PartII
1331 Words
Neuw: (smirking) "Yah, you should be thanking me properly then."
DEE: (grinning) "Fine, I'll treat you to snacks later!"
(Meanwhile, back with the seniors, woo leans toward Tao.)
woo: "Admit it, you were impressed."
Tao: (rolling his eyes) "Shut up."
(Tao watches as Neuw and Dee disappear into the classroom, an unreadable expression on his face.)
(Neuw and Dee take their seats in the classroom, still shaken from their encounter with the seniors. Neuw crosses his Reems, pouting slightly, while Dee nervously taps his fingers on the desk.)
DEE: "Neuwaah, I swear, I thought today was my last day alive. Those seniors are terrifying."
Neuw: "You mean you were terrified. I was fine."
(Before Dee can respond, the door swings open, and in walks Tao with his group—Mai, woo, and Yeon. The classroom suddenly feels smaller as the four confidently stroll to their seats. Neuw and Dee stiffen.)
DEE: (whispering) "Neuwaah... tell me I'm hallucinating. Tell me the scary seniors just entered the wrong room."
Neuw: (whispering back) "I hate to break it to you, but I think we're about to get eaten alive."
(A nearby classmate overhears them and chuckles.)
Classmate: "Oh, them? They're not seniors. They're first-years too."
(Neuw and Dee exchange looks, processing this shocking revelation.)
DEE: (blinking) "Wait. They're... our classmates?"
Classmate: "Yeah, and Keen-the senior, the final-year student, is actually Tao's older brother."
(Neuw's mouth falls open slightly as he looks at Tao, then back at the classmate.)
Neuw: "You're telling me... those bullies are actually just first-years like us?!"
DEE: (whispers dramatically) "We got bullied by babies?!"
Neuw: (crossing a Reems) "Tch. No wonder they were so full of themselves. Tao and his team must think they own this place just because they have an older brother in power. How typical."
(Dee, still recovering, nods aggressively.)
(Meanwhile, woo notices Neuw and approaches him with a friendly smile.)
woo: "Hey, you're Neuw, right? You handled the seniors pretty well. I'm woo."
Neuw: (raising an eyebrow) "Oh? A friendly one from the scary squad? Didn't expect that."
woo: (laughs) "Hey, not all of us are scary. You shouldn't judge Tao and the others so fast. They're not as bad as you think."
Neuw: (smirking) "Sure, sure. And I'm the President of South Korea."
woo: (chuckling) "Alright, fair. But really, Tao is—"
Neuw: "Arrogant? Intimidating? Thinks he's all that?"
woo: "I was going to say 'decent guy' but... seems like you already found an opinion."
DEE: (whispering) "Neuwaah, don't anger the beautiful people."
Neuw: (rolling eyes) "Relax, Tae. I'm just stating facts."
( woo grins, amused by Neuw's sass. From across the room, Tao, who's been casually listening, sneaks a glance at Neuw before turning away, pretending to focus on his notebook.)
woo: "You'll change your mind soon."
Neuw: "Doubt it. But, hey, at least I met a nice one in your group."
woo: "That's a start."
(Neuw and woo continue talking while Dee silently thanks the universe that they survived their first day. Meanwhile, Tao remains quiet, but something about Neuw's attitude lingers in his mind.)
(The classroom is filled with murmurs as the professor enters, holding a tablet. He adjusts his glasses and looks around at the fresh batch of students.)
Professor: "Alright, students, let's get started. Since this is your first year, we need a class representative. I'll check your school records to find the most suitable candidate."
(Everyone exchanges glances, some students looking nervous, others indifferent. Neuw leans toward Dee.)
Neuw: (whispers) "I bet it's gonna be someone nerdy who actually read the entire college handbook."
DEE: (whispers back) "Hopefully not me. I once submitted an art project two weeks late because I forgot I even enrolled in the class."
(The professor scrolls through the records, nodding as he finds the name.)
Professor: " Tao."
(Tao, who was casually leaning back in his chair, straightens up. He smirks, clearly not surprised.)
Tao: "Guess my high school scores did the talking."
(Neuw scoffs under his breath, rolling his eyes.)
Neuw: (muttering) "Oh great, our leader is a muscle bunny."
DEE: (snorts) "At least he's not REEM-bro. Imagine the endless lectures."
(The professor clears his throat.)
Professor: "Tao, as the class representative, your first task is to pick a vice-representative."
(Tao scans the room, pretending to be deep in thought. His eyes land on Neuw, who is looking at the professor with an unimpressed expression.)
Tao: (smirking) "I choose... Neuw."
(Neuw's eyes widen. Dee gasps dramatically.)
Neuw: "Excuse me?"
DEE: "Excuse him."
Professor: "Good choice. Park Neuw, you will assist Tao in all class responsibilities."
Neuw: (crossing his arms) "With all due respect, sir, I don't recall signing up for this suffering."
Tao: (grinning) "Don't worry, Neuwaah. I'll guide you."
Neuw: (glaring) "First of all, don't call me that. Second, why me? I don't even like you."
Tao: (mock offense) "Ouch. That hurts. But let's be honest, we both know you love attention. This role is perfect for you."
Neuw: "I do not love attention!"
woo: (chuckling) "You kind of do, Neuw."
Neuw: " woo, I will revoke our friendship in front of everyone."
DEE: (whispers) "Can I revoke mine too? This is too much pressure."
(The professor, who has been watching the exchange with mild amusement, claps his hands to get everyone's attention.)
Professor: "That settles it. Tao, Neuw—congratulations. Work together and don't make me regret this decision."
(Neuw groans while Tao leans back in his chair, satisfied. Dee pats Neuw's shoulder sympathetically.)
DEE: (whispers) "At least you get to spend time with a golden boy."
Neuw: (grumbling) "Golden headache, more like."
Tao: (leaning toward Neuw) "Looking forward to working with you, partner."
Neuw: (sarcastic) "Oh, the joy is immeasurable."
(The students laugh as the professor moves on with the lecture. Neuw slumps in his seat, already dreading his new role, while Tao smirks to himself, knowing he's going to have a lot of fun teasing Neuw.)
(Neuw is still in disbelief that he has to work with Tao. The professor has just assigned them their roles, and now they have to organize a small introductory class meeting for everyone.)
Neuw: (crossing his arms) "Ugh, of all people, why did you pick me? You just wanted to make my life miserable, didn't you?"
Tao: (grinning) "Nah, Neuwaah~ I just thought you'd be fun to boss around."
Neuw: (mock gasps) "Excuse me?! Boss around? Keep dreaming, Mr. Representative. I don't take orders."
Tao: "Oh yeah? Then what do you think a vice representative does? You're my assistant."
Neuw: (scoffs) "Assistant? Ha! I think you mean 'the real mastermind behind the scenes.' You just smile and look pretty. I'll handle the real work."
woo: (laughing) "I like this dynamic already. This is going to be fun."
DEE: (whispering to Neuw) "You should just quit. Let's live a stress-free life."
Neuw: "I wish. But now I have to deal with him." (points at Tao dramatically)
Tao: "Oh come on, Neuwaah, don't be so dramatic. We only have to plan a small class meeting. What's so hard about that?"
Neuw: "Everything is hard when you're involved."
Tao: "That's not what people usually say about me."
Neuw: (rolling eyes) "Ugh, spare me the details of your fan club, Golden Boy. Let's just get this over with."
Tao: "Fine. Let's split tasks. You handle talking to the professor and getting a time set. I'll... supervise."
Neuw: (glares) "Supervise?! Are you kidding me? I do all the work, and you sit back and relax?"
Tao: "No, no. I'll... hmm... write the announcement?"
Neuw: "Oh great, so you'll write one sentence while I do the rest. Typical."
Tao: (smirking) "See? We make a great team."
Neuw: "This is going to be the worst year of my life."
( woo and Dee watch the two bicker back and forth, clearly entertained. Meanwhile, Neuw and Tao continue their banter as they start making arrangements. Little do they know, this is just the beginning of their chaotic partnership.)
- Writer
