# CHANGE !

"What happened, Mr. Kim? You were doing so well in academics, extracurricular activities, the student body council."

In the disciplinary office, the voice of the conflicted disciplinarian rang through the hallway.

In front of him was one of the best students he's seen in his entire lifetime. Not only was he a constant high achiever and top student in class, he was also participative in extracurricular activities including sports and brain competitions. And for this particular high school, he was even part of the student council.

He was a remarkable student who had everything to appease to teachers and even the Dean himself. Responsible, intelligent, disciplined, athletically inclined, good-looking, easygoing. . . And yet, with one incident, his entire image seemed to shatter.

People have always told M/n how he was destined for great things, that one day— he would be the one to lift his family from financial mediocrity.

It was as if his future was already predestined, that everyone could simply tell with one glance that he had a bright future ahead of him. That in most things, he was meant to do great.

But, everything seemed to fall out of place.

Not one of them expected to see him in the disciplinary office— not there to assist; but to be the one who was getting reprimanded. It almost seemed like a joke.

M/n Kim? The M/n Kim? Yeah, the boy won't even misplace a pencil, most would laugh off and say.

But there he was, not there for misplacing a pencil but for hitting an upperclassmen. Not just any upperclassmen, but a girl.

His sister's friend.

"Explain yourself, Mr. Kim! The girl's parents are filing complaints against you and are intending to press charges. Do you really want to ruin everything you've worked hard for? What about your father? Your sister? You family? I thought it was your ambition to lift their burdens!" His adviser, and closest confidant amongst the teachers, looked at him desperately.

It was hard to believe. A hard pill to swallow, truly.

M/n bit his bottom lip until it gave him the metallic taste of blood. But his face remained cold as if he had no desire to explain why he did what he did.

"Where's the boy's father? Why isn't he here yet? Can't he see how serious this is?!"

M/n felt disdain.

An endless, insurmountable amount of disdain.

"He can't be reached. What's he so busy doing that he can't even attend to his son's predicament?"

M/n bit his lip harder.

"Seriously, he attends every time Minji Kim gets called to the office but he can't even see his son this one occasion?"

M/n's jaw clenched, teeth grit and grind, bruised fists tighten.

"Hyeryeong Kang."

Everyone's head snapped towards him upon finally hearing him speak. His voice was not as light, respectful, or smooth as before. It was deep, laced with frustration, and hardened even.

It made them wonder if they even got the right boy. Where was the M/n Kim they know? The soft-spoken, well-articulate boy?

"She deserved it." He stated bluntly.

One of the female teachers stood up abruptly, "Boys aren't meant to hit girls, M/n! You know this more than anyone, you have an older sister! And you hit her friend nonetheless. What has gotten into you?"

"She's right, M/n." His subject teacher approached. "You don't hit girls even with a flower."

"I can't believe it. Something must have happened." His adviser shook his head, pacing while pinching the bridge of his nose. "He must be intoxicated, under the influence, or consumed something toxic!"

Then he kneeled in front of the seated boy who refused to even spare them all so much as a glance.

"Tell me, M/n. Who were you last with?" His adviser pleaded.

He refused to believe it was solely done according to M/n's sane, rational, and controlled will. There was just no way.

He seriously would hate to see one of his best students be subjected into a serious punishment of having his future shattered all because of one incident.

He found it hard to believe.

M/n pursed his lips into a thin line, eyes remaining unfocused.

Last person he was with? Could he even blame that person for what he did? The things that drove him to do what he did was done simply because he felt she deserved it. No, he was sure she did.

The last person he was with could not even be held accountable.

It was he who allowed himself to be swayed. This was his free will.