First Contact

This world had its favorites.

"...ha."

Some people are born into rich families, others are talented or good-looking, some even have all of those traits and more.

"Jae-ha."

"Well who cares about good looks if you got personality, dammit!"

"Oi!"

I snapped out of my thoughts as soon as my fist slammed my desk. I looked over to my friend, Choi Do-seok, who was visibly irritated at me.. for some reason. Seomin was just chuckling from behind me.

"Are you still hung up over being called plain?"

"I'm not plain!"

"When you're compared to someone like 'that senior', you really see the difference."

I grit my teeth as I felt my head boil, Do-seok always had the habit of making fun of me.

"Now, now. Class hasn't even started and you two are bickering again."

Here comes Jun Shinwoo. Yet another good friend of mine. Probably the only guy who hasn't made fun of me at first glance.

"Jae's just being sensitive."

"Because its not true!" I turn towards Shinwoo, "Hey Jun, I'm good-looking, right!?"

Shinwoo stared at me for a while, I continue to look at him with sheer anticipation. He surely won't let me dow—

"You're cute."

"Gaahhh!" My forehead hit the table. I give up.

Do-seok bursts out laughing. Seomin pats my back teasingly.

「Whatever. I can't trust these guys at all.」

I look up as the professor arrives and the students all take their seats. Another mundane day without anything new, as per usual. Kinda boring..

/ tak /

Would you look at that.

The same senior Do-seok was comparing me to, which also happened to be our council president, stood in front of the class reading off on a paper nonchalantly.

「The longer you look at him the more handsome he becomes.」

Totally unfair. Not only is he handsome, he's tall and well-built, everything about him oozes a rich man's son!

World's apart, for sure.

I mumble to myself, "..not like it matters.." —before letting myself succumb to sleep.

.

.

.

"It's time to wake up, Jae."

I hear a faint voice calling my name.

"Ugh.. how long was I out for..?"

"The whole period."

"Eh!? Why didn't you wake me up!?"

Do-seok passed me with his bag. "Idiot."

I glare at him.

"You were sound asleep. Don't worry, you didn't get caught."

"...I can tell." How else was I able to nap for almost two hours straight? These jerks!

The four of us were on our way to the next class when Seomin invites us for a quick snack to grab. Do-seok looks at his phone.

"We have some time, wanna come?"

"I actually have a meeting today, so I'll pass." Shinwoo waves his hand signaling his departure.

"Oh, uh, see ya later then!"

"Forgot he's also a student representative, that guy."

"He always skips to hang out with us, obviously! Bet he was threatened this time, haha."

We laugh among ourselves.

"Anyway, you coming with, Jae?"

"Nah. I'm not that hungry anyway."

We wave to each other before walking separate ways, I had to walk alone to class this time. I decided to distract myself with my phone on the way, sending messages to our class group chat and all.

Out of nowhere, I bump into someone.

"Gah!"

I hear the sound of paper scattering on the floor and I snap out of it.

"I'm so sorry!" I rush towards the scattered paper and help them clean it up. "I didn't mean to bump into you."

I look up and it's him. The guy from before.

"Just be careful next time." He spoke rather coldly.

I almost felt annoyed at his words, I already apologized and he still scolded me? Then again, he's right. I should really be more careful next time..

"That should be all of it, I'm sorry again, president."

"Ah.. wait,"

I rub my hands together and give him a polite smile, striding off before he even got another word out. Little did I realize that he was holding onto something.

.

.

.

「What an experience.」

It was brief but I finally got a good look at that senior's face, he was definitely quite the looker.. and he was taller up close too. Chances like that were pretty rare, considering how big the school is. Plus, the dude was popular. For sure he's got everyone flocking around him all the time.

Shinwoo sat beside me, listening intently at the lecture with a pen at hand.

「Come to think of it, Shinwoo is kinda similar to the student council president.」

Tall. Good-looking. Popular.

「Ahh, now I'm even more depressed.」

"Hm? What is it?"

"Huh?"

I hadn't noticed that Shinwoo was already looking my way.

"Why were you staring at me?"

"Oh, I was just thinking."

"About what?" I face front once again, absent-mindedly wasting away like usual. "..Jae??"

「In any case, to hell with these protagonists! I don't care anymore!」

The period passes, and next thing I know is that I've been patting my pockets flat looking for my phone's keychain.

"Where'd it go??"

"Did you lose something?"

"My keychain! It's always strapped on my phone!" I pick my phone up and nothing. My knees meet the floor and I groan.

"My little sister's gonna be so disappointed! Dammit.."

Shinwoo scratches his head.

"Did you perhaps drop it somewhere?"

"No, I don't think so.. wait."

I stand up and place both my hands on Shinwoo's shoulders. Shinwoo appears to be slightly startled.

"Shinwoo you genius! I think know where I could've dropped it! Thanks man!"

"Uh—"

I sprint towards the exit.

「It should be around here somewhere..」

The halls were empty, thankfully. The possibility of someone else picking it up was low. I searched every nook and cranny around the area where I met 'that senior', to... no avail.

"DAMMIT!"

I slam my fists on the floor, tears falling down my face.

「Hyesoo my dear little sister, your big brother is so sorry.. please forgive me.. hic..」

[ IN ANOTHER PLACE ]

"..that should be it for next week's activities."

"Oh? What's that, hyungnim?"

A stone-faced student stares intently at a cartoon tiger keychain, before looking right back at his peer.

"Just a lost item."

"Is it yours?"

"No. I'll give it to its owner soon."

"I see, well it's super cute!" The girl smiles before walking away.

Hyunsoo tucks the keychain in his pocket for now.