What Happened After Lunch Break
The rooftop of Haewon High was a place few dared to go unless they were looking for trouble. It wasn't exactly forbidden, but everyone knew who owned it—Jang Hyunwoo.
And today, Hyejin needed trouble.
Pushing open the heavy door, she stepped onto the rooftop, her heels clicking against the concrete. The air smelled like cigarettes and cheap cologne proof that the infamous Jang Hyunwoo and his gang were already there.
A group of boys lounged around, leaning against the railing or sitting on discarded desks. At the center of it all stood Jang Hyunwoo, Haewon High's worst nightmare. Tall, broad-shouldered, and always wearing that lazy smirk like he had nothing to fear.
His gaze flicked to Hyejin as she approached, raising a brow.
"Oh? Our little princess decided to visit us today?" His voice was teasing, but there was a glint of curiosity in his eyes.
Hyejin pouted, crossing her arms. "Oppa, I really need your help."
The gang chuckled.
"Help?" Hyunwoo leaned against the railing, smirking. "Oh dear, and here I thought you only came here to bat your pretty lashes at us."
"I'm being serious!" Hyejin stamped her foot. "This isn't a joke!"
"Alright, alright," Hyunwoo held up his hands in mock surrender. "What's got our princess so worked up?"
Hyejin huffed, stomping her foot for effect. "There's a boy in my class who's really getting on my nerves these days!"
"A boy?" One of Hyunwoo's friends piped up. "Should we be worried about competition?"
"Shut up, Minseok," Hyejin snapped before turning back to Hyunwoo. "His name is Han Jiho. And he has no respect! You won't believe it, but he insulted me in front of my crush Kang Minjae!"
Hyunwoo's interest piqued at that. "Kang Minjae, huh? So what? This Jiho guy just embarrassed you?"
"It's so much worse than that!" Hyejin's voice rose dramatically. "He acts like he's better than everyone! Like he deserves to be around someone like Minjae!"
"And why exactly does that bother you so much?" Hyunwoo asked, genuinely curious now.
Hyejin clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palm as she fake sniffled for extra sympathy. "Because it's not fair! He's always acting like he's special! And now, he's all clingy with Minjae, and Minjae is even saying he's his type!"
"His type?" Hyunwoo's eyebrows shot up. "So this Jiho kid is a pretty boy?"
"That's exactly the problem!" Hyejin nodded furiously. "He's just some nobody, but he's pretending like he belongs in Minjae's world! It's so disgusting! And the worst part? Minjae is actually entertaining it!"
"Entertaining it how?" Minseok asked, clearly invested in the drama now.
"They were holding hands in the cafeteria!" Hyejin exclaimed. "And Minjae was defending him! Called him adorable right in front of everyone!"
A murmur spread through the group. Some of them didn't care, but others looked mildly intrigued. Kang Minjae wasn't just popular he was untouchable. And if some random classmate was getting close to him, that was enough to spark some curiosity.
Hyunwoo sighed, stretching his arms. "This is seriously getting interesting. And what exactly do you want me to do about it?"
Hyejin's lips curled into a sickly sweet smile. "Oh, Oppa... You're so strong, so intimidating... I know Jiho would be terrified if he, you know... just happened to have a little accident."
"An accident?" Hyunwoo repeated slowly.
"Nothing too serious!" Hyejin added quickly. "Just enough to remind him of his place. Maybe then he'll stop clinging to what doesn't belong to him."
Hyunwoo stared at her, then let out a low chuckle. "Our little princess is really something else, huh?"
The boys laughed along, but Hyunwoo's smirk turned sharp. "You want me to mess with this Jiho kid?"
Hyejin blinked up at him innocently. "Just a little scare. Please? For me?"
"What's in it for us?" another gang member asked.
"I'll owe you a favor," Hyejin said sweetly. "And you know I always pay my debts."
Hyunwoo exhaled through his nose, rolling his neck as if considering it.
Then, after a pause, he grinned.
"Alright, princess. Let's have some fun."
Hyejin clapped her hands together, delighted.
Jiho, she thought smugly. You're about to learn your place.
---
Present Moment
The sun had long set by the time Jiho finally made it home, his body aching from exhaustion. As soon as he stepped inside, he was greeted by the worried gaze of his mother.
"Jiho-ya, did something happen to you?" she asked, her soft voice filled with concern.
Jiho hesitated. His mother, Han Mirae, was already struggling as a single parent, working tirelessly to support them. If he told her the truth, it would only add to her burden.
Forcing a smile, he shook his head. "Mom, I'm just tired. That's all."
Mirae frowned, stepping closer. "Don't lie to me. I can see it in your eyes, Jiho-ya. Did someone hurt you?"
"Nobody hurt me," Jiho said, but his voice lacked conviction.
"Then why do you look like you've been through a war?" Mirae pressed, her maternal instincts in full force.
Jiho lowered his gaze, his hands clenching into fists. "I'm really fine, Mom. You don't have to worry."
"Of course I worry! You're my son!" Mirae's voice cracked slightly. "If you won't tell me what's wrong, how can I help you?"
The desperation in her voice made Jiho's chest tighten. "There's nothing to help with. It's just... school stuff. Nothing I can't handle."
Mirae sighed, studying his face. She knew her son too well he was stubborn, just like his father used to be.
"My stubborn boy," she said softly, reaching out to touch his cheek. "If something is wrong, you have to tell me. I don't want you to go through things alone. Do you understand?"
Jiho's throat tightened. The warmth in her voice made him want to break down and confess everything but he couldn't.
Instead, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. "Just let me stay like this for a bit, Mom."
Mirae blinked in surprise but immediately softened, gently stroking his hair. "You know I'm always on your side, right? No matter what happens."
"I know," Jiho whispered against her shoulder.
"Promise me you'll come to me if things get too hard to handle alone," she said quietly.
"I promise," Jiho lied, holding her tighter.
Mirae closed her eyes, savoring the moment. For a brief second, she allowed herself to believe that her son would actually keep that promise.
---
That Night
That night, Jiho lay in his bed, tossing and turning. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake off the events of the day.
Hyunwoo's threatening words echoed in his mind, but they were quickly overshadowed by something else entirely.
The memory of Minjae's kiss flashed in his mind.
His heart started pounding. His cheeks burned red.
He grabbed a pillow and buried his face in it, letting out a muffled scream. "Kang Minjae-ya! You're seriously crazy!"
His voice came out flustered yet frustrated.
But even as he said it, he could still feel the warmth of Minjae's lips on his cheek. The way Minjae had looked at him afterward like Jiho was something precious.
"This is so messed up," he groaned into his pillow. "Why did he have to look at me like that?"
He rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling. "And why did I like it so much?"
The question hung in the air, unanswered.
Deep down, he knew he liked that kiss—though he wasn't ready to admit it out loud.
"What am I supposed to do with these feelings?" he whispered to the darkness. "This is all fake. He's just acting."
But the way Minjae's thumb had brushed over his wrist, the softness in his voice when he called him cute was that really all an act?
Clutching his pillow, Jiho groaned. "What am I going to do? You're too much for my heart."
With his heart still racing, he pulled the blanket over his head, determined to get some sleep.
But Minjae's face refused to leave his thoughts.
And somewhere in the back of his mind, a small voice whispered that maybe—just maybe this fake relationship was starting to feel a little too real.
---