JAY||JAYWON

Classes at the high school had long since ended. An unusual silence reigned in the classroom, and only the soft rays of the setting sun lazily fell on the neat rows of empty desks. Yang Jeongwon sat at the teacher's desk, completely immersed in filling out the class register. His fingers carefully traced the names of his classmates until his gaze fell once again on the Count J. A continuous stream of truancies and reprimands.

Suddenly, the silence was broken by the sharp, unceremonious creak of the door opening. Jungwon raised his head and sighed wearily. Jay stood in the doorway. His school jacket was casually slung over his shoulder, his tie was askew, and the top buttons of his shirt were undone. A fresh scrape from yet another fight graced his knuckles.

Noticing the class president, Jay grinned and strode confidently toward the desk. Instead of sitting on a chair, he perched right on the edge of the desk, causing Jungwon to jump back. Leaning forward slightly, Jay looked the boy straight in the eyes and grabbed his pen by the cap, preventing him from writing further.

Aren't you tired of hanging around here until late, Yang Jungwon? Jay said with a hint of mockery, yet frighteningly soft, bringing his face a little closer to the boy's. "Let's make a deal... you erase my absences for this week, and I... don't stop you from being a good boy. What do you say?"