Chapter 4:The Demon, the Princess, and the Hero
Ken remained there, indifferent.
His gaze still fixed on the landscape rushing by outside, beyond the window.
Elbow resting against the glass, his wrist pressed against his cheek.
"When Jae Sung got beaten and harassed in the hallways by Dan-Won and his gang, you were there, weren't you?" she said, her voice sharp, laden with suspicion.
"You were there. You could have helped him. It wouldn't have cost you anything. Yet you did nothing, you preferred to watch, like a mere spectator, while those brutes tormented him."
The girl paused slightly before adding:
"I'm not the type to judge a book by its cover or people too quickly based on silly rumors. I always prefer to check for myself."
She straightened slightly, her gaze burning, tilting her head with a hint of incomprehension.
"And to answer your earlier question… if I'm here, it's to see what kind of guy you really are," she said sharply, pointing her index finger slightly toward him.
Silence settled in the face of Ken's indifference. She closed her eyes, letting out a small sigh, then slowly lowered her finger before continuing:
"I think… in the end, maybe you do deserve your nickname, Demon."
Ken turned gently, finally looking at her. His piercing gaze settled on her, their faces just a few centimeters apart, his ruby-red eyes locked onto hers, sapphire blue.
The impact was subtle, but real. Seo Hanna shivered, slightly disturbed, a veil of red rising to her cheeks. She stepped back, disoriented, just enough to restore a reasonable distance between them, her gaze still fixed on him with a hint of wariness.
"And why would I have helped him?" Ken asked in a calm, composed voice, almost indifferent.
He briefly looked away, as if the question didn't deserve more effort, then continued:
"It would have only brought me trouble. You know it as well as I do: those who play heroes, those who dare to stand up to bullies to protect a victim… always end up becoming targets themselves. And I had no desire to attract unnecessary problems or risk my life for a stranger. Understandable, right?"
Hanna stared at him, lost in thought, before looking away. She slowly uncrossed her arms and legs, stretching lightly in her seat; every movement, measured and graceful, betrayed the refined upbringing of a girl from a prestigious family.
She slowly raised her eyes toward the train ceiling before murmuring:
"So you too… are that kind of person."
The silence fell, heavy and oppressive. Ken watched her from the corner of his eye, intrigued, as she finally spoke again.
"You know… I like heroes."
Ken raised an eyebrow, a mix of irritation and amusement.
"Huh? … What's your little fantasy?" he said, sarcastically.
Hanna didn't flinch. Her eyes shone with an intense, almost childlike light.
"When I was little, before my grandfather passed away, he used to read me the same story every night… the story of a hero."
Great… now she's telling me her life story? Ken thought, half exasperated, rolling his eyes inwardly.
"A hero who, no matter what, never gave up, no matter the obstacles or dangers.
A hero who fought to protect those he loved and to do what was right, even if it seemed impossible. He always followed his convictions, never backing down. Even in the face of danger, when everything seemed lost and despair reigned, he always found the strength to get back up. Always. To face it."
Her voice came alive, warmer, passionate.
"At the time, it fascinated me… that courage, that stubbornness. Even through pain. Even when the situation seemed hopeless… he never lost hope. Even if the opponent was a hundred times stronger, he wouldn't give up. It was just a story, I know… but for me, that determination fascinated me."
Then her smile faded. Her gaze lost its sparkle, and her voice became serious, almost pained.
"If everyone could be even a little like him… if each person reached out to others, this world would be better. But unfortunately, that's not the case. On the contrary…"
*Moan*
Hummm~
Hanna stretched slightly, arching her back in a feline movement, letting out a soft sigh. Her beautiful curves took shape, her generous chest highlighted, her arms elegantly raised above her head. Ken's eyes didn't leave her as she continued:
"The vast majority of people are too selfish and too cowardly… they only think of themselves. They prefer to stay in their little comfort zones and ignore the suffering of others. For me, it's unacceptable. I can't just close my eyes to injustice or someone's suffering. It's our compassion that makes us human, otherwise we wouldn't be any better than monsters."
Ken watched her in silence, saying nothing. Then Hanna spoke again, calmly:
"Maybe you'll think I'm stupid… Even if it seems silly to you, for me, closing my eyes to the suffering of others is betraying my convictions."
Seo Hanna took a deep breath, then exhaled without looking at Ken.
"I'm not naive. I know I can't help everyone, but at least I do my best. Unlike you, for me saving someone doesn't have to be a matter of logic."
"I'm sure he would agree with me," she murmured softly, almost unconsciously.
— "You're weird… what are you muttering?"
"No… no… nothing. I think I got too comfortable with you and talked too much. Sorry for bothering you, I guess I just misunderstood something about you."
She shook her head, as if to brush away an absurd thought, then added in a calmer, gentler voice as she stood up:
"And one piece of advice, Ken: those who sow indifference will eventually reap indifference. No matter how strong you think you are, solitude brings nothing good. We always need others, sooner or later."
Seo Hanna was also here for another reason.
As the B.D.E. president, and naturally skilled at defusing conflicts and solving problems, she had noticed Ken's indifference as well as the reaction of other students toward him. She wanted to include him, make him participate, break the invisible barrier that separated him from the others.
But Ken seemed like a very tough, irritable wall—difficult to approach or convince.
Ken squinted, amused and slightly irritated, as he watched her stand.
"Trying to tell me something? You're really weird… and so naive… a real child."
Hanna froze, surprised by his words. Her pretty face twisted with sudden anger.
"I'm not a child!" she shouted, her cheeks red.
— "What's happening to me? Why am I getting mad at you…?" she muttered, covering her face with her hand for a moment.
— "If you're done, you can leave. I've got things to do," he said nonchalantly, looking out the window.
The girl glared at him, squinting, irritated. She thought only of one thing: punching this handsome insolent who dared to ignore her. Then, she quickly shook off the thought with a sigh and calmed down, making a small pout—an involuntary gesture that made her even more adorable.
"Hummm~ Definitely… I don't like you," she said sharply.
---
A beautiful male voice sounded behind them, interrupting their exchange.
"Hey, what are you two doing here? The princess and the Demon King… what an unlikely scene! Is this a date?" said the mysterious young man, arms crossed.
Hanna turned sharply, irritated. A vein of anger appeared on her temple.
"Kim Seojun… I've told you a thousand times not to call me princess."
Her voice snapped, dry, with a hint of threat.
"If you refuse to say my name, you could at least settle for president, right? Is it that hard?"
The blond smiled, mocking, almost provocatively.
"No… I don't want to. It's your nickname, right? That's how everyone sees you: beautiful, perfect, smart, super popular… Seo Hanna, B.D.E. president, and above all, my best friend."
Then, softening his tone, he pointed his index finger at himself and stammered:
"And you know… if it's you… I wouldn't mind if you called me by my nickname too."
Hanna sighed, exasperated, and gave him a light, sharp tap on the head.
"Ouch, Hanna Bella!"
"Grow up a little, Kim Seojun. Don't call her that anymore. We're not kids."
The handsome blond pouted, his eyes softening, giving a look that could melt any girl's heart, his voice almost childlike:
"But Hanna, why are you always so harsh with me? Mean!"
The cold girl did not react; the handsome young man's charm left her indifferent, her eyes narrowed and neutral.
"It doesn't work anymore. You're too old for that," she replied sharply, her gaze icy.
She added, annoyed:
"And stop taking those stupid nicknames seriously. The students love inventing stories… They act like their life is a novel," she said, hands on her hips, looking exasperated.
---
Kim Seojun was, along with Ken, one of the most handsome and well-known boys in the school, and also Hanna's best friend.
Physically, he had nothing to envy from Ken: silky blond hair that caught the light like golden threads, clear azure blue eyes, a face so perfectly sculpted it seemed divine.
But the most dangerous thing about him was his charming smile, capable of melting anyone, boys or girls.
Half-student, half-model, sometimes a promising young actor, and captain of the school kendo team, this boy seemed to have it all.
His parents? Stars.
His father, a renowned Korean actor.
His mother, a famous international English actress.
Like Ken, he was honhyeol, mixed-race. His striking Western appearance only amplified his aura.
Where Ken was famous for his coldness, dark aura, and monstrous talent, earning him the nickname "Demon King,"
Kim shone with charisma, openness, generosity, sense of justice, and above all, kindness.
This contrast ironically earned him the nickname "Hero" among the students.
Kim Seojun was the only rival who still seemed to hold his own against Ken. Every day he challenged him in swordplay, sports… even though his attempts always ended in Ken's overwhelming victory.
But Kim never gave up. Tirelessly, he came back the next day with a new challenge, bolder, more absurd, more impossible than the last.
Like a hero in an epic, he kept fighting relentlessly… until the day he might finally defeat the Demon King.
"Hey, Ken! There you are. Glad big sister Haejin finally convinced you to come, looks like I won my bet this time," said Kim, a mischievous smile on his lips.
Ken didn't flinch. His face remained impassive, he simply raised his middle finger.
"Go screw yourself, you damn harasser. You're the one who twisted my mom's mind to get me here."
Kim put an arm over his eyes, mimicking theatrical pain.
"It's been three years since you stopped coming to school, and you still reject me like I'm the devil… dirty demon!"
Ken frowned, icy.
"Don't mess with me. It's precisely because of you that I chose homeschooling. And even then, you didn't leave me alone… you came to my house, like a parasite."
Hanna, witnessing the scene, blinked, confused. Her hesitant voice slipped between them:
"Huh… you… you know each other?"
No one answered.
"Fine… let's move on. But who is she? She sits down, lectures me, and doesn't even bother to introduce herself. You know her, Kim?" asked Ken, pointing at her.
Hanna flinched slightly. She regained her composure, sat gracefully, and placed a delicate hand on her chest, her polite smile lighting her features.
"I apologize for my manners. My name is Seo Hanna. I am the B.D.E. president. I transferred last year, and since you weren't at school, we hadn't had the chance to meet before."
Her gaze softened, sincere.
"Nice to meet you."
"Ken Jiheon!"
Then Ken turned back to the window, returning to his thoughts.
"There. You should have started with that."
Hanna, sitting nearby, tilted her head slightly toward him. Her blue eyes studied him with unusual intensity.
"Excuse me, Ken. I wanted to tell you earlier but…" She slowly reached her hand toward him, her expression suddenly stricter.
"Those fancy contact lenses are forbidden by the rules. You should remove them, even if we're no longer at school, because as a student here, it sets a bad example."
A faint bitter smile appeared on Ken's face.
'Might as well gouge my eyes out…' he thought, without moving.
Kim then stepped forward, as if to break the awkwardness. He leaned toward Hanna, seeming to whisper something in her ear.
"Ah, my dear Hanna… you still don't know one thing. His 'contacts'… they aren't. Ken was born with a rare genetic mutation."
Hanna's eyes widened. Her cheeks flushed bright red. She quickly withdrew her hand and pressed it against her chest, embarrassed.
"I… I didn't know… sorry," she stammered.
A weary sigh escaped Ken, his eyelids closing briefly.
But Hanna resumed, her voice softer, almost timid. Her features lit up with a sincere smile, her flushed cheeks betraying her embarrassment.
"But if they're not contacts… then I must admit… you have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen."
Ken turned sharply, surprised. This unexpected honesty unsettled him.
But before he could say a word, a brutal scream of horror tore through the carriage like a blade.