From Murim to Metropolis

[Next Day – Morning]

Jin Wook slings his bag over his shoulder and heads to the door.

Jin Wook: "Mom, I'm leaving for college!"

Mom: [from the kitchen] "Take care! And don't skip lunch!"

As he steps outside, the fresh morning air greets him. The walk to college is peaceful until he reaches the campus gates. A tall man in a sharp black uniform approaches him, his movements smooth, almost calculated.

Man: [politely but firmly] "Hello, Mr. Jin Wook. I am Richer. My boss would like to have a word with you."

Jin Wook: [raising an eyebrow, his tone cold] "Why should I meet your boss?"

Richer: [with a slight smirk] "He has a… let's say, fantastic offer for you. If you cooperate, it could be very beneficial."

Jin Wook: [narrowing his eyes] "Not interested. Go away."

Richer: [calmly pulling out a sleek black card] "Fair enough. But my boss left a message for you: 'If you ever need our help in any way, just ask.'"

He holds the card out. Jin Wook hesitates for a moment before taking it, his expression unreadable.

Richer: [smiling slightly] "Thank you for your time, sir."

As Richer walks away, Seojin Lee bounces into view, her usual energy lighting up the scene.

Seojin: "Hey, Jin Wook! Good morning!"

Jin Wook: [nodding slightly] "Morning."

Seojin: [tilting her head, pointing after Richer] "Who was that guy? He looked… mysterious."

Jin Wook: [shrugging casually] "No one. Just someone asking for directions."

Seojin eyes him suspiciously but doesn't push. They walk into the building together and take their seats in class. The lecture begins, and for a moment, everything is calm—until Jae Hoon leans over, whispering in Jin Wook's ear.

Jae Hoon: [whispering] "Hey, Jin Wook, did you see Dong Ha this morning?"

Jin Wook: [whispering back] "Why?"

Jae Hoon: [dramatically whispering] "I heard he's out to get you! Be careful, man. Keep your distance. You never know what that psycho might do."

Jin Wook sighs but before he can respond, Jiwon Han, their strict yet striking teacher, walks toward them with a death glare. Jae Hoon, oblivious to her presence, stares ahead—and then his attention suddenly sharpens.

Jae Hoon: [under his breath] "Wow, what a nice waist… who is that?"

His eyes travel up slowly, and then it hits him. His face turns pale.

Jae Hoon: [stammering] "T-T-Teacher!"

The class bursts into laughter as Jiwon Han's piercing gaze zeroes in on him.

Jiwon Han: [crossing her arms] "What did you just say? 'Nice waist'?!"

Jae Hoon: [frantically waving his hands] "No! No, I didn't mean it like that! I meant… uh… it's… an okay waist?"

The class erupts in louder laughter. Jiwon Han's expression darkens, and without hesitation, she grabs both Jae Hoon's and Jin Wook's ears.

Jiwon Han: [snapping] "If you're done admiring my waist, get out of my class!"

Jin Wook: [grimacing, thinking] "Why me?! I didn't even say anything!"

She drags them to the door and shoves them outside. As the door closes, the sound of laughter follows them into the hallway. Jae Hoon rubs his ear, grinning like an idiot.

Jae Hoon: [grinning] "But seriously, the teacher has a nice waist."

Jin Wook: [giving him a death glare] "Are you still talking about that?!"

Jae Hoon: [playfully nudging him] "Okay, okay, I'll stop. By the way… do you still like that girl?"

Jin Wook: [frowning] "What girl?"

Jae Hoon: [quickly] "No one! Forget I said anything!" [thinking] "Man, he's trying so hard to forget her…"

Jin Wook glances at Jae Hoon, noticing the strange expression on his face.

Jin Wook: [thinking] "What's his problem? Why is he acting so weird?"

Jae Hoon: [changing the subject] "Hey, bro, is there any girl you like these days?"

Before Jin Wook can answer, the lunch bell rings. Jae Hoon nudges him again, but Jin Wook's thoughts drift elsewhere.

Jin Wook: [thinking, ignoring the bell] "The girl I love… if I'm honest, it's still Hye Rin."

Jae Hoon: [snapping him out of it] "Hey! Earth to Jin Wook! Where did you go, man?"

Jin Wook: [snapping back] "Huh? Oh, nowhere. I was just… thinking about something."

Jae Hoon: [grinning mischievously] "Thinking about a girl, huh?"

Jin Wook: [rolling his eyes] "Maybe. But let's talk about it later."

At that moment, Seojin walks out of the classroom, her cheerful energy lighting up the hallway.

Seojin: "Let's go for lunch! Oh, and Jin Wook, the teacher wants to see you in the staff room after lunch. She said it's important."

Jin Wook nods as the three of them head to the cafeteria. The lively chatter of students surrounds them, but Jin Wook remains quiet, his thoughts lingering on a single name—Hye Rin.

[At the Cafeteria]

The trio grabs their trays and finds a table near the corner of the bustling cafeteria. Jin Wook sits down first, followed by Jae Hoon and Seojin Lee. As Jin Wook takes a sip of water, Jae Hoon leans in dramatically, resting his chin on his hand and staring at Jin Wook with a playful pout.

Jae Hoon: [mock sighing] "I'm so jealous of you, Jin Wook."

Jin Wook: [raising an eyebrow, confused] "Huh? Why?"

Jae Hoon: [gesturing around the cafeteria with exaggerated flair] "Can't you feel it? The intense stares of all the girls around us? They're practically burning holes in you!"

Jin Wook looks around, noticing several girls glancing his way and whispering among themselves. He shifts uncomfortably in his seat.

Jin Wook: [scratching his head] "So that's why I've been feeling weird… But why are they staring at me? Is there something on my face?"

Seojin Lee and Jae Hoon exchange a glance before dramatically dropping their heads onto the table, groaning in unison.

Jae Hoon and Seojin Lee: [exasperated] "You're hopeless."

Seojin Lee: [sitting up, rolling her eyes] "Jin Wook, can't you tell? They're staring at you because of your looks. You've got that 'mysterious handsome guy' thing going on. Even some of the teachers can't seem to stop staring."

Jin Wook: [waving his hands dismissively] "What? Stop joking. Teachers? Why would they look at me like that?"

Seojin Lee: [smirking slightly] "Oh, don't play innocent. Just earlier in class, I caught Teacher Jiwon staring at you. Twice. And it wasn't the first time. She had this… 'awe-struck' look."

Jin Wook: [laughing nervously] "What? That's ridiculous. Why would a teacher look at me like that? Maybe she was just… checking if I was paying attention?"

Jae Hoon: [sitting up straight, his eyes wide in mock shock] "WHAT?! Dude, you're so lucky! She even asked you to meet her in the staff room alone! Do you know what this means?"

Jin Wook: [frowning, dreading the answer] "No. What does it mean?"

Jae Hoon: [grinning mischievously] "She's got a crush on you! A teacher crushing on a student! It's the ultimate forbidden romance trope!"

Seojin Lee: [eyes widening, suddenly nervous] "W-what?! No way!"

She fidgets with her food, glancing at Jin Wook out of the corner of her eye, her thoughts racing.

Seojin Lee (thinking): "Wait, could it be true? Does the teacher actually have a crush on him?!"

Jin Wook: [groaning, pinching the bridge of his nose] "You two are insane. Stop coming up with weird theories!"

Jae Hoon: [leaning back in his chair, grinning smugly] "I'm just saying, if she confesses to you, you better let me be the best man at your wedding."

Seojin Lee: [snapping out of her thoughts, glaring at Jae Hoon] "Oh, shut up! There's no way that's happening!"

Jin Wook: [firmly, shaking his head] "I said stop it! You both need to stop letting your imaginations run wild."

Despite Jin Wook's protests, Jae Hoon and Seojin continue teasing him throughout lunch, their banter drawing amused glances from nearby tables. Jin Wook sighs deeply, wondering how he always gets dragged into these absurd situations.