said to you earlier. I didn’t have to say that.” “Oh.” 

Of all the ways to deliver the truth, you chose the most brutal.

 “Actually, there’s a girl I’m interested in. But I got a little annoyed when you interrupted, because I felt like you were interrupting me.” 

That’s honest.

 

I don’t think he ever said this to me before the regression.

 “So, let’s just leave out number four…” 

I don’t recognize more than half of the symbols she’s writing on the board. I scribble down the explanation and say dryly.

 “I know, you like Jisoo.” 

Seo Jae-gyeom likes my friend Jisoo.

 

In the traveling class that the three of us took together, even when we were sitting together, Jae-gyeom’s eyes were often drawn to Jisoo. During recess, he would go to her as if he was unshackled.

 

I would often stand between them until he called out to me, and then I would tidy up my desk.

 

It used to hurt me a lot.

 

I used to wonder why I couldn’t be as good as her.

 

Now?

 

I don’t.

 

My crush on Seo Jae-gyeom was 11 years ago.

 

No, it wasn’t.

 

I liked him until the end of high school, so 10 years ago.

 

Seo’s eyes widened slightly at my casual remark.

 “You knew?” “How could I not know?” “Well. Han Jisoo is pretty.” 

‘So, I’m not pretty.’

 “Are you sure this isn’t going to make you and Jisoo more awkward?” “Why would we? I don’t even like you anymore.” 

The words caught me off guard, and Seo Jae-gyeom turned to look at me.

 

He nodded, almost leaning forward as he took notes.

 “Really?” “Really.” “If you do, I’ll be grateful, but… do you think you’ll like it?” 

I already don’t like you.

 

To me, you’re already a person from the past.

 “Well, it won’t be easy, but I’ll be twenty years old, go to college, and it’ll all be over. Out of sight, out of mind.” 

And it was true.

 

When I failed the SAT and had my own problems, I couldn’t think about Seo Jae-gyeom.

 

Even if I still had feelings for Seo Jae-gyeom, they had a shelf life of two years at most.

 “I know it’s uncomfortable, but until the SATs, I have to put up with you. We’ll be in different classes in third grade anyway, and we won’t see each other after college.” “We won’t see each other?” “Yeah.” “Wow.” “Why?” “Kang Dahye is cold. Wouldn’t you say hello if you ran into me in the neighborhood?” “I don’t think we’ll run into each other.” “You talk like you’ve been there.” 

Seo Jae-gyeom’s words to himself seem stronger than usual, and his teacher’s voice overlays them.

 

Far more important than Jae-gyeom’s grumbling, a relationship with a two-year shelf life.

 “Okay, I’ll explain again. A quadratic equation with a coefficient that is a rational number…” 

What is a coefficient, sir…

 

I know the cyanide wall coefficient…, but this one won’t work…?

 “Then who wants to solve this problem?” 

Math is a real no-go.

 

I’m chewing my lip.

 

I made eye contact with Jung Eun-sung.

 

He smiled and slowly opened his lips.

 “Teacher, Kang…” 

Ugh!

 

I quickly grabbed Seo Jae-gyeom’s hand who was saying something. I grabbed it and pulled it up.

 “Teacher, Seo Jae-gyeom is trying to solve it!” 

A minute later.

 

Seo Jae-gyeom came back smiling with a stern look on his face.

 “So, you’re switching from him to me now?”