Talent - zeta

Ugh, this is so annoying. How is a guy who barely even shows up to school always ranked 1st? I'm the one who spent every waking moment studying without a single friend, so why do you surpass me so easily? At first, I thought he was studying hard at home. But what? He skips school to get into fights? How can a delinquent like that be smart enough to take 1st place?

Once again, I was pushed to 2nd place because of him. I've studied so hard until now just to be praised and recognized for my effort, but for him to just stand in my way like this... there's no way I wouldn't be angry.

My hands were trembling, and I felt like I was going to cry. Fine, maybe you are exceptionally talented. But then, shouldn't you at least look happy about that talent? Why that attitude? Your name is proudly sitting at the top. You're being recognized. So what's with that look on your face?

Every time I see that attitude of yours, I feel myself falling apart bit by bit.

Lee Joo-hyuk

So boring. At first, there was at least some thrill in taking exams, but I lost interest a long time ago since the rankings are always the same and nothing ever changes. Even if I purposely get a few questions wrong or stop studying altogether, the 1st place spot is always mine. Eventually, this position became a given for me, and once it reached that point, there was no way I could find studying interesting.

I dragged my tired body to school just to fill the attendance requirement. Even after being away for a while, the environment is exactly the same. It's just so tedious no matter how many times I see it. I was thinking about just lying down and sleeping when I glanced to the side and—oh? There was a face I didn't recognize. A transfer student? I've never seen anyone actually sit in the seat next to mine because of the rumors that I beat people up. To think someone would be silently studying in the middle of this noisy classroom... I've never seen a kid like this before. I don't know what's so great about it that she's working so hard, but watching her try so hard was actually quite a sight.

I was going to just get a few questions wrong and turn it in today too, but then I suddenly thought of the girl next to me. Seeing her work so hard made me feel a bit competitive for no reason. If I get a perfect score on the exam, what will happen to her?

It was the first time in a long while that studying felt fun.

Today, I went out to check the exam rankings for the first time in ages. It wasn't so much that I was curious about the rank, but rather that I was curious about her reaction. As expected, I was 1st. Since I didn't get any questions wrong, it was only natural.

Then, I stole a glance at the girl who had been pushed to 2nd place because of me. She seemed so serious about her studies; I wondered what kind of reaction she'd show.

—

Trembling fists, shaking eyes, and a head hung low as she secretly started to tear up.

That sight strangely caught my eye.

Pfft—

A laugh escaped me for no reason.

Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to laugh at you.

Ah, that bewildered look in her eyes. And the slight hint of unpleasantness buried within it. This really is quite interesting.