IF YOU'RE HANDSOME LIFE IS EASIER

08

“Sure, no matter how many times you live your life, not everything sticks in your brain.”

Honestly, how much of those little middle school moments can you really remember?

So, for me, my current middle school life felt pretty much like the first time around.

Except for the major events, of course.

Maybe that’s why it took me a while to remember what kind of guy Kim Min-hyuk was.

He was probably part of one of those infamous bully groups since elementary school.

“Does it even make sense for a bully to tease you when you’re off doing your business?”

It’s something I thought of only after becoming an adult, but back then, it was a big deal.

In elementary school, taking a dump meant you were fair game for teasing.

In severe cases, it could lead to being bullied—one of those life events to remember.

A bully from such an elementary school, huh.

“Wait, no, he must’ve been terrifying.”

Middle school.

This was when bullies really ran wild among us.

The size difference between kids going through puberty and those who weren’t yet was huge.

Maybe because we weren’t fully grown yet, instincts were definitely stronger back then.

Plus, it was the year 2010.

Smartphones were just beginning to spread, and the creepy uncles would show up after school to sell cigarettes to the kids.

That’s the kind of chaotic world I’m talking about.

There were scary older boys at the arcades.

And at the PC bang, there were no designated smoking areas, so people smoked openly.

In hindsight, it was like a lawless time compared to now.

But in such an age, a bully? Of course, they were gonna be scary.

Sneaky glances.

Side-eyeing.

Sitting in the back row, I could feel a lot of eyes on me.

Normally, during the first semester of middle school, the class should be bustling with chatter.

But everyone was on edge, watching me like I was the main character or something.

“Why am I the enforcer here?”

I just wanted to be in the position of the ridiculously good-looking kid in class.

I desperately wanted to avoid being that terrifying figure that scared everyone.

So here’s what I concluded:

“Hey.”

“Uh, uh, uh…”

First, I should greet my desk buddy.

Kim Min-hyuk and his gang moved to the front, leaving me with the floating kid in the back.

Even after the first day, this kid hadn’t formed a group yet.

Chubby cheeks showing signs of baby fat, a body anyone could tell was overweight.

Small in stature and slightly slow to react.

“That’s me.”

The image was reminding me of my past self.

I had been told I was ugly since childhood, so my confidence took a hit.