The cafeteria had never been this loud.
Every voice, every laugh, every whisper cut through her like glass.
Ji-hoon had ordered lunch for her again.
She didn't know why.
But he always sat next to her, staring straight ahead, as though the world around them didn't exist.
"Did you see her yesterday?"
"She looked like a completely different person."
"I heard Ji-hoon bought her shoes...and new clothes. Like, real designer stuff."
The words cut through Hae-won, but she didn't react. Not anymore.
She stared at her food, pretending she wasn't aware of the eyes on her, the murmurs slicing through the air.
But she was. And it hurt.
AFTER SCHOOL
Ji-hoon didn't leave her alone.
Not after school. Not even for a moment.
"Come on," he commanded, tossing his keys in her direction.
She stared at the keys for a moment, heart racing.
"Where?"
"Shopping," he replied simply. "I'm getting you some stuff."
She blinked. "Why?"
He didn't answer.
The car was sleek and black—a high-end sports model that she only ever saw on TV.
She felt out of place the moment she stepped inside, like the seat beneath her was too soft for her.
Ji-hoon drove in silence, his eyes straight ahead. Every now and then, he would glance at her, but his gaze was unreadable. His jaw was tight, like he was trying to contain something he didn't understand.
She tried to ignore the tension, but the questions swirled in her head.
Why is he doing this?
THE MALL
She didn't know where to look.
She'd never been in a store like this before.
Everything was shiny, expensive, and completely out of her league.
Ji-hoon walked ahead, not asking her opinion, not waiting for her to say anything.
She trailed behind, eyes wide, unsure of everything.
He picked out shoes first.
A pair of white sneakers that cost more than her rent.
Then, a black jacket.
Next, a skirt, and a couple of blouses that shimmered under the store lights.
She didn't know what to say.
So she said nothing.
He handed her everything without a word, his face impassive.
They stopped by a skincare counter, where he picked out lotions, serums, and oils—things she'd only seen in magazines.
Her heart pounded.
Then, to her shock, they went to the hair salon.
She sat in the chair, confused and uncomfortable, as the stylist worked on her hair, trimming and styling it until it was smooth and shiny.
She barely recognized the girl staring back at her in the mirror.
BACK TO SCHOOL
The next morning, Ji-hoon showed up early—like always.
But this time, there was a new level of attention in the air.
Hae-won walked beside him, her new clothes crisp and perfect, her hair falling in soft waves.
She felt like a stranger in her own body.
The whispers started immediately.
They couldn't keep quiet this time.
"She looks… different."
"Is she… Ji-hoon's girlfriend now?"
"No way. It's probably just a prank."
"She looks… too perfect for her."
Ji-hoon didn't care.
He didn't flinch when the whispers turned into outright stares.
He didn't care about the rumors.
But Hae-won did.
Her heart beat faster with each step, each whispered word.
And then, in the hallway, someone stepped forward—Da-bin.
Her smirk was as sharp as a knife.
She looked Hae-won up and down, taking in the new clothes, the perfect hair.
"Who do you think you are, Shin Hae-won?" Da-bin asked, her voice dripping with venom.
Ji-hoon didn't even look at her. He just walked on, his pace steady, ignoring the confrontation.
"Is that what you do now, Hae-won?" Da-bin sneered. "Let people buy you things? Do you think this makes you better than us?"
"Stop," Hae-won whispered, but Da-bin wasn't done.
She stepped closer, pushing her shoulder against Hae-won's.
"You don't belong here."
Ji-hoon, still ahead, turned his head slowly. His gaze was sharp. Dangerous.
"She belongs here more than you ever will," he said coldly. "So, back off."
The words hung in the air.
Da-bin's eyes widened in surprise. She opened her mouth but closed it again, too stunned to retort.
Ji-hoon didn't give her a second glance as he continued walking.
Hae-won followed, her heart still pounding, her hands shaking.
INSIDE THE CLASSROOM
The moment they entered the room, every eye was on them.
Hae-won, still silent, kept her gaze down.
Ji-hoon sat at his usual spot—and pulled the chair out for her.
The class was silent.
The air thick with curiosity.
Hae-won sat down carefully, still unsure of what was happening.
Ji-hoon didn't speak.
He just watched her.
And for the first time, Hae-won didn't feel like an invisible girl.
Not with Ji-hoon there.
But she didn't know what to feel.
It started with a single click.
A blurry photo—Ji-hoon and Hae-won walking side by side, their shadows stretched across the morning sun.
It was posted to the school gossip app: "Look who thinks she's worthy of Ji-hoon now."
And then—
Boom.
Over 10,000 likes.
Uncountable comments.
"Is this real? The bullied girl and the golden boy?"
"Must be a bet. There's no way."
"She's acting like she's someone now."
"He must feel sorry for her. She looks pathetic trying to keep up with him."
"Or maybe she's good at things that don't show on her face…"
"Check out her makeover. LOL. Who's she trying to impress?"
Hae-won saw it during lunch.
It felt like her chest had cracked open.
She wanted to disappear.
Run.
Vanish.
But Ji-hoon was calm, as if none of it touched him.
He leaned back in his chair, staring at the post, and said,
"Let them talk."
AFTER SCHOOL
The hallways were buzzing.
Phones out. Screens glowing.
Students whispering.
Hae-won kept her head down as Ji-hoon walked beside her.
Then, she noticed them.
Three boys. Two girls.
Leaning against the school fence.
Wearing uniforms from her old school.
Her blood went cold.
Min-seok. Hye-jin. Sang-woo.
They were the worst of them.
The ones who used to shove her into bathroom stalls.
Smear her books with glue.
Push her down the stairs and laugh when she limped.
Her knees almost gave out.
She whispered, "No… no, no, no…"
Ji-hoon caught her panic.
"What is it?" he asked, eyes narrowing.
She couldn't speak. Just stared.
And then—
One of the boys stepped forward.
Grinning.
"Well, well, if it isn't trash in a new outfit," Min-seok said.
He walked closer, hands in his pockets.
"Didn't think you'd climb your way into someone's wallet this time."
Ji-hoon stepped in front of her.
His face turned stone.
"Who the hell are you?"
Min-seok scoffed. "Just someone who knows her real face. She acting sweet for you, rich boy? That's cute."
Ji-hoon's fist clenched.
Sang-woo circled them. "We're just saying hi. We missed her."
"Step back," Ji-hoon said lowly.
But they didn't.
Min-seok reached out to grab her wrist—
And that's when Ji-hoon snapped.
His fist slammed into Min-seok's jaw so hard, the boy hit the fence and dropped to his knees.
"Touch her again," Ji-hoon growled, "and I'll bury you."
The others flinched.
"Let's go," Hye-jin hissed. "Now!"
They scrambled.
Running down the block, dragging Min-seok with them.
Hae-won was shaking.
Her legs wouldn't move.
Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them away.
Ji-hoon turned back to her. "Are you okay?"
She couldn't speak.
He reached out, slowly this time—carefully—and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"I won't let them touch you again," he said. "Ever."
She stared at him.
And for the first time, she saw something different in his eyes.
Not mockery.
Not boredom.
But rage.
Protectiveness.
And maybe—just maybe—guilt.