The next day, as Jay entered the classroom, she noticed Lee Soo-ho already seated at their bench. To her surprise, he subtly gestured for her to come over.
Caught off guard, Jay blinked a few times, then gave a small, awkward smile and made her way to their seat without saying a word.
Jay walked over to him with a mischievous grin and casually placed her hand on Lee Soo-ho's shoulder.
"Hey chingu, what's up?" she said, playfully.
Lee Soo-ho glanced at her hand resting on his shoulder, his expression unreadable. Then, without a word, he stood up—tall and composed—towering over her.
Jay looked up, suddenly reminded of the moment yesterday when she had leapt onto him while running. That memory flashed through her mind, and she gave a sheepish, awkward smile, quickly pulling her hand back.
Lee Soo-ho looked at her, his expression serious.
"I want to talk to you about something," he said quietly. "Meet me after class."
Jay blinked in surprise, nodding slowly as he gestured for her to sit down. She took her seat beside him, curiosity already building up in her mind.
After the class ended, Jay stepped out into the hallway, where Lee Soo-ho was already waiting—arms crossed, leaning casually against the wall.
She walked up to him, her hands behind her back, and gave an awkward smile.
"So… what is it?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, her tone curious but light.
Lee Soo-ho looked at her with narrowed eyes, his tone cool but edged with curiosity.
"Well, I got to know from others… that you were the one who jumped on me yesterday," he said, crossing his arms. "What do you think of me, huh?"
Jay let out an awkward laugh, rubbing the back of her neck.
"It was an urgency! I mean—people were literally chasing me. I didn't exactly have time to look for brakes."
Lee Soo-ho scoffed, shaking his head slightly.
"Why do you even do things that make people chase you?"
Jay grinned, shrugging casually.
"Because life would be boring otherwise."
Lee Soo-ho stared at her in disbelief, as if trying to figure out whether she was completely fearless—or just reckless.
Just then, a girl from the junior class approached them with a sweet smile and a hopeful glint in her eyes.
"Hi, Sooho-oppa," she said, shyly twirling a strand of her hair. "I… I wanted to say something to you."
Jay quickly took a step back, raising her hands.
"Okay, you guys talk. I'm leaving," she said casually, already turning away.
But before she could take another step, Lee Soo-ho reached out and gently held her wrist.
"Wait," he said firmly. "I'm not done talking to you yet."
Jay raised an eyebrow. "Well, she does have something to say to you."
But Lee Soo-ho didn't budge—he kept holding her wrist, his gaze fixed on the junior girl.
"What?" he asked flatly.
The girl blushed, then nervously extended a small box of cookies toward him. "I… I like you, oppa," she said softly. "I even made these cookies for you… they have your drawing on them."
Jay stifled a laugh as she leaned in slightly to get a better look at the box. "Wow," she whispered under her breath, "that's some dedication."
Lee Soo-ho glanced at Jay, then back at the girl. Without a word, he flipped the cookie box from her hand—sending it tumbling to the floor.
"Focus on your studies," he said bluntly.
The girl stood frozen for a moment, lips trembling, before running off in tears.
Jay turned to him, frowning. "You… you are such a heartbreaker."
Lee Soo-ho shot her a sharp look. "Why are you still here?"
Jay raised her wrist—the one he was still holding. "Well, you asked me to."
Realizing, Lee Soo-ho immediately let go and looked away. "Then leave."
Jay rolled her eyes. "As if I wanted to stay," she muttered, walking off in irritation.
After a few classes, during a free period, Jay wandered through the quiet corridor, enjoying the rare moment of calm. As she passed by the old storeroom, a muffled sound caught her attention—raised voices, sharp and angry. She paused, tilting her head, trying to make sense of it.
The shouts grew clearer. Someone was yelling… no, multiple voices—girls. And one voice among them trembled, pleading.
Jay's expression hardened.
Without a second thought, she pushed the door open.
Inside, a group of junior girls had cornered another girl, who was visibly shaken, her back pressed against the wall, eyes brimming with tears. The moment Jay stepped in, the bullies froze.
She didn't hesitate.
Smack.
Smack.
Smack.
One by one, she slapped each of the girls across the face—not with rage, but with a fierce calmness that silenced the room.
"What the hell is wrong with you all?" she said coldly. "Does it make you feel stronger—hurting someone who can't fight back?"
None of them dared to speak.
Jay narrowed her eyes. "Remember this—only the weak bully the weaker. You just proved how pathetic you are."
She turned her back on them and walked to the bullied girl, gently taking her by the hand.
"Come on," she said softly, "you don't need to stay here."
And with that, she left the storeroom, the stunned bullies standing silent behind her, and led the girl away from the shadows.
The girl looked up at Jay with teary eyes, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"Thank you, unnie," she said, her voice still trembling but filled with gratitude. "You were so cool… the way you stood up to them."
Jay smiled faintly, but her expression faltered for a moment. Her eyes darkened slightly as a wave of old memories crashed over her—hallways echoing with laughter not her own, cruel whispers behind her back, the helplessness she once felt. She had been in this girl's shoes.
Pushing the memories away, she gently placed her hand on the girl's shoulder.
"If they ever trouble you again," Jay said firmly, "don't stay quiet. Don't plead."
She smirked. "Just smack them."
The girl laughed, the tension in her face easing. "Okay, unnie," she said, beaming. "I will."
Jay ruffled her hair lightly and nodded. "That's more like it."
Jay waved the girl goodbye with a small smile and turned to walk down the hallway, her steps light but purposeful. The girl watched her leave, admiration shining in her eyes—until something on the ground caught her attention. A silver bracelet, simple yet elegant, lay where Jay had been standing moments ago.
She bent down and picked it up, turning it over gently in her hands. The soft clink of its charm sounded as she examined it—it was definitely Jay's.
Just then, Lee Soo-Ho appeared at the end of the hallway, walking with his usual calm, unreadable expression. The girl's eyes lit up as she recognized him.
"Soo-Ho oppa!" she called out, hurrying to him.
He paused, glancing at her. "Hmm?"
She held out the bracelet. "This… the Indian unnie from your class dropped it. Can you give it back to her?"
Lee Soo-Ho looked down at the bracelet, then at the girl. After a beat, he nodded. "Okay. Give it to me."
She smiled and handed it over. "Thank you, oppa."
He gave a small nod and looked down at the bracelet in his hand, expression unreadable. For a moment, he just stared at it—silent. Then, without a word, he slipped it into his pocket and walked away.
After the last bell rang, students began pouring out of the classrooms, the school buzzing with chatter and laughter. Lee Soo-Ho walked down the corridor, his bag slung over one shoulder, ready to head home.
As he passed by a group of girls standing near the stairwell, their voices reached his ears—sharp, angry, and unmistakably familiar.
"That Indian girl—Jay, or whatever her name is—slapped us today!" one girl hissed.
"Yeah! And now our boyfriends have gone to the bus stop to teach her a lesson," another added with a scoff, flipping her hair.
Soo-Ho stopped in his tracks. His eyes widened slightly. Jay?
A low curse escaped his lips under his breath. "Shit."
Without a second thought, he turned and sprinted down the hallway, pushing past students as he raced toward the school gates. His heart thudded against his ribs—not just from running. Why does she always end up in trouble? he thought, his jaw clenched.
He didn't stop running. He had to get to the bus stop before something happened.