Chapter 119
After that day...
People in the class noticed that the transfer student, who was rarely seen before, started coming to school every day.
Although he occasionally arrived late, he never missed a class.
That was enough to surprise everyone...
But what's even stranger was that Jocelyn York seemed to be getting close to him...
Jocelyn York, who was popular in the class due to her outgoing personality, actually became friends with the trouble-making transfer student who used to get into fights every day?
For a while, it became the biggest news of the semester.
...
"How does Jocelyn York feel about him?"
"Who knows, but it seems like she pays special attention to him..."
"I saw them playing basketball together at the court the other day."
"She's like that with everyone..."
The chatter from the surrounding people reached William Wei's ears, intentionally or unintentionally.
William Wei lowered his head in silence, packing his backpack.
He should have gotten used to this kind of thing...
...
"Do you think Jocelyn York has a crush on him?"
"Haha, you can't be serious."
"Why not? She's a wealthy heiress, her taste must be different from ours."
"That's not it!"
This time, he couldn't bear it any longer...
He stood up abruptly, staring at the group of girls in the back row who were gossiping together.
"Oh no, he's looking at us..."
"So scary..."
"..."
Normally, he would choose to ignore the words that defamed him.
But things were different now...
He couldn't stand it when it came to her...
"It's not what you think between me and her..."
He turned around and faced them.
Slightly bowing his head,
"I don't care what you say about me, but... it has nothing to do with her, please don't trouble her."
"Huh? Is he bowing?"
"Haha, what's that? So disgusting..."
"Let's go, our appetite for dinner is ruined..."
The girls laughed and carried their backpacks, walking past him and leaving the classroom.
...
He stood still in the same spot, without any reaction for a while...
"William Wei, want to go home together?"
Suddenly, Jocelyn York patted his shoulder from behind.
His body trembled slightly, and he turned around.
"..."
Looking at her,
After a while, he looked away.
"No, I have something to do..."
"Huh? Wait a minute..."
Before she could react, he had already walked past her.
...
Indeed, it was still impossible...
The brief dream almost made him forget who he was...
They were ultimately two completely different types of people.
Continuing like this would harm her...
He couldn't be so selfish anymore...
...
...
Since then,
He deliberately distanced himself from her.
As much as he could, he stayed away from her...
Sometimes, he would unintentionally see the disappointment that flashed across her face...
It made him feel extremely uncomfortable...
But, this is for the best...
This was the dumbest and simplest solution that his not-so-smart brain could come up with.
...
...
This kind of situation persisted for several weeks...
...
"William Wei, where are you going?"
On the way back to the classroom from the restroom, a few people blocked his way.
He looked up.
It was a few boys from his class.
Here they come again...
He had seen too many of these small groups who enjoyed tormenting others in his previous school.
Of course, he had nothing to fear.
These people were just good at talking...
Besides, as someone who had been fighting with older students outside of school for years, none of these good little boys here could fight.
"Move aside."
He ignored them and continued walking.
"Don't go!"
A few people stepped forward and blocked his way.
In that case, there's no other choice...
He tightened his fists.
It's been a long time since he stretched his muscles, so he might as well play with them...
"William Wei~"
At that moment, a voice came from behind.
His body trembled and he turned around.
"..."
It was Jocelyn York.
"What are you doing here? It's almost time for class."
She said as she walked towards him.
They haven't spoken to each other for many days...
Why is she able to casually approach him as if nothing happened?
...
"Oh, isn't this Jocelyn York?"
A few boys noticed her and burst into laughter.
"You guys should be going to class instead of playing here! Hurry up and go back to the classroom!"
She said, standing in front of them.
"Hehe, we're just chatting with William Wei. What business is it of yours, a woman sticking her nose into this?"
"Yeah, what's it to you?"
"Acting as if you're the class monitor, minding other people's business!"
The boys taunted, getting closer to her.
"You guys..."
"..."
At that moment, William Wei grabbed her wrist and pulled her behind him.
"William Wei..."
She looked up at his profile.
"This has nothing to do with you. Go back to the classroom..."
He whispered softly, without looking back at her.
"Haha, look at what I just said!"
Suddenly, the boys laughed, pointing at the two of them.
"He must have fallen for Jocelyn York!"
"Haha, holding hands, shameless!"
"I'm going to tell the teacher!!"
"..."
He hesitated for a moment and quickly let go of her hand.
"No! That's not it..."
Not again...
If rumors like this spread, it will really harm her...
Absolutely not...
But what should I do?
He panicked.
This overwhelming sense of fear is something he had never experienced before, even when facing a group of tall and strong hooligans...
...
"Haha, William Wei, aren't you used to showing off in front of this girl?"
"You can't even admit it?"
"Are you even a man?!"
"Trash!"
...
"Shut up!!!!"
He shouted with all his strength, almost using every muscle in his body.
His face turned red, and his eyes widened.
A moment of silence...
...
"Let me tell you, I don't like her! We're not even friends!"
"..."
The boys were stunned by his outburst and didn't dare to speak.
"Listen up!! I have nothing to do with this girl! I hate busybody women the most!!!!!!"
His voice echoed through the hallway outside the classroom.
...
A brief pause...
...
...
"William Wei..."
She stood behind him, looking up at him.
Cautiously and softly, she spoke:
"Is that so?"
"..."
It's not like that...
Of course, it's not like that...
...
The boys swallowed and looked at him as well.
...
He took a deep breath, waited for his breathing to steady, and then spoke softly.
"Yes."
He said and turned around.
His cold eyes stared at her without blinking.
"Women are troublesome..."
It's over...
"Is that so..."
Her voice was weak, trembling slightly.
She took a step back.
Lost and unsure, her eyes wandered, not knowing where to look.
It's over...
"..."
She didn't say anything and kept her head down.
They walked past them, took a few steps, and then started running...
In the blink of an eye, they disappeared from sight...
It's over...
"You really have a way with words..."
"At least she's a girl, be polite..."
"What bad luck has Jocelyn York had to encounter you, this disaster..."
"Let's go, it's time for class~"
A few boys spoke as they walked towards the classroom.
"..."
It's over...
He suddenly felt like a burden had been lifted off his shoulders, and he crouched down on the ground.
It's good like this...
She can go back to living an ordinary day, just like before.
Every day, she can talk to her friends about what happened that day...
Every day, she can walk home with her friends, laughing and talking...
It's so good...
...
There's nothing more important to him than this...
...
...
The next day...
...
He arrived at the classroom as usual, stepping on time.
After throwing his backpack onto the desk, he sat down in his seat.
He glanced around...
That person seemed like they hadn't arrived yet...
"..."
But it didn't matter to him anymore...
Thinking that, he laid his head on the desk.
Time to sleep...
...
A series of light footsteps
came from the classroom door.
"Who's there..."
"A boy?"
"No! It's..."
There was a pause for about two seconds.
Suddenly, there was a commotion around him.
It's so noisy...
The footsteps were getting closer and closer...
He rubbed his eyes and looked up.
A figure was already standing in front of him.
The classroom's fluorescent lights, dazzlingly shining on that person's face.
Short hair reaching the ears, with a clean fringe on the forehead.
What's going on? This feeling of dissonance...
A boy?
He was stunned.
Until his line of sight gradually became clear,
His pupils dilated, and he became dumbfounded...
"...Jocelyn?"
"Hehe~"
She squinted her eyes and smiled, completely ignoring the gathering gazes around her.
She reached out and played with her light, flowing fringe.
"It's strange, isn't it?"
"Why?"
He even doubted if he was dreaming.
With his mouth slightly open, he looked up at her.
"Yesterday I got a haircut~"
He dared not blink, hoping against hope, confirming the person in front of him.
...
The person in front of him...
She... she seemed like a completely different person...
...
"Yeah..."
She thought for a moment, then looked at him.
With a gentle smile, her eyes formed two crescent moons.
"Now I'm not a 'troublesome woman' anymore~"
"..."
He looked at her.
His mind suddenly went blank.
...
Why would she do something like this...
We even said those kinds of things...
I should have given up on her...
...
But why...
Would a girl like you stay by my side?
...
"If one day, you find the person you must protect at all costs..."
"Don't hesitate, stand tall..."
"and live for her."
Those words...
Still echoed in his ears as if it was yesterday...
...
His throat trembled.
His eyes began to blur.
...
I think I've found her...
That girl...
She's right in front of me now.
