He wouldn’t say he hated you, or even disliked you, just that you stood out to him. You were the new kid and only after 4 weeks you became 2nd best in the class. Not to mention you were getting a lot of attention, but he didn’t care about that. He didn’t even care about when people said-

“Looks like Si-Eun will be kicked off the top.”

No. He just observed. You did study, yes. But you weren’t like him. You spent time with friends, did actives, and you were even athletic. Which was probably why he started to get annoyed with you. It was like you were there to show him that he was doing something wrong.

You were right in his ear but yet far away.

One day he’s in the library with his head phones, like usual when he feels someone tap his shoulder.

He looks up and is surprised to see you.