The caste game is everything. All we know is the caste game. It's terrifying, but if you get a good card, you'll be fine. If you luck out, you might even get to be in the higher class. No one knows exactly who came up with this game, but everyone goes by it. No matter what caste you get, you stick with it until the next game.
If I had to explain how the game works, it's pretty simple to be honest. The caste game is basically the game used to decide the status of people in this school. It happens randomly for each class. No one knows when the caste game will be, but once you see that empty card case, you know that shit is about to go down. Cards are discreetly placed around the school, each one holding a different fate. The committee starts the game, and all hell breaks loose. There are no rules on how you obtain your card. You just have to come back with one, give it to the committee, and your fate is sealed.
The highest ranked card in the deck is the king, and if you get that card, you basically are the king of the class. Everyone bows down to you, literally or metaphorically, depending on who you are I guess. The queen is also the highest ranked card, but I guess it's second to the king. The king can get everything, and get away with anything.
The card ranks go down after the king, and depending on the card you get, you can be:
[Higher Class:] the Jack (the king's best friend), a Wannabe (flatterer), a Pleaser (flatterer),
[Middle Class:] a Messenger (runner), a Prep (excelling student), a Slacker (idiot),
[Lower Class:] a Geek (otaku), a Goth (emo), a Brain (nerd), or the worst one… a Target (for bullying). The Joker. No one wants to get that card. Only days of despair and sorrow await those who are granted the caste of target. I hope I never get that card.
There's also people outside of these ranks like Bad Boys (delinquents) and Floaters (mysterious people), but who really cares about them right?
To be honest, who cares about anyone? All I care about right now is myself. I'm terrified. I know that I'll probably get the Geek caste again, but I can never be sure. I, Yoon Bum, am so scared of this game, but I have to play it. It's not my say whether I play or not. It's just common routine to have your school life decided like this.
I have always fantasized what it would be like to be king for once. To be admired as a god by everyone around me, and have everything handed to me, left and right. But, I know I'll probably never get it. Sangwoo was always the king. Always. I don't know how he does it, but for the last 3 games, he's been king, and to be completely honest, I am one hundred percent fine with that. He looks like a king, like he's somehow supposed to be there, so it doesn't bother me. As long as I don't get involved with him, I'll be spared.
I walked into class just like I do on a normal day, not really talking to anyone, since I'm four years late and super awkward. Even the other geeks don't really associate with me, but I could care less. As long as my last year here goes smoothly, I don't need anyone. I turned to my left to see Sangwoo, swarmed by practically every high and middle class, just three desks away. I didn't think he would look this way, but he did, and we held eye contact for a second too long, and I broke first. A slight heat rising to my cheeks, I probably looked like an idiot ... Yes, he's built, has a nice body, and was the king. Of course, he could pull anyone's heartstrings. I was just one of those people. Not really anyone important to Sangwoo, just another one of his creepy admirers.
I looked back in front of me, and suddenly, I felt a bit nauseous. I had completely ignored the front desk when I walked in, but I can clearly see the bright red, and very empty card case. The room suddenly felt really heavy. Why today? Why right now? Couldn't this wait until, oh I don't know… never? I was so comfortable with my standing, even though I'm technically lower class. A knot formed in my throat, I felt unable to swallow anything, including air. My fate was about to change.
Walking the halls by myself has its perks. It's pretty eerie being alone, not knowing if someone is lurking ready to hijack your card, but it's also calm? At least for me. I don't have to deal with those savages running around frantically for a top spot. I don't need that, as long as I'm not a target.
When the game started, I saw everyone, like animals, run crazed through the halls, trying to sniff up every crack and crevasse just to get hold of a good card. Well, almost everyone. I saw Sangwoo stay back when I was finally taking my leave. We were the last two before I left. It sort of felt like he was watching me, but that was probably just my extreme paranoia. Also, I was the only other person in the room with him, so that could also probably explain why he was looking at me. Well, that doesn't account for other time's I've thought he was staring, but like I said, paranoia.
I don't find it weird at all that he stayed back. Even though his king spot was on the line, I had a feeling that he either had someone find the card for him, probably one of his flatterers, or he knew someone on the inside. Either way, he was always king, and this time wasn't an exception. I left the classroom without a word and a feeling of two knives piercing my back.
Now, as I walk the halls, it's pretty empty. I don't really think I want to play this anymore, but if you say you don't want to participate, that's an automatic ticket to Target-ville, so not participating is out of the question. I just need to find a card quick.
I rounded a few corners, looking behind a few of the cracks and crevices that resided in the walls, none holding a card. Where the heck are these cards? Did everyone get one already? Impossible… I rounded a corner heading towards the staircase when I saw someone walking down. I didn't think they saw me, so I made a quick 360° and tried to hightail it out of there when the person called my name.
"Hey, Bum!"
I stopped in my tracks. Running wasn't an option, as I was still currently a lower class and he sounded pretty confident. I turned slowly around when I recognized the person who called me. His name was Dong Kyu, the current Jack. He was nicknamed Turtle since he's a bit meaty. I find that kind of funny, but I would never be allowed to say such a thing. I think it was then that I swallowed my heartbeat, because I was frozen in fear as he sauntered down the stairs and towards me. He stopped directly in front of me and held out two cards.
"You still looking for a card?"
"Y-y-yes, yes I-I am." My words were a bit too shaky I think. I could tell he knew I was petrified.
"Well," he voiced, "today might be your lucky day, as I have your card right here." He pointed to both cards with his free hand.
"U-um, excuse me?" Oh no… did that sound too cocky or sarcastic? Shit… he might get offended and make me a target.
"Um, I said , I have your card right here, with me . You don't have to go looking anymore. Just head back already." He looked so smug, I think I could die. I think his double chin and body rolls added to the look, but I'm not one to say anything about that.
"N-no, no i-i-it's okay, you d-don't have to give me a c-card… I-I can find one on my o-own. Y-you don't have to be so n-nice." Ah shit, he's making me nervous. I can't stop stuttering.
"No. I'm not being nice, and I'm telling you to go back to the classroom, with me. Now ."
Whatever sound you hear when you gulp really loudly, yeah, that's the sound that resonated from my body at that moment. I didn't… no. I couldn't say anything. I don't want to risk anything, but this seemed like the riskiest thing in the book. Letting your fate be decided by cards is very risky. At least being to able to somewhat pick your card and decide your own fate balanced that risk out. But, this dude, fucking Turtle , is the one in charge of my fate now, basically doubling… no squaring the risk. But, he was Jack, and I can't do anything.
Dong Kyu and I walked back to the classroom together in silence. I walked in front as he made me walk first. It was sort of unnerving, feeling his gaze burn my back. Paranoia. It's my paranoia. It's got to be. But, this still feels dangerous.
When we got back to class, it looked as if everyone had already returned. Maybe it was okay that Turtle saved me a card, since I probably wouldn't have had much luck searching anyways. He walked up beside me and gave the cards to the Committee member that was collecting them. He distinguished our cards from each other, getting a nod from the Committee member, and called Sangwoo over.
It looked as if Sangwoo hadn't left the position he was in since I left. Weird. He walked up to the front desk, seemingly without a care in the world. I was still a bit scared. A bit more actually when Sangwoo made his way up the aisle, but I was still in a petrified state. He stopped in front of Dong Kyu, stabbed me with his gaze, then whispered something in his ear. I couldn't hear anything, unfortunately. All I saw was Sangwoo's smirk as he retracted himself. Actually, now that I think about it, that is all I saw. I never even saw what card that Turtle had given me. My fate was still unknown…
All of a sudden, Dong Kyu pulled something out of his right butt pocket. Another card? He handed it to Sangwoo, and I caught a glimpse of one of the corners. It was the king card…
Why would he give him the card. If it were me, I would've just kept it. Oh… that's probably why Sangwoo would trust him with a task like this.
Sangwoo took the card very, very calmly. A bit too calm if you ask me, and handed it to the Committee member.
"IT HAS COME TO OUR ATTENTION THAT EVERYONE HAS NOW HANDED IN A CARD!-THE LIST OF YOUR NEW RANKS WILL BE POSTED ON THE BULLETIN AFTER CLASS"
I looked at Dong Kyu. I'm not sure if he scoffed at me or laughed or something, but he made some kind of noise. I looked at Sangwoo, he smiled… or smirked. I can't tell the difference, since I don't spent a lot of time trying to understand people's facial expressions.
After class is when I can finally learn my fate. After class is when I can finally understand what Dong Kyu was doing, being nice to me. After class was when everything would change…
I don't want to get out of my seat. It seems like I'm the only one who doesn't know my caste, but that isn't my fault! Oh, I'm so anxious now… I just really hope that I get to be a geek again. That's all I want. That's all I need. I just can't be a target. I think I'd break, both physically and mentally. I'd probably die… I should just go check outside and see what I am this time. Fingers crossed… all of them.
I get out of my seat, slowly and shakily making my way towards the door. My heart is beating really fast. It feels as if I've done a full body workout, but obviously I've never done that , so how I know what that feels like? I don't know. Nevertheless, my heart was racing and I was on the verge of hyperventilating. The tension in the air was suffocating, but I managed to make it outside of the classroom. I made my way over to the bulletin. The list was tacked up ever so carelessly even though it was probably the most important thing on there.
I started to read the caste list.
** GRADE 3 - GROUP 2 **
:.:
THE FOLLOWING IS YOUR NEW CLASS CASTE - REMEMBER: YOU MUST HOLD YOUR CASTE UNTIL THE NEXT GAME. HAVE FUN AND TILL NEXT GAME.
:.:
KING - Oh Sangwoo
Just as I thought… Sangwoo was king. Again.
QUEEN - Min Jieun
JACK - Dong Kyu
I guess they would be obvious too...
Okay, now where would my name be?
WANNABE: A- not me...
PLEASER: Da- hmm… not me either.
MESSENGER: Ky- where is my name?
PREP: Se- I don't...
SLACKER: Ka- see...
GEEK: Yang Seungbae - my name? WHAT?
GOTH: Sho- b-but...
BRAIN: Har- I-I thought… h-how? WHERE IS MY NAME?
Oh… n-no…
I d-don't even w-want to look down t-there…
Oh God Please NO…
TARGETS: Chise Ogawa - oh thank the lord it's not me… oh…
and - no…
Yoon Bum - no… no… no…
This must be a joke right? There is no way that I have to spend my remaining year here as a target… But… but… I've been okay so far, li-
My crashing train of thought was interrupted by none other than Sangwoo, who firmly hit the bulletin that I could no longer see. My head was too foggy, I don't understand what's happening.
"Bum… Bum… BUM!" Sangwoo said a little too loudly whilst being only inches away from me. I couldn't see him. He stood behind me, his right hand reaching past me and was currently on the bulletin. His left hand was nowhere in my range of sight. I could feel his hot breath on the back of my neck, which was funny, since he was about five or six inches taller than me. His mouth shouldn't be there.
"Y-y-yes?" I could feel my body begin to waver, beginning to return to my petrified state.
"Wow, how surprising Bum. You're not a geek this time. How wonderful." I could feel his presence on my back. The warmth of his body radiated onto mine. I felt a bit… weird.
"Wo-wonderful? H-how is that…." I keep stuttering to the point where I just think I need to stop talking. Nothing I say will ever get me out of this position. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
"It's wonderful because now I have an excuse." His head had finally appeared on my right. I turned my head a bit to try and see him properly. He scoffed at me along with a smirk. I don't like where this is headed.
"E-excuse? F-for wha-"
"I've been watching you Bum," I knew it… maybe it wasn't my paranoia after all… but then, that means…
"I've been watching you for months now. You're always by yourself, so secluded in some corner or stairwell. You come to school alone. You eat lunch alone. You spend your breaks alone. You don't even participate in P.E. or group activities. You're alone. Isolated. You've been so alone for the past three games, maybe even more so. I can tell. I can tell you're lonely. I can see. I can see that you want something more. Or, not something, and rather someone more…"
"W-what… are you sa-"
"I want you Bum. Everything about you, everything I have observed about you for the past couple of months, drives me insane. Your body, is so frail. So thin. So feminine... I want it. "
I felt my body getting hot. Was I coming down with a fever? I felt my face go red, and every part of my body's temperature was going up, one degree at a time. I couldn't say anything. And I couldn't run. I don't know what to do. I'm a target now, so no matter what I do, I will always get the stick's shorter end. I'm also not really sure what's happening right now. I'm still in shock, some of the things Sangwoo is saying isn't quite getting to me. I'm too hot. My body is too hot right now.
I can't see his left hand, but I can definitely feel it. I can feel it snaking its way around my torso, gripping the fabric of my uniform ever so roughly. I can hear him mumbling something, but I can't really make it out. The tighter his hand grips, the more I can't concentrate.
"S-sorry… w-what did you s-say?" Oh, he's really close right now. I can feel his chest pressing firmly into my back.
"You weren't listening? How rude. I asked if you would be willing to be mine. I'm the king, so I can tell everyone else to leave you alone. I can make them treat you like the geek you would have been. But, that's only if you'll let me have you."
"Ha-have me?" The feeling of his chest on my back is getting greater still, his left arm pulling me in closer. He's so strong, I wouldn't be able to escape even if I tried.
"Just be mine. Like I said, I have been watching you for all this time. I guess you could say, I've developed a liking for you." His hot breath sent a tingling sensation throughout my body, starting from my ears, down my neck and spine, all the way down to… there. My toes. My whole body is so hot. My stomach feels so weird. His left hand, now rubbing up and down the right side of my torso, is not helping, and making me feel a bit light-headed.
"I-I'm not q-quite sure I u-unders-stand… H-how would I be y-yours?" I wanted to know… I'm a bit dense, as I've never really fully interacted with someone. This is really new, and I actually want to know what Sangwoo is planning on doing with me.
With that question, he let go of me, dropped his hands, and started to laugh. I was confused, and a bit concerned. I still felt a bit weird and warm from where he was touching me.
"Why are you laughing?" Oh, now my stuttering goes away… what's with that?
In saying that, I felt both of his hands grip both my biceps, or lack of, and turn me around to face him. I never noticed before, since it was so silent other than Sangwoo's talking, but now that I was facing his way, I could see the Turtle standing a bit behind him and to my right. A bodyguard? A lookout? Hands still gripping my very bony upper arms, he pushed me back onto the bulletin. He was, as I have mentally noted, taller than me, so looking straight ahead left me at his chin. With his right hand, he let go of my left arm and slithered it up my neck to gently cup the side of my face. It felt warm, just like his chest. He tilted my head back slowly, allowing me to make eye contact with him.
"Oh Bum, how can you not understand this situation? I want to make you, all of you, mine. You know what that means, right?"
Another gulping sound. To be honest, I have a feeling I know where this is going, but in all actuality, I really don't know, and I feel that lying to him would lead to a bad outcome, so…
"U-um no… I-I really don't" His face is so close to mine, I can feel his breath that was once on my neck on my face now, making it feel hotter than ever before.
"You sure? It seems like you do. Your face is getting all red, how cute. Well, if you really must know, let me show you." He smirked as he spoke. He'll show me? Wha-
His left hand that was still gripping my right arm finally released and started to slide it's way down my side and latched onto my hip. This was a new feeling. No one has ever really touched me before, and now his hand was just inches away from there… not my toes.
His right hand, which was cupping my face ever so gently, tilted my head back slowly. I saw him move in close, both his body and face. He began to close his eyes as our lips finally touched. I felt my face burn. He began to move his lips, softly guiding mine, teaching my lips what to do. The softness of his mouth colliding with mine caused an unfamiliar sensation to fill my body. What is he doing? Why is he kissing me? And why do I like it?
What the hell is happening to me?
~~~~ TO BE CONTINUED...