03. Why save Hyunwoo?

(Next day during lunch)

Jisung and I were talking about our math homework when a sudden crashing noise attracted our attention. It was my seatmate Hyunwoo surrounded by a couple of students. Among them I noticed Daejung. He was one of my classmates. Hyunwoo was dripping wet and one of the seniors was holding an empty bottle. What's happening...?

"Come on, you thought you could escape after disobeying us?", said Minseok.

"How about you teach him a lesson, Cheng?"

"That would be my pleasure", Cheng said smirking as he cracked his knuckles.

I turned to Jungwon. "Why isn't anyone helping Hyunwoo?" I was getting worried with every second passing. This could end up really, really bad.

"Ignore it Junseo. It's for your own good", he said turning back to finish his lunch.

I looked back at the scene in utter shock as Cheng threw a hard punch at Hyunwoo's face. Blood dripped from his nose as he tried to stand but failed miserably.

But I don't think I can do that...

I stood up from my seat. "Hey! That's enough. Don't you think you've caused enough harm already?!", I quoted trying to sound like I wasn't scared.

"And why should we listen to you? Are you willing to take his place?", mockingly asked Jaesung.

Jungwon pulled my sleeve signaling me to keep quiet and sit down. But I refused his offer which turned out to be my greatest mistake in consideration on a long-term basis.

"Why do you think your status is more important than other's feelings?", I asked denying to back off.

"Because it certainly is", Baekhyun said as if it was the most obvious thing.

Daejung broke our conversion, "Leave it Baekhyun hyung he got it on himself. Hyunwoo, we'll leave you for now. You better watch out Junseo." He said glaring at me as if he was ready to kill me right on the spot.

('Hyung' is used by males to address older males. It is used between people who are close to each other to be polite and can also mean 'big brother')

Once they left Jisung hit my left harm scolding me, "Why didn't you keep shut?! Fuck...! Now, I'm feeling sorry for you..."

"How can I do that when they were literally making someone's face bloody? What's their deal anyways?"

"Daejung basically owns the school right now along with his brother Minseok. The rest of them are friends more like friends for business purposes", explained Hanbin.

Jungwon continued, "They get away with anything. It's been going on with Hyunwoo for more than a year... Whoever tries to expose them becomes their new target. I'm sorry Junseo but if this continues I don't think we can continue to be friends..."

This is more serious than I thought. But does he mean by that he owns the school 'right now'.

"Junseo, one last piece of advice for you, if you can transfer schools then please do it as soon as possible", said Jisung.

Can I? No... It will only worry mom even more. They didn't say anything about reporting it to the teachers or principal but if things get out of hand I should probably reach out to them... It's clear the students won't even lift a finger judging how they perfectly ignored the bloody mess in the corner... It also tells that all this is very common...

I shook my head in defeat, "I can't...", I answered shortly.

~~

I was taking notes in our science class when something hit my head. It was a paper ball. I glanced behind to see who threw it.

It was Cheng. He gave me a dangerously endearing smile and pointed at the paper.

I picked it up and it read 'I hope you won't skip school tomorrow. Don't be a weakling and face the consequences of your actions ;)'