CH 9

Hong Jae-min’s gang was known as Jung Eun-chae. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.A vicious delinquent, he was responsible for the stress and hair loss of the student leader in his grade.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

When Song Yi-heon jumped off the overpass, she rubbed her temples. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.From what she heard, Song Yi-heon was being bullied and jumped off the overpass because he despairs of the bullying that was occurring on below.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

The biggest problem however, was that bullying was ongoing the attendance sheet for the first class of third graders she received showed Song Yi-heon and Hong Jae-min. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Unless Hong Jae-min is shocked that Song Yi-heon jumped off the overpass, bullying will continue.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

What are the chances Hong Jae-min will change his behavior?

Hakjoo answered. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.‘I’d rather have my hair grow back because of that bastard.’read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

I couldn’t think of anything else. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.How to put the victim and the perpetrator in the same room. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.How to mediate and protect the victim so that she gets along with the students? Jung pounded her fingers on her desk in frustration, then flipped open the attendance book to return to the origin of the problem.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Song Yi-heon’s abuse by Hong Jae-min was unnoticed so they were in the same class, but now that we know, it’s right to separate them. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Jung Eun-chae also knows. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.But to separate the classes, she has to reveal Song Yi-heon’s bullying at the faculty meeting.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

The only person who could tell them what kind of violence Song Yi-heon suffered was Song Yi-heon himself. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The perpetrators won’t talk because it will be against them, and they can’t count on their guardians to help.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

She’d been forced to make an extreme choice because of the abuse, and revealing it would be like throwing salt in the wound. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Jung Eun-chae rubbed her forehead. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.She wasn’t sure if it was right.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Song Yi-heon’s school violence had been kept under wraps by his teachers, and she shouldn’t have brought it to the surface. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Song’s opinion was the most important. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The last thing she needed was for bullying to be brought to her attention when she returned to school.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

For now, we needed time to talk seriously with him. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.We could change the class after that. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.But until then, he needed someone in the classroom to keep Hong Jae-min away from Song Yi-heon.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

As she scratched her thumb down the alphabetized list, she saw a third name. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.A name between Song Yi-heon, Hong Jae-min and Choi Se-kyung.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Smart, mature, polite, and kind, Choi sets an example for others.

The funny thing to note here is that none of the five students Jung Eun-chae counseled revealed that Song Yi-heon was gay. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It wasn’t for Song’s sake. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.They kept their mouths shut because they didn’t want to hurt Choi Se-kyung. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.All five of them, without promises.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Jung Eun-chae didn’t know if Song Yi-heon liked Choi Se-kyung.

No one knew what it was like for Song Yi-heon to be caught being bullied by his crush, humiliated, and terrified that Choi Se-kyung would be there for the beating.

That’s why Jung Eun-chae asked for Song Yi-heon from Choi Se-kyung.

“Se-kyung!”

She called out as she spotted Choi Se-kyung coming out of the staff room. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The tall student turned his head. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It wasn’t just that he was tall, but balanced, steady, and solid. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.He looked like he had grown to the borderline of a boy and a young man, and he gently looked down at Jung Eun-chae. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.His bass voice was soft but powerful.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“You called me.”

The half-moon’s folded eyes met her gaze unwaveringly, and even though he was clearly ten years younger than her, a faint heat rose on the nape of her neck.

“I left the file on your desk.”

Pretending not to notice the heated nape of her neck, Choi Se-kyung turned away. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Jung Eun-chae stroked the nape of her neck to clear her mind of the embarrassing moment and looked away, too, until she spotted the watch on Choi Se-kyung’s wrist. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.She recognized it as the equivalent of a month’s salary, and her fever subsided.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Se-kyung, can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Sure.”

“Wait. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.First period starts soon, so we can talk on the way to class. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.I’ll get you your books.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Nodding obediently, Choi Se-kyung waited for Eun-chae to grab her English textbook and handouts before holding the staff room door open for her. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Accepting the handout she held, she walked after him. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Beneath the open window, she could hear the cafeteria bustle.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Hmm, hmm. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Song Yi-heon is in your class, don’t you know?”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Ah, yes.”

Choi Se-kyung remembered the boy who liked me. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Her soft smile stiffened, but quickly returned to its original form.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“He had an accident over winter break. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Well, it’s a sensitive issue, but he had a little, uh, friction with another friend. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.But this year, he’s in the same class as the guy he had a fight with…. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.You know him, right? Hong Jae-min.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Song Yiheon was at a loss for words as she was afraid to say ‘school violence’ for fear of hurting his feelings. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.However, Choi Se-kyung knew the situation well enough to guess what Jung Eun-chae wanted to say.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“It’s not Yi-heon’s fault. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Jae-min has treated him badly before. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Jae-min is a bit harsh, and that’s why Yi-heon got hurt so much… and the hurt was so big that he did some horrible things during his winter vacation.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Maybe that’s why he didn’t come to make-up classes.”

“Uh-huh, I know…….”

Choi Se-kyung responded calmly. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The hallway ended in a straight line as Jung Eun-chae wondered if she should tell her that Song Yi-heon had jumped off the overpass.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

As she turned a corner and headed upstairs, the canteen sounds faded. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Outside the window, the incinerator roof loomed close. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The incinerator was no longer in use, but the stench of school garbage still lingered, and students rarely went.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Unlike the noisy cafeteria, the staircase that separated the incinerator from the wall was quiet. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Footsteps on the stairs echo loudly.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

She guesses she shouldn’t tell him. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Song jumped off the overpass. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Determined, Jeong Eun-chae said nothing more and brought up the matter.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“So, there’s a problem between Yi-heon and Jae-min that needs to be resolved, and it’s going to take some time, because Yi-heon’s opinion is the most critical thing, so we can’t rush it. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.In the meantime, do you think Se-kyung could look after him? I’m really sorry to ask, but you’re the only friend she has who can keep Jae-min away from him. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Oh, and I’ll keep an eye on you, too.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“…….”

But Choi Se-kyung moved away and stood by the window. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Feeling that the physical distance was a rejection, Jung Eun-chae hurried to assure her that Song Yi-heon was not a bad boy.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“The teacher researched Lee Heon, and he’s different. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.He’s shy and weak, so he doesn’t get along with his friends. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.He’s too polite, so even when he’s upset, he puts up with it. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.He can’t kill a bug.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“Isn’t that Song Yi-heon?”

Choi Se-kyung, who had been listening in silence, suddenly pointed out the window.

“What?”

Jung Eun-chae pushed Se-kyung away and clung to the window. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Below was the incinerator. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Students were gathered in a circle, and Hong Jae-min rolled on the floor, knocked out by Song Yi-heon’s fist.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

* * *

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Song’s high school was divided into old and renovated buildings. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The old building was mainly used by the first and second grades, while the newly constructed building was used by the third grade. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The building was shaped like a “D,” and the vacant lot in the center of the building had a canteen made of shipping containers, so the center of the building was always busy.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Leading the way, Hong Jae-min circled the perimeter of the school building to avoid being spotted by the teacher. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The deserted and congested streets were far away from the canteen center.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

As he was dragged, Kim Deuk-pal familiarized himself with the school’s geography. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Hong Jae-min and his friends tied his arms together to prevent him from escaping, but to him, they were crossed arms. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Arm and arm were intertwined and in close contact. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It was cute to see the lesser woman’s muscles tense with strength.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

It was funny for Kim Deuk-pal to think this while being dragged, and Pisik-Pisik Bird couldn’t help but laugh.

However, when Song Yiheon looked around the school to see if he had lost his cowardice and laughed out loud, Hong Jae-min’s group became very sarcastic.

“Laughing? Laughing?”

He threw Song Yi-heon roughly into the incinerator, his arms flailing, his thin body tumbling over a pile of separated plastic bottles. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The group of sixty-seven Hong Jae-min closed in on Song Yi-heon to drive him away.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“You said you were in an accident, and now you’ve turned around? You’re such an asshole.”

“How do you know? I fell headfirst?”

As Song Yi-heon laughed and picked himself up from the ground, Hong Jae-min’s group sensed a hint of strangeness.

The dragged incinerator was a favorite spot for lynchings. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Song had been out of school during the winter break and had forgotten about it for a while. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.However, at the slightest hint of being dragged to the incinerator, he was as restless as a dog needing to take a potty.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Song Yiheon, who was supposed to stir up a storm, sat down leisurely and dusted off his Murphak. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.He straightened his crumpled maid, grabbed his shoulders and circled them to loosen his muscles, then jerked his head up.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

His glazed eyes swept over Hong Jae-min’s group.

“Thanks, buddy,” he said. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.“You’re the reason I woke up after hitting my head.”read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

We don’t know if Song actually fell headfirst off the overpass. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The last thing Kim Deuk-pal saw of him was him rolling off the truck, but the last thing he saw of him was a nail in Kim Deuk-pal.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

A nail is so deeply embedded in your soul that you can’t pull it out and it causes nagging pain.

Whenever he encountered a trace of Song Yi-heon in his daily life, Kim Deuk-pal ached where the nail was embedded. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The steady, recurring pain assimilated him. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.He began to deconstruct Song Yi-heon’s injustices as if they were his own, and he no longer had any sympathy for them because they were children.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Kim Deuk-pal shoved his hands into his pants pockets and shuffled. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.He could feel a solid axis in his shuffling gait. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Like anger that wanted to chew Hong Jae-min to bits and swallow him whole.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

It wasn’t the fake intimidation or bravado of a child’s game. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.The children around him swallowed dryly as he stared at them with eyes they wouldn’t mind stabbing with a knife. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.They wondered if Song Yiheon had lost his mind, but the atmosphere was so unusual that they couldn’t move.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Song Yiheon paused just before he and Hong Jae-min were chest to chest. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.As he lowered his head, his forehead hit Hong Jae-min’s shoulder due to the height difference. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Song Yiheon didn’t stop at one, but instead tapped his shoulder with his forehead in a series of taps, taps, taps. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.However, Hong Jae-min could not stop Song Yi-heon and crumpled his brow.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

He didn’t just shave his head. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It was as if Song Yi-heon was a different person wearing a different mask. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.There was no other way to explain this strange and intimidating atmosphere.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Song buried his forehead in his shoulder.

“You pushed me.”

As there was no interrogative form or pitch, it was unclear whether it was a question or an announcement due to the tone.

“…What the fuck?”

Hong Jae-min deliberately spat a harsh expletive, not wanting to admit he was intimidated. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Song Yi-heon was a bully who wanted to piss on him. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It didn’t make sense for him to be nervous because his bully tried to lighten the mood. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It was difficult for me to understand this tension myself.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Hong Jae-min twisted his body to try to pull Song Yi-heon off him, but Song Yi-heon weighed him. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.He looked down irritably, and their gazes locked. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.As he inwardly admired the overlapping strands of rich eyelashes, Hong Jae-min stiffened at the sight of piercing eyes staring back at him.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

They were clear. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.They seemed transparent on the inside, and the alien pupils creeped him out.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Song Yi Heon parted his lips. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Hot breaths from the black cave tickled Hong Jae-min’s neck.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“I jumped off the overpass.”

There was no indication of who had fallen, but he knew who he meant. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.There was only one person who could have jumped. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.Hong scratched the nape of his neck stiffly. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.He scratched his nails until they were raw, but his breath tickled his neck.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

Feeling strangled, he puffs out his rigid chest and sighed.

“Get off me, f*ck you.”

“If you bullied me that much, you might as well cheat me.”

To make it clear who killed him, Kim Deuk-pal turned his forehead to show Song Yi-heon’s face. read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.It nailed him so hard he couldn’t deny it.read only at salmonlatte . com. This annoying watermark is not there.

“You killed him, Jae-min.”

Whether it was Kim Deuk-pal’s charred body or Song Yi-heon’s soul, who knows where it ended up.