Rich Babe || Catnipz

R.B.|Prologue

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"All right, Ms. Kang. This is your timetable, locker number, and key." Mr. Hong, the school's director, stated it with such grace and deference—as he should have. "Ms. Kim here will be guiding you through the basics until you get used to it."

Because this new person he was speaking with was the daughter of a highly influential family.

A family that, he knows, would swiftly have the school shut down if he said anything at all that would upset Haerin.

"Minji, please guide Haerin well." He whispered to her, "There's no room for mistakes—one wrong move and your scholarship will be ripped away."

Minji let out a sigh and occasionally glanced at Haerin.

In despair, she mumbled, "Yes, Mr. Hong."

"Alright. I'll make sure your schedules coincide so you can always be aware of her whereabouts." He said, "Make sure you give her what she wants."

"Yes, Mr. Hong."

Minji had no choice.

"Okay, Ms. Kang, Ms. Kim, I'll leave you two alone so that you both get acquainted. I'll be taking my leave now as I still have a meeting to attend to," He grinned before walking away.

Minji let out a sigh.

"So, I'm Minji," she said, turning to face Haerin, who was preoccupied with glancing around the room.

"What's your name?" She asked Haerin.

The latter didn't utter a single word, instead, looked at her intently—eyes void of emotion.

Minji winced. 'Tough one to deal with,' she thought.

She said, "Nice to meet you," and smiled genuinely, softly, and warmly at Haerin.

But once more, she was ignored.

Minji sighed for the third time. 'I can't believe I'll have to spend my senior years with this girl'.

"Let's get going, yeah? We're going to be late for class" Minji suggested and started walking.

Much to her surprise, Haerin followed closely behind.

Seems like the girl wasn't deaf at all.

"NJBN University was founded in the 80's. It started off as a simple high school until college was added and several courses were offered back in the early 2000s," Minji began.

"These classrooms have been remodeled and built with strong foundations and materials over the years so you won't have to worry about the ceiling or the floor collapsing," she joked, hoping to hear even just a chuckle from Haerin.

And of course, there was nothing.

In fact, Minji was getting used to it by now. It's not like she could force the other anyway.

"Since we're in the same strand, we'll have the same schedule, so if there's anything you want or need, I'm within reach—you'll see me all the time," She assured Haerin.

Not too long after, they finally arrived in front of their first class, Basic Calculus 1.

Minji looked at Haerin first, offering her a warm smile and saying, "I got you, don't worry," before knocking on the door three times.

A faint voice came from inside the room, "Come in!" it was of a woman's.

Minji carefully slid the door, and stepped inside, stepping aside for a while to give Haerin space to follow her in.

"Ah, Minji-ssi! New student you got there?"

"Yes, Ms. Im," Minji answered.

The woman was quite chirpy, too chirpy for someone close to 30, Haerin concludes.

"Good, good" Ms. Im nodded her head.

"Come here sweetie, introduce yourself in front," She invited Haerin to walk over and Minji watched as she did so.

Everybody waited in anticipation as Haerin stood still in front of the class. They were too intrigued by their new classmate—some may be already crushing on her.

Who can blame Haerin though? She was pretty, few might even say she's prettier than Minji.

"Kang Haerin,"

That was it. She said nothing else but her name; not a simple "Morning," or "Nice to meet you" or "Please take care of me well"—she straight up just said her name before walking back to Minji's side.

The whole class was silent, including Minji.

Minji couldn't help but admire the cold, slightly deep tone Haerin's voice held.

True that the latter's voice wasn't as deep as hers—nevertheless, it was still charming to hear.

And Minji suspects that the rest of her classmates think the same as well.

"Alrighty! Nice to meet you Haerin-ssi, you two may sit down now," Ms. Im chuckled.

"Thank you, Ms. Im" Minji bowed.

Haerin followed Minji and bowed subtly. It was funny how she kept her face emotionless.

And Minji found it cute...somehow?

"Let's sit over there" Minji pointed at the very back.

Now, since airless heads of people were blocking their view, Minji assumed that there would be two seats vacant.

Much to their dismay, when they arrived there, there was only a seat available.

"I- uhhh..." Minji trailed off, too busy thinking where she should get another chair to sit at.

"You sit down," It was Haerin's way of showing courtesy, but it came off wrong, sounding more like an order.

And Minji was a bit intimidated by that.

However, considering how Haerin's been acting for the past half hour, she assumed that she'd only misunderstood Haerin's intentions.

So instead of being mad or disappointed, "No, you!" Minji pointed to the chair and laughed.

She also didn't know why she was laughing.

All she knows is that she's unusually feeling giddy today.

Don't ask her why.

"I know the director told you to take care of me but trust me, I can handle myself." Haerin, this time, actually meant it as an order.

And! This was the first, complete sentence Haerin ever said and the other sure was proud and happy to hear more from her.

Haerin seemed like she was offended or something, Minji guessed.

So Minji sat down hesitantly.

She put her bag down, completely aware of the countless eyes that were on them.

"How about you?" She asked worriedly.

"I told you, I can handle myself," Haerin deadpanned and set her bag down on the floor.

Minji had noticed that there was something with the way Haerin spoke—it was alluring and captivating.

Every single world Haerin let go of seemed to be laced with poison, power, confidence—all that shit.

And the latter sure liked it.

"Where will you sit?" Minji asked again.

Haerin did not answer and looked around the room to see if there were any vacant chairs left.

Once she saw none, she sighed before looking back at Minji with calm, collected, and serious eyes.

"Can I sit on your lap instead?"