Chapter : 4 You really didn't stalk me , did you?

The Kang mansion was quiet when Taejun got home, its polished marble and chandelier light doing little to soften the thundercloud on his face. He headed upstairs, schoolbag slung over one shoulder, jaw still tense from replaying Jazze’s clingy face and that humiliating lunchbox scene in his head.

But when he pushed open a door near the end of the hall, his expression shifted instantly.

There, bundled under blankets, was his little sister—Kang Eunha. Her skin was pale, her breathing fragile, but her smile was bright the second she spotted him.

“Oppa,” she whispered, voice weak but teasing. “You look mad again. Did the girls at school gang up on you?”

Taejun sat by her bed, ruffling her hair gently. “What nonsense? Nobody can gang up on me. I just… had an annoying day.”

Eunha tilted her head, curious. “Annoying? Or… embarrassing?” Her grin widened. “I heard a rumor. Something about you eating lunch from a new junior? A very pretty one?”

Taejun nearly fell off the chair. “W-what?! Who’s spreading lies in this house?!” His ears turned crimson as he buried his face in his hands.

Eunha giggled, hiding her laugh behind her blanket. “So it’s true. Oppa, you’re hopeless.”

He groaned dramatically. “I swear, if Minwoo, Sooyeon, or Eunji ever step foot near this house again, I’ll throw them into the swimming pool.”

But then Eunha’s expression softened. She tugged lightly at his sleeve. “Still… if that junior made you flustered, maybe he’s not so bad. You never let anyone close to you. Except me.”

Taejun blinked at her, caught off guard. For once, he had no sharp retort ready. He just tucked her blanket more snugly around her shoulders and muttered, “You meddle too much. Just rest, okay? I’ll handle it.”

Of course, by “handle it,” Taejun meant he’d *pretend to be Jazze’s friend to save his own image while secretly plotting the kid’s downfall.*

But as Eunha smiled at him softly, Taejun felt something strange. Like maybe… just maybe… this flower-faced junior was more dangerous than he thoughts

The next morning, the classroom buzzed with gossip, as usual. Taejun made his grand entrance, shoving his hands into his pockets like he owned the whole building. Minwoo, Sooyeon, and Eunji immediately swarmed him, hungry for the latest drama.

“So, hyung, are the rumors true?” Minwoo smirked. “You ate the transfer kid’s lunchbox yesterday? Romantic!”

“Shut up.” Taejun glared. “I was… just being polite.”

But before he could sink into his chair, *boom*—the classroom door slid open.

“Seniorrrr~!” Jazze’s voice rang out like bells, way too cheerful for that hour. The whole class whipped their heads. And there he was: the soft-faced junior, notebook in hand, eyes sparkling like he had waited all night for this moment.

He marched straight to Taejun’s desk and placed the notebook down. “Teacher asked me to give this to you!”

Nobody missed the way Jazze leaned a little too close, or how his smile was almost blinding.

Taejun felt every eye in the room on him. His pride screamed to shove the kid away, but… Eunha’s voice echoed in his head: *“If someone could make you embarrassed, maybe they’re worth keeping close.”*

So instead of snapping, he forced a smile. “Good job, junior. Thanks.”

The class went silent for a beat. Minwoo mouthed a silent *WHAT?!* Eunji dropped her pen. Even Sooyeon choked on her gum.

And then, Jazze’s eyes lit up. “You’re welcome, hyung!” he chirped, sliding into the seat right next to Taejun like it was reserved for him. “Can I eat lunch with you again today?”

Taejun almost choked on his own spit. “W-what?!”

The whole class burst out laughing. Some boys snickered, some girls squealed. And Taejun… well, he could only grit his teeth, trying to act like it was all part of his “kind senior image.”

But deep inside, he realized something horrifying—Jazze’s clinginess didn’t annoy him as much as it should.

By the time lunch rolled around, Taejun thought he’d finally shaken Jazze off. He walked toward the rooftop stairs with Minwoo, Sooyeon, and Eunji trailing behind, ready to tease him more.

But then—

“Senior!”

Taejun froze. There was Jazze, clutching his lunchbox with both hands, eyes bright like he’d been waiting all morning.

Minwoo snorted. “Hyung, he’s literally a puppy.”

Sooyeon added, “More like a lost chick.”

Eunji just giggled. “Are you seriously gonna ditch him again?”

Taejun gritted his teeth. His pride said *run,* but Eunha’s words echoed again in his head. And before he could stop himself, he snapped at his friends: “Shut it. I’ll eat with him today.”

"..."

The trio stood frozen as if someone had slapped them.

.....

Ten minutes later, Taejun and Jazze sat under a tree behind the old gym, away from the chaos of the cafeteria. The campus was buzzing elsewhere, leaving the spot quiet, just the two of them.

Jazze opened his lunchbox with the gentleness of unwrapping a treasure. “I made extra, senior. Do you… wanna share?”

Taejun scoffed, but his stomach growled like a traitor. He reached over and grabbed a roll without asking. “Don’t get cocky. I’m only eating this because I skipped breakfast.”

Jazze’s lips curved into a soft smile. “Then I’m glad I made enough.”

For a while, they ate in silence, the shade swaying around them. But Taejun kept glancing at Jazze—his calmness, the way he ate slowly, like every bite mattered. It was… unnerving.

Finally, Taejun muttered, “Why do you keep following me around? You don’t even know me.”

Jazze blinked, then tilted his head. “Because… I like how you’re always honest. Even when you’re mean.”

Taejun almost dropped his chopsticks. “Honest? I’m literally insulting you half the time.”

Jazze just laughed softly. “At least with you, I don’t have to guess what you’re thinking. That’s rare.”

The words hit deeper than Taejun expected. For once, he didn’t feel the need to act tough. He leaned back against the tree, staring at the sky.

“Tch. You’re weird,” he muttered, but there was no bite to it.

Jazze smiled again, and for the first time, Taejun didn’t look away.

The silence stretched, broken only by the rustle of leaves. Taejun thought Jazze would start rambling again, but instead, the kid just sat there, humming softly while packing up the empty lunchbox.

That calmness… it was dangerous. It made Taejun’s guard slip.

Before he realized, the words slipped out of his mouth.

“… You really don’t get tired of people, do you?”

Jazze looked up, confused. “Tired?”

Taejun clicked his tongue, turning his gaze away. “I mean… people are fake. They laugh with you one second and trash-talk you the next. That’s why I don’t bother. Waste of time.”

It wasn’t something he usually admitted, not even to Haesoo, Minwoo, or the others. But saying it here, under this tree, with Jazze just… staring at him quietly—it didn’t feel dangerous.

Jazze’s expression softened. “That sounds lonely, senior.”

The word hit Taejun like a punch. He turned sharply. “Oi. Don’t say weird stuff like that.”

But Jazze didn’t back off. Instead, he gave a small, genuine smile—the kind that felt like sunlight. “If it feels lonely… then I’ll keep sitting with you. Until it doesn’t.”

For once, Taejun had no comeback. He just stared, stunned, chopsticks frozen mid-air. His heart thumped louder than he’d ever admit.

“…You’re seriously annoying,” he muttered, but his voice lacked any heat.

Jazze didn’t reply right away. Instead, he hugged his knees and stared off into the sky. His voice was quieter this time, almost fragile.

“You know… my mom used to say the same thing.”

Taejun blinked. “What?”

“That I was annoying. But she said it with a smile.” Jazze’s lips curved faintly, eyes glimmering with memory. “She was beautiful. The kind of person who lit up every room, even when she was tired. I used to follow her around everywhere… like a shadow. She’d laugh and tell me, ‘Jazze-ah, you’re too clingy. Give mom some space.’”

He paused, and the silence felt heavier now. “But I didn’t. I couldn’t. Because… I was scared that if I looked away, even for a second, she’d disappear.”

Taejun’s chest tightened. For once, he didn’t know what to say. His usual sarcasm felt cruel here, out of place.

“… She’s gone?” he asked, softer than he intended.

Jazze nodded. “Yeah. It’s been a while now. But I still remember her face perfectly. Like she’s still here, smiling at me.”

The words lingered in the air. Taejun found himself staring at Jazze—not at his delicate features this time, but at the way he carried his grief, quiet and steady.

For the first time, Taejun didn’t just feel stunned by Jazze’s beauty. He felt… pity? No, not pity. Something warmer, deeper.

“…Tch.” He looked away, running a hand through his hair. “No wonder you cling so much. You’re scared people will leave.”

Jazze tilted his head, surprised at Taejun’s sharpness. But then, instead of denying it, he gave the softest smile yet. “Maybe. But… I think with you, I don’t mind being clingy.”

Taejun’s heart did another dangerous flip. He nearly choked on his drink.

Taejun almost coughed on his drink at Jazze’s words. His ears burned, and before Jazze could notice, he snapped, “Aish, quit saying weird stuff. Finish your lunch before I regret sitting here.”

Jazze only chuckled, clearly not offended. “Yes, senior.”

By the time the lunch bell rang, they’d packed up and left the quiet spot together. Jazze trotted beside him like it was the most natural thing in the world. Taejun shoved his hands into his pockets, pretending not to notice how their steps kept syncing.

“Why are you walking this way?” Taejun asked finally, narrowing his eyes.

Jazze blinked innocently. “This way leads home, right?”

Taejun raised a brow. “Don’t tell me…”

“Mmhm.” Jazze nodded, smiling so brightly it was unfair. “We live in the same neighborhood. Isn’t that fate?”

Taejun groaned, tipping his head back toward the sky as if asking the universe why it hated him. “Great. Just great. First you stalk me at school, now at home too?”

Jazze giggled. “I’m not stalking. I’m just… keeping my senior company.”

The worst part? Taejun didn’t tell him to leave.

So the two of them walked side by side through the streets, Jazze chattering softly about little things—the weather, his favorite food stall, the flowers blooming along the fence. Taejun grumbled here and there, but his pace never once quickened to leave Jazze behind.

When they finally reached the corner where their streets split, Jazze beamed and waved. “See you tomorrow, senior!”

Taejun raised a hand half-heartedly, trying to look bored, but the tug at his lips betrayed him.

The moment Jazze disappeared around the corner, Taejun muttered under his breath, “That kid… is seriously dangerous.”

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***