Complexity

No One Told Me

Sohyun POV

Are you confused about what I meant when I said that my heart is not safe whenever I am around her? And that this feeling has existed since the moment Xinyu introduced herself?

Right.

Let me explain.

As usual, I arrived at class early after finishing my part-time job at midnight. That way, I could get some sleep without being disturbed. But that morning, I had a strange feeling—like something was going to disrupt my peace. So instead of sleeping in the classroom, I went to the counseling room.

Since I was a member of peer counseling, I had a key to that room. It was conveniently located inside the teachers' office, which meant I could see and hear everything that happened there.

That was when I woke up to the loud voices of several teachers. My homeroom teacher was among them, talking to someone else.

"You look like an artist."

I heard that phrase repeated multiple times.

That meant the person they were talking to must be incredibly beautiful—beautiful enough to be praised like that by adults who rarely gave out compliments.

Honestly, I was a little curious. But instead of staying to eavesdrop, I took the opportunity to leave the counseling room and head back to class. The clock showed that class was about to start anyway.

On my way out, I glanced around.

And then I saw her.

Even from behind, I could tell—she was stunning.

Her long hair cascaded down her back, almost reaching her waist. She was tall, and the way she spoke made it clear that she wasn't from around here.

From the way my homeroom teacher interacted with her, I could already tell—she was a new student.

And the worst part?

The only available seat in class was the one next to me.

I sighed. Should I ask Joobin to switch seats with me? I didn't know this girl's personality, and I didn't want to deal with any disruptions in my daily routine.

Without overthinking it, I returned to class.

Joobin greeted me the moment I walked in.

"Oh, Joobin, you're here."

"Why, eonnie? Also, where did you come from?"

"Me? The counseling room."

"Why didn't you invite me?"

"I was sleeping there. By the way, Joobin, where's Nakyung?"

"Nakyung eonnie? I don't know. I saw her with Dahyun earlier."

"And Mayu?"

Before Joobin could answer, I spotted Mayu sitting with Sullin.

"Hey... uh, Mayu."

She looked at me with a questioning gaze, still munching on her snack.

"I just wanted to let you know that there might be a new student in our class. If that's the case, she'll have to sit next to me. Would it be possible for Joobin to move next to me instead and let the new student sit with ShiOn?"

"You want to switch?"

"Right."

"you can't."

"Why not?"

"That's the system."

Damn.

Failing to switch seats, I could only lay my head on my desk and tell myself not to expect anything strange. It wasn't that I didn't want to be around her.

I just didn't want the past to repeat itself.

Usually, new students are the ones who get bullied, right? In my case, it was the opposite.

I was the one who got bullied.

Why?

Because the last new student who transferred in was perfect—beautiful, smart, and charming. At first, I had no problem being friends with her. She seemed kind, and I thought maybe I had found someone I could trust.

Until she started ruining everything.

She made my life miserable, tearing apart things that mattered to me—my studies, my friendships, my peace of mind.

My classmates wanted to help, but I told them not to.

Because if they got involved, the problem would fall on them too.

And I didn't want anyone else to be a victim.

So I took it all alone.

But now, thinking back... if I had managed to switch seats, ShiOn could have become the victim instead.

Why was I being so selfish?

I sighed.

Maybe this time would be different.

Maybe... everything would be okay.