The week at Huweol High had begun like any other. Students filled the hallways with chatter, lockers slammed, and the faint scent of autumn lingered in the air. Hwang Siyeok moved calmly among them, tall and lean, his black hair neat, green eyes quietly observing every detail. Nothing escaped his attention — footsteps, gestures, even the subtle tension that rippled among some students.
Shy Suya trailed a few steps behind, her curiosity growing stronger by the day. She had watched him navigate classrooms, the gym, and lunch with a calm mastery that was impossible to ignore. Today, however, something felt different.
From a distance, a tall, broad-shouldered boy named Kang Jae-Hoon and his friends had been watching Hwang Siyeok since his arrival. Popular and strong, Kang was used to being the center of attention. Yet this new transfer student had already overshadowed him in academics, athletics, and even subtle social interactions. Jealousy brewed quietly but fiercely.
"Who does he think he is?" Kang muttered. "Showing off in every class, perfect in PE… it's annoying."
"I heard he's from some elite program," one friend added. "Or rich. Something like that."
Kang scowled. "Doesn't matter. I'm going to make sure he knows he doesn't belong here."
Hwang Siyeok, of course, noticed. His keen senses detected their aggression long before any confrontation. He simply gave a faint nod to himself. Challenges like this were inevitable — and manageable.
By lunchtime, the encounter became unavoidable. Hwang Siyeok sat under a tree in the courtyard, eating his neatly prepared meal — ramen and bread with banana — while keeping his posture relaxed, calm.
Kang Jae-Hoon approached, flanked by two friends, forcing attention. "Hey, newbie," he said, voice carrying across the benches. "You think you can just walk in here and act better than everyone else?"
Hwang Siyeok looked up calmly. "I'm not trying to act superior. I'm just… being myself."
"Being yourself?" Kang scoffed. "You show off in every class — PE, science, art. People notice you. It's irritating."
Shy Suya watched nervously from her usual spot. She could feel the tension building and wondered how Hwang Siyeok would react.
He took a measured bite of his ramen, green eyes never leaving Kang. "If my abilities bother you, focus on improving your own rather than worrying about mine," he said, calm and precise.
Kang's face twisted in anger. "You think you can talk to me like that?"
Before Kang could lunge, Hwang Siyeok's reflexes kicked in subtly. He shifted slightly on the bench, the edge of the wood just enough to cause Kang to stumble, losing balance for a split second. His friends gasped.
"You… what?" Kang exclaimed, recovering but visibly shaken.
Hwang Siyeok simply resumed eating, the calm in his voice unshaken. "I suggest caution when challenging someone you haven't fully observed."
Shy Suya's eyes widened. That was his first display of defensive skill — not flashy, not violent, but precise and efficient. Kang, however, was not deterred.
"Enjoy it while you can," Kang spat, stepping back to reassess. "You'll regret this."
The lunch bell rang, breaking the tension. Students scattered, whispering about the confrontation. Shy Suya stayed a moment longer, pondering Hwang Siyeok's composure. Every move, every word, was calculated — yet natural. She didn't understand it, but she wanted to.
The afternoon classes were uneventful on the surface, yet Hwang Siyeok's mind remained alert. During chemistry, he noticed a student struggling with a complicated apparatus. Without interrupting his own work, he subtly adjusted a clamp to prevent the device from tipping. The student looked confused, grateful, and oblivious to the skill involved.
In PE, Kang Jae-Hoon attempted to assert dominance during the obstacle course. Hwang Siyeok remained focused, navigating the course with flawless precision. When a student tried to trip him, he barely shifted, maintaining balance effortlessly. Others noticed but couldn't articulate why it seemed unnatural.
After classes ended, Hwang Siyeok left with the usual quiet confidence, observing patterns in the hallway, noting the movement of teachers and students alike. Shy Suya followed at a distance. Her curiosity was insatiable.
"You… you really are different," she said quietly as they exited the school grounds.
Hwang Siyeok's green eyes met hers briefly. "I don't consider myself different. I just notice details others overlook."
She frowned, unconvinced. "But it's more than that. You're perfect at everything — sports, schoolwork, even small things no one else notices. How?"
A faint, polite smile appeared on his face. "Some things come from observation. Others from practice. And a few… from understanding."
Her heart raced, unsure whether to trust her instincts or simply admire him from afar. Whatever Hwang Siyeok's abilities were, it was clear he was hiding much more than he revealed.
As Shy Suya finally headed home, she couldn't shake the feeling that Kang Jae-Hoon would not give up easily. And she knew that Hwang Siyeok's calm facade — as perfect as it seemed — was only the beginning.
For Hwang Siyeok, the day ended as it always did: carefully, methodically, keeping every secret intact. His abilities, his identity, and his hidden life remained entirely concealed. But one thing was certain — challenges were coming, and he was ready for them.