Minjin's rebellious spirit and Minjun's strong moral character

Mun Sara paced her room, nervously chewing on her nails. Her anxious face reflected the fast thumping of her heart. Suddenly, she stopped and locked her eyes on her phone. Taking a deep breath, she dialed Minjun's number, waiting for him to answer.

"Minjun-ah..." Sara Mun said with concern.

"Sara-ah, why didn't you reveal that you knew Minjin and her actions?" Minjun inquired, his tone commanding.

Mun Sara settled on the edge of her bed. "Mianhae, Minjun-ah. Initially, Minjin-ah had no idea that you were at the same school. She learned it from me when I met her with Heo Yeong-hwan."

Minjun gave a playful smirk. "Heo Yeong-hwan? Did she ask you to keep it a secret from me?"

Mun Sara let out a sigh. "An-aniya. She didn't, but it felt like she didn't want you to find out," she murmured softly.

"Why didn't either of you, Bang Eun-kyung, inform me about her?" Minjun inquired, his voice rising slightly.

"Aniya, Minjun-ah. Bang Eun-Kyung was unaware that you and Minjin had met before," Mun Sara confessed.

"Yet, he is aware of her actions," Minjun remarked with a frustrated laugh.

Mun Sara nodded and replied, "Yes, I'm sorry, Minjun-ah."

Minjun let out a deep sigh. "I've spent two years with both of you, yet you became loyal to Minjin in just a month. Still, I get that Minjin-ah knows how to earn someone's trust."

Mun Sara's eyes opened wide, suddenly feeling a pang of discomfort. She swallowed hard, struggling to find the right words in response to his unanticipated recognition of Minjin's character. Then it struck her: if Minjin was familiar with Minjun, then Minjun must have known her as well.

She lowered her head and sighed. "Yeah, I suppose she does."

"The treats… she mentioned that to you, right?" Minjun inquired, his tone now reflecting uncertainty.

Mun Sara sighed in frustration, masking her hurt. "Yeah..."

###When Minjin entered the classroom the following morning, she had hardly any time to get comfortable before Mr. Yu, her homeroom teacher, asked her to come with him. A heavy sensation filled her stomach—she already sensed what was coming. As she moved down the hallway, anger surged through her, and her heart raced with each step.Upon entering the principal's office, she prepared herself for the worst. Three teachers, along with Minjun and the principal, were already there. Minjin shot a glare at Minjun before turning to greet the teachers courteously. 

The principal sighed heavily and began, "Minjin-ah, Minjun here informed us that you've been doing other students' assignments and charging them money. Is that true?" 

Minjin swallowed hard and replied, "Yes." 

The principal continued, "How long has this been going on?" 

"Since last month," Minjin answered. 

One of the teachers, Mr. Chun, shook his head in disapproval. "You deserve to be expelled! You're a disgrace to this school!" 

The principal pressed on, "Who else was involved? Who were your accomplices?" 

Minjin, her voice steady, replied, "I'd like to take the punishment alone. I asked those students if they wanted their assignments done, and they paid me. No one else is responsible." 

Mr. Chun scoffed, "And now you're trying to cover for them!" 

Mr. Yu looked at her with concern. "Minjin-ah, why did you do it?" 

"I was bored," Minjin said. 

Mr. Chun raised an eyebrow and said, "That's a foolish reason, but how did you solve those calculus assignments? They're not easy." 

"I just know how to answer them," Minjin said simply. 

The principal's expression remained stern. "Bring your parents tomorrow. We will finalize your punishment then." 

Minjin spoke softly yet distinctly, "I have no parents. It's only my older brother and me." 

Minjun's expression revealed a moment of surprise; he hadn't seen this coming. 

The principal nodded. "Then bring your brother. And I will tell you in advance that expulsion is the option we're considering." 

"Yes, I understand," Minjin replied. 

The bell rang, signaling the start of morning class. 

"You two may return to your classes," the principal said dismissively. 

Minjun and Minjin bowed respectfully, and Mr. Yu decided to stay behind. 

After they left, the calculus teacher said, "That girl is smart. I've reviewed those assignments. All of them were impressively done. The senior students struggled with these problems, but she solved them effortlessly." 

Mr. Chun frowned. "So what if she's smart? What she did was still wrong!" 

Mr. Yu said, "Mr. Principal, let's consider this carefully. Minjin might not be the most diligent student, but she is one of the most well-behaved in my class. She has potential." 

The principal shook his head. "She solicited money from students, money given to them by their parents. It's a serious matter, and I see it as wrongdoing." 

As Minjun and Minjin stepped out of the principal's office, Minjin paused and gave Minjun an intense glare. In a surprising move, she raised her middle finger at him—a bold gesture that surprised Minjun. He hadn't seen that coming. Just as he was about to respond, Minjin quickly turned and walked away, leaving him in the hallway, confused and wondering why she had become rebellious.

### 

During the lunch break, the hallway outside Section 1 of the 11th grade erupted with shouting. A furious Lee Deji rushed in, her face red with anger. Although Choi Ye-joon attempted to restrain her, she forcefully pushed past him, her voice resonating in the corridor, "Kang Minjun! Get out here!" 

Bang Eun-kyung and Mun Sara shared concerned looks in the classroom as they observed Minjun packing his belongings into his backpack with such calmness, seemingly unfazed by all the chaos around him. 

"Get out here, Kang Minjun! You idiot!" Lee Deji shouted angrily, attracting the attention of nearby students.

A crowd quickly formed in the hallway, intrigued and baffled by the scene before them. 

Bang Eun-kyung leaned closer to Minjun, whispering, "What did you do? Why is she angry?" 

Lee Deji shouted again, "Do you think everyone fears you because of your family?!" 

"Stop it, Deji! You're causing a scene!" Choi Ye-joon urged, trying to calm things down. 

Mun Sara rushed to the doorway. "Unnie, what's wrong? Why are you mad at Minjun-ah?"

Lee Deji pointed at Minjun angrily, her voice trembling. "That jerk told the teachers about Minjin! She's going to be expelled!" 

Bang Eun-kyung and Mun Sara both froze in shock. "You did what?" Bang Eun-kyung turned to Minjun, disbelief in his voice. 

"Yah, Bang Eun-kyung-ah, help me with her!" Choi Ye-joon shouted as he tried to restrain Lee Deji. 

Bang Eun-kyung quickly moved to assist, wrapping his arms around Lee Deji to keep her from charging further into the classroom. When she continued to struggle, he finally covered her mouth, muffling her shouts. Together, he and Choi Ye-joon pulled her away from the doorway, out of sight. 

Mun Sara looked at Minjun in shock. She had not expected Minjun to report Minjin to the teachers. She thought there was still a connection between them. She believed Minjun still cared for her but realized she was wrong. Another realization struck her: it was her first time seeing him with an angry expression and a sharp glare last night. Typically, Minjun didn't mind what others were doing as long as he didn't get involved because he knew it would escalate the situation if his father found out.

"Minjun, what made you do that?" she asked him, her worry evident.

Minjun smirked, a defensive look on his face. "She told me to," he responded tersely.

Her shock deepened at seeing him behave this way, knowing that Minjun had always remained calm around everyone.

Mun Sara frowned, searching his face for regret. "Minjun-ah, I thought you and Minjin were friends since childhood." 

Minjun paused; the words stung more than he had anticipated.

"I'm your friend as well, but what you've done… it could destroy Minjin's future," Mun Sara added gently.

Minjun's expression hardened. "Not my problem," he said coldly.

"Minjun-ah," Mun Sara pleaded, her voice breaking.

He turned away, stating, "I don't want to talk. Leave me alone." 

Mun Sara stood frozen upon seeing the unusual Minjun she had known since freshman year. She had never thought Minjun had a cold personality, contradicting his approachable prince image.