"Aren't you guys close to him?" Suwon ask parkdong
"Huh? No way we're not even that close" Park dong denied firmly
But the teacher only clicked his tongue, crossing his arms as if the whole spectacle was beneath him. "Tsk, tsk… what a waste. He thinks this makes him look strong? Pathetic. He'll regret it when he realizes you can't burn your way out of responsibility."
One by one, students slumped over their desks. Heads cushioned on folded arms, mouths half-open, the soft chorus of snores and steady breathing filled the classroom. The few who tried to fight it propping their chins on their hands, pretending to scribble notes eventually surrendered too.
It was as if someone had thrown a sleep spell over the room.
Waking up from a short nap at my desk, I stretched my arms with a yawn before standing. My stomach grumbled. "Snack store run," I muttered, grabbing my wallet.
"Oi, Suwon, you coming?" I asked. He was hunched over his notebook, doodling something.
"Mm? Yeah, sure," he said, setting his pen down.
"Park Dong, you too," I added.
Park Dong, mid gold digging expedition up his nose, blinked at me like I'd interrupted something important. "Huh? Your treat?."
"Yeah"
"Let's go then"
We strolled out together, but before long whack!
"Argh! Who the hell ?!" Park Dong staggered forward, clutching his shin.
A familiar voice cut in dryly. "Thank God it's you park dong."
"Otherwise, what would you have done…!" Park Dong groaned, in pain.
Beside her, Jinkyung look up. "You look like an egg with legs."
Suwon and I turned at the sound of laughter, and there they were Irina, Jinkyung, and Seolhyo.
The banter cut short, though, when Jinkyung's gaze landed on me. Her eyes narrowed. "Wait… your face"
Irina leaned closer too, her usual sharp tone softening. "Those bandages… what happened to you?"
Caught under their stares, I forced a crooked smile and waved it off. "It's nothing"
Their expressions said they weren't convinced, but they didn't push it.
Park Dong's eyes flicked from Seolhyo standing with the other two, and his expression stiffened. He cleared his throat loudly, trying to play it cool.
"A-anyway, let's go. Snack store's not gonna wait for us," he blurted, putting his arms in Suwon shoulder.
Suwon, a little confused, just went along with it. He lifted a hand to wave at the three girls.
I lingered a second longer, catching Seolhyo's gaze again.
"See ya later," I said, before following after the other two.
Behind me, I could still feel her eyes on my back.
Outside, the sun hung low, washing the school field in gold. On the stone steps that overlooked the track, the three of them sat together.
Irina leaned forward, her elbows on her knees, eyes wide. "Really? You're not kidding right Seojin actually fought your brother? Seriously?"
Jinkyung shook her head, still trying to process it. "That's insane. I mean your brother is Seol Minsu. No one even dares to stand in front of him, let alone fight back."
Seolhyo hugged her knees, staring at the ground. Her lips pressed into a thin line. "...He did."
Both girls went quiet, watching her.
Irina let out a sharp laugh, though it sounded more like disbelief than amusement. "Crazy bastard. I don't know whether to call him brave or just plain suicidal."
"Maybe both," Jinkyung muttered.
Irina suddenly leaned back on the step, waving a hand dismissively.
"Anyway, so Park Dong and the others got their asses handed to them by Minsu-hyung. That's why they've been ignoring us all morning. Hah! Ridiculous. They basically dug their own graves setting up that whole thing."
She snorted, half amused, half exasperated. "Seriously, what did they think was gonna happen? It's like bringing fireworks into a classroom and acting surprised when it blows up in your face."
Jinkyung shook her head with a smirk. "Exactly. They even called those random underclassmen but not us. Knowing full well we'd take your side, Seolhyo. If anyone should be pissed, it's you."
Seolhyo stayed quiet, for a moment.
Seolhyo sighed, fiddling with her fingers. "I wanna make it up to the others… Should I just swallow my pride and apologize?"
Irina shook her head instantly. "Forget it. It's not your fault anyway."
Before Jinkyung could add in, a sharp shout rang across the field. "HEY WATCH IT!"
A soccer ball came flying straight toward them, fast and heavy, its shadow falling right over Seol Hyorim's face.
Thud!
But it never hit.
I was already there, one hand raised in front Seol Hyorim face, stopping the ball mid-flight as if it were nothing. My other hand popped a piece of candy into my mouth, crunch echoing softly.
Seolhyo spun around, startled, and froze when her eyes locked onto mine. I was crouched behind them, close enough that our faces were level, the sweet scent of the candy between us.
"Hey watch where you kicking!" I shouted casually, letting the ball drop to the ground.
Her lips parted, eyes wide, caught between shock and something else she couldn't quite hide.
Irina's voice broke the silence, sharp and loud.
"HEY! Be careful, dumbasses! There's people here!" she shouted across the field, glaring at the students who'd kicked it.
One of them waved sheepishly, mumbling an apology before running back to the game.
Jinkyung smirked, shaking her head. "Seriously… some people have no eyes. Good thing someone's got fast hands." She side-eyed me knowingly.
Seolhyo quickly looked away, but her ears were glowing pink, her voice a little softer than usual when she muttered, "…Thanks."
I tilted my head at them, crunching the last bit of candy between my teeth. "What are you guys whispering about?"
Irina leaned back looking at me, eyes gleaming like she couldn't wait to spill. "Park Dong and the others. They're pissed at Seolhyo cause of what happened that night."
I let out a low chuckle, unbothered. "Oh? Hahaha, dramatic much."
"I know, right?" Irina scoffed, rolling her eyes. "They're sulking like a bunch of babies. But how about you, huh? You fought Minsu-hyung because of her."
I popped another candy into my mouth, chewing slowly, savoring the crunch. "Nah. Opposite, actually." I let a grin tug at my lips. "It was thrilling."
Their eyes widened a little at how casually I said it.
That's when I felt Seol Hyorim's gaze flick my way. She wasn't glaring, just… watching, her expression unreadable until her eyes lowered to the small crinkle of the candy bag in my hand.
"…What flavor is that?" she asked quietly.
"Grape." I rattled the bag lightly, then held it out to her. "Want one?"
she nodded cutely with her cheeks bulge.
I plucked one from the crinkled bag and held it close to her face. Her hand reached forward, about to take it then I pulled my hand back just an inch.
Her brows furrowed instantly, lips tightening in irritation as her eyes snapped to me.
"What are you doing?" she hissed.
I smirked, flicking the candy once between my fingers before holding it steady again.
"Relax. My hands aren't dirty."
Still, I kept it close close enough that she had to take it straight from my fingers. She hesitated again, glaring like she wanted to scold me, but finally leaned in and plucked the candy with her lips.
The brief brush of her mouth against my fingertips sent a ripple through me, though I masked it behind a lazy grin.
Her face flushed red in an instant. She turned away sharply, chewing hard like the candy was somehow at fault.
Irina let out a low whistle, smirk curling wider. "Well, isn't this cute…" she sang.
Seolhyo whipped around to glare at her, cheeks blazing. "Shut up!"
But that only made Irina laugh harder. Jinkyung leaned in, grinning like she'd just stumbled onto the juiciest gossip. "Seriously though… you two sure you're not dating already?"
"W-what?!" Seolhyo nearly choked. "D-don't say weird things!"
I rolled the candy on my tongue, fighting a grin. Then, deliberately, I leaned back on my hands and said "Well… if that's what it looks like, maybe we should just go along with it."