second lead. | 정원

chapter 58.

lviii.

Jang Kyeri peeked from the cafeteria's entrance, trying to find a specific person among the crowd. There were a lot of students and the tables were all occupied. Not to mention, some were still walking around making it more difficult for her to find her target. She huffed, eyes scanning from one place to another for the twentieth time. She needed her daily five-second glance of the person she liked.

The now second-year student brought her thumb to her lips and started biting on her nail.

The girl was about to give up, accepting that she wasn't able to meet the person today. She sighed in defeat and was about to go back to class when she spotted a familiar figure walking down the hallway. She narrowed her eyes, watching him carefully like how a predator watches its prey.

"Hey," Kyeri informally spoke, making the boy turn to her. He wasn't alone, another male student who resembled a puppy was walking beside him. Kyeri figured he was one of dimple boy's friends. She sauntered towards them, stopping a few meters away, and stared them up and down. "When are you gonna break up with her?" She snapped, hands clenched into fists.

Hearing this, Shim Jaeyun lets out an overly loud gasp, clearly misunderstanding the situation, "What is she talking about? Are you two-timing?"

Jungwon was quick to deny, shaking his head swiftly. "No, what the f—"

"When are you gonna break up with her?!" The second-year student shouted this time, catching the attention of many people wandering in the hallways as they gave them weird looks.

"Never!" Yang Jungwon countered, ignoring the students watching. He only hoped they won't get the wrong idea. Being called a jerk was something he didn't want.

Jang Kyeri gritted her teeth as she looked at her senior with a sharp glare, the male having the same expression on display. This was their first meeting and yet, resentment was the only emotion felt between them. Jungwon had never been so aggravated with someone in his life, but the girl in front of him told him otherwise. He didn't know what he did wrong to make her dislike him so much.

Too caught up with the issue happening, the male didn't even question how she came to know the identity of his secret girlfriend. Nevertheless, that thought flew out the window when this girl popped in. Jungwon watched as she clenched her jaw before scoffing. She proceeded to stick a tongue out before dashing in the opposite direction, acting childish.

Kyeri reminded him of his friend who roughly had a similar personality. Nishimura Riki could be both mature and immature whenever he wanted to be, taking advantage of being the youngest among his friend group.

Jungwon sighed before resuming his path to the cafeteria with Jake after taking one last glance at the second-year student. Then he heard a loud thud behind him, making him veer around only to find the girl on the ground. A few recognizable faces were present as well, surrounding her.

From the scene unfolded, Jungwon assumed Jang Kyeri might have collided with someone when she turned a corner. She was rubbing her hip in pain with her nose scrunched up. Standing in front of her was Kang Yubin, his classmate, who was staring down at her in surprise.

Jungwon planned to leave for lunch, but when another girl emerged from behind Yubin, he stopped. That other girl happened to be Mira. Seeing her again made him remember the event at the infirmary. His cheeks turned rosy upon her actions considering it was the first time she initiated the first move. He couldn't forget about their unexpected confession also. Jungwon's heart thumped faster, dismissing Jake who was quietly observing him.

Park Aerin stepped forward as she assisted the younger girl to stand up from the floor, dusting off her school uniform. "Are you okay uh—" She paused, eyes shifting to the small nametag on her blazer. "—Kyeri. Are you okay?" Aerin softly repeated.

Jungwon could have sworn the second-year female saw an angel upon seeing his childhood friend up close. He couldn't deny it though, because ten-year-old Jungwon had thought that way too.

Kyeri's eyes sparkled as she started feeling nervous. She stuttered her next words, "Y-yeah I'm okay—" She paused, her eyes meeting another pair of onyx orbs.

If Kyeri saw an angel before, then she was now looking at a goddess after her eyes landed on the girl standing beside Aerin — Jeon Mira. The younger girl froze, gaze not leaving Mira's figure. She felt even more nervous now, and awestruck.

Out of instinct, Jang Kyeri bowed deeply. She was parallel to the floor, exactly bowing in ninety degrees. The action caught the other girls off guard, even resulting in Yu Cheram (who was drinking water from her bottle) to choke. "I-I'M SORRY!" Kyeri apologized loudly.

The four girls watched as their junior dashed away with her head lowered, clearly flustered by the way her cheeks were colored a shade of red. She went further down the corridor until her figure disappeared behind a blank wall.

Park Aerin scratched her head in confusion as she released an awkward laugh, "Uhm, should we go?" The girl pointed at the cafeteria with her thumb.

"You guys go first, I need to buy a drink," Mira informed, taking out her wallet. She excused herself from her friends before making her way to the vending machine that was stationed not too far away.

Yang Jungwon patted Jake's shoulder, whispering an "I'll see you at the table," before he jogged away, going to the same direction Mira was heading. He passed by her group of friends, undoubtedly earning strange looks from them but they were quick to shrug it off. He also received a small wave from Aerin as a salutation.

The boy sauntered to where the vending machines were located, pace slowing down when turning a corner. However, he halted upon noticing that the girl wasn't alone. There was another individual with her, another female. The same second-year student whom he had a random conflict with a few minutes ago.

Jungwon reversed his steps as he swiftly hid behind a wall. He peered at them, eyeing Kyeri and Mira who were engaged in a conversation. He scowled, irritated by the younger's presence once again. What did she want from her?

"Senior Mira, are you really dating Senior Jungwon?" Jang Kyeri questioned with a frown on display. There was a hint of annoyance in her voice and it didn't go unnoticed by the older girl. Mira raised an eyebrow skeptically. She couldn't help but ponder about the different scenarios that could possibly happen like those books she read online.

"What if I am? Does that concern you?" A tinge of spite was present in Mira's voice as she crossed her arms over her chest.