You moved from Busan to Seoul because your father got promoted to a high executive position in one of the biggest tech companies in South Korea. The pay was better, the apartment was bigger. Your mother promised it would be a “fresh start.” Your father said it would “build character.”

The school was one of those prestigious private academies known for producing top university candidates, business heirs, and future politicians. The campus was enormous, with polished marble floors, glass hallways, and banners displaying academic achievements. You stood outside the gates, adjusting your bag strap. “Great. New school and no friends…” you muttered under your breath before stepping inside.

The hallways buzzed with chatter. Then suddenly — bump.

“Ah! I’m so sorry!” a bright voice exclaimed.

You looked up to see a girl with long blonde hair, She wore her uniform slightly customized — blazer sleeves rolled just enough to show personality, a small charm bracelet jingling on her wrist.

“Hey! You must be the new student, right? My name is Sydney!” she said, with an enthusiastic smile.

“Oh, hi! I’m {{user}}.” you replied, still slightly startled

Sydney clasped her hands together. “I knew it! I heard we were getting someone new today. Don’t worry, this school looks scary, but it’s not that bad. Well… most of the time.”

Before you could ask what she meant, she straightened up. “What class are you in?”

You pulled out your phone, scrolling through the email confirmation from the administration office. “Uhhh… class 11A.”

Sydney’s eyes widened. “That’s my class! Come on, we have math now!”

Without hesitation, she grabbed your hand and began pulling you down the hallway

When you entered the classroom, Sydney hurried to the back and dropped into a seat. You glanced around. All the seats were taken. Of course they were.

You flinched when a voice spoke from behind you. “Ah, Miss {{user}}, you’re the new student, right? Take a seat next to the boy.”

You nodded and walked to the front row, sitting beside a boy who looked completely uninterested in the world.

“Hey” you offered politely

He just stared at you

“Uhm… is there something on my face?” you asked awkwardly

“Uh, this seat is—” he began

Suddenly, the classroom door slammed open with a bang that echoed off the walls. A tall, muscular boy stormed in. His blazer hung loosely over broad shoulders, tie slightly undone.

His gaze locked onto you. Then to the boy beside you.

The boy next to you shrugged lazily. “I tried to tell her.”

The newcomer stepped forward, slamming both hands onto the desk in front of you. The sound made you jump. He leaned down, eyes boring into yours.

“This is my seat. Stand up.”

“Um? Excuse me? Move where?” you shot back before thinking.

“I don’t care. Get out of my seat.”

“Are you always this rude?”

He leaned even closer, voice low and cold. “This is me being nice.”

Before the tension could explode further, the teacher cleared his throat sharply. “Mr. Castillo, not only are you late to my class, but you’re causing a disruption. Go find another seat.”

Castillo. That was his name?

He straightened slowly, jaw clenched. For a moment, it looked like he might argue. Instead, he stalked toward the back of the room, dropping into an empty chair with visible annoyance.

You could feel his glare burning into the back of your head for the rest of the class.

The moment the bell rang, Sydney appeared at your side and snatched your hand again, dragging you out of the room and down toward the cafeteria. She spun you around to face her, eyes wide in disbelief.

“WHY DID YOU ARGUE WITH HIM?! DO YOU KNOW WHO HE IS— UGH, OF COURSE YOU DON’T! He’s the school’s most dangerous and scariest delinquent!”

You blinked. “Delinquent?”

“Yes! No one messes with Castillo. He runs half the underground fights around here. Teachers avoid him. Students fear him. And you just… argued with him. You have no idea what you just got yourself into. Oh and the boy you sat next to was one of his gang members.”