레드럼-RedRum-

chapter 3. crossing paths.

The day was winding down at Hanseo High School. The final bell rang, and students poured out of the building, chattering and laughing in clusters. Jae-min moved through them like a ghost, his presence acknowledged by none. He didn’t care for their idle talk or superficial concerns; his mind was preoccupied with the countless equations and theories that defined his existence.

Jae-min walked home the same way he always did—alone and unnoticed. His school uniform was neat and his backpack orderly, contrasting starkly with the tumult inside him. At sixteen, he was the perfect student on paper but his heart was a barren land, devoid of warmth or connection.

The alley was a familiar shortcut he used to avoid the main streets. Today, as he turned into it, he heard voices raised in anger. He pace slowed down as he listened to the voices. the instinct to stay uninvolved battling with the faintest curiosity.

“Get off me!” a girl’s voice snapped, followed by a scornful laugh.

Jae-min’s eyes narrowed. He stepped closer, peering around the corner to see three older boys surrounding a girl. She was small, her oversized clothes hinting at a life of hardship, but her stance was defiant, her eyes flashing with anger.

“Who do you think you are, talking to us like that?” the largest boy taunted, gripping her arm.

Jae-min’s heart remained cold and steady. This wasn’t his problem, but he knew how these situations could escalate. Without a word, he stepped forward.

“Don't you guys feel ashamed,” he said, his voice calm and devoid of emotion.

The boys turned to him, their expressions shifting from amusement to irritation. “And who the hell are you?” the leader demanded.

Jae-min’s met his gaze with icy indifference and chose to ignore the question."At this age,don't you guys think you should be getting jobs instead of harassing innocent people? Let her go."

The girl looked at him, her surprise quickly morphing into a glare. “I don’t need your help. I can handle this.”

The leader sneered, tightening his grip. “See? She doesn’t need your help. So why don’t you walk away?”

Jae-min’s expression didn’t change. “And what if i don't? What will happen?”

The boys laughed, but it was a humorless sound. The leader stepped closer, raising his fist. Jae-min braced himself, his mind calculating the angles and impact.

The punch landed on his jaw, sharp pain radiating through his skull. He stumbled back but didn’t fall. The girl’s eyes widened briefly before she turned her glare back to the boys.

“Stop it!” she shouted. “I’ll go with you, just leave him alone.”

The leader laughed again, shoving her aside. “Too late for that, sweetheart.”

Jaein straightened, wiping blood from his lip while mumbling curse words under his breath. “i pity mothers who raise boys like you.”

The leader swung again, but this time Jae-min was ready. He dodged, driving his elbow into the boy’s gut. The other two lunged at him, but the girl intervened, kicking one in the shins and pushing the other away.

“Fucking idiots,” she muttered. “Let’s get out of here.”

Jae-mine and the girl backed away, keeping their eyes on the boys until they reached the end of the alley. Only then did they turn and walk briskly down the street.

“Are you stupid or something?” the girl snapped, her voice dripping with disdain. “I didn’t ask for your help.”

Jae-min glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “You looked like you needed it.”