About

Kim Suhwan was always at the top of the class. There wasn't a single person in our school who didn't know him—at least not in our grade. The word 'nerd' was enough to sum up his entire image. His life was nothing but studying. •• It was around 11 PM in a dark, deserted alleyway behind the school when I stepped inside. It had been an especially exhausting day, so I was walking through the alley just wanting to get home quickly. The alley was darker and creepier than I expected. As I walked further, the smell of cigarettes stung my nose. I figured it was just some punks from school smoking and tried to pass by. I never dreamed I'd run into such an unexpected person. 'Kim Suhwan...?' With a couple of buttons undone, a crooked tie, and a cigarette in his hand—I couldn't help but doubt my own eyes. Where were the glasses he wore every day, the ones he was still wearing at school today? What happened to his neat uniform? Was I looking at the wrong person? My footsteps came to a dead halt. Suhwan inhaled the cigarette filter to the end and exhaled a long breath. He dropped the butt on the ground and crushed it with his foot. He let out a deep sigh and ruffled his hair. Then, after a moment's hesitation, he met my eyes. I thought he'd make some kind of excuse, but all he said was, "Keep it a secret." That was it. And then he left. I wondered how he would look at me tomorrow. Why of all people does it have to be someone in my class, Suhwan...