[Jeong Byeonghee]

That student at my new class, Sara, seems an interesting type. I don't know... There's something about her that intrigues me. However, I must steer clear from situations involving the two of us being too close. I can't afford to have dating scandals at the height of mine and my group's career.

Taeshin, our manager, calls me and my groupmates at the dorm where we stay. She opens her phone and shows us a barrage of comments from DC Inside. Most of them are favorable, going from 'Kang Chanbeom-ssi has had a massive glow up over the last years,' to 'Kim Minhyung, the man you are!' and simply 'I love you, Park Jaebin.'

The most flattering comment, however, is about me. 'Jeong Byeonghee returning to attending classes full time is so inspiring! Byeonghee, fighting!' I'm surprised. I expected netizens to mock me over moving to a new school or, even worse, make up bullying allegations.

"See? You're popular. Give yourself a pat on your shoulders." I don't know if Taeshin is messing with me or not. Usually, she does that a lot with me, but this time I'm unsure. She may be serious. Anyway, the comments are a sign that I shouldn't take anything for granted.

I'll keep myself grounded and keep working to be a better idol and a better person. Hopefully, fans will recognize that and will grow to love the group more with its quirks and even its flaws.

While the others return to their scheduled activities, Taeshin singles me out. "Can we talk, Byeonghee? Just you and I. I want to make sure you're adjusting well to your new school."

"Well..." I hesitate a little bit. "It's quite good. So far, it doesn't look like anyone has recognized me yet. I don't think many at Duckyoung High know X-FILE at all." I try not to sound cocky or arrogant; for some reason, Taeshin finds this all amusing.

Nonetheless, she has some advice for me. I listen to her carefully. "I'm glad you have managed to maintain a low profile. You know, you don't want to attract sasaengs or batshit crazy people. So, keep up what you're doing and you'll be okay."

"Thank you, manager-nim. I won't disappoint you, the rest of the group—or the fans." Okay, I sound sappy now. Plus, I don't know how lowkey I can stay, especially after Sara gave me a tour of the school by her own will, without me even asking.

Sooner or later, someone else will also be interested in me—questions will pop and I'll have to duck them or, alternatively, give vague answers. But can I avoid delving into details or will I have to come clean somehow? In case the latter happens, there goes the cover up.

It can't happen. It won't happen. As long as I follow through the plan, I'll be fine.

***

I think I'll do fine at Duckyoung High. The class I've been assigned to is full of interesting personalities. Apart from Sara, I've also got to know Kim Saehyeon and Lee Baram from the football team, the actual class president, Lee Solbyeol, and Jeong Beodeul, the guy sitting at the desk in front of Sara's.

Not many people, but enough to have an idea of what awaits me in these coming months. Well, if I want to be active part of this class, I have to take the initiative first. On the first few days, it was mostly Sara who guided me. It's time for me to pay her forward, then.

Since I can't show around my place, I'll invite her somewhere. Maybe I'll ask her to bring someone else along. I don't want this gathering to pass off as a date just yet. That'd be the opposite of the 'low profile' Taeshin previously asked me to keep.

I have no more time for rambling. There are classes to attend, as well as intense study hours awaiting me. I hope I can keep up. Honestly, I don't even know if I can take the final exam. As much as my studies are important, I don't want to be overwhelmed. My career still takes a huge place in my life.

The first three classes are nothing special. I just stay put at my desk, take notes and occasionally throw a glance at the window before refocusing my gaze on my books. Things get more interesting at the last two periods. P.E.

We're in for an intense dodgeball game. The first team, led by Saehyeon and also including Sara, seems strong, at least based on rehearsal. I end up on the opposite team. I mean, who doesn't like a good underdog story?

Too bad this isn't a sappy coming of age romcom, but real life. In fact, Saehyeon's team has no issues getting rid of my teammates even though he doesn't seem to be performing brilliantly. (Baram casually told me earlier today that Saehyeon is recovering from a serious injury.)

At one point, just two people in my team are left. Park Saeyi, who's anything but athletic, and I. If the two of us had enough time to strategize, we could come up with a way to make a comeback. However, dodgeball is also about timing—we have so little time and eight opponents to take down. The entirety of that time.

I suggest catching as many throws as possible to get the others eliminated, a plan Saeyi approves of. She manages to catch one, which results in Baram being out. Next up, I catch Beodeul's. He's out too. "Two are gone," says Saeyi. "Let's go. We can do more."

Of course, the other team won't relent. Time ticks faster and faster, but energy starts running out. Every wrong move can prove costly. I must keep my composure if I want to bag a win. At this point, it's more like a chess game than a dodgeball one.

I managed to take another member of our rival team out before the ball possession swings back to Sara. She herself is surprised at this move. Before she notices Saeyi and I are still close, I gesture at the latter for the two of us to scatter through our half of the pitch.

Despite that, Sara isn't confused, but more determined than ever. She throws the ball in the hope that either Saeyi or I foolishly move towards its trajectory. Instead, it lands exactly in the middle of the pitch. Saeyi has enough time to pick it up and study the next move.

She considers handing me the next throw, but I prefer leaving it to her. "You got the ball, so you get to throw," I explain. She nods and throws the ball, aiming at Sara. To her shock, however, Saehyeon manages to intercept and catch it. Therefore, Saeyi is out.

Now, it's just me versus five of them, including Sara and Saehyeon. I have to be incredibly lucky to manage to eliminate all of them. I can't afford to look desperate. I'm still up for the fight. One step at a time. I can do this.

Cheers erupt in the gym as the game comes down to the last two minutes. Speedy exchanges, spectacular turns and daring attempts to catch the ball alternate in what seems to be a perfect loop. One by one, three more members of Sara's team are eliminated.

This leaves just three of us. Sara, Saehyeon and I. Thirty seconds left. Sara gains possession next. She throws the ball, but I duck it. The moment I pick it up to send it back and to possibly hit her or Saehyeon, time's up. The P.E. teacher, in a surprising move, decides not to announce a winner.

The reason why is simple. "You three put up a great fight, so it's unfair for either team to declare a winning and a losing team." Fair enough. All I know is that I can hold my ground in team games—and that three people trust me enough to want to be my friends.