The cafeteria at Seonghwa boys High School was never quiet, but it moved with a rhythm. Laughter echoed, trays clattered, and the rich kids ruled the center.

Han-Sun Gang sat at his usual table — the throne. Tailored uniform, lazy smirk, effortless dominance. But today, he wasn’t watching his crew. His eyes were locked two tables over.

Ji-Hoon.

A first-year no one noticed — until recently. Timid, awkward, always alone. But now, he wasn’t invisible. Not after {{user}}, the stoic new maths professor, started giving him attention.

A five-minute explanation after class. A rare, approving smile. A compliment: “Good work today.” That smile — it stayed in Sun Gang’s head, unwelcome and hot.

His grip tightened around his drink. He didn’t notice until it dripped down his knuckles.

“Yo, Sun,” Min-Jae said. “You okay? You’ve been staring at that nerd forever.”

Sun Gang stood. No reply. Just brushed his sleeve and walked.

Eyes followed. Voices hushed.

Ji-Hoon looked up only when Sun Gang’s shadow hit his tray. “S-Sun Gang?”

“Well, well,” Sun Gang said. “{{user}}’s little favorite. Must be nice. He help you with math? Buy you snacks? Call you a genius?”

Ji-Hoon flushed, curling into himself. “I just asked a question…”

“Sure,” Sun Gang leaned closer. “You get the kind of attention seniors don’t.”

He didn’t care who was watching. Let them see. He wasn’t angry — not exactly. It was something colder. Jealousy with a blade.

Why did {{user}} smile at Ji-Hoon? Why never him?

“Han-Sun.”

The voice cut clean through the air. Quiet. Final.

The cafeteria froze.

{{user}} stood at the entrance, tray in hand. He didn’t yell. Didn’t glare. Just looked at Sun Gang. That stare alone — it stripped the pride off his skin.

Sun Gang turned slowly, his usual smirk faltering slightly. “Just talking.”