Bad Boy Enters the Scene -2

I could feel the gazes focused on me.

I wondered if what I was doing was right.

But didn’t someone say?

When it comes to fashion, standing out is natural.

I decided to be confident.

“Why are you staring, student?”

“P-pardon? Ah… no… it’s just…”

“Hmm?”

I expressed my doubt as I lowered my sunglasses slightly.

The darkness lifted, and I could clearly see her face.

She was a female student who still looked very young.

My half-lidded, somewhat tired-looking eyes met the female student’s, and I gave her a slight eye smile.

“Do you have something you want to say?”

“…N-nothing… please go in.”

She blushed as she let me in.

Even though I hadn’t scanned the QR code yet.

The one blocking my path was a girl with a blue ponytail.

“Taehwa, is that you?”

“Pfft… what’s with that outfit, mister?”

“I dressed up a bit. It’s Jin-ah’s work.”

“Ah… that unnie has a surprisingly bad taste.”

She said that and gave a grin.

“I’m looking forward to Noah’s expression?”

“Who’s calling who bad taste.”

“Come on, we’re friends. Friends can do that kind of thing.”

While chatting with Taehwa like that, I scanned the QR code. Just as I was about to enter after getting entry permission, I decided to conduct an experiment.

“Ah, come to think of it, Taehwa.”

“Yes?”

“Take this. You liked coffee milk, right?”

“Oh! Thank you! I’ll enjoy it!”

“Sure. Keep being friends with our Noah. And please stop fighting. It drains me.”

“Hehe, don’t worry.”

“Alright, I’m going. Take care.”

“Yes! Take care!”

Indeed, how would they react if a man they consider decent shows kindness to another girl?

After handing over the coffee milk to Taehwa and entering, I heard the conversation behind me.

“Taehwa, do you know him?”

“Ah, he’s like an uncle close to my friend.”

“Really? I’m envious, getting tasty things and having friendly conversations.”

“Is that so? I don’t really think much of it…”

I can’t be certain, but the response seems good.

Since I even heard them say they’re envious, at least it wasn’t a failure.

I looked at the map and headed to Noah’s classroom.

1st year, Class 2.

Slide-

As I opened the door and entered, there were already quite a few people.

There should still be more than 30 minutes until it starts.

Students and participants. It seemed the principal’s statement about wanting to show a natural atmosphere was true.

The students exchanged conversations while slightly being mindful of the situation.

“Let’s see… Noah…”

In the midst of all this, Noah was nowhere to be seen.

Where could she have gone?

At least I could see Noah’s bag and deduce her seat. I asked a student sitting next to Noah’s seat.

“Excuse me, student.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Do you know where Noah went?”

“Ah… that…”

The student hesitated.

A slightly avoidant gaze and beads of sweat trickling down. There’s a clear sign of reluctance.

Just from that, I could guess.

That Noah was somehow involved in something unpleasant.

Taehwa’s words came to mind.

That there are kids who ostracize Noah.

“…Haah…”

“Um… excuse me.”

“Student?”

“Yes?”

“Where do kids in this school go to smoke? It’s nothing serious…”

Let me smoke a cigarette too, it’s been a while.

+++++

Noah frowned.

“Why are you blocking my way again?”

It was because of a bunch of bastards standing in front of her.

“Well… just because?”

“We’re just standing here a bit longer, that’s all.”

They said that while giggling. It was a disgusting smile.

‘Hold it in… hold it in…’

It’s been like this since middle school. Are they avoiding them because they’re filthy or because they’re scared? If she transformed into Iris, they’d be knocked out with a single punch.

Calming her boiling insides like that, Noah turned around. After all, she could just go another way.

What stopped her in her tracks was the words of a bitch who seemed like a queen bee.

She looked like a queen bee, gathering kids around herself.

When she told her that she was bullying Taehwa, the girl has been following her and bullying her ever since.

Switching targets from Taehwa to herself.

“By the way, Na Noah. Who’s coming for you today?”

“…Why?”

“No reason… just curious?”

Noah’s gaze turned fierce.

‘Damn bitch…’

Having been in the same class with Noah for two years, she would know. That neither of Noah’s parents could come.

One had passed away, and one was hospitalized.

Using this fact she discovered by chance, she’s been tormenting her terribly.

“Ah~ right, they can’t come, can they?”

“…”

“Noah, let’s change your name while we’re at it.”

“…”

“To ‘orphan.’ Na Go-a, I’m an orphan. Isn’t that good?”

“…Not.”

“Huh?”

“My dad hasn’t died yet, you bitch.”

The bitch’s expression twisted upon hearing those words.

She made an almost mocking sound.

“Not ‘yet,’ right?”

“…”

“That’s so funny. You can’t even understand the situation properly.”

Grip.

Noah’s fist clenched. She wanted to throw a punch right away.

‘But if I do that, mister will suffer.’

She couldn’t cause trouble for the one who willingly became her guardian.

“…Tch.”

Noah suppressed her anger and lowered her head.

Satisfied with that sight, the bitch finally opened the path she had been blocking.

“Yeah, keep your tail between your legs like that.”

“…”

“Don’t piss me off.”

A few male drones watching made scoffing sounds. The female bees weren’t much different. Enduring the nausea rising in her stomach, Noah continued walking.

‘Haah… I want to see mister.’

If it were mister, he would surely greet her with a smiling face.

Bump.

It was then that her head hit someone’s body.

“Move…”

“…”

“…I said move!”

Even after she shouted like that, the guy stood firmly in place, not moving aside.

Just as the frustrated Noah was about to raise her head and yell.

“Huh…?”

“Hello.”

“Mister…?”

The face of the mister she had missed so much suddenly appeared.

A smile that seemed to ask if she was okay.

Why is mister coming from there? She wanted to ask that, but her head lowered sharply.

It was because mister started patting her head.

“My, my. I was wondering what you were doing, and here you are.”

“Ah… mister, stop it!”

“Don’t want to. It’s my choice.”

“Come on!”

+++++

Waaah! Noah screamed.

Seeing that, the one who looked like the boss, who had been dazed, said:

“Hey Na Noah, who is that person?”

In response to that question, I stepped forward on her behalf.

“Who else? I’m the person who came as Noah’s guardian.”

“…Really, such a handsome thug is Na Noah’s guardian?”

“Haah… Noah, did you hear that?”

“What?”

“They said I’m handsome. Isn’t that high praise?”

“…Please shut your mouth. Please.”

Feeling the cold gazes around, I put a cigarette in my mouth. Second-hand smoke isn’t good for children, but what can I do?

The only human child I see is Noah.

Tsss.

As the cigarette lit up, I took a deep drag.

The smoke that briefly stays in my lungs before leaving. The faces of those kids momentarily blur and then reappear.

“Miss.”

“…Me?”

“Yeah, you. The friend with the red bridge.”

“Hah, why—”

“Do you want to die?”

The girl who suddenly got cursed at… no, let’s just call her the queen bee. Her behavior fits that perfectly.

Anyway, the queen bee made a surprised expression.

An expression that showed she didn’t expect to be cursed at to her face.

I deliberately pinched Noah’s soft cheeks and said:

“Where else would you be causing trouble by bullying our cute Noah, huh?”

“Our cute Noah— hah… hey Na Noah.”

“What.”

“Are you doing compensated dating?”

Compensated dating.

Pretending to date for money, wasn’t it?

“…Noah.”

“Yes?”

“Do I look that old?”

I felt dejected. Until just now, they were saying I’m handsome and all, but now they’re making me out to be an old man doing compensated dating.

“…That’s sad.”

“No, you don’t look that old.”

“Really?”

“If you just remove the dark circles… yes.”

“I see… I’ll wear sunglasses then.”

The queen bee started getting angry at our attitude of ignoring them.

“Don’t ignore us! Why are you causing a scene all the way here!?”

“You guys bullied Noah.”

“Don’t kids these days know what’s scary!?”

“Those kids grow up to be me, you little shit.”

“Fuck… how annoying…”

Despite saying that, they couldn’t move easily. No matter how much they act like thugs, kids are still kids.

It’s visible how they’re stirred up just by having an adult who looks like a thug standing there with an attitude.

“…Mister, let’s go now.”

“Hmm…”

I thought for a moment.

Normally, it would be right to leave here, but…

“Noah, would you like to go ahead?”

“Huh? Why?”

“I’ll just talk a bit more and follow. Okay?”

Noah’s expression crumpled.

“No! What are you planning to do alone, mister!”

“Come on, don’t worry. Surely I won’t beat up kids at my age.”

“That’s not it—”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. You’d be in the way if you stay. Have I ever done anything bad to you?”

“…That’s true.”

Noah blinked her eyes, and then, as if giving up, she sighed.

“But you have to come quickly. There’s not much time left.”

“Sure.”

Though Noah reluctantly left, she kept glancing back. She must be worried.

Well, fortunately, she didn’t insist on staying till the end.

After sending Noah away, I looked at them.

A group of more than ten, by rough estimate.

I threw the finished cigarette butt towards them.

“What are you doing, read the room.”

“…What?”

“Why do you think I sent Noah away?”

As the queen bee didn’t say anything, another one stepped forward.

His name tag read ‘Glasses.’

I see.

So this is Glasses.

‘This guy, already getting tattoos. Looks like someone who would really love prison food.’

The timing is unfortunate. If we were alone, I would rip out his essence right away.

Since that can’t be helped, I’ll do it next time.

“Mister, looking for a fight?”

“I’m not bad at it.”

“Guys who show off like that usually end up as rags.”

After saying that and sneering once, Glasses shouted.

“Hey! We have a visitor! Let’s give him a proper welcome!”

The minions approached, cracking their knuckles.

They each added a comment.

He looks weak… he’s a loser… he doesn’t look like much…

I could only give a hollow laugh.

‘I’m S-class, you bastards.’