As if his words were magic, everyone present that day suddenly remembered her.
"I said it earlier she looked familiar."
"I couldn't recognize her because she had gotten rid of her tattoos and redyed her hair."
"She had tattoos?"
"Yeah, a snake tattoo behind her neck."
"During the fight, she threw a kick in the air, like those martial artists."
"She had that proud Sieun on the floor bawling her eyes out like a baby."
"Even Bumseok was no match for her. She broke his nose… I heard he had a few broken ribs."
"No wonder the Blue Fang were no match for her."
"Hush it, you better not let them hear you…."
"How I wish I were present, it would have been thrilling to watch."
"Thrilling? We were petrified!"
"No wonder she was so confident when she came in."
"I heard she bantered with Minhee and Haein."
"They deserve it. Thsy keep acting like some big shot even though they are just diamond tier students."
"I think I saw her chatting with Dohyun oppa earlier at the cafeteria."
"Eh?!!"
At the mention of the second ranking Heartthrob of Seoli Highschool, Lee Dohyun, the female students in the hallway flared with burning envy.
Regardless of the fact that Lee Dohyun belonged to the Brass tier, his looks were worth drooling for. He never spoke unless asked things he considered relevant and carried a poise of mysterious charm. For that reason, he was worshipped from afar.
But now, that silent beauty who never spoke more than a few sentences was supposedly chatting with the new kid?!!
"That's impossible, you must've seen wrong!"
"Impossible? Everyone present at the cafeteria saw them."
"Not just Dohyun oppa, I heard He went to see her too."
The Hallway went dead silent for a moment before erupting in screams.
"You mean He… as in the leader of Black Poison?!"
The first ranking Heartthrob of Seoli Highschool.
Ki Junha?!!
"He's never checked on new students before. Wasn't that left for the rest of the gang?!"
"Choi Aera, you're something else…"
Before long, news of Aera spread round the Seoli's anonymous platform like wildfire with dramatic headlines such as: Choi Aera the fiery alley Gangster; Choi Aera the beauty who has Seoli's Heartthrobs wrapped around her fingers: Choi Aera the newly recruited gang member of Blue Fang.
The cause of the the uproar was currently at the Cafeteria holding a golden tray of five-star worthy dishes. Aera's eyes fell upon Junha who beckoned on her with a wide smile.
Aera nudged Jisoo slightly. "I found a seat."
Jisoo's eyes darted towards the 'sear' she referred to and sighted Junha. Immediately, the dark clouds that dispersed earlier returned. Junha seemed to take notice of them also as he scoffed. Aera unaware of the brewing storm walked over with Jisoo and the rest following behind.
The students within Junha's seating range began to scoot far away from them. They knew better than anyone of the impending feud that followed whenever two gang leaders shared the same space in a very close range.
"Nice to meet you again Aera." Junha said with a smile once they were near. Aera sat down her tray dropping on the table with a light thud. "Likewise…."
"I brought my friends, hope you don't mind." She added. Junha's eyes roamed over Jisoo and the rest who were still standing bemused. He faked a smile "You're?…"
"Drop the act." Jisso cut him off. The three of them sat down. Junha's smile flattered immediately, his gaze turned sharp and cold. "I wasn't planning on doing that. How does the "blue flower' know the pretty tattooist?"
"Blue Fang." Seolhye corrected sternly.
"Oh, we're childhood friends." Aera said offhandedly biting into the almond flavored croissant held up with her chopsticks. The taste of nut, almond and sugar flooded her mouth. Her eyes shone with satisfaction.
Junha returned his gaze to her his eyes warming almost instantly. "You look like you're in love." He said.
"I love this!" She getsured at the golden crescent shaped snack. Junha chuckled softly. This person… she gave off a carefree vibe that made her appear as ordinary but he could tell she was no ordinary person.
He had been informed previously that a student sponsored by the Chois would begin attending Seoli Highschool. He found it surprising because the Chois had never taken the initiative of personally sponsoring students. The fact that the Chairwoman of Choi Global Holdings personally made a call made him curious as to who this person was.
He'd seen her school records but there was nothing about her family background aside the fact that she was being sponsored by the Chois. It made him wonder what sort of relationship she had with the formidable Chois that they didn't place her in the brass tier with other equal opportunity students who just like her were being sponsored.
Not only was she was she being backed by the Chois, she was now friends with members of Blue Fang and judging by how she behaved around them, it was obvious the amount of respect they gave her. It was as if she was the leader and they the subordinates.
Choi Aera, just who in the world are you?
"You'd burn a hole in her head at this rate." Jisoo spat with scorn. Only then did Junha realize that he'd been staring at her intensely all this while. He chuckled again averting gaze.
He was becoming interested in her.
"Did you meet the person you were looking for?" He asked Aera. He'd dropped his chopsticks pushing the food aside. He'd found something more enjoyable. He held his face up in his palm— his elbow on the table. His attention returned back on her.
"Hm. I did but he left early. He seemed somewhat angry but I have no idea why." Suddenly remained of Dohyun, Aera's heart ached. She wanted to see his face so bad. Her love for the croissants died instantly.
"Who knows. Maybe he doesn't want to have anything to do with you. You're too bothersome." Jisoo said with a sneer on her face.
Aera poked at the croissant. "I doubt that. He probably just wanted to be alone. He was headed for the library anyways." She mumbled.
"Ha! You keep deluding yourself." Jiwon spat.
Seeing the sudden change of atmosphere, Junha's curiosity piqued. Who was this person? What was their relationship with Aera that she'd switch between emotions instantly?
"Who is this person you're talking about? Another friend?" Junha asked looking at the three of them.
Seolhye let out a half laugh. "Friend? More like a lover."
Junha's body tensed up immediately. He suddenly remembered her words.
'just so you know, I have some I like.'
He had brushed it off thinking she said that to push him away. He didn't think she actually did like someone.
His chest tightened.
How did it happen?
She'd just transferred here. She couldn't have fallen for anyone within that short frame..
Did they meet somewhere else?
How did he get her to fall for him?
Were they dating already?
"Lover??" Junha's eyes darted questioningly towards Aera. "We're not dating yet… quit calling him my lover," She mumbled quietly her cheeks flushed pink. Junha's breath hitched.
She was breathtaking—especially now with her cheeks tainted. He suddenly felt a surge of emotion within him. A desire to possess.
This person she liked, they were still in chasing phase were they not? He was going to do whatever to make her feel that way towards him.
"This person, who is he?" Junha asked trying to appear unbothered by the entire situation but his emotions failed him. He sound just like a husband asking his wife who her lover was — he sounded overly possessive.
Aera and the rest shot him a stare suddenly taken aback. "What's this?" Jisoo asked with a raised brow. She was already irked with the fact that Aera was blindly chasing after someone who spared her not even a glance and now her nemesis was acting like he and Aera were lovers.
Junha cleared his throat trying to ease the awkward tension that loomed. "I was just concerned. You look really sad I was just asking because I wanted to see if there was anything I could do to help. It it was someone I knew maybe I could talk to him…"
Tell him to run for his dear life…
" I was only trying to help. Sorry if that passed a wrong idea." Junha said with a smile so earnest his eyes disappeared into thin lines. He raised his glass of water to his lips taking a large gulp.
Aera chuckled. "There's no need to apologize, his name is Lee Dohyun."
As soon as the name slipped out of her lips, Junha choked on the drink. He coughed hitting his chest. He looked at Aera with surprised teary eyes. "You like nerds??"
His expression looked like a wounded animal. It was so funny Aera couldn't hold back her laughter. Junha's ears tingled. It sounded like music to his ears. He wiped his lips with the back of his hand concealing the smile on his face. "What's funny?"
"You —I never expected you to have a side like this." Aera said wiping the corner of her eyes.
Her expression turned serious. "No. I don't like nerds."
Junha wasn't having it. "Then why him?"
Aera's eyes carried traces of nostalgia. "That's because he's different."