Don't Text Me | Taesan X Woonhak

18: Misunderstanding

Dongmin walked to college with Donghyun, trying to shake off the tense feeling lingering from yesterday's encounter with Jiseok. They were chatting about their assignments, trying to keep their minds occupied when, out of nowhere, Dongmin felt the weight of countless eyes on him.

He glanced around and saw students giving him strange, judgmental stares. It made his skin crawl like he was being scrutinized under a microscope.

"What's their problem?" Dongmin whispered to Donghyun, who shrugged, equally confused.

Before they could discuss it further, a professor suddenly stepped in front of them, blocking their path.

"Han Dongmin," the professor said sternly. "The head of the college would like to see you in his office immediately."

Dongmin and Donghyun exchanged confused looks, both of them wondering what was going on. They had no idea what they had done to warrant such a summons.

"Why? What's this about?" Dongmin asked, his voice filled with uncertainty.

"You'll find out soon enough," the professor replied, not giving any further explanation.

With no choice, Dongmin followed the professor down the hallway, Donghyun trailing behind him. As they entered the office, Dongmin froze. There, standing in front of the college head's desk, was Jiseok—looking smug as ever. And beside him stood a man, tall and imposing, who could only be his father. Jiseok's eye was bruised, and swollen shut, and he was holding a cold compress to it, but his expression was still one of arrogance.

"Explain this, Han Dongmin!" the head snapped, gesturing toward Jiseok. "How dare you resort to violence on campus?"

"What?" Dongmin asked, his voice tinged with confusion.

Jiseok's father turned to him, his face stern. "You have a lot of nerve, attacking my son like that."

Dongmin's jaw dropped. "What are you talking about? I didn't—"

"We've heard otherwise," the college head interjected, his voice filled with disapproval. "According to multiple witnesses, yesterday afternoon you went violence against Jiseok."

Dongmin and Donghyun were both in shock. "That's a lie!" Donghyun protested. "Dongmin didn't do anything violent!"

"Then explain why there are witnesses who say otherwise," the head demanded, looking pointedly at Dongmin.

Jiseok's so-called minions stepped forward, nodding solemnly. "We saw it," one of them said. "Dongmin grabbed him and punched him."

Donghyun immediately stepped in. "That's a lie! I was there! Dongmin only argued with him. There was no violence!"

Dongmin's heart was racing. "I did argue with him, yes. But I didn't hurt him. I just...tried to confront him."

But one of the minions suddenly pulled out a photo on their phone. It showed Dongmin clutching Jiseok's collar, his face twisted in anger.

"There's the proof," one of them sneered. "We saw it all. Dongmin attacked him and caused the injury."

Dongmin's stomach dropped as he looked at the photo. It made everything look worse than it was. "That's taken out of context! I didn't hit him!"

The head sighed. "Dongmin, did you or did you not meet Jiseok yesterday?"

Dongmin hesitated but nodded. "I did. But—"

"No buts," the head said firmly. "The photo speaks for itself. You're suspended from the college until further notice. Your behavior is unacceptable and we'll be contacting your guardian."