The university was just as he remembered. The premises were clean despite the incident that had happened two days ago and, students went about their daily activities.
But Jihoon still couldn't get over it.
He wasn't sure what haunted him the more. Was it Yena's death or the eerie message he received after.
Was there some sort of connection he was missing?
A hand circled his shoulder, startling him out of his thoughts.
"Jihoon!" Seojun's cheerful voice rang in his ear. "It's good to see you!"
"Good morning, Senior, " Jihoon gave him a polite smile. He dipped his head and the beta chuckled, pulling away.
"Always so polite," he teased, nudging the omega's shoulder playfully as they walked into the school.
Seojun looked at his watch. "Are you free now?" he asked and Jihoon nodded.
"Yeah. I have a class in five minutes."
"Alright," Seojun patted his shoulder. "Let's have lunch together then?" he proposed, voice hopeful.
The omega nodded and Seojun's eyes brightened.
"Great! Let's meet at the reception," he said and walked away.
Jihoon sighed and dragged his feet to class, watching Seojun disappear down the hall.
He wasn't blind to Seojun's intentions. He knew the beta was interested in him.
"I'm not interested in a relationship at all," The omega whispered as he stopped in front of his class.
He closed his eyes. "Or anyone right now."
A pair of dark eyes flashed behind his closed eyelids and his eyes snapped open.
He cleared his throat and pushed the door, swallowing his nerves.
An hour later, Jihoon stood in front of class. He smiled brightly at them as he announced, "That will be all for today."
The class cheered and he rolled his eyes, raising a finger.
"But... I'm giving you an assignment."
Aera groaned, slumping in her seat. "An assignment? Why?"
"To make sure you understood all we've discussed in class," Jihoon said. His eyes wandered around the class, hurriedly noting that Junghoon wasn't in class.
"Where's Jeon Junghoon?" He asked.
"We don't know, Sir."
The omega frowned at the response, biting his lips in worry.
Did something happen to the alpha?
Jihoon swallowed and grabbed his bag. "I want each of you to write a short story, focusing on the theme of forbidden love."
"So we have free reign over our characters ad how want it to be?" A boy asked. "Even the plot?"
Jihoon nodded, a fond smile gracing his lips. "Yes, Soobin. You can do as you wish."
"Sir, what if we want to write a gay characters?" Aera asked, playing with her hair.
He nodded. "That's fine too."
"Any questions?" Jihoon looked at the class. Seeing as they shook their heads, he promptly left the class.
Walking through the crowded hallways, he felt a bit out of place.
He kept his head down and headed straight for the receptionist, his rehearsed lines ringing in his mind.
"Good day," Jihoon said, playing with the strap of his bag.
She raised her head to look at him and his eyes caught the name tag around her chest.
"Miss Kim Yujin," he read aloud.
Her lips twisted in displeasure, eyes squinted behind her framed glasses. "What do you want?"
Jihoon inwardly cringed, her nasally voice irritating his ears.
He smiled, titling his head politely. "I just wanted to know Lee Yena's home address."
Yujin's frown deepened even more, a scoff escaping her lips. "What business do you have wanting to know about her?"
Did he unknowingly offend her or something?
Jihoon cleared his throat, fingers tightening nervously around the hem of his shirt. The crisp material creased immediately.
He licked his lips. "I... I just want to visit her parents and send my condolences."
"Aren't you so virtuous?" The receptionist asked with a sneer and Jihoon bristled at the condescending stare.
"Is there any reason why you seem to dislike me?" he asked bluntly and she looked taken aback.
"What?"
"You always look like I have offended you," Jihoon continued.
"Offended me?" Yujin scoffed, regaining her composure. "You think highly of yourself, Mr Kang."
She leaned back on her chair, eyes narrowed. "I simply despise pretenders like you."
Jihoon was at loss for words as he stared blankly at her.
When did he pretend? Why is she judging him so harshly like this?
He tamped down his displeasure and exhaled. "About my request—"
"I can't give it to you," Yujin cut him off. She shrugged unapologetically, "school rules."
Jihoon huffed in frustration, nodding. He adjusted his collar and walked away, drumming his fingers on his legs.
That woman should pray she never comes to him for help!
He would show her hell.
Jihoon stomped his way to the male restroom, closing the door with a bang.
He leaned over the sink, closing his eyes as he took in a deep breath.
Jihoon just wanted to talk to Yena's family to confirm his suspicions.
Maybe he was just being paranoid or was it the overwhelming guilt that threatened to drown him these days?
"Mr Kang?" a familiar voice called and Jihoon stiffened.
He swallowed and slowly turned to face Junghoon. The other had his back against the wall, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Junghoon," Jihoon breathed, eyes wide in surprise. "Why weren't you in school today?"
He couldn't help the worry that seeped into his tone at the question, eyes scanning the alpha briefly.
"Is Mr Kang worried about me?" Junghoon asked, lips curled in amusement.
There was something unreadable in his eyes, a sort of challenge.
The deep timbre of his voice sent shivers into Jihoon and he bit his lower lip to ground himself, curling his fingers at his side.
Now wasn't the time to be utterly foolish.
"It's what any teacher would do," he managed, meeting Junghoon's gaze. "You still haven't answered my question."
"I had things to take care of," Junghoon stated, pushing himself off the wall. "Personal matters."
"Oh," Jihoon nodded in understanding.
Junghoon tilted his head, eyes observing him. "I know where Yena's mother lives. I can take you there."
Jihoon frowned. "How did you know—"
"I overheard you earlier," Junghoon admitted, unapologetically.
He threw open the restroom door, throwing a glance at the lecturer over his shoulder. "You coming?"
On a normal day, Jihoon would have found this disrespectful and would have reprimanded him.
But today, he was in need and Junghoon was offering. He scrambled after him.
They hastily made their way out of the university, getting on Junghoon's bike.
They set off.
They rode through the streets in silence, Jihoon biting his tongue from starting a conversation.
He was bad at it anyways.
He frowned as Junghoon veered the bike off the tarred streets and entered an unkempt lane.
The streets were rough, the sand flying into Jihoon's open mouth.
"Are you alright?" Junghoon asked worriedly as they moved through the zigzag streets and he coughed a few more times.
"I'm fine," he whispered weakly and continued looking around.
The houses were clustered together in rows, dilapidated.
The gutters reeked of decay, a nauseating mix of rot and cigarettes hanging in the humid air. Jihoon clutched his bag tighter, eager to finish his visit quickly.
He sighed in relief when they stopped in front of a house, the white paint washed and peeling away.
Getting off the bike, he avoided the curious stares of the residents and looked at Junghoon.
"Is this her mother's place?" he asked, taking off his helmet.
Junghoon hummed, turning off his bike. "Yeah."
"I'll be right back," Jihoon gave hi
m a grateful smile and ran up to the house.
He rang the doorbell a few times and waited for an answer, heart pounding in his chest.
Was he ready for the answers to the questions he sought?