Jinkyung, clicked her tongue. "Tsk tsk."
Irina added with a scoff, "What a dumbass. What is he, in middle school?"
Seolhyo's gaze drifted, finally landing on me. For a moment she just looked, then her eyes dropped to the wrapped candy in her hand, then back to my expectant gaze.
Then she raised her left hand then open it showing a lot of candy as if saying take it.
I didn't take it. Instead, I bent forward, leaning into her level, lowering my head until my lips hovered open in front of her palm.
The boldness of it startled her her eyes widened, and a faint pink flushed her cheeks. The others stifled laughs or exchanged sharp looks, the tension thick with amusement.
But in that moment, all I saw was her caught between embarrassment Her hand hovering uncertainly just inches from my mouth.
I leaned in, lips parted, daring her with nothing but silence.
Her eyes went wide, cheeks reddening furiously. "W-what the hell"
Before I could smirk, she shoved the candy against my cheek, hard enough that the wrapper crinkled. "Here! Eat it yourself, idiot!"
The sudden pressure made me jerk back, laughing as the candy slid down my cheek I caught it. "Pfft what was that? Trying to choke me with kindness?"
Her embarrassment only deepened, her ears red as she spun on her heel. "Who even does that?!" she snapped, refusing to look at me.
Irina nearly doubled over. "Oh my god, Seolhyo, That's one way to feed a guy, I guess."
Jinkyung snorted. "Gush…. get a room."
Suwon muttered under his breath, "You two are not dating right…?"
I just leaned casually against the doorframe, watching Seolhyo's flustered shoulders tense and retreat.
"Guess I'll take that as a next time, open wider,'" I teased, earning myself a furious glare over her shoulder.
**********
The front door clicked shut behind her, the weight of the long day pressing on her shoulders. Inside, Seol Minsu was already waiting standing in front of the door.
"Have you eaten yet?" he asked quietly.
"I just did," Seolhyo shot back, kicking off her shoes with more force than necessary. Her voice was sharp, tired. "Just finished night study anyway. Why are you acting like you care?"
Minsu fell silent.
She walked past him and dropped into a chair, the bitterness in her chest boiling over. I've been pretending everything's fine… smiling, laughing, like nothing happened. But ever since that day, I can't even look at him without remembering. At school, they've been avoiding me ignoring me outright. I tried talking to them instead, but seeing they had no intention of making up I decided I'd just give up on that…selfish bastard.
Her eyes drifted to the corner. The teddy bear sat there, innocent and soft, but the sight of it only stoked the fire burning inside her. Suddenly, her fists were raining down on it, beating the plush until her arms shook.
"Even though I'm trying, in my own way… why is everything that happens always my fault?!" Her voice cracked, face hot, eyes brimming. Each strike was fueled by anger, yet the more she swung, the hollower it felt.
Her movements slowed, until finally, the teddy slumped over, and so did she gasping, cheeks flushed.
Her lips trembled as her expression softened, a faint whisper escaping.
"…At least Seojin is on my side."
**********
Another day rolled in, and after lunch we were lounging outside the cafeteria when the disciplinary teacher appeared, wearing a strange smile.
"So," he asked, voice almost too casual, "did you boys eat well?"
Park Dong squinted. "Yeah… why are you asking like that?"
The Disciplinary teacher chuckled, then suddenly draped an arm over my shoulder. "Personally, I like guys like you," he said, then leaned closer, voice carrying for everyone to hear. "But I like guys like Seojin even more. First day of school, and he's already cut his hair, never smoked, studies well… what a responsible student."
Before Park Dong could even roll his eyes, the teacher's hand clapped down on his shoulder too. His grin twisted into something sharper, almost menacing, as he leaned in, his lips near Park Dong's ear. "Unlike some students… don't you think so?"
Park Dong stiffened, sweat beading on his forehead. "Y-yes, yes, I know."
As the Disciplinary teacher strolled off, we all stood there in awkward silence for a beat.
"That's the first time I've ever seen the dean praise someone," Jiseong muttered.
"Doesn't feel bad, damn it," Daegyu admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I guess that guy at least has a heart," Suwon added, shaking his head.
Park Dong blew out a frustrated sigh and then, with a sudden grin, slapping daegyu at his back. "Screw it. Let's flirt with some girls today to celebrate!"
Daegyu barked out a laugh, loud and booming. "GHAHAHAHA! Okay, I'm in."
Park Dong looked at me, hopeful. "Wanna come?"
I shook my head. "No thanks. Never been a fan of that." Then, with a grin of my own, I jerked my thumb toward the road. "I'm heading to the snack store instead. Wanna come, Jiseong? Suwon? It's on me."
"Hehe, let's go," Jiseong said instantly.
Suwon gave me a small smirk. "Nice. Free food."
At the snack store, Seol Hyorim's group was already gathered by the corner table. Irina leaned closer to the mirror on her hand, tilting her head this way and that, bangs freshly cut.
"As expected, Seolhyo, you're really good at this," she said, grinning at her reflection.
"You like it?" Seolhyo asked, brushing stray hair off her scissors.
"I love it," Irina answered dramatically, clasping her hands under her chin. "Thank you, noona. You've officially saved me from looking like a drowned cat."
Jinkyung, chewing on a snack stick, snorted. "Please, you always look like a drowned cat."
"Yah!" Irina swung at her but missed, and the two started bickering lightly while Seolhyo laughed under her breath.
Just then, the bell over the door chimed.
We stepped inside, Jiseong pushing the door open for me like some kind of attendant. "After you, boss," he muttered with a grin.
But the moment we entered, the three girls turned their heads. Irina spotted us first. "Oh, look who it is Seojin, Kim Jiseong, and Suwon."
"Yo," I said casually, lifting a hand.
"Hi," Suwon added politely.
"Hey," Irina replied, leaning back in her seat with that sharp-eyed grin of hers.
Beside me, though, Jiseong stiffened. His shoulders tensed as if the air suddenly got heavier. He made a show of staring at the snack racks, pretending not to notice them.
Irina narrowed her eyes immediately. "Haa… even Jiseong dares to ignore us now? This is ridiculous."
Jiseong scratched his cheek nervously, finally glancing their way. "Oh… you guys were here? Hahaha…" His laugh was thin, awkward, like he'd just been caught sneaking out of class.
As we shuffled further inside, Seol Hyorim's gaze lingered on me for a moment, her eyes quietly tracing over my hair. Before I could ask why, she shifted her attention to Suwon standing awkwardly beside me.
"Hey, idiot. Come here."
Suwon blinked. "…Me?"
"Yeah, you. Who else?" Seolhyo tapped the chair next to her. "When was the last time you cut your hair? It's a mess."
Suwon rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "…I dunno. Been a while."
"Figures," she muttered, already rummaging through her pouch for a small pair of scissors. "Sit. I'm trimming your bangs before they cover your eyes."
As Suwon reluctantly obeyed, Irina leaned over the table and jabbed her elbow into Jiseong's side. "Hey, you jerk. Buy us strawberry milk. Consider it punishment for ignoring us earlier."
"I didn't ignore you!" Jiseong yelped, hands raised in defense. "I just… didn't notice, that's all. And I didn't even bring my wallet today!"
Irina arched an eyebrow. "Convenient excuse."
Rolling my eyes, I pulled out my wallet and tossed it at him. "Quit whining. Buy them their strawberry milk. Just grab me some candy too grape flavored."
Jiseong fumbled but managed to catch it against his chest. "…Tch. Fine."
***********
Behind the school building, Yang Jinsu slung his bag across the ground with a loud thud before hauling himself up and over the wall.
Park Dong and Daegyu, loitering nearby with drinks in hand, froze at the sight.