Navigating High School

The next morning, Ji Hyun entered the bustling halls of their high school, the familiar scent of polished floors and cafeteria food greeting her. As she made her way to her locker, she could already feel the buzz of energy in the air. Students were chatting animatedly, and the atmosphere was electric with anticipation.

"Ji Hyun!" A voice called out, and she turned to see her friend Min Jae jogging towards her. "Did you see the announcement for the swimming meet next week? Tae Oh is competing!"

"Of course he is," Ji Hyun replied, rolling her eyes playfully. "He's good at everything."

"Seriously, it's crazy!" Min Jae exclaimed, leaning against the lockers. "He's practically a superstar. I heard girls have been planning to go watch him swim. He's got fans everywhere."

"Let them have their fun," Ji Hyun said nonchalantly, though a small part of her couldn't help but feel a twinge of possessiveness. She had only started to get to know Tae Oh, and already he was surrounded by admirers.

As they walked to class, Ji Hyun noticed a group of girls giggling and whispering nearby. When Tae Oh entered the hall, their laughter erupted into excited chatter. He walked through the crowd like he owned the place, his confidence evident in every step.

"Look at him!" one girl said, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "He's like a model."

"I heard he's not just a pretty face; he's amazing at basketball too," another added, clearly impressed.

"Yeah, I saw him practicing yesterday. He made all the shots," the first girl said, sighing dramatically. "Why can't he notice me?"

Ji Hyun kept her expression neutral, but inside, she was amused. Tae Oh's reputation was growing by the day, and with it, the number of girls who crushed on him. It was no surprise that they were trying to get his attention.

As the bell rang, signaling the start of class, Ji Hyun took her seat next to Tae Oh, who flashed her a warm smile.

"Hey! Ready for another day?" he asked, settling into his chair.

"Always," she replied, feeling a rush of excitement. "Just trying to survive the chaos."

Their teacher, Ms. Park, entered the classroom and began discussing the upcoming swimming meet and how it would impact the school spirit. Ji Hyun half-listened, her attention drifting back to Tae Oh.

"Make sure to cheer for Tae Oh!" Ms. Park said, grinning. "He's representing our school, and we want to show our support."

Ji Hyun couldn't help but smirk at the way the girls perked up at the mention of Tae Oh's name. They were practically swooning in their seats.

"Looks like you have quite the fan club," Ji Hyun whispered to him.

"Fan club? More like a horde of girls with crushes," he replied, shaking his head with a laugh. "It's kind of overwhelming."

"You're not that bad," she teased, nudging him playfully. "Just enjoy the attention."

As the day progressed, Ji Hyun couldn't shake the feeling that the attention Tae Oh received was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it made her happy to see him thriving; on the other, she felt a growing concern about how it might affect their budding friendship.

During lunch, Ji Hyun and Tae Oh sat at their usual spot. The cafeteria was loud and chaotic, filled with the sounds of laughter and chatter. As they ate, Tae Oh was approached by another group of girls, who practically floated to their table.

"Tae Oh! Are you going to the meet this weekend?" one girl asked, her voice high-pitched with excitement.

"Of course! I wouldn't miss it," he replied, flashing them a charming smile.

"Can we take a picture with you?" another girl chimed in, her phone already out.

Ji Hyun watched as he obliged, posing with the girls while they giggled and fawned over him. She tried to focus on her food, but the sight was hard to ignore. It was like watching a star interact with his fans, and she felt a mix of amusement and irritation.

When the girls finally left, Ji Hyun couldn't help but voice her thoughts. "You really have a way with the ladies."

Tae Oh shrugged, a slight blush creeping up his cheeks. "They're just being friendly. It's not a big deal."

"It kind of is," she said, raising an eyebrow. "They practically worship the ground you walk on."

He laughed, shaking his head. "I don't think it's that serious. I appreciate their support, but I'm just a regular guy."

"Regular guy? You're a talented swimmer and basketball player who just transferred to our school and stole half the girls' hearts," Ji Hyun said, smirking. "That's not exactly 'regular.'"

"Maybe not, but I'm still getting used to all the attention," he admitted, his expression softening. "I just want to focus on my goals and not get caught up in the drama."

Ji Hyun appreciated his down-to-earth attitude. "Good plan. Just remember to keep your head on straight."

"Always," he promised, his gaze steady.

After lunch, they had a free period, and Ji Hyun suggested they head to the gym to practice basketball. Tae Oh's eyes lit up. "I'd love that!"

As they entered the gym, Ji Hyun felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her. The smell of polished wood and the sounds of bouncing balls brought back memories of her own practice sessions. She watched as Tae Oh effortlessly shot hoops, his form fluid and precise.

"Not bad," Ji Hyun called out, crossing her arms. "Show-off."

He turned, grinning. "You haven't seen anything yet."

Tae Oh challenged her to a friendly game, and Ji Hyun eagerly accepted. They played for a while, their laughter echoing through the empty gym. Even with the friendly competition, Ji Hyun could see why he was popular; he was good at everything he did.

"Okay, I admit it—you're a decent player," Ji Hyun said, panting as they took a break.

"Just decent?" he teased, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. "I'll take it."

As they caught their breath, Ji Hyun noticed a few girls peeking through the gym doors, watching Tae Oh with wide eyes. It was amusing to see their reactions; they were completely mesmerized by him.

"You've got an audience," Ji Hyun pointed out, a smirk on her face.

"Just ignore them," he said, rolling his eyes playfully. "Let's focus on our game."

But it was hard to ignore when the girls whispered loudly enough for them to hear. "I can't believe Tae Oh is here! He's so cute!"

"Did you see that shot? He's amazing!" another girl exclaimed.

Ji Hyun shook her head, laughing. "This is ridiculous. You're turning into a school legend before my eyes."

"Legend? More like a guy trying to enjoy his day," he replied, a hint of humility in his voice.

"Still, I think it's pretty cool," Ji Hyun said, feeling a surge of pride for him. "You deserve the recognition."

As they played on, Ji Hyun felt the bond between them growing stronger. It was refreshing to share these moments without the pressures of their respective social circles.

After a few rounds, they finally decided to call it a day, collapsing on the gym floor in exhaustion. Ji Hyun laughed, staring up at the ceiling. "I'm definitely going to feel this tomorrow."

Tae Oh joined her, panting but grinning. "Totally worth it. We should do this more often."

"Agreed," Ji Hyun said, her heart feeling lighter. "Just promise me one thing: don't let all the attention get to your head."

"Promise," he said, looking serious for a moment. "I'm not going to change. I'm still me, no matter what."

They sat there for a while, enjoying the silence and each other's company. Ji Hyun couldn't help but feel that, despite the chaos around them, this was where she belonged.

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