The next morning, Evan woke up early, feeling a sense of purpose wash over him. He took a shower, said hello to his mother, and took two buns, walking to school while eating.
He thought of his future, of the hard work and dedication required to succeed.
He would go to school on weekends, make up for the courses he had missed, and work harder than others.
Only in this way could he be worthy of his mother, Lindsay, and Jennifer.
As he walked to school, Evan couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation.
The school was almost empty on Saturday, and the silence was oppressive. He subconsciously glanced at the second floor of the office, wondering if Lindsay was there.
He resisted the urge to go upstairs and check, knowing that he had to maintain his resolve.
Evan came to the door of the classroom, but it was locked. He didn't let that deter him.
He reached for the back door, inserted his hand through a hole, and pulled out the bolt. He pushed the door open, walked in, and sat in his seat, opening his textbook and looking at the empty classroom.
He smiled slightly, knowing that the real game was just beginning.
Evan spent the morning reading textbooks, feeling a sense of fulfillment that he had never experienced before.
His concentration had improved, and he felt a sense of calm wash over him. He looked at the time and saw that it was almost eleven o'clock.
He remembered his promise to Noh Min and hesitated for a moment before packing up his things and leaving the classroom.
As he walked towards Noh Min's house, Evan felt a sense of determination wash over him. He would be a good boy, one who studied hard and proved himself worthy of love and respect.
He would leave his past behind, embracing a new future filled with hope and promise.
* * *
It was a typical morning for Evan, who had managed to cultivate a strong bond with Noh Min despite their vastly different backgrounds.
However, he rarely visited Noh Min's home, a fact that stemmed from two primary concerns. Firstly, Noh Min's father, the deputy director of the Urban Construction Bureau, harbored a deep-seated disdain for Evan, viewing him as an inferior individual from a humble family.
Evan's sensitive self-esteem would inevitably take a hit whenever he encountered Noh Min's father, who rarely deigned to speak to him.
The second reason was far more complicated, and Evan preferred not to dwell on it.
Noh Min's residence was situated in a two-story building on the outskirts of the Urban Construction Bureau community, nestled between a small courtyard and a row of larger bungalows.
The Jennifer family's home, where Evan had visited the previous night, stood adjacent to Noh Min's, and the two yards were separated by a mere wall.
From the balcony on the second floor of Noh Min's home, Evan could easily gaze into Jennifer's yard.
As he stood before the wall, Evan's eyes scanned its length, measuring less than two meters.
For someone of his stature, a mere 1.75 meters tall, scaling the barrier would be an effortless feat.
He pondered whether Jennifer was present, his curiosity piqued by the desire to glimpse the beautiful teacher's weekend routine.
However, the memory of Jennifer's warning soon quashed the notion, and Evan's thoughts turned to more conventional means of entry.
He pressed the doorbell on the wall adjacent to the entrance, taking note of the magnificently robust glass embedded on both sides, a security measure designed to deter nocturnal thieves. Evan couldn't help but think that such a barrier would be little more than a speed bump for a skilled martial artist.
A recent incident involving a thief who had attempted to breach a neighbor's home at night had left Evan with a newfound appreciation for the fragility of security measures.
As he waited, Noh Min emerged from the house, and Evan followed him inside.
Upon entering, he cast a hasty glance around the empty space, breathing a sigh of relief at finding himself unobserved. "Noh Min, where are your parents?" he inquired, his voice barely above a whisper.
Noh Min's response was immediate. "My dad is away on business and won't return until next week. Mom, however, went to the market early this morning to purchase vegetables, saying she wanted to prepare something special for you. She hasn't returned yet."
A hint of a smile played on Noh Min's lips as he added, "Please feel free to visit more often in the future. I'll make sure to improve my culinary skills."
Evan's response was a forced smile, his eyes darting away from Noh Min's expectant gaze. "Didn't you mention wanting to discuss Alison's birthday?" he asked, attempting to steer the conversation back on track.
Noh Min's enthusiasm was palpable as he led Evan into the bedroom. "I almost forgot," he exclaimed, "but I've been thinking of organizing a KTV outing for Alison's birthday. A new KTV has opened in our county, and it's become incredibly popular. I was thinking of inviting some familiar classmates to join us. What do you think?"
Evan's thoughts were a jumble of excitement and trepidation.
The idea of a KTV outing seemed like a welcome respite from the chaos of karaoke bars, where anything could go wrong. He nodded in agreement, and the two began to discuss the finer details of their plan.
Their conversation was cut short by a delicate voice calling out from outside, "Noh Min, Mom is back. Is Evan here? It's almost noon. He wouldn't have forgotten, would he? Why don't you call his home and ask?" The two friends exchanged a fleeting glance before hurrying out to greet Noh Ayla, Noh Min's mother.
As they approached the entrance, Evan caught his first glimpse of Noh Ayla, a vision of loveliness standing at the gate.
Her eyes sparkled with warmth, and her smooth skin seemed to glow in the morning light.
She was a petite woman, but her curvy figure and voluptuous physique commanded attention.
Evan felt a flutter in his chest as he struggled to compose himself.
"Hello, Aunt Ayla," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Noh Ayla's response was a warm smile and a gentle greeting. "Evan, you're here. When did you arrive? Come and sit down. Help yourself to whatever drink you want – just treat it like your own home. I'll go put away the groceries in the kitchen." As she turned to enter the kitchen, her hips swayed seductively, leaving Evan feeling both flustered and intrigued.
Noh Min's voice cut through the tension, his tone laced with a hint of melancholy. "Hey, why does Mom seem so enthusiastic about you?"
Evan's eyes met Noh Min's, and he knew that his friend was onto something.
He also knew that he couldn't reveal the truth – that his relationship with Noh Ayla went far beyond a simple friendship.
The memory of that fateful day last semester came flooding back. Evan and Noh Min had spent the afternoon playing basketball, and after a sweaty session, they had retreated to Noh Min's home to take a shower.
As they had parted ways, Evan had found himself alone in the bathroom, his clothes discarded on the floor. Noh Ayla had walked in, oblivious to his presence, and had proceeded to disrobe in front of him, her actions a blur as she had sat down on the toilet.