The Boy With a Forbidden Soul
Bright sunlight poured through the window and fell directly on Jeigan's face.
He groaned and turned away.
"Why is there so much light…?" he murmured sleepily. "Mom… please close the curtain…"
Instead of closing it, his mother's voice came from the doorway.
"Jeigan! Wake up already. Isn't today your first day at university? Do you want to be late on the very first day?"
Jeigan slowly rubbed his eyes.
"What time is it…?" he asked lazily.
"Check it yourself."
He grabbed his phone from the table beside his bed.
The moment he saw the screen—
His eyes widened.
"WHAT?! It's almost eleven?!"
He jumped out of bed instantly.
"I'm going to be late!"
From outside, his mother shouted again—
"At least brush your teeth and get dressed first!"
A few rushed minutes later—
Jeigan ran out of his room, fixing his hair while wearing his jacket.
"I'm ready! I'm leaving now! Bye Mom! Bye Dad!"
His mother stared at him in disbelief.
"You got ready that fast? At least eat breakfast before leaving."
"I'll eat something outside!"
The door slammed shut.
His mother sighed and turned toward her husband.
"Your son is exactly like you. Never listens."
His father laughed proudly.
"That's because he takes after me. Smart and genius, just like his father."
She rolled her eyes.
"Genius? He's just as stubborn as you are. And his looks clearly come from me. My son is handsome because of me."
"Your beauty argument can wait," the father said while grabbing his bag. "I'm already late for the office. Bye!"
He hurried out.
From behind—
"Oh really? Just wait until you come back home today!"
Meanwhile…
Jeigan was already running down the street.
"I need to run faster…" he muttered, breathing heavily.
"The university isn't that far… but I'm definitely going to be late…"
After several minutes—
He finally stopped in front of a massive gate.
"Huff… huff… I finally made it…"
He looked up.
The university building stood tall and grand.
"From the outside… this place looks really amazing…"
He took a deep breath.
"Alright… let's go inside."
(A strange feeling…)
(It's my first day… what if something goes wrong?)
He shook his head.
(No. Stop overthinking.)
He walked in.
The moment he entered—
His eyes widened.
The campus was alive.
Tall buildings, wide paths, students everywhere…
Energy filled the entire place.
"Wow…" he whispered.
"This place is even better from the inside…"
Then suddenly—
"Wait… which classroom am I supposed to go to?"
He looked around anxiously.
"Why can't I find my class…? I'm already running out of time!"
He started running again.
At the same moment—
Someone else was running from the opposite direction.
"Ah! I'm going to be late!"
Thud.
"Ah!"
They collided.
Both stumbled slightly.
Jeigan quickly stepped forward.
"I'm so sorry! Are you hurt? Do you need help?"
The girl shook her head.
"No, I'm fine. Are you okay?"
"Yes… I'm okay too."
She looked at him carefully.
"Wait… are you new here? I've never seen you before."
Jeigan nodded.
"Yes. I'm new. First-year student."
"Ohh…"
She smiled warmly.
"I'm second year. And don't call me 'miss' or talk so formally. Just think of me as your friend."
She extended her hand.
"My name is Jinha. What's yours?"
Jeigan smiled.
"My name is Jeigan. Nice to meet you, Jinha."
"Nice to meet you too."
She tilted her head.
"But why were you running like that?"
Jeigan scratched his head awkwardly.
"I was trying to find my classroom… but I'm already late."
He looked at her.
"But why were you running?"
Jinha's eyes widened.
"Oh! I almost forgot!"
She spoke quickly—
"Today there's a special welcome celebration for first-year students in the university hall. It starts at eleven."
Her expression changed.
"And I'm already late!"
She grabbed his wrist lightly.
"Come on! We're both late. Follow me. I'll take you there."
Jeigan nodded.
"Yeah, let's go!"
They ran together.
After a short run—
They stopped in front of a large hall.
Jinha took a deep breath.
"Huff… we made it."
Then she looked at him and smiled.
"We're here."