Chapter 1
Busan. A family was moving to Seoul. This was the Park family: two brothers, their mother, and father. They weren't very poor, nor very rich, just an ordinary family. The younger, spoiled son's name was Park Yuna. Of course, he was embarrassed by his name, because at school he had been bullied a lot for it. He was a 17-year-old high school student. He played basketball. One of the main reasons his parents moved to Seoul was to enroll both their sons in a prestigious school.
So, the family packed their things and set off by car. The car was quiet. And that silence was broken by Yuna's older brother, Park Jihoon.
"Beokun High is super popular. Only kids with money or talent go there. I think there will be less trouble there, because no one has time to fight, so maybe you'll finally focus only on your studies," he joked. But the car remained silent. No one laughed at the joke except Jihoon himself. Suddenly, their mother broke the silence:
"Kids, Seoul is full of life. People here might try to take advantage of you, so be careful. And Yuna, Beokun High has all kinds of sports teams, including basketball, your favorite sport. Tell them you played for the famous Busan team, and don't forget to mention your achievements."
Yuna just looked out the car window and nodded. The family continued in silence until they reached Seoul. They arrived at their new home and began settling in. Yuna and Jihoon were going to share a room. Inside the house, Jihoon's favorite K-pop song, Blackpink's How You Like That, was playing. Jihoon was dancing along with the song. Jihoon was naturally a cheerful boy, well-known among many young people in Busan. He had been the leader of the Eunha Lions street team in Busan. One of his main goals in coming to Seoul was to establish the second team of the Eunha Lions there. No matter how mischievous he was, he always protected his younger brother.
Jihun's loud voice suddenly stopped. He wanted to say something to Yuna, so he turned off the music. He looked at his little brother for a long time, observing every movement. Yuna noticed and turned to him.
"What's wrong? Why are you staring at me like that?" he asked.
"Yuna… I know you're embarrassed by your name, but honestly, it suits you… If someone at school teases you about it, will you tell me?" he approached his little brother.
"The most important thing… you're strong and smart. A lot of girls might notice you, and even guys…"
Jihoon's words sounded serious. But Yuna sensed that something wasn't right in what he was saying.
"What are you trying to say, idiot? I don't want to hear stuff like this. If you have something to say, just say it quickly," he said.
"Haha…"
"…"
"Don't get mad, I'll be scared if you do," Jihoon teased, ruffling Yuna's hair.
"Are you serious?! If I get mad now, it's going to be bad."
"Yes, yes… If it's true, then go grab me a Red Bull," Jihoon replied.
"I knew you would ask something like that, then give me money, I will go," Yuna said, and Yuna held out his hand for the money.
Jihun looked at Yuna's hand. "I don't have money. Ask dad, but don't say I told you to get an energy drink! Just say it's for you, okay?"
"You jerk," Yuna replied.
"I'll clean up these places for you, so don't worry and go," Jihoon said.
Yuna went to his father. He was talking with the neighbors. Seeing his son coming, his father:
"This is my youngest son, his name is Yuna," his father introduced.
"Yuna? Did I hear that right? Haha, my wife's name is also Yuna. Nice to meet you, Yuna," the neighbor laughed.
"Yes, yes… My mother's name was Yuna, and the same day she passed away, Yuna had been born, we named our son after her. We had no other choice," Yuna's father explained.
The neighbor's laughter didn't please Yuna, but he was used to such things, so he didn't get upset.
"Dad, can you give me some money? I want to go to the store," Yuna asked.
"Here you go," his father replied, handing him the money.
On his way, Yuna recalled his fun memories in Busan: his old friends, classmates, and the girl he liked, Lee Ari.
"Eh… I wonder what Ari is doing now? Did she have feelings for me or not? But judging by her eyes when she looked at me, it seemed like she did," Yuna thought to himself.
Suddenly, a group of students appeared in front of him. They were smoking in the corner, laughing, and their school uniforms were from Beokun High. Yuna tried to ignore them, but a whistle sounded behind him.
"Hey, come here," someone called.
When Yuna tried to walk past, someone grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back. He looked at the name tag on the boy's uniform.
"Kang Minjae, huh?"
Yuna pushed the hand away. "What do you want?" he said coldly.
"We didn't mean anything. Just wanted to call you. Why are you walking away?" Minjae stepped closer, holding Yuna's shoulder.
Yuna hit Minjae in the face, making him fall to the ground. The group around them went silent. Yuna realized he couldn't fight all of them but didn't run either. Minjae got up slowly and looked at Yuna with a confused expression. No one else understood his reaction.
One of the boys said, "Minjae, what should we do? Should we just kill him here?"
Minjae smiled. "No, not necessary. Let's go."
They left Yuna behind. He thought for a moment, looking at his hands. "What just happened?… I already made enemies before even starting at this school," he whispered to himself and continued on his way.
When Yuna returned home, Jihoon was playing a game. His things weren't even unpacked yet.
"Mm, I guess I can't expect anything half-done," Yuna muttered, throwing his store-bought item at his brother.
"What is it? … wait… come here," Jihoon said.
"Why does your shirt smell like smoke? Moreover it smells expensive … quickly change it before Mom comes," Jihoon said.
"It's not mine… I swear. Don't tell Mom," Yuna pleaded.
"Fine, I won't… but clean up the scattered stuff first. Otherwise, I'll tell her everything," Jihun said playfully, not out of hatred.
⸻
School hallway
"Sorry, Jennie… stop!"
"Minjae, who told you to act like that? I said don't hang out with them! Why are you smoking, why are you fighting? I can't tolerate this anymore, get out of my way!"
The girl got angry.
"Damn!" Minjae remained behind her.
The bell rang. Everyone went to their classes.
Minjae entered the classroom and went to his seat, sitting down.
"Damn… I got into a fight with Jennie. Should I write to Choi Sua again? Or Kim Hayun? Or maybe just forget everything and find a new girl?" Minjae thought as the teacher and a student entered the classroom. Everyone went completely silent.
"Welcome, everyone, to the new school year! Today, we have a new student in our class. His name is Park Yuna."
Those words interrupted Minjae's thoughts.
"Park Yuna? So a girl is joining the class… I wonder what she looks li—"
Before he could finish, he looked up and saw not a girl, but a boy. That surprised him, but what shocked him even more was that he recognized the face.
"Yuna, introduce yourself."
"Hello everyone! I'm Park Yuna. I just moved here from Busan, and I play on the basketball team…"
Yuna's eyes landed on Minjae. They stared at each other for a moment.