Kim Dokja didn't know whether this world that desired destiny and fate for every person was a blessing or a curseㅡ he certainly wasn't fond of the idea of having a red string wrapped around his pinky linked to another person's pinky. Anyone in this damn world could be his 'fated' one and the fact that people believed just one person could be someone to bring such joy and success.. Kim Dokja simply didn't believe in it.
"Oi! Kim Dokja! Stop day dreaming and lend me your history notes" the annoying yet familiar voice of Han Sooyoung rang out as she barged into their home class, barely making it in before the teacher who followed right behind her with a worn out expression.
"Han Sooyoung. Sit down."
A quiet snicker couldn't help but escape from Kim Dokja's lips at the figure of his friend plopping down on her chair in front of him, other students taking advantage of the teacher's diverted attention to gossip till the last second.
"Settle down, we have a new transfer student with us so we'll start introductions" the middle aged teacher cleared his throat, glancing down at his clipboard as if to remind himself of the new student's name again. But no student paid him any attention, too busy in their separate worlds or hurriedly finishing any last minute homework like Han Sooyoung.
Kim Dokja was gazing out the window, chin resting on his hand as he watched as autumn leaves raced to reach the hard ground. But it was at that moment he felt a shiver go up his spine.. not to mention the silence that had fallen over his classmates.
The transfer student was standing in front of the classroom, firm build and dark ruffled hair seeming to assert dominance as if this was a battlefied rather than a place of education. The teacher had requested this new face to introduce himself and most if not all of the students were eagerly waiting, adoration in many of the girls' eyes. Some were even glancing down at their pinky in hopes of seeing that fateful red string that would connect them to this handsome student.
"Yoo Joonghyuk." Came the short reply, making Kim Dokja scoff quietly from the back of class. Did he think he was some cool protagonist in a school-life novel? He may have the perfect looks but life was no book.
He felt an intense gaze hitting him, turning his head to face the transfer student with an indifferent stare of his own. Their eyes locked and neither backed down, tension building up..
Untilㅡ
Yoo Joonghyuk's lip twitched, the corner lifting up as if to taunt him with a smirk. Long digits ran through god given locks of hair, the action enough to cause a few female students hearts to flutter. But that wasn't what made Kim Dokja's eyes narrow into a glare. It was the undeniably red string tied around Yoo Joonghyuk's pinky, thoughts of protests begging and begging as he followed the strand further down.. around.. closer and closer..
His own red string was pulled tight, tugging his pinky towards the bastard.
Shit.
In this world that ran on fate, both individuals had to acknowledge and accept their red string, only then will their destiny be revealed to everyone else.
It was why he could see Han Sooyoung's destiny float around in his face as she sat on the edge of his desk, going off about how there would be a new novel series being released by her favourite author, the lemon flavoured candy stick moving around as she talked.
"Heyㅡ are you even listening?"
Before he could answer that he was most definitely not listening, her hand was shoved into his face as if to move him away from her line of sight.
"Sangah-ya!!" She grinned idiotically as her fated one came to their class for a visit during break, carrying two lunch boxes for them.
"Soo-young-ah, I heard you failed to hand in the homework for history again?"
As student president Yoo Sangah was definitely a star student for both students and teachers, with good grades, warm heart and a kind voiceㅡ everyone (Dokja included) wondered why on earth the annoying Han Sooyoung was her fated person.
The two friends sat in front of his desk, displaying the nice lunch they would share together whilst deeply engaged on the topic of the one thing he didn't want to talk about at all; the transfer student Yoo Joonghyuk.
During their conversation, with her mouth full, Han Sooyoung jerked her head towards their single friend.
"I'm pretty sure this guy somehow picked a fight with him, they were glaring at each other really intensely."
"Eh? Do you perhaps know him, Dokja?"
"Nah this guy doesn't have any past acquaintances like that. It was probably just his face."
Just as he opened his mouth to retaliate somehow, he felt a looming presence fall over them. The same intense gaze making him shudder internally as he slowly turned to face Yoo Joonghyuk.
"Who are you?"
Han Sooyoung and Sangah stared at the new student in surprise, spoons hanging from their mouths as they simply witnessed this tense interaction. Of course, no one could see the red string that connected the two male students glaring at each other, since they were both very reluctant to accept this thing called 'destiny'.
"Kim Dokja." He said, copying the manner the new student had introduced himself as though he was making fun of him. He turned back around, pulling out his book and flicking to the page he had left off, ignoring the curious eyes of his friends and the unknown expression of Yoo Joonghyuk.
Stormy eyes with a flash of gold flitted towards the red string, Yoo Joonghyuk's pinky feeling as though it had a great weight pulling on it.
"I don't believe in destiny, only I will decide on my own fate."
It was a declaration that had no tremble or wavering to protest against it.
"That son of a bitch! He's so rude!" Han Sooyoung growled in annoyance, under the impression that his last sentence had been aimed at herself and Yoo Sangah.
"Don't mind him, he's probably having difficulty getting to know everyone.. he's new afterall" Sangah said gently, stretching out a forkful of chicken katsu to her girlfriend in an attempt to calm her down.
With a scoff, Han Sooyoung took a bite before glaring at her friend who was silently reading. Eventually her intense eyes and angered chewing could no longer be ignored, Kim Dokja's head reluctantly lifting up.
"What."
"It's weird how he picked on you when you two don't even know each other."
"He just seems to have a shit personality, I guess."
"Right, says Mr. 'I never want to find my fated person. If I do I'll cut it off' "
"It's mercy"
"It'sㅡ"
Yoo Sangah cleared her throat loudly, putting down her chopsticks before her lips pulled up into a smile.
"How about we all go for a walk to the school cafeteria?"
• • •
The rest of the day at school swiftly went by, Kim Dokja ignoring the excited whispers talking their praises of the new handsome student. Though, not all students liked the new kid- especially the 'iljins' of the school who acted as though they ran the school and could order everyone else like they were their personal slaves and nothing else.
Apparently they had attempted to 'recruit' Yoo Joonghyuk but was only met with a silent glare.
Kim Dokja snickered when he heard that news, slinging his bag over his shoulders. That guy was going to be the next target and he wasn't sure if he felt sorry for the bullies or Yoo Joonghyuk.
"Kim Dokja! Let's go eat tteokbokki! Sangah said she'd buy it for us" the big grin on Han Sooyoung's face was too bright, almost making him want to turn his head away. She always became different if something involved Yoo Sangah.
"Okay, are you buying ice cream after?" He smirked, smoothly dodging the flying hand before slipping out the classroom door.
The trio walked out the front of the school, the two girls chattering as Kim Dokja flicked his thumb across the phone screen as he read a web novel. His favourites series had just updated a new chapter for the week and he was always excited to read it- eyes shining.
"Huh? Isn't that the new jerk?"
His head lifted up, following the direction of Han Sooyoung's finger that lead to a more isolated alleyway.
Yoo Joonghyuk was standing still as 5 lackeys surrounded him, the 'leader' of that circle standing further back with an evil smirk twitching on his face.
He seemed to be giving some kind of speech but the new student was unfazed and unimpressed, rather- he seemed angry that his time was being wasted here. The 'leader' was clearly offended by this reaction, his ego too big for good- he barked a threat aimed at Yoo Joonghyuk, his lackeys moving with warnings of physical aggression.
As the student president she must have felt the responsibility to step in- Yoo Sangah taking a few steps towards the intimidating group before Han Sooyoung grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"Don't go there. They'll hurt you too." She muttered, eyes narrowed in their direction.
"I can't let the new student get bullied Sooyoung-ah.." she protested.
The red string pulled at Kim Dokja's pinky, feeling the tension the 'fated' other was experiencing right now. It was tugging for an interference, unwilling for him to just stand still as he let his 'partner' stand alone in this situation.
At that moment Yoo Joonghyuk's head snapped in their direction, eyes locking together with Kim Dokja's.
'Look only at me.'
His dark eyes widened in shock at the message in his head, so clearly in that cold low voice of his- had he imagined it?
Yoo Joonghyuk blocked the oncoming punches from the attackers, swift on his feet and able to counter attack easily from the mistakes from his opponents who never actually learned any martial arts. Within seconds he had left injuries and fear on their faces, trudging towards the leader who shrunk back.
"Don't waste my time" he growled harshly, eyes piercing with flashes of anger.
The three friends were staring in shock, all 3 pairs of eyes staring at the figure of Yoo Joonghyuk walking out the alleyway and down the street as if nothing had happened.
"That jerk.. he's crazy." Han Sooyoung exclaimed.
For once, Kim Dokja agreed with her.