Undercover High School

Chapter 6 – The Curious Collision

“Hey…”

Alister’s voice called out, causing Yoona to stop in her tracks and turn around.

“‘Hey’? We already introduced ourselves yesterday. My name’s Yoona, not ‘Hey,’” she snapped.

Alister exhaled through his nose but said nothing in return. He simply crossed his arms and stared at her with his usual flat expression.

Yoona raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms too. “What? You want to thank me for helping you earlier?”

“Why did you do it?” Alister finally asked. His tone wasn’t angry—just… confused.

Yoona shrugged casually. “I just got tired of listening to that security guard rant. Besides, you were just standing there like a statue. I kinda felt sorry for you.”

Alister narrowed his eyes. “Sorry for me?”

“Yeah. You looked like some innocent kid getting blamed for something you didn’t even do.”

Alister stepped a little closer. “I’m not an innocent kid.”

Yoona didn’t flinch. “And I’m not someone who gets scared easily. So don’t bother thanking me.”

They stared at each other for a few moments. There was a tension between them—not of hostility, but of curiosity. Two opposing forces meeting for the first time, trying to gauge each other’s strength.

Finally, Alister looked away. “Fine. Thanks.”

Yoona smirked, amused. “Wow. Mr. Ice Cold can actually say thank you. Yesterday, you barely said a word.”

Alister just shrugged, unwilling to continue the conversation. “I just don’t like small talk,” he muttered, then resumed walking down the corridor.

Yoona caught up with him. “But this is the second time you’ve talked to me. That’s major progress, you know?”

Alister snorted. “I never said I wanted to keep talking to you.”

“But you didn’t say you wanted to stop either, did you?” Yoona replied quickly, making Alister glance at her sideways, surprised by her boldness.

They walked side by side—without a plan, without a shared destination—but somehow, they felt in sync. The other students watching were visibly shocked. Alister, the cold and quiet loner, was walking and chatting with a girl. And not just any girl—the beautiful new transfer student.

“You’re often late, huh?” Yoona asked, trying to ignore the stares.

“Almost every day,” Alister replied with a sigh.

“Damn. Aren’t you afraid of getting suspended?” Yoona was genuinely surprised.

“Nope.”

Yoona chuckled, tilting her head to look at him. “Do you have a relative on the faculty or something? Maybe the principal? That’s why you’re never worried about being late?”

“You talk too much.”

Yoona raised both hands in a peace sign. “Just curious, that’s all,” she laughed.

From another hallway, Ms. Clara spotted the two of them. She said nothing, but her expression showed visible surprise. Alister—of all students—was walking and chatting with a girl. He was always considered antisocial, impossible to engage in discussion.

Her gaze followed them until they turned the corner and disappeared. A faint crease formed on her forehead—an involuntary expression of intrigue. Yoona, she thought. That new girl was definitely stirring things up in unexpected ways.

Meanwhile, amidst the buzz of students heading into their classrooms, Alister and Yoona continued their light conversation—though the whispers and stares around them were starting to grow.

“Aren’t you afraid of rumors?” Alister suddenly asked.

Yoona glanced at him, raising a brow. “Rumors? About what?”

“About walking with me,” he replied flatly.

Yoona laughed. “You think all girls would consider that a problem?”

“Not all girls.”

Yoona grinned, full of confidence. “I don’t care what people say, Alister. Besides, it’s not like you’re a criminal or anything, right?”

Alister shrugged. “Depends on your definition.”

That response made Yoona pause, looking at him with a mix of amusement and intrigue. Before she could ask more, the bell rang, signaling the start of class.

They entered the classroom and sat down in their respective seats.

“Oh, by the way—are there any assignments today?” Yoona asked.

Alister turned to her.

“Why?”

“I’m new here, remember? I don’t know the subjects yet. Mind if I borrow your notes?”

“I don’t take notes.”

Yoona’s jaw dropped. “Wait—seriously?”

“Yeah. I remember everything without writing it down,” Alister replied casually.

Yoona stared at him like he’d just admitted to being an alien. “You some kind of genius?”

Alister leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on the blank whiteboard. “I just have my own way of learning.”

“Damn… I can’t even remember my grocery list if I don’t write it down,” Yoona said, shaking her head. “You’d make a better teacher than a student.”

Alister slowly turned to her, his expression sharp but unreadable. “Do you always ask pointless questions and talk this much?”

Yoona swallowed, slightly embarrassed. But she didn’t look away. “Maybe I’m just excited to finally have a friend here.”

“I’m not your friend,” Alister shot back.

Yoona sighed. “I know. That’s why I’m trying to become one.”

Her answer didn’t waver, even under the weight of Alister’s intense stare.

He watched her for a long moment, as if trying to decipher some hidden agenda. But all he found was honesty and… strangely, it didn’t bother him.

“Are you always this persistent when trying to get close to someone?” he finally asked.

Yoona gave a small smile. “Not always. But you’re different. I’m curious.”

“Too much curiosity can be dangerous,” Alister muttered.

“I’ve met things far more dangerous than curiosity,” Yoona replied without hesitation. “Besides, you’re not dangerous… right?”

Instead of answering, Alister turned his gaze to the cloudy sky outside the window. There was a heaviness to him—as if he carried something no one else was allowed to touch.

Before the moment could get more awkward, Ms. Clara began the lesson.

“Alright, class. Today we’re going to discuss digital security systems and their impact on personal data. Anyone want to share their thoughts?”

Alister stayed quiet. But without being prompted, he began scribbling something on his paper—formulas, diagrams, and code-like sketches. Yoona peeked over and gasped silently.

“Is that… a firewall system code?” she whispered.

Alister glanced at her, replying coldly, “Don’t bother me.”

Yoona giggled and sat back. “Alright, Mr. Mysterious.”

Alister almost choked on his breath.

For the first time in a long while, he felt… disturbed. But not by threats or danger—by a girl named Yoona.

He tried to refocus on his notes, but her quiet laughter kept echoing in his ears.

Yoona, on the other hand, acted as if nothing had happened. She leaned back in her chair, occasionally jotting down notes from Ms. Clara’s explanation—but her eyes often drifted to Alister, studying the serious lines on his face as he immersed himself in his own world. A world that felt complex, silent… and strangely inviting.

“You look like someone with a lot of secrets,” she whispered to herself. “So mysterious.”

Alister stopped writing. He turned and stared at her—his eyes sharp as always, but not angry. More… guarded.

“Everyone has secrets,” he said softly.

Yoona nodded. “But not everyone hides them as well as you do.”

For a few seconds, they simply stared at each other.

“Don’t get too curious about other people’s lives, Yoona. Especially mine. I hate people who pry and meddle,” Alister said with firm emphasis.

Yoona didn’t reply. She just held his gaze, visibly taken aback.

At the front of the room, Ms. Clara froze mid-sentence. Her eyes stared blankly at the board. The chalk in her fingers had snapped from how tightly she was holding it.

“That’s all for today,” Clara said abruptly. “We’ll continue next week.”

Her voice broke the tense moment between Alister and Yoona. Alister closed his book and stood, walking away and leaving Yoona sitting alone.

“Prying, huh? We’ll see just how deep I have to pry to uncover all your secrets, Alister…” Yoona thought to herself, eyes fixed on his retreating back.

***