Chapter 1.5

Finally, without hesitation, he turned around and his back was visible.

Won's face, which had stiffly turned away, was distorted.

Won barely managed to let out a breath that had been tightly held.

It felt like his throat was closing up even though he wasn't wearing a tie.

Even if he tried to grab it with his hands, all he could hold onto was his bare skin.

Won bit his lip tightly in the space that suddenly felt silent.

Woo-jae, Woo-jae, Woo-jae....

Won repeated Woo-jae's name quietly.

Unable to find any relief, he let out a long sigh.

He lifted his gaze from the textbook he had been burying himself in and stared at the back of Woo-jae's head.

It seemed like he was listening attentively as his head was tilted towards the professor.

His posture was upright, and his hand occasionally made notes instead of just listening.

After observing him closely from behind throughout the lecture, he was closer to being an excellent student rather than an inferior student.

Occasionally, when the guy sitting next to him nudged him with his elbow, Woo-jae would look at the letters written on the corner of the book and nod with a small smile.

When the girl sitting in front of him turned around and asked about the progress, Woo-jae would sometimes point out the page in the book to his.

Does he has split personality?

It wasn't an unbelievable story when you saw his expressions that changed in an instant from laughing to serious.

He reflected on himself for not being proactive in his academic life.

No matter how poorly he performed in his studies, it should have been noticeable at least once.

Reluctantly, Woo-jae had to admit that objectively speaking, he stood out.

It was impossible not to notice.

Even though they were taking the same class, he didn't know.

Won let out another deep sigh.

Just as the professor finished the lecture and left the classroom, taking his book with him.

Woo-jae's head turned slightly deeper towards the boy.

Their eyes met unexpectedly.

The long corners of his mouth were unpleasant and sinister whenever he smiled.

Unconsciously, Won exerted force as he pressed the sharp pencil against the paper.

The lead couldn't withstand the pressure and snapped.

"....."

The gaze that had been locked for a moment quickly shifted forward.

The guy who took his book stood up.

Woo-jae, you have a free period for the third class.

What are you going to do? Do you want to go to a cafe with us?

Hey, no. I was going to go to the PC room with you, what kind of cafe is it?

As soon as the lecture ended, a conversation centered around Woo-jae unfolded.

"...It's noisy."

Won, who belatedly withdrew his gaze, murmured.

The voice, which no one picked up, dispersed into thin air as if it had never existed.

The crowd continued to talk incessantly, and Won sat quietly, swallowing his irritation.

It was stuffy.

He couldn't keep the irritation inside.

No matter how hard he tried to ignore it, he couldn't do it.

Even if there were water people scattered throughout the country, the population density was not that high.

They were a very small minority.

Even if there were areas where centers were established, the situation changed once they left that place.

It was unlikely that the person he happened to encounter was a water person.

Even if such a thing happened, it was extremely rare for both parties to become aware of each other's identity.

Unless they had known each other since childhood.

Usually, even if they attended the same school or worked at the same workplace, it was common for them not to know each other's existence.

Moreover, if they lived like me, closing their eyes and ears, there was nothing to say.

There were water people who didn't have a fellow acquaintance by their side for their entire lives.

I wanted to be like that too.

That's why I used to meet my ex-boyfriend in a place far away from school.

He knew more people than me, after all.

That bothered me the most. I should have just ignored him as usual, but I couldn't help but react more sensitively than usual.

Moreover, Woo-jae subtly touched my nerves as if asking a question.

For example, like this.

"I think I have an important appointment. Let's go next time."

Woo-jae, who unexpectedly came out of the crowd, spoke in a gentle voice.

He walked across the classroom, sweeping his hand along the edge of the desk.

Unconsciously, Won turned his head, furrowing his brow.

What an unlucky bastard.

Every time he thought about it, curses came to mind.

Besides the fact that he helped me, I felt a strong sense of unease. It felt like something was seriously wrong, even if I got caught.

The reason why he interfered with me in the first place was because of that incident, so if he continues to act like this in the future, I would be the most troubled person.

If I keep the promise I made that day, maybe things will get better.

The uncertain future was shrouded in a distant fog, making it impossible to see beyond.

I needed assurance that the current situation was really okay.

Tap, tap.

The sharp sound intermittently hit the book.

Just as Won was lost in thought, he grabbed Kyung-hun, who was about to leave with his bag.

"Senior, why? Is something wrong?"

Kyung-hun widened his eyes and looked down at Won.

"Well, it's Woo-jae."

"Kwon Woo-jae? Yes."

"Do you know where he went? I had something to tell him, but he disappeared between classes."

"Hmm... don't you know Woojae's number? Should I contact him?"

"Ah, no. He always seemed busy. I guess he has a lot of close friends."

As someone who didn't know many people in the department, Kyung-hun was the best source of information.

Moreover, Kyung-hun was the president of the club.

There was no need to be discouraged even if Kwon Woo-jae was at the top of the food chain.

In the center, hunting between individuals was prohibited to maintain the population.

Until he arrived at school, there was no scent of a leopard's pheromone, and he avoided eye contact and hid before the spots spread to his face, so there was no evidence left.

So Woo-jae had no reason to shake him.

It seemed that he had no intention of deliberately causing trouble, so if the incident didn't reach the center director's ears, there would be no need to be monitored by the center.

If that happened, he wouldn't need to worry about being watched by the center.

Suddenly, memories of the past came to mind.

Won clenched his fist tightly and tried to calm his mind.

I just needed to confirm that it was a coincidence.

To avoid repeating the same mistake, I needed information about Woo-jae.

"There are many. Aren't you close with Woo-jae, senior?"

Who's friendly?

Won unconsciously suppressed his feelings that were about to burst out.

"…We're not close. It's not that easy. Are there any kids he doesn't get along with?"

Won smiled kindly and responded.

Kyung-hun did not delay for long.

"Probably none? Woojae has a nice personality. Do you have a good personality?"

"Yes."

He is kind to his seniors, and he is kind to his classmates and juniors, so he treats them well.

I don't think there's anyone I'm particularly close with, but we're all close together.

There's probably no one in our department who doesn't know this.

"Woo-jae had wide connection, so he was going to be the president of the society, but he passed it on to me for some reason."

For a moment, Kwon Woo-jae's appearance to the public flowed out from his parted lips.

I don't give a damn about being clean.

I said it was uncomfortable somewhere, but it seems like I'm hiding my true feelings in front of others and living.

Even though I was trembling inside, I laughed bravely.

This was enough.

I realized that I don't want to destroy the tower I worked so hard to build, and it's not just one thing.

Sometimes, when I see him, he seems so kind to the point of being a little foolish.

"Oh, it's not that bad. Woo-jae also sticks to the rules and the kids don't treat him rudely. Ah, the snake that my senior was raising. Are you feeling better now?"

A faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth for a moment.

He straightened his slightly bent back and leaned against the chair.

Won brushed his hair back and softened his stiff laughter into a gentle one.

"...Then. It's okay."

"I'm glad. Oh, senior, I think I should go now because I have a meeting."

"Okay."

"Yes, see you later."