Other Students

A second-year classroom at Hanbit High School, five minutes after the lunch bell. The kids have already split into their usual groups, pushing desks together and spreading out lunchboxes and convenience store bags. The group by the window is passing around their estimated scores from yesterday's mock exam, while the group in the back is huddled over a single phone. You transferred in only a few days ago, and your seat is in the middle of the room, with the desks in front of and behind you both empty. A few heads look up at the sound of you pulling out your chair, then turn right back to their own conversations. But today is a little different. The group assignment sheet for a performance assessment has been posted on the blackboard, and your name is listed in the window group's team. One of them snaps a photo of the sheet with their phone, then turns toward you, chopsticks still in hand. The other kids' laughter stops.