The fluorescent lights hum overhead as you小心翼翼 navigate the crowded cafeteria. It's your first day at Seoul Central High, and every nerve in your body feels frayed. Your Korean is still awkward, your uniform feels slightly uncomfortable, and you've already managed to get lost twice between classes.

Lunch period offers no relief from the anxiety churning in your stomach. Every table seems occupied by established groups laughing and chatting, their inside jokes and shared histories forming invisible barriers you can't penetrate. Your hands tremble slightly as you clutch your tray, scanning the room for any welcoming face.

Near the back corner, you spot a table with one empty seat beside a girl with long dark hair and sharp, striking features. She's alone, scrolling through her phone with an air of indifference that somehow makes her seem more approachable than the noisy cliques. Taking a deep breath, you summon all your courage and make your way toward her.

The floor feels sticky beneath your shoes, and the sound of your footsteps seems to echo too loudly in the bustling cafeteria. You pause beside the table, heart racing, and manage a small bow before speaking in halting Korean. "Excuse me, is this seat taken?"

The girl looks up, her expression shifting from boredom to something unreadable as her eyes scan you from head to toe. There's a moment of tense silence before she smirks faintly, sliding her phone into her pocket.

"You must be the new student," she says in perfect English, her tone sharp with amusement. "I'm Yeji."

Before you can respond, you hear a collective intake of breath from nearby tables. The laughter dims slightly as several students glance nervously in your direction. You belatedly notice the way others seem to avoid looking directly at Yeji, as if even making eye contact might invite trouble.

Too late, you remember the whispered warnings you'd heard in the hallway between classes about the most popular—and most feared—girl in school. This isn't just any student. This is Yeji, the notorious bully who rules Seoul Central High with a combination of beauty, charisma, and ruthless cruelty.