That day was yet another normal day. Moon Bora woke up around 6 AM to her loud ringtone. She got up, took her towel on her desk's chair, as well as her school uniform, and lazily walked to the bathroom to take a quick shower. About 10 minutes later, her older brother, Moon Byungho, was pounding on the door.
- Come on Bora, you're taking forever! He yelled from the other side.
Bora turned off the water, dried her body as fast as she could and half-dressed herself up. She opened the door, only to be pushed out by her big relative. It was definitely a normal day for her. After brushing her hair and putting a bit of make-up, she went downstairs to rapidly eat breakfast. She wasn't really in a hurry. Actually, she could have taken her time. The bus station was pretty close from her house and class was only starting at 8 AM. She gulped her last spoon of rice and a glass of orange juice before getting up. As usual, it was about 7 AM when she just finished putting on her shoes and took her bag.
- I'm going first! She exclaimed.
She slammed the door behind her and started walking to the bus station. As usual she put her headphones and take out a book from her bag. Bora always liked her little routine. Immersed in the fictional universe of her new sci-fi book, she was right on time to get on the bus. She bipped her transport card and sat to her usual seat. A few stops later, her best friend, Yoo Eunji, got on the same bus. She sat behind Bora, snatching the book from her hands to get her attention.
- Good morning, Chaekra*! Eunji said enthusiastically.
[* It's a play on word with the word "책벌레 (chaek-beol-le)" which means "bookworm" and her name Bora]
- Good morning Eunji. Can I please have my book back?
- What's it about?
- Even if I tell you, you won't show any interest.
- Well, if I can't be polite anymore. The mid-back black haired girl whined, returning the book the its rightful owner.
- If you really wanted to be polite in the first place, you should know that you don't take someone else's belonging without permission. Bora retorted. Now are you going to talk to me for the rest of the time we're on the bus, or can I go back to know if Kohren is going to defeat the horde of Uxuls?
- Should I ask what the fuck are "Uxuls" or are you going to kill me with boredom if you tell me?
- That'd be just another death of boredom among the other ones you had. The petite girl mocked.
Although Bora never liked to be bothered when reading, she was always sort of joyful when it was her best friend. They have known each others for as long as she can remember. They weren't friends from day one though. In fact, they became friends when they had both entered middle school. They were deskmates and Bora has always preferred to surround herself with books rather than people. Eunji is the exact opposite of Bora. She never studied even once in her life and likes to goof around instead. What a memorable day it is for the both of them when Eunji loudly gasped and leaned towards her deskmate to ask her « We have an exam? ».
It didn't take long enough for the bus to reach it's final stop: Saebom High. A pretty school filled with nice people. At least for the most part. Certainly there were bad people like everywhere else. But Bora wasn't even paying enough attention to people to know that. It was a known fact, but still. She was usually relying on Eunji's opinion on people to know who to hang out with and who to avoid. Bora was a bit disappointed that she had to put her book back in her bag for at least the rest of the day. She really wanted to know how the hero was going to get himself out of trouble this time. But she didn't have any other choice. She walked to her classroom along with her friend.
The classroom was filled with chatters and laughter. It was always a pleasant sight to see early in the morning. Bora sat down at her desk, Eunji sitting on hers right in front of Bora's.
- Oh by the way! Eunji exclaimed, turning to her friend. Did you hear the news?
- What news?
- There's a new transfer today coming today! At least that's what I've heard. Wanna place bets?
- On what?
- I bet 500 Won that it's a girl. She said with a confident smile.
- Alright, then I bet 500 Won that the transfer student won't be even in our class. Bora replied amused.
- Hey that's not fair, you're supposed to bet he's a boy or something!
- See it that way: if it's a boy and he comes in through that door, we're both losers.
- Fine. Eunji said in resilience, facing straight to the door.
Whilst every other students were still chatting left and right, Eunji and Bora had started a stare competition with no other than the door itself. Suddenly, it swung open, making both of the girls jump on their seats. The teacher came in, followed by a timid girl who was obviously wearing the school uniform. She looked gorgeous. Her dark brown curled up hair falling on her shoulders to her back, doll-like eyes and a lovely smile. Eunji hung her hand behind her as Bora ruffled through her wallet to pull out the money she owed.
- You already knew, didn't you? Bora whispered as the new girl was introducing herself.
- Maybe. The cunning girl replied.
Bets were the only kind of game that Bora loved. Everything was relying on your luck as long as your opponent didn't already know the outcome of the bet. Eunji was a cunning girl that Bora always underestimated. She would bet on something out of nowhere just for a little fun - and a few coins. Sometimes, Bora asked herself if her best friend and her didn't have a gambling addiction.
Bora didn't pay much attention to the new girl's introduction. All she could notice was how astonished everyone was. Her beauty was beyond everything. That she would admit. As soon as she got seated and the teacher left the classroom, the poor girl was swooned by the crowd. Questions flying left and right. Poor thing didn't know what she got herself into. So many students were surrounding her, Bora could barely see a string of hair of the girl's head. She leaned on her desk, trying to not get attention from the others if they'd hear her./
- What did she say her name was? She asked quietly.
- Lim Jugyeong. God, I'd kill to have such a pretty face like hers!
- Come on Eunji, you're absolutely dazzling.
- Pft, you're only saying this because we're friends. She denied in a pout.
- No, I'm saying this because I want snacks
Eunji sighed as she reached a hand in her bag, pulling out a bag of honey butter chips. Even if new things would come in her life, some things remained unchanged to Bora. If her best friend could trick her into getting some of her money by placing bets, she could have snacks from her best friend with just some compliments or lending her textbooks.
The day went as usual, although everyone's attention was on the new girl. It didn't change much for Moon Bora anyway and that's what mattered. She had always worked hard to maintain her nice life the way it was.
- Say, wanna place another bet? Eunji offered playfully.
- Again? But we already made one this morning.
- I know, but I promise that I do not know what will happen this time.
- Okay, what is it then?
- There's going to be a basketball match tomorrow.
- You want to bet on which team will win? Bora challenged.
- Nope! Because we're not betting money this time.
- What is it then?
- Let's have a competition of who can have the best score at the karaoke. The loser will have to wear our mascot's head at the match and cheer for one of the team. Eunji explained. So, are you in? Or do you chicken out?
- Yoo Eunji. Have you met me? Of course I'm in.
Yes, Moon Bora was a sarcastic master and a passionate bookworm, but she also happened to be someone who loved challenges and who's a surprisingly good singer. At least compared to her best friend, she was brilliant. So it was with a light heart and the overconfidence that she would win the bet that she rode the bus to town and headed to their favorite karaoke place.
Although, she didn't see coming what happened that evening. How does one score a 100 to a difficult song when they were used to barely score 70 at best? And how is it fair that Bora would score only 99?
