Chapter 18

Katsumi and her friends decided to help with the decorations in the Gymnasium the next day. Despite the fact that the space was enormous, they had a good time crafting.

This month, the kids were not required to do much. Those who had signed up for a booth, whether with friends or classmates, were all busy preparing for the event.

They go out for lunch after decorating for several hours. It had been a long day, but after a bite of exquisite cuisine, they felt instantly recharged.

Namgyu noticed Nabi and Jiwoon eating alone, without their companions, around the corner from him. Katsumi did say they had severed relations with their friends, but he didn't believe it until now.

"Are you okay, Namgyu?" Katsumi inquired as she noticed the boy chewing his food slowly and dejectedly.

"Yeah," he replied softly, taking a piece of his food and chewing slowly. His attention returned to the two, and he sighed.

He felt empathy for both of them because he had suffered similar loneliness. And, recalling Katsumi's story about Nabi, he wouldn't want even his enemies to be bullied because he detested it.

He averted his gaze and concentrated on his meal. They still had work to do in the gym, and he needed to recoup his energy if he was going to finish it on time.

Nabi and Jiwoon were enjoying their lunch alone with one another. They discovered how calm it was to be away from their former friends, and they were excited to spend the rest of their high school days away from the negativity.

Although they were too naïve to think that way when Chunghee was still on campus, "Look who we have here!" They turned around to see Chunghee enter the cafeteria with his companions. "It's the two chickens who have betrayed us."

They laughed as Nabi and Jiwoon ignored their presence, focusing on their food. It was a waste of money for them to buy something they'd like only to have it replaced by a loss of appetite after seeing Chunghee.

"We'd prefer our lunch to be peaceful; leave us alone," Jiwoon remarked solemnly, but his boldness was mocked by their laughter.

"Wow, Jiwoon! Is that really you?" They laughed once more.

Being given the same treatment as they had done before to their former targets, they now realized how annoying these guys were.

Nabi noticed Jiwoon clenching his fist in rage and placed her palm on top of his to help calm him. They had to contain their anger and avoid getting violent, or else suspension or expulsion would await them.

Namgyu saw them struggling while Chunghee kept harassing them, and he saw himself in their situation. To him, it felt as if he was watching him and his friends get bullied.

Everyone was looking. Katsumi couldn't help herself and was about to stand when Namgyu beat her to it as he walked towards their table with his tray of food.

He looked Chunghee in the eyes. "What are you looking at?" He frightened him, but Namgyu didn't back down and sat near Jiwoon to eat with them.

It was like watching a scene from a movie; everyone was fascinated by what Namgyu had just done. A former bully's target stood up for them as if they were buddies defending one another.

"This is new. The bully's target is defending its bully," Chunghee stated, but Namgyu wasn't listening. He kept insulting the boys, but Namgyu ignored him and kept eating his lunch.

People around him were laughing and snickering, which felt like a punch to the stomach for Chunghee. He was ashamed, and he was angry at Namgyu for putting him in this situation.

"Hey! I'm talking to you! Are you deaf?" screamed Chunghee as he poked Namgyu's head angrily, receiving an angry glance in return.

Namgyu's death stare had taken them aback. It was their first encounter with such a look from him, and even Jiwoon and Nabi were terrified.

"What's with that stupid look, huh?" shouted Chunghee, poking his head forcefully once more.

Katsumi purposely ran in front of Chunghee and pushed him away from Namgyu in order to sit next to Nabi, who was on the other side of Jiwoon.

"Oops, sorry, you were in the way," she apologized as Yejoon, Subin, and Kento joined her at the table, their support of Nabi and Jiwoon disgusted Chunghee.

Just as he was about to lay his fingers on Katsumi, a woman's voice called him from behind, and he responded with an angry grunt, but as he turned around, it was Aunt Lee Emi, aka the Principal, and his manner changed instantly.

"Principal Lee, what a coincidence to see you here," he said.

"This is my school," she stated emphatically. "Please come to my office right away."

"May I ask why?"

"I'll explain the reasoning in my office."

Because he was stubborn, Chunghee refused to cooperate, saying, "With all due respect, Principal Lee, I'm still in the midst of my lunch."

Auntie Emi switched her gaze to Katsumi and Kento on the table before returning to the youngster to validate his words.

"It doesn't appear to be the case," she responded; "it's an order, not a favor."

Chunghee scoffed in defeat and walked out, returning his gaze to Katsumi's table and softly threatening them. "This ain't over."

It was unexpected to see the Principal summon a student to her office, but it wasn't shocking that Chunghee was that student. The harassment had ended thanks to Aunt Emi, and they were able to eat their meal in peace.

Kento had gotten a text message from the police alerting him that Chunghee had been arrested and would be detained for attempted murder. Katsumi, who was sitting right next to him, noticed the text message he had received.

She let out a sigh. "They really get on my nerves."

Subin agreed, saying, "Tell me about it."

Namgyu's actions had been rather shocking, and Jiwoon had not expected him to assist them. Namgyu, according to Jiwoon, has not forgiven them. Not only him, but as well as Yejoon and Subin.

He wanted to thank them for going out of their way to help someone who had been bullying them for years.

"Thank you," he murmured nervously.

"It's no problem," he says after a brief pause. "I wouldn't want even my enemies to go through what I went through."

Because of their past wrongdoings, they'd always considered Namgyu the bad guy, but seeing him like this with such a compassionate heart warmed theirs.

Lunch went on, and Jiwoon and Nabi were invited to join them. It was nice of the boys to invite them, knowing their past, but they had forgiven them. And ever since they joined their circle of friends, every day has been fun.

A day had passed, and they decided to eat in the garden beneath the large tree. Everyone was preparing for the Founding Anniversary, so no classes were held this month. And today was the event's Booth participation sign-up.

There were requirements for creating your own booth. The school will provide the money for the materials necessary as well as the classroom, our place for the booth. However, a minimum of eight members and a maximum of ten members are required.

Katsumi took out a pen and paper to fill out the booth participation slip. "Guys, I need you to sign this for the booth," she continued, handing Namgyu the paper and pen.

"Which booth?" Nabi inquired.

"Because I own the Moonbucks Café, Yejoon thought of advertising it in school on the school's founding anniversary," Katsumi explained. "We thought of selling the new items we have on the menu, both Food and Drinks."

The idea then piqued Nabi's interest. "Can we join?" she inquired.

"Of course!"

Kento completed signing and handed the slip to Nabi and Jiwoon to sign.

Subin then returned from the Principal's office in a pleasant mood a few minutes later. He'd been informed that Chunghee had been detained, and his parents had apologized and offered to pay his hospital fees on his behalf.

Hearing this, the friends were overjoyed for him and were glad Chunghee had gotten what he deserved.

Hopefully he will stay where he belongs, and his pals will learn a thing or two from what transpired. Or, at the very least, scare them into never doing it again.