Gaeul Sunbae

“What’s with the noise?” The biggest girl in the class said. Waking up from her nap, raising her head from the table and crossing her arms.

“I-It’s nothing! Gaeul-sunbae, Hanwoo’s just choked up since he ate too fast,” The broad-shouldered guy said and dropped me after being choked for a minute.

“Kggg! Ugh- S-spare me.” I begged, and they laughed at me.

Do you know why I am getting choked by the rock-body guy? It’s because the sandwich I bought for him didn't have enough filling. Crazy right? Yeah, I’m getting bullied by these motherfuckers. It started when I transferred to this school in Seoul from a rural seaside town. I never thought they'd treat me like dirt; the main reason was just that I’m a countryside pumpkin.

“You'd better stop it while I’m being nice,” Gaeul said before going back to her nap.

“You heard her, Hanwoo? Stop whining! HAHAHA!” He laughed, they’ll laugh.

It’s annoying, I wish I could stuff my socks into his mouth and muffle her irritating laugh. But I can’t since I’m weak. I didn’t even bother to fight back; it’s better to go home abused and not beaten up.

These guys are the rulers of the school. Their leader, Seunghoon, is untouchable. Even other big guys don’t dare to touch him. Then the guy who just choked me is his underling, Minjun. He’s as bitch as his boss. They’re not scared of anything, except Gaeul.

Speaking of, I said that she’s the biggest girl in the class. It’s because she’s a repeater, a year older than us, and she had a different kind of family. Her brother is an alumnus and the former president of the judo club. Her father’s a well-known loan shark executive, and her mother is a former politician. What a family.

I heard she had to stop her studies last year since her dad got into trouble from his past station in the depths of Busan. So they had to hide from the authorities even though they’re basically miles away from his dad. That’s what I heard, and that’s what all of us know. She didn’t tell stories about it, and I don’t think she had to since that story had spread already like a pandemic.

The next day, I messed up. Again.

“Where’s the change?” Minjun slapped me with the buns I bought from the store nearby. He’s sitting in his seat like a king.

“I-I gave it to you… just now.” I’m kneeling in front of them like a fucking servant, well, basically I am.

“I didn’t get anything, come on Hanwoo, it’s just 5000 won, and you dare to steal?” He’s mocking me, and he’s lying. I definitely gave it to him.

“I swear I-” I stopped when I saw one of his underlings fanning himself with the 5000 won bill that I gave to Minjun. So this is it, now they want to go farther than they used to.

“What? You stuttered since you stole. Pay me.” Minjun offered his palm, and they laughed. What a laughing stock I am. He’s extorting me now.

“S-sorry.” I pulled 5,000 won from my wallet. I feel bad about my pathetic self. I want to explode, and beat them all up, no, I want to kill them. But what can I do? I’m helpless, weak, and pathetic.

“Hey, Minjun. Isn’t that too harsh?” One of my classmates jumped in; she’s Yeji. She’s one of the officers, but I know where this was going.

“You'd better think of getting into this, if you still want to remain peaceful. Right?” Seunghoon entered the room and pushed her back to her seat. Their officer title is just a word, not a fucking power.

“Why just 5,000 won? I thought you lost 20,000 won?” Seunghoon approached us and brushed my hair. I’m frozen in terror.

“Yeah? Hey! This is too little, how dare you trick us and still try to steal?” Minjun slapped me with the buns again.

“B-but you just gave me 10,000 won- ughh! Kgghh- ohh-” I’m about to complain when a kick connects right to my torso, I feel it deep in my guts.

“If Seunghoon said I have 20,000 won from you, it exists. Remember that. Give it to us.” Minjun pulled my hair, and I kept coughing.

“Y-yes…” He let me go, and I pulled the last three 5,000 won bills. Now I’m penniless.

“Why only 15,000? You dare to steal again?” Minjun pulled his hand and was ready to slap me this time.

“Silence,” Gaeul said. We stopped everything we’re doing, and even the whole class refrained and looked at her. “You said 20,000 won, right? He already gave you 5,000 won, so he gave you the remaining 15,000 won. Are you dumb?” She mocks Minjun.

“Y-yeah, I remember my friend gave me 5,000 won already. Here, Seunghoon, 15,000 won.” Minjun gave Seunghoon the 15,000 won I gave him.

“She called you dumb- Ouughh!-” One of their shrimps teased him and got punched on his side.

“Because of you, she called me dumb!” Minjun pulled my collar and whispered in my ear. Why is he blaming me for his dumbness? This guy’s just pure muscleheads. I feel more trouble coming.

“Teacher’s here.” Gaeul fixed her posture and glanced at us.

“Boys, teacher’s here.” Seunghoon kicked me before going to his seat at the back.

“Yeah. Backyard, after class. Got it?” Minjun said before letting me go. I stumbled to my back, and they laughed. Looks like I had to deal with them later on.

“Sigh.” Gaeul sighed. I went back to my seat after that. I’m penniless, have no confidence, and am weak. I already tried dropping out, but my parents won’t let me. I'm an only child, and I am their future. I wonder what the future will hold? If my present is already fucked up.

“Ughh!-” I spat blood after a punch on my temple and fell.

“BECAUSE OF YOU SHE CALLED ME DUMB!” Multiple kicks on my body this time.

“HAHAHA!” They kept laughing while he beat me.

“S-sowwi (Sorry)”, I can’t speak up since my lips are swollen and bleeding.

“Ugh! I’m so mad right now!” He looked up, fixed his hair, and stretched.

“Stop it, if you kill him, that’s a bigger problem,” Sunghoon said while smoking cigarettes. “Hey, just tell them you fell from the stairs, got it?” He threw his cigarettes at me, landed right on my nape.

“Y-yes Ughh!-” It stings, of course. They kept laughing, like I’m made for their entertainment.

“You'd better join the upcoming field trip, it’s not fun without our toy. Let’s go.” They walked away, but gave me a farewell kick. One of them did.

…

“W-what did I do to deserve this?” I started to cry, mumbling regrets through my bleeding mouth. My tears are falling from my swollen eyes. Did the heavens leave me for good? Or even God making fun of me? Why do I have to suffer like I don’t deserve to live?

…

“Why are you sleeping there?” I know that voice, it’s Gaeul.

“N-no, I’m not.” I stand up, head down. My bruises and swollen body stings; I know this will be much worse the next day.