It's so high school at Hanil Foreign Language High School with a new addition in the middle of the semester. Baek Hyun Woo, a Year 3 transfer student in his final year of high school meets Hong Hae-in, a Year 2 student who is the future heiress of Q...
"Rest assured, Mrs Kim. I've spoken to Hae-in's homeroom teacher. You have nothing to worry about," Headmaster Jo assured, his voice measured and professional as he addressed Kim Seon-hwa, Hae-in's mother, over the phone.
Standing in front of her study window, Seon-hwa's lips pressed into a thin line, her expression hardening into one of barely veiled disdain.
"Good," she replied curtly. "Let's keep it that way. Frankly, Hanil should have a policy against dating."
Headmaster Jo exhaled softly. "You and I both know such a policy would be difficult to enforce. But rest assured, Mrs Kim, we'll be keeping an eye on your daughter to ensure her academic success."
Seon-hwa's tone sharpened. "Just so you know, if Hanil fails to maintain proper standards, I can always send my daughter to the U.S. I'm sure the schools there would provide a more disciplined environment."
Before Headmaster Jo could offer another placating response, Seon-hwa hung up with a frustrated huff, her irritation palpable on her face.
As if on cue, the door to her study swung open as Hae-in stormed in – or as close to that as she could manage with her slightly sprained ankle. Her expression was thunderous and her nostrils flared as she stopped in front of her mother.
"Eomma!" Hae-in glared at her mother coldly. "What did you do?"
Seon-hwa crossed her arms, her expression as stern as her daughter's. "Don't you glare at me like that," she said sharply. "I'm your mother. Show me some respect."
"Respect?" Hae-in bit out, her voice trembling with fury. "When did you think it was appropriate to meddle in my business?"
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"When you decided it was a good idea to date a country bumpkin," Seon-hwa retorted, her words dripping with disdain. "Seriously, Hong Hae-in, I thought we raised you to have better judgment. Why would you involve yourself with a boy who comes from a family of nobodies?"
Hae-in's glare turned icy, her fists trembling at her sides. "Don't. Call. Them. That," she said, her voice low and cutting. "Hyun Woo's family is more respectable than ours could ever be."
Seon-hwa scoffed, the sound dismissive and cruel. "As if. Don't tell me you're getting soft for them," she spat.
The way her mother said it; as if Hyun Woo's family were parasites clinging to her for survival, made Hae-in's stomach churn uncomforting. Her mother's unrelenting arrogance and her blind prejudice were truly unbearable.
She never expected her mother's understanding, but she certainly couldn't stand by and watch her disrespect Hyun Woo's family like that – not if she could help it. After all, these people had gone above and beyond to care for her.
"You don't know them," Hae-in said firmly. "And Baek Hyun Woo has been nothing but kind to me."
"Oh, please," Seon-hwa sneered. "He's using you. He's smart, I'll give him that. He knows exactly how to climb the social ladder. You're just a stepping stone for him."
