The Perplexed Fate

The morning sun bled softly through the curtains, casting golden rays across Eishi’s bedroom. She lay in bed, eyes half-open, tangled in thoughts rather than sheets. A new school year was beginning—and something in her gut told her this year wouldn’t be like the others. It wasn’t the excitement she felt. It was something heavier… something she couldn’t name yet.

She sat up, brushing hair from her face, and glanced at her phone. A message from Chaewon blinked on her lock screen.

Chaewon: "Meet me at the gate. Don’t be late like last year."

Eishi smiled faintly. Some things, at least, hadn’t changed.

Downstairs, her mother shouted reminders over the sound of breakfast sizzling, but Eishi tuned everything out. Her mind was already far away—at school, with her friends, her expectations, and the quiet wish she never spoke aloud: "Let this year be calm."

—

The school building stood tall as ever, polished floors and familiar chaos echoing with energy. Students bustled around, screaming reunions and clumsy hugs. Eishi stood at the entrance, her backpack slung over one shoulder, watching them with a strange sense of detachment.

“There you are!” Chaewon’s voice cut through the noise as she grabbed Eishi’s arm.

“I wasn’t late,” Eishi said, raising an eyebrow.

“Yet,” Chaewon teased. “Let’s find the class list.”

They pushed through the crowd to the bulletin board. Eishi skimmed the names. Her eyes landed on hers, then followed down:
Kim Eishi. Yang Jungwon. Lee Heeseung.

“Oh.” The word left her lips without thinking.

“What?” Chaewon asked, leaning in. “Don’t tell me you’re in the same class as Heeseung again.”

Eishi didn’t answer. Her eyes lingered on Lee Heeseung. Quiet, unreadable, distant—he had always been an enigma. And then her gaze caught Yang Jungwon right below. The joker of the school, the guy who once taped a "kick me" sign to the principal’s back. Polar opposites.

They were best friends. And now, all three were in the same class.

—

Inside the classroom, the atmosphere buzzed with energy. Eishi slid into a seat near the window—her usual spot—while Chaewon chatted with someone behind her.

Sunoo, vibrant as always, bounced in and greeted them with a dramatic gasp. “I was almost late—again! Someone stop me from oversleeping every day.”

“You’ve been saying that since eighth grade,” Sunghoon said dryly as he took a seat in front of Eishi. His presence was calm, more collected than the rest. He gave Eishi a polite nod.

“Hey, Sunghoon,” she said, smiling faintly. He was someone she’d always gotten along with—never too close, never too far.

“I heard we’re in the same class again,” he replied, casually. “Guess you’re stuck with me.”

“Could be worse,” she said, nudging his shoulder lightly.

Heeseung walked in quietly. No one noticed at first—he didn’t announce his presence like Jungwon did, who followed a few minutes later by practically tripping over a chair and making everyone laugh.

Jungwon grinned when he spotted Eishi. “Hey, seatmate!” he said, flopping into the chair beside her. “Ready for the worst year of your life?”

She rolled her eyes. “You mean the one where you actually study?”

“Touché,” he said, laughing.

In the corner of the room, Heeseung sat still. Silent. Watching.

—

Later that afternoon, the group gathered beneath the cherry trees behind the school. Chaewon scrolled through her phone while Sunoo pulled out snacks from his bag like he’d been preparing for a picnic. Jungwon kept them laughing with exaggerated stories, while Sunghoon leaned against the tree trunk, quiet but listening.

Eishi lay back on the grass, arms folded beneath her head, staring at the sky. The clouds drifted lazily above—but something in her chest felt restless.

She glanced toward the basketball court. Heeseung was there, practicing like always. Focused. Distant. Just a blur in the background.

It was nothing new—he was always like that. Nothing about him stood out today. And yet, for a second, her gaze lingered longer than usual.

“Eishi,” Chaewon called, snapping her back. “You good?”

“Yeah,” she said, blinking, then turning back to the group.

The day ended like any other. Just another start to another school year. Familiar, quiet, unremarkable.

Author's note: Don't hesitate to comment... since it's the first time I m writing something I want your remarks so that I can know what all to improve :)