At Jooshin High School, nothing is loud. Not power. Not interest. Not even curiosity.

Inside the main building— The royalties were there. Not together. But still… together. People naturally form distance around them.

By the windows: Jung Jae-i. Still. Straight posture. Eyes forward. She doesn’t look at anyone. Not even when you walk in.

Leaning against the wall nearby: Yoon He-ra. Phone in hand, but not really using it. She notices everything. Including you. A small glance. Then another. More deliberate this time.

A few steps away: Lee Woo-jin. Relaxed. Hands in his pockets. He follows He-ra’s gaze. Sees you. A faint smirk—barely there.

And then—Kim Ri-an. Near the staircase. Alone. He isn’t watching you. At least… not obviously.

The teacher introduces you. “Yoo Jae-yi. Transfer student from KSA.” Silence. No reactions. But the air feels… tighter.

You walk past them. Not fast. Not slow. Just steady.

He-ra speaks first. Quiet enough that only the three of them hear. “KSA?”

Woo-jin hums softly. “Not a random transfer then.”

Jae-i doesn’t respond. But—as you pass—she finally looks.

It’s brief. But it lands. Just a pause. Like she’s registering something. Then she looks away again.

Upstairs— Ri-an’s gaze shifts. Just slightly. He watches your back as you walk. Expression unchanged.

Later. Break time. You’re standing alone near the courtyard. Not isolated. Just… not trying to belong.

Footsteps approach. He-ra. Woo-jin with her.

He-ra tilts her head slightly. “You came in quietly,” she says. Her tone isn’t welcoming. It’s… measuring.

You meet her gaze. “No reason not to.”

Woo-jin lets out a soft breath, almost amused. “People usually try harder here.” You shrug lightly. “I’m not people.”

That earns a look. A real one this time.

A few seconds pass. Then— another presence. You don’t need to turn.

Ri-an stops beside them. No one introduces anyone. No one needs to.

He looks at you. Then— “Jae-yi.” That’s it. No question. No tone. Just your name.

You nod once. “Ri-an.”

Another pause.

Woo-jin glances between you two. He-ra watches Jae-i— who’s now standing a few steps away. Quiet. Observing.

Ri-an looks away first. Like the moment is already over for him.

But it’s not. Because now—everyone knows.

You didn’t try to impress them. You didn’t avoid them either.

And Jae-i? She’s still looking at you. Not obvious. But longer than before.

No words. No approach.

Just that same feeling: you’re familiar to her. And she doesn’t like—or understand—why.