Chapter Text
Believe it or not, there was a time when the Lee family was considered prestigious. A time where the family was among the richest in Hyosan.
Na-yeon had heard of ‘rags to riches’ stories, but hers was more of a ‘riches to rags’ story.
Her father was the CEO of one of the biggest companies in Gyeonggi-do Province, and her mother worked as a doctor at the hospital in Hyosan with a high salary.
The beginning of their downfall was when her mother got fired from her job, as result of missing too much work. The reasoning being Na-yeon herself.
In her early childhood, she had separation anxiety and frequently had panic attacks at school and when she was home alone.
But, it wasn’t seen as a big deal, because as long as her father was still CEO, the Lees would have more than enough money.
Her mother, however, was quite frustrated; as being a doctor was always her dream, and she hated the idea of a patriarchy.
So, in order to keep her working, he gave her a temporary job at his company.
Na-yeon wasn’t too pleased by that fact, but she didn’t let it show. Her mother was frustrated enough with her for being the reason she was fired.
Looking back, she definitely should’ve complained—her father was very permissive and would have caved in for the sake of his daughter, and it wouldn’t have led to the Lee family’s foundation tearing apart at the seams.
Because her mother being hired led to a unsatisfied and bitter employee claiming her father was paying his wife more money, and underpaying the rest of them. He made countless mistreatment claims, all of which were so wrong it was almost comical.
Her father didn’t pay much mind to it; he had influence, after all. But the nonchalance was what killed it all.
The employee successfully sued him, and later his company was shut down entirely after being inspected.
The Lee empire had crumbled.
Upon entering poverty, both of Na-yeon’s parents went into a panic.
Her father focused more on what would be best for his daughter’s wellbeing, and scrambled to look for a cheap, suitable place to live. Her mother, however, was not used to a situation like this, and was driven into a spiral. She was freaking out about finding another decent-paying job and food.
With her behavior, you would think the family was going to war.
Their differences in handling the situation led to a lot of late night arguments, arguments that were so loud and overwhelming it caused Na-yeon to go to sleep every night crying into and hugging one of her stuffed animals, as if it could protect her.
The constant debates and their daughter’s breakdowns because of it led the couple to get a divorce, with her father gaining custody.
Her mother didn’t put up much of a fight over custody. It was clear she still blamed Na-yeon to some extent.
Right now, she was working as a doctor again; this time at a clinic in Busan, where her parents grew up.
Na-yeon visited her often during summer and winter vacation, and sometimes on weekends.
And her father… well, his life was in shambles.
He worked three jobs just to get food on the table; he had to move into the sketchy apartment complex just a couple blocks from the old one.
And, worst of all…
the financial situation got so terrible that he was now on welfare.
Na-yeon couldn’t have imagined such a rough transition in such a short period of time, though she was fortunately met with support as opposed to mockery.
Needless to say, there obviously was mockery, but by the time she’d reached high school, Na-yeon was one of the most popular in the grade despite being considered below them economically.
Her two best friends—Seo Hyo-ryung and Kim Ji-min—couldn’t have cared less about her financial problems. In fact, the former sometimes forgot she was on welfare altogether.
Though there was one boy who constantly made remarks about her situation—Han Gyeong-su.
She didn’t understand why he targeted her of all people, especially given the fact that he wasn’t the richest in early childhood.
But, it was whatever. She fucking hated him, and that was that.
Though, she did want to understand him and his motives, because there was no way in hell he didn’t have a reason to pick on her.
Hyo-ryung and Ji-min always insisted that the privilege got to him, and that was all there was to it.
But, Na-yeon still had a feeling…
Na-yeon was awoken by the sound of the alarm she set on her phone, stretching out her aching muscles.
Her bed never really felt like a bed; the mattress was practically rock hard, her pillow didn’t support her neck well, and the bed would always creak loudly after every shift of her body, as if it was on the verge of breaking.
Thankfully it was Friday…
She stopped her alarm and got up out of bed, grabbing her uniform from her very limited wardrobe.
If she were under better circumstances, Na-yeon was certain she would’ve been a shopping addict; every time she went to the mall with friends, she’d look at all the designer clothes and sigh.
Her bangs clung to her forehead from the sweat—it was that time of year when her apartment complex grew unbearably hot.
Another thing she would’ve definitely been addicted to in a better situation would’ve been makeup. She just loved the idea of making herself look pretty, and frequently used her friends’ makeup products when she was over.
Fortunately, her father knew of her love for makeup and got her a cheap tube of mascara which made her eyelashes look clumpy, but it was the thought that counted. But for her 16th birthday, he’d saved up and got her a more expensive tube of lip gloss, something she rarely used out of the desire for preserving it.
Even now, almost a year later, the tube was still only about halfway empty.
She quickly got ready, out of the fear of making Ji-min and her parents wait.
Ji-min’s parents frequently picked up Na-yeon at her apartment complex and drove her to school with their daughter despite not needing to, something she greatly appreciated.
Na-yeon quickly ate the small bowl of rice she made for breakfast and grabbed her backpack, making her way outside of her sketchy apartment building, awaiting her best friend and her parents.
Her father was at work; he always seemed to be these days.
Sure enough, there was that huge white truck she’d recognize anywhere.
Ji-min swung open the back door, lazy smirk on her face. “What are you waiting for, loser? Get the hell in.”
Na-yeon scoffed, though she obeyed, sitting next to her in the backseat. “Who are you calling loser?”
Mrs. Kim—who was in shotgun—turned to smile at Na-yeon. “Good morning, Na-yeon! How are you doing?”
She smiled back, leaning her head on Ji-min’s shoulder. “I’m great! How about you two?”
“We’re great!” the older woman replied.
Mr. Kim started driving, enthusiastic look on his face. “So, I hear you’re spending the night at our place?”
Na-yeon nodded. “That would be right.”
Ji-min rolled her eyes. “Appa, I told you a million times. A lot of girls are spending the night tonight.”
Mrs. Kim sighed in mock-exasperation. “I’m gonna have to make a lot of soondae tonight, won’t I?”
Na-yeon’s eyes lit up. If she had to survive the end of the world with only five people, Mrs. Kim would be one of them, the main reason being her divine soondae. “Yes, please! You know I’ll kill for your soondae!”
Ji-min gave her friend a disgusted look. “It’s not that good.”
“Yes, it is, Ji-min! Are you crazy?”
“Speaking of crazy… there’s the prince himself.” Ji-min pointed outside of Na-yeon’s window, where, sure enough, there was Han Gyeong-su, walking alone on the sidewalk, kicking a pebble.
Na-yeon grinned, an idea in her head. “Wait, Mr. Kim, slow down,” she said as she rolled down her window.
Ji-min’s father complied, slowing down, causing the car behind them to honk at them.
“Hello, Han Gyeong-su! I’ll see you at school!” she yelled out the window in a mocking fashion, immediately bursting into laughter afterward, leaning back against Ji-min, rendering her unable to see Gyeong-su’s reaction.
Ji-min nudged her cackling friend’s shoulder. “He just flipped you off!”
Mrs. Kim turned around again, teasing smile on her face. “Is he your boyfriend?”
Na-yeon’s laughter immediately subsided at that. Her, dating Gyeong-su? When pigs fly.
“Eomma. Don’t say that again. We don’t like Gyeong-su around here,” Ji-min scolded, grabbing onto Na-yeon’s hand.
“Why not? What did he do? He looks like a sweet boy!”
“He constantly makes remarks about Na-yeon and her… situation.”
Her expression hardened. “Oh… then I don’t like him either. He’s not affecting you… mentally, is he, Na-yeon?”
Na-yeon shook her head. “No… not really. He’s mostly just annoying.”
Mr. Kim smiled, the look in his eyes from the mirror almost reverent. “That’s good. Don’t let him affect you. He’s just jealous because you’re awesome.”
“Thanks, Mr. Kim.”
“Of course. Anything for my third daughter.”
‘Third daughter’ was a nickname Ji-min’s parents gave to Na-yeon; ‘second daughter’ was already taken by Hyo-ryung, due to her longer friendship with Ji-min.
The drive continued in silence, school grounds coming into view.
Ji-min nudged Na-yeon’s elbow as the two got out of the truck. “Oh yeah, how’s Wu-jin?”
Jang Wu-jin. Na-yeon’s crush. Her crush on him developed in January when he offered to help her with math homework she was confused by; he wasn’t much help, but he was still patient with her.
Na-yeon blushed. “Shut up, Ji-min!”
“Relax. No one’s gonna hear you.”
“I… actually talked to him a couple days ago. Outside of school.”
Ji-min’s eyes widened as she repeatedly started hitting Na-yeon on the arm. “WHAT? What the hell? Tell me. Tell me. Tell me right now.”
“Oh my God, Ji-min! See… this is why I don’t tell you shit in public! I’ll tell you when we see Hyo, so I can tell her too.”
If this was Ji-min’s reaction to the news… she could only imagine Hyo-ryung’s.
Eventually, the two reached Class 2-5, their homeroom as well as first class of the day, where Seo Hyo-ryung was sitting in wait.
Na-yeon sat in her seat in front of Hyo-ryung and Ji-min, and turned it so she faced them.
Ji-min began with, “Na-yeon has something to tell us. Regarding lover boy.”
Hyo-ryung’s eyes widened, and Na-yeon had to cover her mouth to suppress the squeal she knew would come out. “Did he ask you out? Did you ask him out? Was he flirting with you?” she asked, her voice muffled from Na-yeon’s hand.
“Be quiet! He’s right there!” Na-yeon shushed, gesturing to Wu-jin, who was bantering with his best friend, Yang Dae-su. God, he looked so handsome in his summer uniform…
“Right. Sorry. What happened?” Hyo-ryung gently took hold of Na-yeon’s hand.
“Uh… a couple days ago, I was out on a walk, and I… saw him with his sister Ha-ri. And guess what? He said hi! And asked how I was doing! He started the conversation, not me!”
Hyo-ryung looked overjoyed, though Ji-min sighed. “Most underwhelming story ever…” she muttered.
Hyo-ryung’s eyes softened as she used her free hand to pat Na-yeon’s shoulder. “It’s okay. He’ll realize how awesome you are someday!”
“Okay, now that she’s told the story, can we talk about anything else?” Ji-min demanded almost bitterly.
Na-yeon couldn’t help but be a little shocked at the sudden outburst; but it was Ji-min. She’d always hated boys.
“Oh, right! Guys… be honest. How would I look with red hair and curtain bangs?” Na-yeon began twirling her hair, which was light brown at the moment.
Hyo-ryung shook her head. “Lee Na-yeon… you just dyed your hair! And I thought you hated your forehead!”
“I do… but the bangs I have right now really make my nose pop out. And I don’t like it.”
Ji-min sighed. “Your nose is beautiful. What are you on?”
“No, it’s not! And… the difference between foreheads and noses is that… people don’t make eye contact with your forehead! And you’re almost guaranteed to see someone’s nose when making eye contact,” Na-yeon explained.
“You’re perfect, Na-yeon. But… yeah. Curtain bangs would definitely suit you more,” Hyo-ryung agreed.
“And back to the red hair… what shade of red? Like… really bright red? Because if so, then fuck no,” Ji-min inquired.
Na-yeon shrugged. “No, obviously not that… but I was thinking, kind of a darker, more muted red. Almost brown, but not quite.”
“Yeah. I get what you’re going for. I think you’d look great! Want me to ask Wu-jin what he thinks?” Hyo-ryung wiggled her eyebrows teasingly.
“No! Hyo-ryung, are you insane? Absolutely not!”
But Na-yeon’s protests did nothing; Hyo-ryung was already calling for Wu-jin and motioning him over.
“Uh… hey, girls. Hyo-ryung, what is it?” Wu-jin said in a confused tone, looking from girl to girl.
Hyo-ryung smirked. “Would Na-yeon look good in red hair? Like… not bright red, more of a muted red. Almost maroon.”
Na-yeon buried her tomato red face in her hands, she could feel her crush’s eyes on her.
“Yeah, she’d look great! You should do it, Na-yeon!” She looked up to see Wu-jin flashing her a grin and a thumbs up.
He then walked away back to his own desk, Dae-su immediately asking him something, teasing smirk on his face.
Why a teasing smirk? Unless… no. Those kinds of smirks were Dae-su’s brand. It didn’t mean shit.
“Wait… how am I even gonna dye my hair?” Na-yeon panicked.
Ji-min furrowed her brows. “We can dye it like we did last time?”
“Wait, why are you freaking out?” Hyo-ryung chimed in.
Both girls gave her looks of disbelief. “I’m on welfare, Hyo-ryung.”
“Oh, shit, that’s right! But… how’d you dye your hair light brown?”
“You guys dyed it. But I kinda want it professionally done this time around. No offense to you two, but… I want something new.”
Hyo-ryung nodded in understanding. “We’ll make something happen. Or you can tell your father. He’ll probably save up to get you an appointment.”
“No, Hyo. He needs the money. I don’t want my father spending the money we need on shit I don’t need. Like… lip gloss, for one.”
“Na-yeon… he does that because he cares,” Ji-min calmly reasoned.
“Yeah, I know, but… he should care more about himself, is what I’m getting at!”
“I get it. My parents are… extremely selfless. One day, my mother drove two hours to pick me up from our class field trip because I had cramps,” Ji-min explained.
“Oh yeah, I remember that day!” Hyo-ryung snapped her fingers in recollection.
Ji-min facepalmed. “Hyo, that was less than a year ago. Obviously you remember.”
Na-yeon smirked. “She’s a dumbass!” She cleared her throat, ready to dish up her best Hyo-ryung impression. “Hi, my name’s Hyo-ryung, and I don’t remember my parents’ names! Wait… do I even have parents?”
Hyo-ryung burst into laughter. “Guys, quit being mean! I just forget things, okay?”
Na-yeon cackled, loud and unrestrained, forgetting all about her background for just a second.
That was, until a fist slammed against a nearby desk. Na-yeon turned to see Gyeong-su, glaring at her with an enraged look in his eyes. “Can you shut the fuck up, Na-yeon? Like, seriously. All you do is talk, talk, talk. It’s too early in the morning for this bullshit.”
Na-yeon was shocked, but quickly masked it with a smirk. “Sorry, Gyeong-su! I didn’t know you were on your period!”
Almost the entire class burst into laughter at that comment, making her feel a sense of satisfaction.
Gyeong-su ran his hands through his hair, a pissed, slightly hurt look on his face.
And were those tears in his eyes?
Na-yeon didn’t feel proud anymore; only like a bitch. Her eyes softened as she looked at her enemy, the smile she previously wore nowhere to be found.
Hyo-ryung repeatedly smacked Na-yeon on the shoulder. “Wu-jin’s laughing!”
She couldn’t bring herself to care right now.
“Good comeback, Na-yeon. See? You’re better than that classist little dipshit,” Ji-min praised, her voice raising as she said ‘classist little dipshit,’ obviously intending for Gyeong-su to hear.
Na-yeon forced a smile as she met eyes with Ji-min, though the sick feeling in her stomach only intensified the more she thought about Gyeong-su.
She’d went too far.
Was she the problem?
It was science class. Mr. Lee’s classroom was a sauna in the summer, making it especially hard to focus.
That and her overwhelming hunger, which caused an all too familiar weakness in her legs and blur in her vision.
Which… focus was what Na-yeon needed.
She was determined to get good grades and get into Seoul National University, for the sake of helping out her parents.
Right now, she was third in the class; only behind Oh Joon-yeong and Choi Nam-ra, the ridiculously smart people she knew she couldn’t surpass no matter how hard she tried.
So, she was proud of herself for the rank she had.
She wasn’t entirely all the way focused, though—she was alternating between taking notes and passing notes with Kim Min-ji, who sat in the desk behind her.
And… the smell. Na-yeon smelled something atrocious from the front of the room.
She always had a more sensitive sense of smell than others, and before the divorce, her mother used to tell her she was like a superhero with her heightened senses.
She tapped Lee Cheong-san, a boy she was friendly with, on the shoulder.
“What is it, Na-yeon?”
“Do you smell that?” she whispered. “It smells terrible.”
“Uh… smell what?”
“I think it’s coming from Mr. Lee.”
Cheong-san shrugged. “Sorry, Na-yeon. I don’t smell anything. Unless… wait. Shit, I kinda do smell something.”
Na-yeon nodded repeatedly. “See? It smells just like a rotting corpse!”
“Uh… a rotting corpse? How the hell do you know what that smells like?”
She faltered. She mostly said that on a whim, not really thinking straight. “Because… I’ve smelled every single smell but a rotting corpse, so it has to be that.”
Then, Gyeong-su, who was in the seat next to Cheong-san, let out a wry chuckle. “You know all the smells? That’s just bullshit.”
“I know more than you do, shithead!”
“Yeah… I don’t really know what poverty smells like, so you might be right there.”
Cheong-san’s expression hardened. “You don’t have to comment on everything she says, man. Just get a life.”
Mr. Lee continued writing on the board frantically, the fetid smell growing stronger, giving Na-yeon a headache in the process.
“Don’t listen to him, Na-yeon,” Cheong-san said softly. “He’s just bitter.”
Na-yeon nodded, unable to say anything due to the pain in her temples.
“Oh, yeah… you’re going to Ji-min’s tonight, right?” he asked almost awkwardly.
“Yup. I am. Why?”
“Well… is On-jo going?”
“Yeah. Me, On-jo, Hyo, I-sak, and Min-ji are all going to Ji-min’s.”
“Um… so she is. Well, then, can you… Never mind.”
Na-yeon felt curiosity overtaking her. “What? Just spit it out.”
“Nothing. It’s nothing. I can just do it myself.”
He had a blush on his cheeks… she was just confused now.
Did he really have a crush on On-jo?
It made sense; they’d been best friends since they were little kids.
Mr. Lee then turned to the front before Na-yeon could say anything back. “Cheong-san and Na-yeon, I’d appreciate it if you two stayed quiet.”
That shut both of them up.
Gyeong-su turned back to face Na-yeon, a smirk forming on his face. She threw one of her erasers at him, immediately causing his expression to falter.
He scowled and flipped her off—she only shrugged in return.
But, it was weird. Why did Mr. Lee smell so fucking bad? And why was it only a week after his son, Jin-su, was declared missing?
Na-yeon felt something bigger at work here.
Though, for now… she just scribbled down everything her science teacher had written down on the board, and smiled out of excitement for the upcoming sleepover at Ji-min’s.