A Swordsman's Stream

Chapter 119

Seventeen-year-old Taewoo took a deep breath in front of the main entrance before entering an unfamiliar classroom.

For the first time in his life, he was about to attend a high school.

It was a new semester at a new school.

There were probably few people who didn’t feel nervous.

If he had been assigned to the same school and the same class as a friend he was close with during middle school, the pressure might have been less, but he was assigned to a school far from home.

It was likely that there were no familiar faces in his class even if he knew some in the school.

As Taewoo entered the classroom, he found that nearly all the seats were taken. This was to be expected.

“Did I arrive a bit late?”

Although he had practiced commuting a few times before the start of school and used the map function on his divine smartphone, Taewoo had gotten lost several times on his way to school, causing him to arrive late.

Fortunately, he hadn’t streamed late the previous night, allowing him the luxury of leaving home a bit leisurely in the morning.

“If not, I would have been late on my first day.”

No matter how familiar or easy the route seemed, there was no such thing as a truly straightforward path in this world!

Hence, he had to leave home early despite being close.

That was Taewoo.

The school had a gathering at 7:40 AM followed by the first class starting at 8:10 AM.

The current time was 7:38 AM.

Because of this, there were only three seats remaining.

He wasn’t sure how many more students were on their way, but Taewoo had two choices.

“Sit next to that guy, or sit alone like that friend over there.”

The one sitting alone was incredibly good-looking at just a glance.

Unlike the rest of the students who were cautiously observing each other, this student sat upright, peacefully reading a book.

An intimidating aura radiated from him.

Perhaps it wasn’t by chance that he was alone.

However, Kim Taewoo, a man who loved being alone and enjoyed gaming, couldn’t stand being alone when it actually happened, showcasing his contradictory nature.

Therefore, he sat in the remaining seat next to the other student.

“Hello?”

Taewoo’s voice wavered slightly as he greeted the stranger, who nodded calmly in response.

“Hello.”

* * *

What on earth was he looking at?

“A martial arts novel?”

Even on the first day of school, when there were no official classes, everyone usually paid some attention if the teacher was speaking in front.

Even the delinquents tended to act exemplary on the first day.

However, the guy sitting next to Taewoo seemed different.

“Was his name Jin Sojun?”

Even his name seemed handsome. That’s why looks matter. Damn it.

Anyway.

This guy was impressive.

He read his book with it resting on his knee during class, but even when viewed up close, there was no awkwardness in how he diverted his gaze.

“What kind of trick was he pulling?”

Taewoo thought that Sojun’s skill of discreetly doing something else rivaled his own.

“Turns out this guy was one of my kind?”

Suspicion.

A signal from the unconscious mind of someone handling vast amounts of information akin to a form of big data.

That feeling sent a signal to Taewoo that Sojun might become a good friend.

“Or is he worse at studying than I am?”

* * *

At 2 PM, they headed to the auditorium for the entrance ceremony.

Tedious procedures that lured one to sleep unfolded, and it was time for the oath by the representatives of the new students.

When the representative climbed up for the oath, a yawning Taewoo’s eyes widened.

It was Sojun.

Even though he wasn’t interested in studying, Taewoo knew that such a position usually went to the top student.

“What the… Annoyingly impressive.”

His admiration carried a hint of jealousy.

* * *

Three days had passed since the start of school.

Busy adapting to the new environment, they started to settle in.

The teachers began actual lessons from their second meeting.

And.

Since arriving at school on the morning of the third day, Sojun hadn’t gotten up from his chair even once until he left school, only reading his book.

He occasionally closed his eyes in thought but never left his chair!

“Indeed, a model student!”

The persistence to stay seated was commendable.

During this time, no one had approached Sojun, nor had he approached anyone.

He didn’t even eat lunch.

He may not have been studying, but still.

Even though it seemed like martial arts novels rather than academic books, still.

Even though he continued reading during class, still.

“Being the student representative must mean he has some strategies for studying.”

Could it be training to improve concentration?

Taewoo found it impressive and began buying an extra drink for Sojun whenever he visited the school store.

Direct bribes were always good.

“Hey, friend, take this.”

“Thanks.”

Receiving his fifth drink, Sojun responded with genuine gratitude.

And it seemed Sojun finished reading as he closed the book and stashed it in his bag during the next class.

Sojun stretched and spoke quietly for the first time.

“What’s for lunch today?”

The universal student question! Today’s lunch menu!

Hearing Sojun ask a question common to all students, Taewoo excitedly told him the menu and suggested they eat together.

Sojun nodded in agreement, and after informing his friends that he would eat separately today, Taewoo and Sojun headed to the cafeteria for lunch.

Today’s menu included chicken drumsticks, a hard-to-fail choice, and Taewoo found a seat in good spirits with his meal.

Sitting across from Sojun, they engaged in casual conversation while eating when suddenly, someone passing by to dispose of their leftovers bowed at a perfect 90-degree angle before them.

“Hello!”

What was this?

And.

“Who is it?”

As they were the only ones at the table, it was evident the greeting was directed at Sojun.

However, the badge color of the person bowing differed from theirs.

The different badge color implied the person was a senior compared to them, who were freshmen.

Was this an indication of camaraderie?

But the atmosphere did not feel playful at all.

Sojun acknowledged their greeting while continuing to eat his chicken, and they left.

But that was only the beginning.

They sat close to the disposal area at the back, and lunch was ending, so many people passed by to dispose of their leftovers.

Thus, among the seniors passing by, about one in ten would appear and greet Sojun with an exaggerated bow.

“Hello, hyung!”

Rough appearances,

“You came here?”

Imposing physiques.

A common trait was their fierce appearance and precise 90-degree bows to Sojun.

Each instance caused Taewoo’s expression to sour.

“This is bad.”

A situation where seniors greet a junior like gangsters?

First, he had to question if they really were juniors.

“Did he cause trouble and get held back?”

This seemed the most possible scenario.

If so, it would explain his calm and relaxed demeanor up till now.

High school was not new to him.

Additionally, given his apparent fame, he must have caused a significant incident.

From that moment, Taewoo grew notably quieter.

After finishing lunch, Sojun spoke to Taewoo.

“Hey, friend. Shall we go to the school store?”

This was Sojun’s way of reciprocating.

However, Taewoo interpreted it differently.

“I’ve messed up. This is bad.”

Remembering how he had casually brought Sojun drinks under the guise of friendship over the past three days, Taewoo translated Sojun’s words as follows,

‘If I want to remain friends, I should buy him something at the store.’

What’s done is done. Now, how to manage his remaining high school years?

Taewoo exhibited quick thinking, executing the best course of action within his capabilities at the time.

“Drinks might not be enough. How about dessert with bread?”

“Sounds good. Then I can…”

“No! You go back to the classroom and wait! I’ll be right back!”

From that day on, the variety of foods Taewoo brought included popular items like various breads along with drinks.

* * *

『’ㅇㅇ’ donated 50,000 won!』
『How did you first become friends with Taewoo?』

Recalling the past, Taewoo internally wept as he reminisced.

“I did bring quite a few breads.”

He had that memory.

A memory of being unable to stream properly, worrying about how to navigate the remaining three years of high school.

Would that guy even remember?

Taewoo glared at Sojun.

The middle school Sojun attended was right next to the high school he went to, so it was easy for Taewoo to gather information about Sojun.

Fortunately, it wasn’t about being held back or causing trouble, but reviews weren’t exactly favorable either.

People who weren’t close to Sojun advised avoiding him since he hung out with mischievous students.

And those so-called mischievous students dragged around by Sojun had this to say,

“Don’t get involved. Just don’t get involved, even if you don’t know why.”

“Have you seen hell?”

“I never thought I’d end up studying.”

“We’re Sojun’s friends? No way.”

“Right. If we were, we wouldn’t go through this.”

Sojun overheard these conversations, and thus, Taewoo became his only friend.

The day after, those who were once Sojun’s companions, evidently dragged off to the notorious gym, became advocates every recess, pleading not to be let go as friends.

Progressive changes in perception: delinquent who openly doesn’t study –〉 crazy focus capable of being first in school –〉 troublemaker held back –〉 ???

Recognizing this shift, Taewoo stopped trying to understand Sojun and diligently ran errands to the store.

“Hmm. Taewoo is generous, you know. He would buy and share bread every day, and I wondered why? Who’s this strange guy? And then we just became friends.”

– Winning over with bread ㄷㄷ
– A friend purchase fee?LOLOLOL
-LOLOLOL Seriously, did you just buy them without a reason?
– Is Taewoo innately a bread runner?LOLOLOL
– Bread runner would surely stir controversy?

“What do you mean bread runner? No, I didn’t say anything like that? And besides, I don’t particularly like bread.”

Unbearably responding, Taewoo retorted.

“Then why didn’t you tell me to stop buying bread?”

“Well, it would’ve been weird to reject when a friend I’ve known for less than a month kept buying it.”

Right.

“That makes sense.”

It really did.

Taewoo hid his tears as he looked up at the ceiling.

Why was he peculiar in every aspect except when it came to thinking surprisingly normal in matters like these?

He was genuinely curious.

“Oh? Is the chicken here? Thank you all.”

“I’ll go get it quickly!”

Taewoo habitually reacted.

* * *

The following day.

Sojun, on his way to a lecture, thought fondly of his high school days with a smile on his face.

“I was diligent, sincere, quiet, kind, and ordinary.”

He was also a student who spread positive influence.

Exemplifying model behavior to guide juniors was only natural for a senior.

He maintained no violence or selfish motives. Truly.

Just saying.

“By the way, why did Director Oh Jihye call me?”

Originally, they were supposed to meet in a few days, but she asked if Sojun could come today.

It didn’t bother him since it was near the university anyway.

“Is it because of LoS?”