Tae-ung did not need a map to know how things worked at Seoyeon Academy. He sensed it in the clothes the students wore, or how they walked, or what they whispered among themselves; in the calculating eyes that looked him over as soon as he took his first step through the gate.
Hands in his pockets, stalk relaxed but eyes unblinking, he was not there for making friends or enemies. One target: Gabin Seo.
And there was Gabin again during morning assembly.
Slightly apart - not physically - in presence. Like the others were nothing but blurry noise on her radar. Dark hair, a slick pony, a fitted blazer between arms that were crossed, whose face was a mask of unreadability — a living statue carved from elegant steel.
Beautiful. And beyond reach.
She hadn't cast him a glance yet.
Good.
He liked it better that way.
---
"Name?"
"Tae-ung. Kang Tae-ung."
Homeroom teacher Min took a closer look at his glasses and peered over his file. "I see you transferred from Daehan High. Top of your class. Quite impressive."
Tae-ung nodded slightly.
"According to Mr. Min, he said that, "You will sit at the back next to Gabin Seo," making a gesture of clasping his hands as in exasperation. "And don't take it personally if she doesn't talk to you,".."
Tae-ung only smirked.
*Perfect. *
---
The seat across from Gabin had been empty all year. Just how she preferred it. Gave her vessel. Space. An unspoken border, one that no one dared cross.
So when Tae-ung dropped into the seat next to her without a thought, she turned her eyes towards him; no greeting, no acknowledgment.
Just...stillness.
He also never looked at her. Just took out his pen and notebook like one calmly does in class, like nothing was different today.
*Hmph*
She looked away, pressing her lips together in a thin line.
---
The whispers began by lunchtime.
"Did you see where he sat?"
"Next to Gabin. As if it meant nothing."
"He didn't even blink."
"Is he crazy, or just plain stupid?"
Gabin heard everything. As always.
Now she reclined in her chair, picking at the rice in her lunchbox. Her sight rested on nothing. Half of the heavy lifting her reputation did for her; the other half was things she could get across with her words, sharp enough to cut skin.
But something was off.
The new boy was not looking at her, not watching, not awkwardly trying to start a conversation, or craning his neck to look sideways like all others had when the distance suddenly felt too close. He simply sat there.
Comfortable.
As if her silence did not intimidate him.
As if he had seen worse.
She hated herself for how curious that made her.
---
Tae-ung waited at the gate after school and watched Gabin exit unannounced. Earbuds on, she walked extra fast.
Three boys followed her some distance behind.
Subtle.
But not quite enough.
Tae-ung sighed.
*Already?*
He took off, slipping his way among pupils like smoke.
Just close enough behind them to be a shadow.
Close enough to protect her — without her ever knowing.