For the first time in her life, Soo-ji woke up minutes before her alarm.
She rushed into the bathroom, getting ready in record time. She had everything planned out. For once, she actually had a reason to be excited about school.
Her uniform was perfectly ironed, she had straightened her hair, and the night before, she had secretly stolen her mother's pink gloss. Everything was perfect.
Until she decided to spray on her brother's cologne.
Just as she thought she had escaped unnoticed, a loud voice tore through the house.
"LEE SOO-JI!!!"
The devil had awakened.
Seo-jun came running down the stairs with a towel roughly tied around his waist, his hair still dripping wet.
Soo-ji sighed dramatically and slowly turned around.
"You little thief," he scolded. "How dare you use my cologne?"
"Why are you being so cheap? I only used two sprays," she replied, crossing her arms.
He scoffed in disbelief. "Cheap? You think I'm cheap? Do you even know how much that cologne costs? Those two sprays could pay your tuition."
"As if," she muttered.
"Mother! I might actually bruise your daughter's mouth today!" he shouted toward the kitchen.
Mrs. Lee barely looked up from what she was doing.
"Soo-ji, apologize to your brother."
"Why? It was just two sprays," Soo-ji complained. "Mother, didn't you say sharing is caring? Seo-jun never shares with me."
"Hey!" Seo-jun snapped. "Don't turn this on me with your stolen painted lips." He paused before scoffing. "You really thought I wouldn't notice you stole mom's gloss too?"
Soo-ji clutched her chest dramatically.
"What do you mean by that?" she gasped. "No way... are you jealous because your lips aren't pink and glossy like mine?"
Seo-jun opened his mouth to respond but got cut off.
"Seo-jun, learn to share your things with your sister so she doesn't have to steal," Mr. Lee said while walking downstairs. "And Soo-ji, ask before taking things."
"Honey, are you leaving already?" Mrs. Lee asked, finally interested.
"Yes," he replied, walking toward her.
"Can you get groceries on your way back?"
"Sure."
He kissed her forehead lovingly.
Soo-ji and Seo-jun looked at each other in disgust.
For once, they agreed on something.
"Soo-ji, come on. I'll drop you at the bus stop," Mr. Lee called as he walked out.
Soo-ji immediately stuck her tongue out at Seo-jun before running after her father.
"Mother!" Seo-jun complained.
"Soo-ji!" Mrs. Lee warned.
"Bye, Mother!" Soo-ji yelled before disappearing outside.
—
A few minutes later, Soo-ji arrived at school.
She smiled to herself while gripping the strap of her bag tightly. She never thought this day would come, the day she would desperately want to attend school.
Lost in thought, she almost failed to notice someone suddenly pulling her aside.
A Kawasaki Ninja H2R sped past her.
Then a Kia K3.
Then a Hyundai Avante.
Almost immediately, a classic limousine followed behind them.
And finally, a Mercedes-Benz C-Class rolled into the school grounds.
"Are you okay?" Bo-ram asked worriedly.
Still stunned, Soo-ji nodded repeatedly.
"Y-yeah."
"Soo-jiya!!"
A familiar voice called from behind.
Joon-seok.
He jogged toward them with a grin.
"Hi, Soo-ji," he greeted before glancing at Bo-ram. "Do I really need to greet you too?"
Bo-ram narrowed her eyes at him.
"Good morning, Joon-seok," she replied sweetly.
"You look energetic today." He tilted his head slightly. "Should I call you Ji-ji or So-so?"
"What?" Soo-ji blinked in confusion.
Bo-ram bit back a smile.
"I was thinking Gi-gi instead," she said. "You know... like Gigi Hadid?"
"She's obsessed with her even though she can never be like her," Joon-seok whispered loudly enough for Bo-ram to hear.
"Jerk!" Bo-ram snapped, hitting his arm.
Then she linked arms with Soo-ji dramatically.
"Come on, Gi-gi. You seriously don't want to miss this lecture."
"What class is it?" Soo-ji asked curiously as they walked.
"Literature in English." Bo-ram smiled knowingly. "Do you like it?"
"My previous teacher wasn't exactly the best first impression," Soo-ji admitted honestly.
"I'm sure you'll love this one."
Bo-ram pushed open the classroom door.
"Thank you," Soo-ji said as she walked in first.
Joon-seok attempted to enter behind them, but Bo-ram immediately blocked the doorway with her arm.
"No?" he asked innocently.
She smiled and shut the door in his face.
—
Minutes later, the classroom had naturally settled down.
Soo-ji was arranging her writing materials when suddenly the entire class stood up.
Startled, she quickly stood as well.
Then her eyes met his.
The reason she suddenly loved school.
Her already self-proclaimed Mr. Right.
Mr. Hae-in.
Heat rushed to her cheeks instantly.
Even after everyone sat back down, her eyes never left him. Anyone watching would've assumed she was deeply interested in literature.
In reality, she was shamelessly admiring his face and physique.
As he walked through the classroom explaining part of an old historical love letter, Soo-ji's heart pounded violently against her chest.
Then unconsciously, his eyes met hers.
"I fear I have memorized the sound of your voice more intimately than my own thoughts."
He recited the line smoothly in English, his voice low, deep, and devastatingly attractive.
At that moment, the entire classroom blurred.
All Soo-ji could see was him.
Her imagination instantly betrayed her as countless embarrassing scenarios flooded her mind.
She was so overwhelmed she didn't even realize the squeal had escaped her until the classroom went silent.
Mr. Hae-in turned toward her with a soft smile.
"Do you have a question?"
Soo-ji completely melted.
Unable to speak, she shook her head rapidly.
His smile lingered for a second before he faced the class again.
"This is where we'll stop for today."
As soon as he packed his books, the students greeted in unison.
"Bye, Mr. Hae-in!"
The moment he left, Bo-ram immediately turned toward Soo-ji.
"So?" she asked excitedly. "How was it?"
Soo-ji failed miserably at hiding her smile.
"It was fun."
Suddenly, Joon-seok shoved himself between them.
"It's break time," he announced dramatically.
—
Not long after, Soo-ji, Bo-ram, and Joon-seok were seated together in the cafeteria laughing over lunch.
Then suddenly—
The atmosphere shifted.
First came silence.
Then screaming.
Students immediately rushed to pull out their phones.
Others stood up so quickly their chairs nearly fell over.
Completely confused, Soo-ji grabbed her tray in panic.
"Wait— are we supposed to run too?! What's happening?!" she asked seriously.
Joon-seok quickly grabbed her wrist before she could escape.
"Relax," he laughed.
Then the cafeteria doors opened.
And like royalty entering their kingdom—
They appeared.
In the center of the chaos.
The heirs.