Now, waking up at 6 a.m. had become a habit.
I really loved the quiet mornings in this neighborhood.
Even after doing it for years, it was still a hassle, but I washed my tousled hair and splashed cold water on my face to shake off the sleep before heading out for a jog.
I threw on some training clothes and left the empty house behind.
In this world, my parents had moved to another region this year because of their jobs.
The house was pretty big since a whole family had lived there, which made cleaning a pain, but it didn't bother me much—I had solo living experience from my previous life, after all.
"Hoo... haa."
Lately, a light jog didn't even wind me anymore, so I pushed into a full sprint, and finally, my body started to heat up like it used to.
I looped the walking path a couple of times, then sat on a bench and drank from the tumbler I'd brought.
"Hm?"
That's when something unusual caught my eye.
Even from a distance, she was a stunning blonde beauty who seemed to glow, out jogging just like me.
Her cool impression contrasted perfectly with her flushed cheeks from shortness of breath—it was incredibly alluring.
Despite running the same route for so long, I'd never seen her before.
I was just cooling down and watching absentmindedly when our eyes met for a moment.
"..."
For those brief three seconds or so. Not wanting to get caught staring, I looked away first and left the spot.
Her path was my usual route, but...
Following her might lead to misunderstandings, so I decided to loop around instead.
'Probably a heroine, right?'
By now, I'd gotten plenty of experience in this world.
With looks like that, it was a pretty convincing guess.
She probably moved here right around high school entrance season.
Before I knew it, the streets were filling with people, so I headed back home.
I showered, changed into the new school's uniform, and prepared breakfast.
Leftovers from last night's beef soup, a big batch of homemade kimchi my mom had made before leaving, fried eggs, and half a bowl of rice—a simple spread, but I polished it off deliciously, quickly did the dishes, and tidied up the house.
Today was the entrance ceremony, so I just needed to be there by 9. I popped in some earbuds and spent the remaining time lounging in the massage chair.
They say your body aches when you get old... though in my case, it was my mind that had aged.
After loosening up for about an hour, it was time.
I grabbed my uniform vest from where I'd taken it off and the bag I'd prepped by the entryway last night.
Might not need it for the ceremony, but better to bring it anyway.
With all that done, it was 8:20. I'd agreed to meet the others at 8:30, so it was about time to head out.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
I trudged toward school.
Coming out of the residential area and heading to the subway station, I saw everyone already there waiting.
The kids—who I couldn't call little anymore now that they'd all grown so much—were in sight.
Yoon Jiu holding his shed uniform vest instead of his bag, despite it not being cold.
Lee Sea demurely clutching her bag with both hands.
And Lee Soyun with hers slung over her back, the opposite style.
Even from afar, the protagonist and his heroines had such distinct vibes.
"You guys are early."
I raised a hand in greeting and joined them, and Jiu practically squealed in excitement, his voice brimming with hype.
"It's so exciting! I barely slept last night."
From the intersection by the subway station, we followed the road up the hillside, and Dawn High School came into view.
It was a huge campus that almost looked like a university, visible even from far away.
Already, a few boys and girls in the same uniform were walking along the path.
'They're staring hard.'
Without exception, guys and girls alike kept sneaking glances at us.
We were a pretty eye-catching group, after all.
I subtly fell back halfway.
I'd felt it in middle school too, but now in high school, with second puberty hitting and the main cast's looks hitting their peak, the stares were blatantly obvious.
Whispers, whispers.
"Look over there—it's Yoon Jiu from Dawn Middle."
"Kyaa~ Glad I came to Dawn High."
"Who's that guy? He's hot too."
"Must be Yoon Jiu's friend."
Whispers, whispers.
"Whoa, is that Lee Sea?"
"Who's next to her? She's super cute too."
"That's Lee Soyun from Hanwol Middle. She was famous."
Hmm...
If I was gonna hang with Yoon Jiu's crew, I had to get used to these looks.
I tried my best not to care... but it was still burdensome, so I slowed my pace to lag even further behind when—
"Ijin?"
"Yeah."
Lee Soyun, walking to my right, grabbed me.
"Why're you falling back?"
"Nah... just, y'know."
No good excuse, so I mumbled, and she dragged me back into line with the others. Damn it.
Yoon Jiu and Lee Sea on my left shot me puzzled looks too.
"What's up?"
"Nothing. Just something in my shoe."
I patted my perfectly clean shoe lamely and ducked my head to play a mobile game while walking.
Damn. In my past life, I was a total loner.
I'd thought I'd gotten used to hanging with them, but it was still tough.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Dawn High School was a quirky place, fitting for a rom-com world.
Basic classes everyone took ended at 3 p.m., after which you could choose activities based on your career path.
Like university seminars, there were after-school programs galore.
Academic tracks, arts and sports specials were standard, plus every kind of club imaginable.
The reason this worked was the massive student body.
Over a thousand new students each year meant 3-4,000 total enrolled.
Hence the university-sized campus on the hillside.
It boasted high advancement rates to capital universities and was renowned for its sports clubs' high school tournament wins.
That's why there were even dorms for out-of-towners.
"So many people. Where'd they all come from?"
Our residential area was quiet, sure.
Mostly just folks like us advancing from Dawn Middle, while most lived in the new town's apartments or dorms already.
Following the swarm of freshmen led to a massive athletic field packed with people.
"Freshmen, line up and follow directions. Parents, we'll guide you to the platform separately."
Seniors with patrol armbands waved batons, directing traffic.
Stepping onto the field felt intimidating. Because...
'They're all watching.'
Every window in the towering main building overlooked the field, crammed with students' faces.
Even the teachers and parents on stage must've felt the prickling stares.
"Ah, you're Seo Ijin, the freshman, right?"
"Yes? Uh, yeah."
While in line, a teacher approached holding a binder.
"Good thing. We couldn't reach you, Seo Ijin—we were supposed to inform you earlier, but you've got the freshman rep oath today."
What?
"I'm the freshman rep?"
"Yeah. You topped the entrance exam."
Damn it. Should've missed a few on purpose.
"Come with me. I'll show you."
"Do great, Ijin!"
Lee Sea from the line ahead called out. Soyun waved enthusiastically.
"See you at class assignments."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Seo Ijin, when the MC announces the freshman rep oath, just go up, grab the booklet on stage, and read it aloud."
"Got it. Uh... and this spot."
Coincidence or fate?
The front row the teacher led me to already had someone there ahead of me.
Yeah.
The blonde from my morning jog was standing there in Dawn High's uniform, looking at me.
She remembered me too—her usually stoic face showed wide-eyed surprise.
The male freshmen behind her were already gazing at her dazedly with slack jaws; she was that stunning.
"Two perfect scorers this year. You and Seong Yurin—joint reps."
We blinked at each other, then turned to the teacher.
"...So, couldn't she do it?"
"Seong Yurin got here first and said she didn't want to."
Damn. Too late.
Glancing back, Seong Yurin had the faintest smile tugging at her lips. It vanished quickly.
Seong Yurin, huh. Like I thought this morning, seeing her again confirmed it.
I'd never seen her in the original story I knew, but she screamed heroine.
Cool-type blonde beauty as freshman rep? Weirder if she wasn't.
Wonder if that's natural blonde. This rom-com world treated colorful hair as normal.
By the way—not that I'm mentioning it late—the last heroine I knew, the sporty one, was a spirited redhead.
- We will now begin the 49th Dawn High School Entrance Ceremony...
"Alright, I'll head up then. After the oath, just join the other students—no extra duties."
"Yes, sir."
I bowed politely as the teacher left and took my spot.
I snuck a glance sideways, but Seong Yurin's eyes were fixed on stage. No easy convo starter, so I focused on the ceremony too.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
- Next up, the freshman representative oath... Freshman reps, please come to the stage...
I'd expected a boring slog, but it moved along briskly.
Seong Yurin showed no sign of going first, so I took the lead. Sigh.
Up on stage overlooking the field, the sheer number of freshmen hit me anew.
I picked up the booklet with the oath and faced front. Seong Yurin stepped up beside me.
The murmurs below cut off instantly.
I scanned the now-silent crowd, then pulled the mic close.
"Oath!"
- Oath!
All the freshmen were staring right at me.
...Looks like my plan to quietly spectate the rom-com from day one is half-ruined already.