The midnight I met him

Professor Lee walked into the lecture hall, a warm smile on her face. "Good morning, class. I'd like to introduce our new student, Yoon Joonoh. Please welcome him with a round of applause."

The students clapped as Joonoh walked in, his piercing eyes scanning the room. Professor Lee gestured to an empty seat. "Joonoh, you'll be sitting next to Kim Haru. Haru, please help Joonoh get settled in."

Kim Haru's eyes widened as Joonoh approached. She felt a shiver run down her spine as he smiled, gleaming in the fluorescent light.

"Hi," Joonoh said, his deep voice sending a thrill through Haru.

"Hi," Haru replied, trying to sound calm.

As the lecture began, Haru couldn't help sneaking glances at Joonoh. There was something mysterious about him, something that drew her in. Little did she know, their lives were about to become forever entwined.

As Joonoh sat down beside Haru, the classroom whispers grew louder, but not loud enough to be heard clearly. Haru's face burned with embarrassment and frustration. She knew they were talking about her, making fun of her for sitting next to the most handsome boy in class.

"Psst, look at her, she thinks she's so special now," someone whispered, giggling.

"Yeah, like she's actually worthy of sitting next to him," another chimed in, snickering.

Haru tried to ignore them, but it was hard. She felt like crawling under a rock and hiding. Joonoh, however, seemed oblivious to the snickers and whispers, his eyes fixed on the professor as if absorbed in the lesson.

But then, in a subtle move, he shifted his gaze to Haru, his eyes locking onto hers with a hint of warmth and understanding. It was as if he knew exactly what she was going through, and was silently telling her to ignore the haters.

Haru sat alone at her usual lunch table, her eyes fixed on the book in front of her. The sun cast a warm glow over the courtyard, and the sound of chatter and laughter filled the air. But Haru's solitude was short-lived.

A group of girls, led by the notorious mean girl, Sophia, strutted into the courtyard, their eyes scanning the tables with a predatory gleam. Sophia's gaze landed on Haru, and a sly smile spread across her face.

"Well, well, well. Look what we have here," Sophia said, her voice dripping with condescension. "The little nobody, sitting all alone as usual."

Haru felt a familiar knot form in her stomach as Sophia's entourage gathered around her, their eyes mocking and cruel.

"And what's this?" Sophia continued, her gaze falling on Haru's tablemate. "You're sitting with him? Joonoh, the most handsome boy in school? How dare you!"

The girls snickered and giggled, their taunts and insults raining down on Haru like a storm. Haru's face burned with shame and embarrassment, her eyes fixed on the table to avoid their cruel gaze.

But then, a deep, husky voice cut through the din, sending a shiver down Haru's spine.

"I think you've said enough."

Joonoh's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on Sophia with an intensity that made her take a step back. The girls' laughter faltered, their eyes darting nervously between Joonoh and Sophia.
To be continued