Declaration of War

The eyes that once made Ye-rin feel ‘different, strange’ and lonely.

Was it because they were now at an age where they were gradually awakening to romance, or was it due to the weight that school uniforms brought despite the mere one-year age difference?

Somehow, Ye-rin’s eyes had become an element that made her already striking appearance even more special.

As her appearance, along with the fact that she was Seo Jin-hyuk’s sister, became known, rumors spread throughout the school in an instant.

The first-years who met her directly didn’t even need to discuss it.

None of the second or third-years asked if she was pretty. She was the sister of that Seo Jin-hyuk, after all.

And after meeting her in person, they realized the greatness of genetics.

And so, Ye-rin became famous within the school from her first day.

**

…Why are you appearing there?

I could feel the classroom stirring at Ye-rin’s appearance.

What’s the big deal about a student from another class entering? Normally, the classroom welcomed anyone with an “Irasshaimase” as they came and went.

Usually, even if an unfamiliar face entered the classroom, the attention would be brief before everyone went back to their own business.

But now, the gazes mixed with curiosity and admiration showed no signs of wavering.

It was already surprising enough for a first-year to boldly enter a second-year classroom, let alone that first-year being Ye-rin.

What was even more surprising was that Ye-rin, who was usually a bit timid.

She must have been aware of all the attention directed at us, yet as if she couldn’t care less about others’ gazes.

Her pink eyes contained only me.

“Weren’t you supposed to go out with Han Se-ah today…?”

Just as I had been considering going to the PC bang with the guys on the first day, I thought those two might be doing the same.

Instead of answering, Ye-rin pointed behind her.

“…Ah.”

There was Seo Jin-hyuk, already being dragged away by Han Se-ah.

That jerk, enjoying it while pretending to resist.

If Jin-hyuk truly disliked it, he wouldn’t have been dragged away at all. As he looked at me as if asking for help, I secretly raised my middle finger when Ye-rin wasn’t looking.

Se-ah must be thinking something like, ‘Hehe, your body is honest,’ or whatever.

Anyway, with Ye-rin here, the option of going to the PC bang had all but disappeared.

Spending time with Ye-rin was hundreds, no, thousands of times better than going to a PC bang with a bunch of sweaty guys, hmm.

So when I was about to look at Yoon Do-hyun to decline, an unnamed friend who was probably one of the PC bang members standing next to Do-hyun spoke up with an expression that said “perfect timing.”

“Um, we were just about to go to the PC bang together, why don’t you…!”

“No. Oppa, are you going to the PC bang…?”

“Huh…?”

The unnamed friend, whose sentence was abruptly cut off, had a confused expression as if wondering if she had just rejected him.

…Oof.

Is this what Ye-rin had meant before about why boys might dislike her…?

The cold tone that seemed unbelievable coming from Ye-rin’s mouth and.

The temperature difference between how she spoke to the boy and how she normally spoke to me made me wonder for a moment if there were two Ye-rins.

…So this is how Ye-rin normally treats other boys.

Other boys, not me.

Though I felt sorry for the still-puzzled unnamed friend.

I was a little.

…No, actually, very, very much.

Pleased.

So pleased I wanted to shout about the difference between you all and me.

I couldn’t stop the corners of my mouth from turning up.

“No, I was planning to go home.”

“Weren’t you going to the PC bang with your friends…?”

“I thought you had plans with Se-ah.”

If I had known you didn’t, I wouldn’t have even considered it.

Being someone who understood the meaning behind my words.

The corners of Ye-rin’s eyes curved with joy.

“Sorry about the PC bang. Let’s go next time. I have a prior engagement today.”

“…Don’t people usually call us the prior engagement?”

“This is my prior engagement.”

Yoon Do-hyun looked at me with an expression of disbelief.

What?

Prioritizing what Ye-rin says is just ‘common sense,’ right?

Conveying that meaning as I met his gaze confidently, Yoon Do-hyun chuckled.

“You’re a funny guy. We’ll go together next time, right?”

“Sure, sure, absolutely.”

“Wow, I just met you today, but can I kill you? It’s really hard to hold back.”

“Just endure it, good boy. Let’s go, Ye-rin.”

Leaving Yoon Do-hyun, who looked like he wanted to say a lot of bad things, I turned toward Ye-rin.

“…Hmm.”

“…? What is it?”

Ye-rin was quietly scanning the classroom with a coldly settled gaze.

Wondering what she was looking at, I followed her line of sight, and for some reason, every female classmate whose eyes met mine would smile awkwardly and avoid my gaze.

As if they had instinctively detected danger…

“Mmm, it’s nothing. Let’s go, Oppa…”

“Oh, okay.”

I wondered what that was about just now, but seeing Ye-rin return to her usual self and tug at the hem of my uniform as if telling me to hurry up, I decided not to think too deeply about it.

It’s probably nothing, anyway.

Thinking so, I left the classroom with Ye-rin.

 

“D-did that first-year just look at us…?”

“She was staring at us until the end…?”

“Why did her eye color change to gray when she looked at us…?”

“Sc-scary…”

Much later, I found out.

That day, the girls in our class couldn’t help but know the name Han Woo-jin, and they resolved never to approach me.

 

Wow, as expected, though I had anticipated it.

It was the same during the morning commute, but the way home was even worse.

It felt like every student passing by was looking at us.

Some with admiring eyes, some with envious eyes, and others with jealous eyes.

Gazes filled with various emotions were directed at Ye-rin and me.

But.

—I don’t care.

In fact, Ye-rin seemed indifferent, as if she was used to it.

And I, beside her, had no intention of giving up this spot.

“Oppa, don’t mind me, you can go to the PC bang with your friends…”

“Oh, really? Should I do that then?”

“……”

“…I’m joking. You started it first.”

She started the joke first, but when I played along, she looked at me as if daring me to actually do it, which made me feel a bit unfair.

“I was just saying…”

“And I was just saying too. There’s no way I would go.”

“…Hmph.”

Ye-rin made a nasal sound and turned her head as if displeased.

But now I know.

She just needed a moment to cool her face.

“The reason I considered going to the PC bang today was really because I didn’t know you’d come.”

“There was a reason I had to come today…”

“Reason…? What is it?”

When I asked, wondering if something had happened, Ye-rin looked at me intently.

“…Declaration of war? Territory expansion?”

“…What are you talking about?”

“Oppa doesn’t need to know…”

What is it, tell me.

To my curious self, Ye-rin placed her index finger on her lips as if it were a secret and playfully went “shh—” I found her so pretty that I decided to let it go.

“…Why didn’t you come even once today?”

“Huh? Where?”

“To our classroom.”

“Wouldn’t it be too conspicuous for a second-year to go to a first-year classroom?”

“I came to yours…”

…That’s true?

But that was after classes ended, and various excuses came to mind—like how kids might be scared if someone with a big build like me suddenly entered the classroom—but I didn’t voice them.

That wasn’t the answer Ye-rin wanted right now.

“I’ll come visit from tomorrow. What was it, for my territory expansion? Declaration too.”

“Promise…?”

“Of course. I’ve never lied to you, have I?”

“……”

“…Why are you thinking about it?”

…I haven’t, right?

I got a bit nervous seeing Ye-rin close her eyes and go “hmm” as she thought, but soon it seemed she couldn’t recall anything.

On the street tinged red by the sunset.

Seeing Ye-rin smile broadly, I felt relieved and smiled too.

 

“Pig.”

“…”

“Oink oink.”

“……”

“…Miss Han Se-ah.”

“Why does my oppa always have to engage in these psychological games~?”

Seeing Han Se-ah turn to me with a smirk as if she’d expected this.

My fists trembled, but since I was the one in need right now, I held back.

“…Did you have fun with Jin-hyuk today?”

“Jin-hyuk oppa couldn’t hang out today because of his academy.”

“…? Then why did you come to our classroom earlier? Don’t you have friends?”

“…My oppa really doesn’t hold back with his little sister. It’s not like that, you know? There’s something you don’t understand.”

“You sound just like Ye-rin.”

I lost out by worrying. Usually, she always hangs out with friends on the first day.

As expected, I shouldn’t have worried about my sister.

“So. Is that what you called me for, Oppa?”

“Of course not. Sorry, but I don’t have even 1 gram of interest in your love life.”

I’d be more interested in mom’s underwear size than that.

“What’s this, why is my oppa being so snappy today~? What are you curious about? ……Could it be?”

Han Se-ah gasped as if shocked by her own thoughts, which was ridiculous. What is that “could it be”?

“…I don’t know what you’re imagining, but that’s not it. You know Ye-rin’s birthday is coming up soon, right?”

“Oh, what~ I thought. Of course I know it’s our Ye-rin-chan’s birthday!”

Just as I was about to say “that’s good,” Han Se-ah continued with “But, Oppa.”

“You’re not going to ask what Ye-rin likes or for recommendations on birthday gifts or ask me to find out, are you? If my Oppa asks such a beta male question, I think I’d be really sad~?”

“…………”

“Why are you silent~?”

“…Is it that bad?”

“Yes! Not just a little, but a lot!”

Evil girl…

Looking at Han Se-ah, who was smiling happily as if something about my expression amused her, the word “knee kick” crossed my mind.

“Hey, if you’re going to mock me, at least give me a hint first. Give me a hint.”

Since it was all exposed anyway, I decided to be bold about it.

So what if Han Se-ah thought I was a beta male?

I just needed to be an alpha male for Ye-rin. Though it seems I’m already too late for that too.

“Oppa.”

“What.”

“……”

“……”

“…Why don’t you say anything after calling me?”

“I didn’t call you~?”

Just as I was about to ask what nonsense that was,

“Oppa asked for hints about birthday gifts Ye-rin would like. I’m giving you one~?”

…Damn. Hearing it now, it didn’t sound wrong, so I was speechless.

“Ah, Oppa’s face is turning red.”

“…Shut up.”