Ji Hyun didn't sleep that night.
He kept replaying everything—the waist grab, the stupid grin, the tickling, the shirt.
And that moment Ji Yong's fingers touched his skin.
It wasn't about the touch.
It was about the nerve of it.
The audacity.
The way Ji Yong looked at him like he knew something Ji Hyun didn't.
Ji Hyun buried his face in the pillow.
He wanted to scream.
⸻
The next day at school, he walked in earlier than usual.
He thought maybe he'd get some peace before the others showed up.
But of course, the universe hated him.
Because there he was—Ji Yong, sitting on Ji Hyun's desk, casually peeling a banana.
"You're early," Ji Yong said through a mouthful.
Ji Hyun blinked. "That's my seat."
Ji Yong nodded. "I know. It's comfy."
Ji Hyun stared. "You're eating on my table."
"You want a bite?" Ji Yong held out the banana, completely serious.
Ji Hyun stepped forward and swatted his hand away. "Stop being weird."
Ji Yong shrugged, chewed thoughtfully. "Weird is relative."
Ji Hyun sighed. "Why are you like this?"
Ji Yong tilted his head. "You mean charming? Naturally."
Before Ji Hyun could respond, Hyun Soo walked in and paused at the door. "Uh... am I interrupting something?"
"No," Ji Hyun snapped too fast.
"Yes," Ji Yong said at the same time.
Hyun Soo blinked between them. "...Right."
He sat down slowly.
Ji Yong slid off Ji Hyun's desk and leaned close as he passed him. "You should thank me. I warmed your seat."
Ji Hyun didn't respond.
But he did wipe the desk twice with tissues before sitting down.
⸻
During break, Ji Yong followed Ji Hyun to the vending machine.
Ji Hyun pressed the button for a canned coffee and bent down to grab it.
Right then, Ji Yong leaned over his shoulder.
"Are you always this grumpy, or is it just around me?"
Ji Hyun straightened fast, elbow colliding lightly with Ji Yong's chest.
"Don't hover."
Ji Yong didn't even flinch. "So touchy today."
Ji Hyun cracked the can open and sipped furiously.
Ji Yong pulled out a yogurt drink and leaned casually against the wall. "You always drink that brand?"
"What?"
"That coffee. Bit bitter, isn't it?"
Ji Hyun frowned. "It's fine."
"Guess you like things that taste like resentment."
Ji Hyun nearly choked. "What does that even mean?!"
Ji Yong shrugged and smiled. "You tell me."
⸻
At lunch, it happened again.
Ji Hyun sat down at the end of the table, hoping to be left alone.
But Ji Yong came over with his tray, glanced around, and—without asking—sat directly next to him.
Haeri blinked. "Oh... new besties?"
"We're not—" Ji Hyun began.
But Ji Yong leaned his elbow on the table and said smoothly, "You know how it is. Proximity builds trust."
"Then build it somewhere else," Ji Hyun muttered.
"Oh? You scared I'll steal your fries again?" Ji Yong teased, reaching toward Ji Hyun's plate.
Ji Hyun jabbed his fork between them like a warning sign.
Ji Yong grinned. "That's adorable."
Hyun Soo watched them both and whispered to Haeri, "It's like watching a cat and a laser pointer."
Haeri giggled. Ji Hyun heard it. He stabbed at his food.
⸻
After class, Ji Hyun was packing up slowly when Ji Yong hovered again.
This time, he leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.
"You free?"
Ji Hyun didn't look at him. "No."
Ji Yong walked in anyway. "Want to go shoot some hoops? You know, since you were so off yesterday."
Ji Hyun turned, annoyed. "You really want to get elbowed in the face, don't you?"
Ji Yong shrugged. "If it means getting your attention—sure."
Ji Hyun blinked, stunned.
Ji Yong's smile was half-mocking, half-something else.
Before Ji Hyun could process it, Ji Yong added, "But I'd prefer if you just passed the ball instead of throwing it at me this time."
Ji Hyun threw his bag strap over his shoulder and brushed past him.
But Ji Yong kept talking as he followed.
"You know, it's kind of flattering. You only stomp off like that when I'm around."
Ji Hyun didn't turn. "That should tell you something."
"It does," Ji Yong said.
His voice was closer now.
Too close.
Ji Hyun paused near the school gate, finally turning around. "What?"
Ji Yong smiled faintly.
"You're still thinking about yesterday, aren't you?"
Ji Hyun's ears turned red instantly.
He shoved Ji Yong's shoulder. "In your dreams."
Ji Yong didn't move. "So you do dream about me?"
"Ugh!" Ji Hyun turned and marched away, flustered.
Ji Yong called after him, "Want me to warm your seat again tomorrow?"
Ji Hyun didn't look back.
But his ears stayed red all the way home.
And for some reason, that smile—that dumb smile—stayed in his head longer than he wanted.