Highschool Life

Chapter 2: It Doesn't Hurt at All

Erwin and Crystal's school life was mundane—very mundane on the very first day. Nothing exciting except the concept of shipping the two from their classmates when Self-Study started; they would sit together and ignore their gossip to continue studying.

They were happy being together, enjoying each other's company, and laughing a lot about random topics, but some girls were jealous of Crystal.

She felt disgusted and began talking about her. "That Crystal girl has been leeching off our Cold Prince ever since she was introduced."

Another girl replied with a nod. "We should teach her a lesson," but one of her friend's instantly replied, "Don't do it, guys."

"Jessica, what do you mean?" Jessica removed the handkerchief she was holding to cover a bruise on her left cheek. "Can't you see? He punched me without hesitation."

"My girl got punched?!" Jessica's boyfriend, Jerald, who was behind her seat minding his own business while listening, heard their conversation.

"Jerald, it's not a big deal." Jerald stood up aggressively and replied, "It is a big deal to me! I'll get my guys; wait here!"

After storming off, Jerald gathered his goons from his classroom and headed to Jessica's classroom. By the time they arrived, the two had vanished. They searched the classroom and discovered them sitting on a bench in the shade, so they turned to go there. Only a few hours had passed since Crystal started school, and Erwin had been taking care of her until he noticed a man walking toward them when Crystal looked past him, making Erwin turn, and he was near him.

"Are you Erwin?"

He looked with a blank expression, didn't reply or react, but tilted his head in confusion while making calculations in his head.

"You punched my girl a bit."

Erwin did a front kick to Jerald while he was sitting, and he gave it enough force for him to be pushed back to his crew as he bumped into them.

"You act like some sort of high and mighty bully who looks down on other people, just like in Manhwas, and yet you do not even talk to her for the reason behind her bruise. Do you want me to teach you a lesson?"

With a soothing yet scary voice and blazing intimidation in his eyes, the gang had second thoughts about whether to fight or run in this situation. Jerald was the one getting more scared; his pride was on the line, and it was his comrades and girlfriend.

He screamed like a maniac and recklessly charged at Erwin, knowing confidently of his speed, but as he was close to him, Erwin dodged his punch with ease, yet Jerald couldn't stop going forward; thus, Erwin grabbed the back of his shirt, redirected his trajectory, and threw him towards his gang with some bruises in his fall.

"Give up now; things will get really bad if you don't."

Jerald's fear of him is incomprehensible, given his expression of coldness. He got up and headed back as if nothing had happened with his gang.

Walking away with humiliation, Erwin warned him, "If you try bullying Crystal and your girlfriend is doing it, I won't let this off the hook; you will pay the consequences, even her." He stopped and gulped. He never knew that the new student was a terrifying human, and they began on their merry way.

For the rest of the day, it was ordinary. They were the best of friends almost instantly, yet there were times when they disagreed about the smallest things.

"Pancakes are the best!" Crystal pouted and stared at Erwin.

Leaning back from his chair, he replied, "Nah, fam, waffles all in."