Jaeho knew what was coming the moment the break bell rang, he braced himself mentally for the worse.
It was always the same. Minho and Jiwon would accidentally bump into him on the way out. Daeho would wait by the door with those cold, lifeless eyes.
And then they would corner him somewhere. It could be the bathroom, the stairwell, behind the gym, wherever they could get him alone.
He thought about fighting back. God knows he thought about it.
He was stronger than all three of them combined. The months of manual labor, lifting boxes at the convenience store, hauling trash at the laundromat, unloading shipments at the warehouse on the weekends, had built muscle onto his frame that none of them could match. Minho had money, Jiwon was cruel, Daeho was cunning, but Jaeho had raw strength.
If he wanted to, he could break Minho's nose with one punch. Slam Jiwon's head into a locker or put Daeho on the ground before he even saw it coming but he couldn't.
One fight. One suspension. One call to the principal's office and everything falls apart. The scholarship gets revoked. The twins lose their guardian. Child services steps in.
So he took it. Every insult. Every shove. Every humiliation because Jia and Serin needed him more than he needed his pride.
The bell soon rang.
Jaeho gathered his things slowly, keeping his head down as students filed out of the classroom. He could feel Minho's eyes on him, and could hear Jiwon cracking his knuckles near the door.
"Han Jaeho" Ms. Ahn's voice caught his attention right away.
By the time Jaeho looked up, she was already standing by her desk, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.
"Stay behind for a moment. I need to speak with you."
Minho shot him a look clearly annoyed but there was a hint of amusement before heading out with the others. Jaeho exhaled slowly and approached the teacher's desk.
"Close the door," Ms. Ahn instructed him.
Jaeho hesitated, then did as he was told, shutting the door behind him. The classroom was suddenly quieter. He could smell her perfume, a tinge of something floral and expensive.
"Your grades…" she began, leaning against the edge of her desk.
"They're impressive. Top five in the class despite everything," she added.
"Thank you, ma'am." Jaeho responded with a flustered smile.
"But that's not why I called you back," Ms. Ahn said, watching his smile fade.
She reached out suddenly, grabbing his forearm before he could react. Her grip was firm as she rolled up his sleeve, exposing the dark purple bruise that wrapped around his bicep like a handprint.
"Ms. Ahn…!" Jaeho was clearly startled. He yanked his arm away quickly, pulling the sleeve back down.
She didn't look surprised. Just sad.
"Jaeho," she said softly, her voice losing its usual sharpness.
"You can tell me who's doing this. I know what's happening," she tried to reassure him.
"It's nothing. I got these from work," Jaeho tried to downplay the situation.
"Work?" Ms. Ahn raised a suspicious brow.
"I have a job. A few jobs, actually." He forced a smile.
"Manual labor. You know how it is, clumsy hands," Jaeho responded.
Ms. Ahn stared at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then she sighed, running a hand through her hair in frustration.
"You're juggling multiple jobs and maintaining top grades?" She shook her head slowly.
"Jaeho, that's not sustainable," Ms. Ahn gave him her two cents.
"I manage," Jaeho reassured her.
"Clearly not well enough." She gestured toward his arm.
"You need to go to the nurse. Get those wounds checked out properly," Ms. Ahn instructed him.
Jaeho looked at her, really looked at her. There was genuine concern in her eyes, not pity, not disgust. Just... care. It had been a long time since an adult looked at him like that.
He smiled broadly, the kind of smile he gave Jia and Serin when he wanted them to think everything was fine.
"Thank you, Ms. Ahn. Really. I appreciate your concern," Jaeho said.
She watched him for another moment, then nodded slowly.
"My door is always open, Jaeho. Remember that," Ms. Ahn knew things could get out of control.
"I will," Jaeho knew he would never do such a thing.
He turned and left, pulling the door open and stepping into the hallway.
Ms. Ahn watched him go, her hand resting on her desk, fingers drumming thoughtfully against the wood.
"Will he be okay?" She thought to herself.
-
The hallway was mostly empty now, students scattered to the cafeteria or the courtyard. But three figures stood waiting near the stairwell. Minho. Jiwon. Daeho.
Jaeho's stomach sank the moment their eyes met..
"Took you long enough," Minho said, grinning.
"What, you trying to fuck Ms. Ahn or something? Good luck with that, charity case," Jiwon said.
"Yeah, I'm sure she is real interested in a guy who smells like garbage," he added.
Daeho didn't say anything. He just jerked his head toward the bathroom and Jaeho followed.
The bathroom was empty, as it always was during break. The bullies had timed it perfectly.
The door swung shut behind them with a heavy thud.
"You know," Minho said, leaning against the sink.
"I heard you begged the school to let you in on scholarship. Is that true?" He questioned but Jaeho didn't answer.
"I asked you a question." Jiwon shoved him hard, slamming him back against the tiled wall. Pain flared up Jaeho's spine.
"Yeah," Jaeho said quietly.
"It's true," Jaeho knew all he had to do was agree to everything they said.
"Pathetic." Daeho's voice was cold.
"You don't belong here, Han. This school is for people with futures. Not bottom-feeders like you," His words were harsh but Jaeho had a future or he wouldn't be here.
"You know what? I think we should remind you of your place," Minho mocked him before stepping closer.
Jiwon grabbed Jaeho's collar, shoving him toward the stalls. Jaeho's shoulder hit the metal door hard enough to leave a dent.
"On your knees," Jiwon hissed. Jaeho's hands clenched into fists contemplating if he should punch him or not.
He could end this right now. One punch and Jiwon would be on the floor. Two more and Minho and Daeho would follow. He was stronger, faster, tougher.
But his mind flashed to Jia and Serin. Their smiles. Their laughter. The way they kissed his cheeks every morning.
"One suspension and you lose everything," Jaeho reminded himself.
Jaeho unclenched his fists and took what was handed to him these people planned to do to him, a bid to massage their fragile egos as his mind drifted to what he would make for his siblings once he got home.