Chapter 22: Rumors going around the school

The cherry viewing blossoms ended with everyone having fun and lighthearted, except Song Yujin and Kim Hajun.

The latter was obviously annoyed but other students ignored his mood and didn't let his dark atmosphere ruin their liveliness. Meanwhile, despite what happened, Song Yujin was faking his smiles and laughing.

The weekend passed in a blink. Yujin even had to go to school on weekends for training. It was because he started late, and Coach Park wanted him to compete in the upcoming division competition in the last week of May – which means that within a month, he should be able to run faster than the veteran athletes competing in the game.

Monday began without him and Hajun speaking to each other, which only frustrated Yujin more.

When he stepped off the bus and onto the crowded school grounds, he sensed that something was off. The usual morning bustle was louder than usual, a low hum of voices that seemed to drop to a murmur whenever he passed by.

Eyes flicked in his direction, followed by huddled groups quickly turning away. It was as if an invisible spotlight was trained on him, highlighting his every move. Yujin couldn't help but wonder what was going on.

He tightened his grip on his backpack, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling. The days before had been rough—his argument with Hajun had left him feeling raw and vulnerable. He wanted to complain to him about his rigorous training and Coach Park's strictness.

He wanted to hear his support like he always does. But now, the cold silence between them was hurting him. Hajun is his foster brother, but he is his best friend as well, his confidant, and his accomplice.

Perhaps, Hajun was right. Yujin always makes it about him. He was the one who always complained about this and that, always made troubles about this and that, and always caught the attention of others, whether good or bad.

Hajun might have been holding a grudge against him, and yet he was dense and clueless, so inconsiderate of what he might be feeling because of him.

As he walked in the corridor to his classroom, he could hear snatches of conversation that made his heart sink.

"Did you hear the rumors about one of the transferees in our class? Apparently, he is an orphan!"

"No way, really? I think I know who you were referring to. But girl, what's wrong with being an orphan? Isn't that just pitiful?"

"Yeah, but apparently, he's been mooching off to his friend's family for years. Must be tough for the family, huh? I mean, if I'm the friend, I'd feel sorry for my parents taking care of someone who only knows how to bring trouble!"

Yujin's face faltered. His carefree and smiley façade disappeared after hearing those words. He knew how quickly rumors could spread on the campus, and this one was particularly vicious, aiming at him.

His family situation wasn't something he discussed openly, but it wasn't a secret either. In his previous school, the relationship between him and Hajun was as seen as cousins, but this time, the rumors were on point.

Song Yujin was indeed an orphan who had been living off Hajun's family's money.

His parents died in a car accident when he was young, and they were a close college friend to Hajun's father, Kim Jonghyun. The life insurance they left, which wasn't that much, was used for their funeral, and for Yujin's recovery, who was the only one who survived the car crash.

Without anyone wanting to take in a kid who had nothing on his name, Kim Jonghyun reached out his hand and took him in. That was the first time he met Hajun and Hajin. Hajun and he were seven years old, and Hajin was eight.

They grew up together, and Kim Jonghyun shouldered his monthly counseling check-ups and his school fees. Eventually, Seo Hari, who was reluctant to take him in because of their financial situation back then, gradually opened up to him and treated him like her youngest son.

He grew up loved, and perhaps, because of the trauma of the accident fading away and completely forgotten, Yujin's energetic and carefree attitude returned. The Kims took care of him for ten years, and yet there he was, suspecting that it was Hajun who spread the rumor because of their fight.

Song Yujin stopped at his track and slapped the back of his head hard. It was a habit Hajun always did, now he couldn't believe he was missing it.

He ignored the whispers and walked with his head straight.

What's wrong with being an orphan? And people might think he was mooching off to Hajun's family for now, but once he gained fame in the track and field, he would dedicate all his winning to them.

He entered his noisy classroom, which turned silent after he appeared by the door. His eyes darted on Kim Hajun, who avoided his gaze. Dejected, Yujin occupied his seat with a heavy heart.

He noticed Lee Hyun was staring at him, but he was too exhausted to pester him like he used to. He yawned and just rested his head on his folded arms above the desk. Before he closed them, he saw Kang Ji-eun looking at him, smiling at him pitifully.

It wasn't anything offensive, but somehow, Yujin felt a pang in his chest. He'd rather receive hateful glances than those pitying eyes and smiles directed at him. That was how prideful he was – because it was the only thing he could have.

He buried his face in his arms and tried to nap before the teacher arrived. But his plan was interrupted when an innocent-sounding male voice reached his ears.

"Yujin, man, are the rumors true that you're an orphan?" Song Yujin lifted his head to see Lu Yuze smiling at him innocently as if he didn't find his inquiry offensive.

Well, it didn't. Yujin thought as he smiled back. If people think that he'd be offended by just that, then he'd prove he wasn't someone they could provoke by just spreading petty rumors.

"Yep, that's true."

Lu Yuze's eyes widened. He even patted Yujin's shoulders, but his mouth wouldn't just stop asking, "Woah, sorry to hear that, dude. But why are you an orphan? Did your parents abandon you on the street?"

At the corner of Yujin's eyes, he saw Lee Hyun standing from his seat and facing them. Yujin felt his heart swell with warmth, seeing how the vice president was ready to scold Lu Yuze. But he was then interrupted by Hajun, whose presence Yujin did not notice approaching.

"Hey, that's rude to ask, Yuze. Cut it out."

"Oh…man, sorry, didn't know you'd be offended," Lu Yuze tapped Yujin's back and walked away.

Yujin clenched his fists and chuckled. "Offended? No, I'm not. It's just that I don't want to sadden the atmosphere in this class. But if you're dying to know, then sure, I'm fine telling you. My parents died in a car accident. The car was crashed by a drunken man driving a sixteen-wheeler truck. They died on the spot, both bodies covered in blood and faces unrecognize—

"That's enough."

Lee Hyun's deep and cold voice echoed in the room. Yujin felt numb. But his attention was grabbed when something warmth held his hand. He looked back and saw Kang Ji-eun, still seated in her seat and gazing up at him with teary eyes.

Only then did Song Yujin realize his hands were shaking.