.

Scribbling something on the corner of the roll book, Mr. Noh, our teacher lifted his head again.

Then, do you know what the two talked about? he asked.

Um about Ban Hwee Hyuls little brother

Hmm, really? Anyway, thanks. Staring at the roll book with a look of suspicion, our teacher then waved his hand at us as a gesture to imply that we were now free to return to our classroom.

Soon as we stepped outside the office and closed the door, I bitterly muttered, Am I be able to speak about Jung Yohan that particularly? Our school might contact him because of me.

What if Ban Hwee Hyul is really missing? We must let our teacher know in advance about whatever detail we have, said Yoon Jung In.

Youre right, but I slurred the end of my sentence. Rubbing my chin, I asked myself, But is there really someone who can drag none other than Ban Hwee Hyul, the nationwide Number one, by force?

If that actually happened, then the only case left would be As soon as I had that thought in mind, Yoon Jung In spoke as if he had read my mind.

Even though he isnt gone by force, and its his own will to disappear from us, Hwee Hyul must still come back to school, eventually.

Huh? Oh, yeah, thats true, I nodded.

Yoon Jung In continued, If hes about to just clear his head and will come back afterward, thats good, but if he isnt, we should go report the police and search for him. Besides, his brother is still Leaving his statement vague, Yoon Jung In suddenly sighed and disheveled his hair.

I seemed to get his words left unspoken, so I also heaved a sigh. Letting the awkward silence prevailing in the air, we walked along the hallway.

The next day and even the day after, Ban Hwee Hyul didnt come to school. Our teacher, Noh Min Chans face also turned darker as days went by.

Does anyone really know where Hwee Hyul went to? Just in case, even if your friend doesnt want to go to school, you must not hide him or her, but instead, persuade your friend to come to school, sighed Mr. Noh.

After he left the classroom, we immediately gathered at Yoon Jung Ins seat and discussed for a second. Yoon Jung In uttered clearly, Lets get Hwee Hyuls address from our teacher and go visit his house.

Would Mr. Noh never have stopped by at Ban Hwee Hyuls house to find him? Even though I wondered that way, I also nodded to agree Yoon Jung Ins suggestion. Although no one could dare to harm Ban Hwee Hyul if he made us his mind to protect himself, I still couldnt live this way, feeling so uncomfortable.

That was when the backdoor suddenly opened less than ten minutes left before the first class began. Flinching in surprise, I looked in the direction, expecting, Is it him?

However, the person wasnt whom I was looking forward to.

Siwoo sunbae!

Lately, Hwang Siwoo didnt come to school either, so the kids, who shoved themselves in the corner of the classroom like broomsticks, got up from their seats, looking rosy, when Hwang Siwoo showed up. Dashing to him like a wind, they took Hwang Siwoos backpack, pulled out his chair, and made a loud fuss.

Where have you been? Why are you here now! Eek!!

Looking at Hwang Siwoo straight in the face, they stepped backward in shock. We tilted our heads in wonder while watching that noisy sight.

Whats wrong?

I dont know. Did something happen?

As soon as Hwang Siwoos dreadful appearance came into our view, we also groaned in surprise.

Although he was always involved in some speechless, wicked things, Hwang Siwoos face looked shameless and radiant, but it was now full of wounds and bruises. Besides, his left foot was in a cast. The way of his walk looked quite weird, but why did I notice it right now?

Staring at him with my mouth wide open, I quickly turned my head back. Lowering my voice, I whispered, The ranking battle did it already start?

No, I heard itll begin next week.

My face blurred at the response. The next person I threw a glance at was none other than Yi Ruda. As I directed my eyes to him, other kids also began to switch their gazes to Yi Ruda. Receiving our attention out of the blue, Yi Rudas eyes widened, but he slowly shook his head and raised both hands as if implying surrender.

He insisted, Since I committed something wrong, I do deserve to be called into doubt, but it isnt me, for real.

Yeah

Its also not me who handed out the files to sunbaes, uttered Yi Ruda.

The kids then threw words of apology to Yi Ruda in embarrassment. As I also apologized to him alongside the kids, Ruda shook his head and disheveled my hair with a grin. Shortly after, he took his hand off my head and simply added, But there wont be someone having balls to mess up with him whos getting protected by other rankers.

Then

The person may be an important figure who doesnt care about other rankers, or its someone who bears Hwang Siwoo a deep grudge that they got themselves in big trouble in a fit of anger. To be honest, Hwang Siwoo has made a lot of enemies around him, right?

The kids then diverted their gazes onto somewhere else.

Looking at the empty seat even until now, which was right before the class to start, I mumbled, It isnt you, Hwee Hyul is it? Then I shook my head. No, it wouldnt be him since he promised himself he would never ever throw his punch and hurt someone after his brothers incident.

In fact, Hwee Hyul just said he was fine when we asked him if he didnt want to take revenge on Hwang Siwoo who had harassed and insulted him. Instead, Hwee Hyul had told us that he even felt satisfied to become bullied. That Ban Hwee Hyul wouldnt get motivated now to get his own back on Hwang Siwoo all of a sudden.

However, it was strange that Hwang Siwoo was behaving that silent.

During the whole class time, I glanced at Hwang Siwoo, who often disturbed the class in the past. However, he was now causing no trouble after showing up at school in three days. Yoon Jung In also seemed to wonder about the situation since both Hwang Siwoo and his clique also turned depressed somehow.

A few classes quietly passed that way. Ruda then approached him and tapped his shoulders.

Siwoo hyeong, what happened to you? he asked.

Hwang Siwoo would definitely be aware of Rudas betrayal. Thus, I got tense in fear of Hwang Siwoo suddenly throwing his fist at Ruda, yelling, Its because of you, bastard! However, he just looked up at Ruda with blank eyes. In the end, Ruda returned to his seat, shrugging at us, as he received no response from Hwang Siwoo.

It was lunchtime when something happened. Stepping into the cafeteria, we tilted our heads at the particularly noisy atmosphere today. At that moment, a student walking by grabbed Yoon Jung In and dropped a question.

Hey, did you hear that?

Yoon Jung In replied, What? Hwang Siwoo fought with someone? Expecting the kid to provide him some clue, he tossed a question while showing a look of interest.

The boy, however, asked back, looking bewildered, What? Why do you bring up Hwang Siwoo here?

Eh? Then whats all this fuss about?

Geez, you really heard nothing? The news that Suh Doh Gyum, the mad dog, got attacked the other night and got almost beaten to death!

As the boy responded that way, not only Yoon Jung In but we, who were eavesdropping on their conversations, also became apathetic.

Stretching out his hand, Yoon Jung In moved the boy aside who was blocking our way. He replied utterly, Nah, never heard anything about Suh Doh Gyum or whatever.

Usually, Yoon Jung In might, at least, pretend to be responsive to those things, but our interest these days was only the injured Hwang Siwoo and the missing Ban Hwee Hyul. It was none of our business except those two.

The boy replied, looking absurd, Hey, how come you dont know about it? Suh Doh Gyum is really somebody! The only person he wasnt able to defeat was Kim Pyung Bum in his school, but they say that Suh Doh Gyum let him win on purpose. That Suh Doh Gyum lost a fight against someone for the first time! Although he was completely taken by surprise

Rankers fighting each other that has nothing to do with me. Its a different world here.

Gosh, that isnt something in another world. As long as Suh Doh Gyum has been the strongest candidate for the nationwide Number one, this news matters to all of us. The strongest competitor position is, however, vacant now! Arent you curious about whos gonna take that place?

Whoa, its been quite a while to hear someone providing information in such a natural way. I exclaimed, feeling myself being a neighbor of web novels after a long time. Meanwhile, Yoon Jung In walked past him with a sigh and took a seat.