Chapter 18: The One Chosen from the Crowd

I quickened my steps toward Kevan’s classroom on the first floor. I pulled Dara along with me, even though she kept protesting and grumbling the entire way. I did not respond at all. I had to be fast. I could not be late.

Kevan was not only handsome and charismatic. He possessed a contagious calm, a demeanor that made anyone feel safe being near him. His appearance was always neat and clean, his body smelled pleasant, his nose was sharp, his eyes were gentle, and his smile could melt anyone. Most importantly, he was always friendly to everyone without discrimination. That was the reason I tried so hard to meet him today.

From a distance, I saw a crowd of female students filling the front of class XII Science 1. There were far more of them than I had expected. Without realizing it, my steps grew faster. I even released my grip on Dara’s hand and chose to run ahead toward the crowd.

And then I saw him.

There, right in the middle of the crowd of girls, Kevan stood with a confused expression on his face.

His gaze swept around him as his name was shouted repeatedly with excessive enthusiasm.

Kevan let out a long breath. A polite smile appeared on his face as he tried to speak.

“Could you please make some room?” His voice was calm, nearly drowned out by the shouts that only grew louder.

“Kevan, it’s been so long. You’re getting more handsome.”

“Kevan, during the holiday I missed you so much. You were the only one on my mind.”

“Kevan, look at me.”

“Kevan, just be my boyfriend.”

The voices came one after another without pause.

The scene before me looked more like a crowd of fans surrounding a celebrity. The number of Kevan’s admirers even seemed far greater than those of Kenn and Tomi. Even if they were combined, it still felt like they would not be able to rival him.

It was only natural. From the beginning, Kevan had already been an idol at this school. His admirers came from various grades. Unlike Tomi and Kenn, who were still newcomers and widely known only among tenth-grade students.

I froze for a moment. How was I supposed to get through that crowd?

With a body this small, it felt impossible to get in without being crushed. I glanced at Kevan again. Poor him, he clearly had no way out.

I had to do something.

And suddenly, an idea popped into my head.

“KEVAAAAN!”

I shouted at the top of my lungs, pouring all the air I had into his name. Dara, who had just arrived behind me, immediately covered her ears.

“Are you crazy?” she yelled in panic.

Several girls around me turned to look, staring with puzzled expressions, as if I had just completely lost my mind. I did not care.

I shouted again, even louder this time. I jumped slightly while waving my hand high above my head.

“KEVAN, OVER HERE!”

Kevan finally turned around. His gaze landed on me. A moment later, his wide smile spread across his face, relief clearly visible.

The girls followed the direction of his gaze. Within seconds, all eyes shifted toward me. Without wasting the opportunity, Kevan moved quickly, breaking free from the crowd.

He stopped right in front of me.

“Hi,” he said with a smile.

“Hi, Kevan,” I replied cheerfully, trying to sound calm even though my heart was pounding uncontrollably.

“You came earlier than usual,” he said.

“I was looking for you,” I answered honestly.

He chuckled softly, then without hesitation ruffled my hair. The gesture was spontaneous and intimate. After that, Kevan took my hand.

“Come on, let’s get out of here first.”

He pulled me away, heading toward the cafeteria. I stood frozen for a moment, almost unable to believe what had just happened.

This was not a dream, right?

I lowered my gaze, staring at our hands intertwined. A few seconds later, my awareness fully returned. A wide smile spread across my face, and I tightened my grip on his hand.

Kevan glanced at me. “What is it?”

“Nothing,” I replied quickly. “I was just afraid you might suddenly disappear.”

He laughed softly. “I’m here.”

I did not look back. I did not want to know how the girls I had left behind were reacting. What was clear was that their screams grew even more hysterical. Some were cursing, some sounded indignant, and perhaps there were also those who had begun to harbor a new resentment, directed specifically at me.

But once again, I did not care.

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