Chapter 18: Santa

“What’s this?”

Bread and milk that were placed on my desk every morning.

I didn’t know who was responsible, but it was starting to get unnerving.

Yuna, sitting next to me, grumbled with a displeased expression.

“Must be nice being so popular.”

There was a hint of sharpness in her words, but I didn’t pay it any mind.

It seemed there was a girl admiring me from afar.

It’s not unreasonable; being drawn to a strong man is just biology.

I get that.

The problem was, my stomach was already full every morning from the love-filled breakfasts prepared by Kim Harin.

I handed the bread and milk to Yuna and asked, “Want it?”

She glanced at the offering and muttered in a sharp tone, “Why would I eat something meant for you?”

‘Why was she so prickly?’

I figured I wouldn’t be getting a response to my texts anytime soon.

She crossed her arms and glared at me with a dissatisfied expression before speaking again.

“Who’s giving you this? Did you do something to some girl again?”

Being treated like a playboy out of nowhere was strangely satisfying.

“…What are you even talking about?”

I made a baffled face, and Yuna muttered softly as she turned her head away.

“Then who keeps leaving this stuff on your desk every morning?”

“How would I know?”

Just then, Jinyoung approached us from the back of the classroom.

“Hey, if you’re not gonna eat that, give it to me. I woke up late and skipped breakfast.”

Today’s opportunist was confirmed.

I casually handed the bread and milk to Jinyoung and sank into thought.

‘Who on earth is doing this?’

As he devoured the bread, Jinyoung suggested, “If you’re curious about who Santa is, why not come early tomorrow morning and find out?”

It was a solid idea.

Annoyingly logical, even.

When I stared silently at him, Jinyoung added hesitantly,

“Well… I am kinda curious too. Who’s been leaving this stuff every morning? It feels so… personal.”

Zap—

Yuna shot Jinyoung a glare sharp enough to pierce steel and then turned away.

Could she soften her gaze a little? She looked like an eagle ready to hunt.

Truth be told, I was curious about the identity of “Santa,” so I threw an arm around Jinyoung’s shoulder.

“Then let’s meet early tomorrow morning.”

“Why me?”

“Because we’re best friends.”

***

The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual, hastily got ready, and headed out.

“Harin, I’m heading to school first.”

“Brother, what about… breakfast?”

“Left it in the fridge. I’ll eat it later.”

Normally, I’d enjoy Harin’s meticulously prepared feast before leaving for school, but today was different.

‘Who’s been leaving stuff on my desk?’

Though Jinyoung’s suggestion had sparked the idea, my curiosity had already taken hold.

When I arrived at school, the classroom door was firmly shut.

It seemed no one else had arrived yet.

As I walked down the hallway, I spotted a familiar figure through the window.

It was Jinyoung.

“Wow, this is the earliest you’ve ever been here.”

Yawning so hard it seemed like the ground might give way, Jinyoung approached me.

“Had to see for myself.”

He chuckled and patted my shoulder.

“You should be thankful I came. At this time, I’m usually one with my bed.”

“Thanks.”

We cautiously opened the classroom door and went inside.

There was nothing on my desk yet.

Hiding under the teacher’s desk, we waited in silence, listening for the sound of the door opening.

“So, we just wait now? It’s probably some girl who likes you, right?”

“That’s likely, but you never know.”

Time passed.

Footsteps echoed down the hallway.

“Who could it be?”

We both held our breath, waiting for the person to appear.

The classroom door creaked open, and a student walked in.

He glanced around, then slowly approached my desk.

Messy hair, glasses.

All my hopes were shattered.

‘Damn, it’s a guy? Is he… into me?’

Chills ran down my spine.

It turned out the “Santa” leaving bread and milk on my desk was a dude.

He carefully placed the items on my desk and looked around again before heading toward the door.

“Hey.”

I stepped out from under the teacher’s desk and called out.

He froze like a startled rabbit and slowly turned his head.

“Uh… so…”

‘Was he really into me?’ His reaction was infuriatingly awkward.

His face turned red, and his lips quivered as if he wanted to say something.

“What are you doing?”

As I approached, I asked the question, and he lowered his head, replying in a small voice, “I just… wanted to say thank you.”

“Thank you?”

“That day… the Choi Gihoon gang… you saved me from them. I’ve only ever been the victim…”

“Huh?”

‘Why is Choi Gihoon’s name coming up here?’

He clenched his fists and continued, “So… I wanted to repay you. It’s not much, but this is all I could do.”

‘What nonsense was this? And when had I ever saved a guy?’

I’d rather let him deal with it himself.

Jinyoung smirked and chimed in, “That story about you taking down Choi Gihoon’s gang is just a rumor. I even asked around myself.”

The boy looked shocked, waving his hands in protest.

“What are you talking about? I saw the hero take down the Choi Gihoon gang myself.”

I doubted my ears for a moment.

Taking down the Choi Gihoon gang was true, no issue there, but “hero”? What was that about?

I pointed at him with my finger.

“You. Were you there?”

“Yes. I was… there to hand over money that day.”

‘Ah, now the puzzle pieces clicked into place.’

‘When I went to deal with Choi Gihoon’s gang, he must’ve been there at the same time to pay them off. He’d witnessed the whole thing.’

‘Wait. Then… is he the source of the rumor?’

“Did you tell anyone what you saw?”

“Of course. A hero’s honor is important, so I posted it anonymously on the school community.”

For a moment, I was at a loss for words, staring blankly at him.

“You… posted it?”

He nodded confidently.

“Yes! The hero’s achievements should be widely known. If everyone knows, the bad guys will be more cautious!”

‘What kind of lunacy was this?’

‘Hero? Achievements? My life had suddenly turned into a second-rate superhero drama.’

Jinyoung burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.

“Wow, this is gold. You’ve been crowned a hero now. Kim Dohyun the Hero? That’s a solid title.”

“Forget the title, Kim Dohyun. I’m more disappointed in you.”

“What now?”

“Why didn’t you tell me? Friends shouldn’t keep secrets.”

“If I told you, you’d spread it all over the school.”

“Ahem…”

The urge to punch this guy square in the face was almost overwhelming, but I held it back and asked him, “Hey, what exactly did you write?”

He sheepishly took out his phone and showed me the post with an awkward smile.

[The true hero of our time, Kim Dohyun! The legendary figure who single-handedly took down the Choi Gihoon gang. He’s right here at our school!]

I was at my wit’s end.

Looking at his face, I felt a faint sense of familiarity.

“What’s your name?”

“Kang Minwoo.”

Kang Minwoo…

His vague impression didn’t ring a bell.

Anyway, this whole “hero” label was way too much pressure.

Seeing his slightly deranged enthusiasm, I decided to handle this gently.

“Kang Minwoo. Be honest. Do you think this is normal behavior?”

He tilted his head and answered earnestly, “Why not? I thought it was cool seeing you beat up the bad guys. Honestly, if I could, I’d want to be like that too.”

This guy was completely off the rails.

“Listen. Forget the hero stuff. Stop posting nonsense like this. Got it?”

“Yes… I understand.”

Minwoo nodded with a dejected expression.

Jinyoung snickered beside me.

“Hey, hero. If something comes up, can we call you?”

I smacked Jinyoung lightly on the back and replied, “If you spread any dumb rumors, you’re next. Now, let’s go.”

I waved Minwoo off with a dismissive gesture.

Bowing his head, Minwoo shuffled out of the classroom.

‘Man, every day feels like a battle.’

***

Morning. Homeroom.

The teacher stood at the podium with the attendance book and began the session.

“Alright, let’s have another peaceful day. And let’s not cause trouble like Kim Dohyun.”

Laughter erupted throughout the room.

I cleared my throat awkwardly and looked out the window.

The teacher shook their head and continued, “As I said before, no matter how angry you are, don’t act like that again.”

“…I’ll think about it.”

The room burst into laughter again at my response.

The teacher sighed and wrapped up the attendance.

As soon as homeroom ended, Yuna turned to me, curiosity shining in her eyes.

“So, who was Santa Claus?”

That eager look made me not want to tell her.

“It’s a secret.”

Hearing my response, Yuna puffed out her cheeks like a squirrel preparing for winter and glared at me with a pouty expression.

“That’s so unfair…”

Her reaction was so adorable I nearly laughed.

“It was a guy.”

“Huh? Really? Why would a guy give you bread and milk?”

“Exactly.”

“Wait…”

Yuna’s expression turned suspicious, and I quickly interrupted.

“It’s nothing like that. Don’t get any weird ideas.”

Hearing that, her face turned red, and she fanned herself with her hands.

“I-I wasn’t thinking anything weird!”

Her reaction made it obvious that she had been.

Then, in a voice barely audible, she muttered, “…I shouldn’t have worried.”