CHAPTER 4: SYMPATHY To POPULARITY

Arya entered her classroom, she took a seat in the last row, deeply immersed in thoughts about the death of her junior. Her inner voice spoke, "That junior teen was Sek Ji-Sun, an athlete who truly excelled in last year's sports day. Even I was shocked by his skills, especially in playing volleyball. To me, he was an extraordinary person with parents who earned extra, and, most importantly, he had a beautiful girlfriend. Everything he had at his age seemed like a great blessing for a peaceful life, and he always wore a smile on his face. But today, he ended his life in front of my own eyes. Why did he die? Maybe a breakup with his girlfriend? Did he have some other reasons?Is it worth to end up his life? Recently, this is the fourth suicidal death I have seen this week."

As Arya was deeply lost in thought about her junior, the English teacher Hwa-Young suddenly entered the room which cause an action of Arya to snap back to reality. She greeted the students, and they responded in kind. The English teacher began teaching the topic, later posing questions to the students. Though silence remained, Arya raised her hand and provided impressive answers with a perfect explanation, leaving the teacher impressed.

At the end of the class, she said to Arya, "Hey, brown girl, you have done well."

Students around her laughed, cracking jokes at her expense. Unbothered, Arya didn't let these taunts affect her. Instead, she hurried to the bathroom, where she began crying without making a sound.

Arya's inner voice spoke to her like another person, advising, "Hey, Arya! You are adorable, and you have a unique color like chocolate. Don't mind how they remember you, it's important how you remember them. Everyone who laughed at you did so because you are fucking greater than them, and they try to bring you down. Those brats want you to be emotional, and they seek happiness in exploiting your weaknesses. Be bold, and don't care about what those brats think of you. Now, step out of the bathroom after washing away your tears and walk like an upcoming Korean fashion model. That's it, my gorgeous girl."

Arya returns with a composed expression, acting as if nothing happened. The leader of the bully gang Mi Cha Sang-hee signals one of her girls to push Arya, and she does, expecting the same outcome. However, Arya slips, only to be caught by the handsome hunk, Park Seo-Joon, who holds her tightly and advises, "Be sharp and careful with the things around you." Arya nods.

Students around them scream, drawing attention. The bully gang leader Mi Cha Sang-hee approaches Arya and says, "Park seo-joon is going to be my future boyfriend material. How dare you fall for him? Maybe you are living in Korea, but you are not Korean. We allow foreigners as guests, not as companions. Always remember that you are not the person he wants, and know your worth. Did you get my point?"

Arya, with a lowered voice, responds, "Yes, I know my worth and i deserve better."

Arya smiled as she thought about Police Officer Sam, who had come to investigate the suicide case of Bakhyeon. He held her up with care, and his eyes and face still made her blush.

Lost in her thoughts, she accidentally bumped into the cool guy, Park Min-Ho. He responded, "Yaa! Don't you see people around you? I am literally getting a headache now."

Confused, Arya apologized, "I am so sorry, Min-Ho. But we have to hit our heads once again."

Park Min-Ho, with a shocked expression, exclaimed, "Ahh! Do you really want me to die or what?"

Arya clarified, "No. In my Indian culture, if we don't hit our heads once again, horns will grow on our heads, so..."

Min-Ho unwillingly hit her head. He then headed to the playground, a scene observed by Park Seo-Joon with a strange face.

Once again, Arya's inner voice spoke, "This guy, Park Min-Ho, looks similar to Police Officer Sam. Min-Ho always appears cool and careless. He hates the bully gang and is a unique individual,gentle and kind. While he may struggle with studies, his Instagram account boasts thousands of followers for his modeling looks. He's a potential future modeling star. I appreciate his attitude, but he also dislikes me because I better in studies."

Arya slowly walked in the playground, she was deeply thinking about Police Officer Sam, while Park Seo-Joon watched her with a strange expression. Suddenly, everyone in Arya's class received a notification on their smartphones.

Students, filled with curiosity, opened the message and saw a video clip about the junior boy Sek ji-sun,who had ended his life, ruthlessly kills a innocent beggar in the street with a huge iron rod.the blood of unknown beggar splattered on his face and he smiles and tells,"I am truly happy to watch people suffer and feel like a destroyer. I believe... I have more power to end people like you. Because of bloody beggar like you ruins my mood.my friend clicked a picture of me but you too captured on it. Without knowing,i uploaded my picture on Instagram got fewer likes, and unknown idiots are making fun of me. So, I have planned to remove you from this digital world. From now on, no one will compare you with me. Instead, people will comment with sympathy messages, and I will become popular soon and kudos to you for going viral."

Park Min-Ho raised his voice, "Yaa! This junior brat, Sek Ji-Sun, is just fifteen years old but killed an innocent beggar. I think someone blackmailed him with this video clip, so he ended his life. Definitely, people who hurt someone must face this kind of death."

Arya and her classmates, with shocked expressions, watched the video. Unexpectedly, the English teacher Hwa-Young on the top roof of the school building made eye contact with Arya, fell down, and her blood flowed slowly towards Arya's shoes.