Annyeongz One-shots

31. Stay Away

Ahn Yujin had always been different from the rest of the students at Seoul Elite Academy. He wasn’t slow because he lacked intelligence—no, he was smart, deeply observant, and capable of understanding things in ways others couldn't. He just needed time. Time that the world never gave him. Time that his classmates used as a weapon against him.

To everyone else, “slow learner” simply meant easy target.

Every morning, as soon as he stepped into classroom 2–A, the whispers started. The snickers. The footsteps approaching his desk. And then the first paper ball would land on his shoulder.

“Oi, slowpoke. Still studying last week’s chapter?”

Another paper ball, this time hitting his cheek.
The boys in the back snickered loudly as if bullying was a sport they could win medals for.

Yujin didn’t lift his head.

He never did.

Not after what happened years ago—an incident so deeply carved into him that even raising his voice now made his heart tremble. It was easier to stay silent. Easier to endure. Easier to pretend he didn’t exist.

But the world refused to ignore him.

Someone unscrewed a bottle behind him, and before he could react, cold smelly water splashed down his back. Girls shrieked in disgust. Boys laughed like it was a comedy show.

Yujin’s shoulders shook, not with anger, but with humiliation.

“Oops,” one bully sneered. “You should thank us. That’s the only shower you get.”

Another boy tore Yujin’s notebook out of his hands, ripping the pages mercilessly. Carefully written notes, solved equations, highlighted sentences—destroyed in seconds.

And Yujin did nothing.

He simply stood there, eyes down, hands trembling slightly as he picked up the torn papers one by one.

Wonyoung watched all of it.

She sat only two rows in front of him. Everyone in school adored her—Jang Wonyoung, the epitome of popularity. Beautiful, kind, star student, always smiling. Someone like her wasn’t supposed to notice someone like Yujin.

But she did.

Her fingers curled tightly around her pencil as she watched the boys surround him again.

“Hey, Yujin,” one of them said, smirking. “Since you’re useless at everything, why don’t you do something fun for once?”

Yujin didn’t move.

“Go ask Wonyoung out. Tell her you wanna date her.”

The class burst into mocking laughter. Someone whistled loudly.

Wonyoung froze.

“It’s just a dare!” one of them yelled. “Come on, slowpoke! Ask the queen of the school to date you!”

Yujin’s throat tightened painfully. His hands were shaking. He didn’t look at Wonyoung, didn’t dare. His heart banged against his ribs like it wanted to escape.

“Or what?” another boy teased. “You scared? Can’t even confess in a joke?”

The pressure built until he whispered, voice barely audible—

“No…”

The bullies groaned in disappointment but were ready to torment him again.

Wonyoung couldn’t stand it anymore. Her chair scraped loudly as she stood up, the entire class turning toward her.