Jin Haru walked through the school gates.
The building was big and clean. Students were everywhere. Some were laughing. Some were running. Some stood in groups and talked.
He walked slowly, holding his school bag with one hand. His other hand was in his pocket.
He was nervous.
"This is it," he said softly. "My first day… as a student."
It was strange. He had seen this kind of life only in movies and books. He never lived it before. When he was young, he had no friends. No classmates. Only labs and machines.
But now, everything was different.
He looked up at the school building.
It looked like a dream.
Then, the whispers began.
"Whoa… who is that?"
"He's so tall…"
"Is he a model?"
"Look at his eyes. He's so sharp…"
Girls giggled. Some pointed at him. A few boys frowned.
Jin Haru kept walking. He didn't look at anyone. But inside, his heart beat fast.
I didn't come here to be popular, he thought. I just want a normal life.
When he entered the classroom, everyone turned to look at him.
The teacher smiled.
"Ah, you must be the new transfer student. Come in."
Jin Haru bowed politely. "Hello. My name is Jin Haru. Please take care of me."
His voice was calm, but his hands felt sweaty.
The teacher looked around the room. "Hmm… where should he sit?"
Before anyone answered, someone pointed.
"There's a seat near Seo Yuri."
Jin Haru followed the teacher's finger. A girl sat near the window, head down, sleeping.
Her long black hair covered part of her face. She didn't move, even when everyone stared.
"That's fine," the teacher said. "Go ahead and sit there."
Jin Haru walked to the seat. When he passed by some students, they whispered again.
"His skin is so clear…"
"Is he wearing makeup?"
"He's cooler than the drama actors…"
Jin Haru sat quietly. He glanced at the girl beside him.
So she's Seo Yuri, he thought. The cold girl from the file REI showed me.
She didn't even open her eyes.
Just then, a boy in the back of the room narrowed his eyes.
He had short black hair and a strong build.
He leaned forward and whispered, "I've seen that face before…"
His name was Baek Jinho.
He didn't smile like the others.
His eyes looked serious.
---
During Lunch
Jin Haru walked out of the class alone. Many students tried to talk to him, but he walked quickly.
He found a quiet spot behind the school.
He sat on a bench and opened his lunch box.
It was simple—rice, meat, and a boiled egg.
Suddenly, a girl sat beside him.
"Hi there," she said with a sweet voice.
She had curly brown hair and big eyes.
"You're Jin Haru, right? I'm Mina. You're really popular already."
Haru smiled politely. "Nice to meet you."
Mina leaned closer. "You're too handsome to be alone. Got a girlfriend?"
"No," he answered.
"Want one?" she said with a wink.
Jin Haru blinked.
"I don't think so."
Mina laughed and poked his arm.
"You're funny."
She stayed with him for a while, chatting. Haru listened, but he didn't say much.
I really wanted to stay low-key… he thought.
---
After Lunch – School Grounds
Students gathered on the sports field. Some kicked soccer balls, others just watched.
Jin Haru was walking by the edge of the field, heading toward a shady tree to relax.
He wasn't in the mood to talk.
Then it happened.
"Hey, new guy!"
A voice called out.
He turned his head slightly.
Baek Jinho stood in the middle of the field with a soccer ball at his feet. His friends laughed beside him.
"You think you're hot stuff, huh? Let's see if you can handle this!"
Before Haru could reply, Jinho kicked the ball—fast and hard—straight at his face.
Gasps echoed around.
But before the ball could hit him—
Haru's body moved on its own.
His instincts reacted.
His feet shifted.
His body twisted mid-air.
And in one smooth motion, he spun backward, lifted his leg, and kicked the ball mid-air in a perfect backflip.
BANG!
The ball flew across the field, twice as fast, and slammed into the goalpost with a loud clang.
Silence.
Everyone stared.
Mouths dropped.
Even Baek Jinho froze.
Jin Haru landed gently. He blinked, confused.
"…My body just moved," he muttered.
Cheers broke out from a few students.
"No way!"
"Did you see that?!"
"That was like something from an anime!"
Mina, watching from nearby, clapped her hands. "Haru~ That was sooo cool!"
But Jin Haru just scratched his head, looking embarrassed.
"I really wanted to stay low-key…" he sighed again.
---
Later in Class
Seo Yuri finally opened her eyes.
She looked around and noticed the new student beside her.
She didn't say anything.
She just stared at him for a few seconds.
Then, she looked away.
Jin Haru noticed, but he stayed silent too.
She didn't seem interested.
But behind them, Baek Jinho watched everything.
He clenched his fist.
"That guy…" he muttered. "I swear I saw him before. Somewhere…"
---
After School
Jin Haru walked out with his bag.
The sun was going down.
He took a deep breath.
He had survived the first day.
"I guess that wasn't so bad," he said.
But deep inside, he knew things would not stay quiet.
Too many eyes were already on him.
Too many whispers had started.
And Baek Jinho… was watching closely.