Lunch bell rang.
The whole corridor buzzed as students hurried out of classrooms.
Junghan stood up first, stretching lightly.
"Let's go. I'm starving," he said, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
Dejin yawned, "Same. If we're late all. Food will finish—"
But before they could even take three steps out of the classroom—
A group of boys blocked the doorway.
Jisoo's gang.
Four boys forming a circle around Daeho, Dejin, and Junghan.
Jisoo stepped forward, hands in pockets, smirking.
"You think you're very smart, Junghan?"
Junghan raised an eyebrow.
"What's your problem? Why are you standing in our way?"
Jisoo tilted his head slowly.
"Nothing… I just heard you became class president. Nice."
Junghan blinked. "So you're congratulating me?"
Jisoo laughed under his breath.
"Of course not. I'm warning you."
His gang snickered behind him.
Jisoo stepped closer.
"Every time someone becomes class president in our class, they stay away from my matters. That's the rule."
Junghan didn't flinch.
"Why would I interfere in your matters anyway?"
Jisoo smirked darkly.
"You still don't know me? Ask your friends about me. And stay away from my business."
He walked off with his group like nothing happened.
Junghan stood rooted, confused and a little annoyed.
He murmured, "What was that…?"
Daeho cleared his throat.
"Bro… he said that because there are lots of complaints against him. Like… a lot. Teachers have issues with his behavior too. Discipline, fights, arguments… sometimes he even bullies."
Junghan turned sharply.
"What? For real?"
Dejin nodded. "You're class president now. You'll hear everything."
Junghan frowned deeply.
Why would Haeyoung like someone like Jisoo…?
The thought burned his chest without him understanding why it hurt.
🍱 Canteen — Lunch Time
The boys entered the canteen.
Hana, Ji Eun, and Haeyoung were already sitting at their usual corner table.
Haeyoung waved the moment she saw them.
Her whole face lit up.
They joined the girls.
Daeho wasted no time.
"Oh by the way… Junghan became class president today."
Haeyoung gasped loudly.
"WHAT? REALLY??"
Her eyes sparkled.
She clapped her hands.
"WOOOWWW JUNGHAN! CLASS PRESIDENT!! SO COOL!"
Junghan looked down, smiling shyly.
"Calm down. It's just class president."
Haeyoung shook her head.
"Nooo! You're president of YOUR class!
Meanwhile our class president… ugh… he's so rude. I wish I was in your class instead."
She pouted like a child.
"But I'm younger…"
She did a dramatic cry.
Everyone laughed.
Ji Eun teased, "Stop being dramatic. Our class president is good."
Haeyoung pointed at her dramatically.
"You say that because he's your boyfriend."
Hana made a "caught you" face.
Ji Eun blushed bright red and hit Haeyoung lightly.
"SHUT UP—he is NOT—"
But something happened that no one noticed.
Daeho's smile faded.
He looked down at his tray.
Hee Seong — Ji Eun's boyfriend —
The one she just defended.
Quietly, Daeho stood up and walked away from the table.
Junghan noticed.
"Daeho? Where is he going…?"
But before he could follow—
🏀 Jisoo Arrives
Jisoo swaggered toward their table.
He smirked. "Hello, Haeyoung. You ignored me in the morning."
Haeyoung blinked innocently.
"No, I didn't. I was following Junghan. He was upset with me."
Jisoo's jaw tightened but he smiled.
"Oh. Anyway… are you free this evening?"
Junghan's eyes flicked up instantly.
Dejin froze mid-bite.
Hana and Ji Eun exchanged teasing looks.
Haeyoung tilted her head.
"Evening?"
Jisoo nodded confidently.
"Yeah. There's a basketball match against another school. I want you to be there and support me."
Haeyoung's cheeks slightly warmed.
But before she could even open her mouth—
Junghan cut in, voice sharp.
"No. She's not free. She has to go to the library for exam preparation."
Everyone stared at him.
Junghan continued,
"Call someone else for support."
And without waiting—
he grabbed Haeyoung's wrist
and pulled her away from the table.
Hana and Ji Eun's jaws dropped.
Jisoo's eyes darkened
🌿 School Garden
Junghan didn't stop until they reached the quiet garden behind the building.
He turned, voice firm.
"Didn't I tell you to stay away from Jisoo? He's not a good guy."
Haeyoung frowned.
"He's not that bad. Last night he texted me and apologized. He said he ignored me that day because he didn't know me."
Junghan stared at her for three whole seconds.
"So you even have his number?"
Haeyoung shrugged casually.
"He gave it in the letter."
Junghan's tone tightened.
"So last night… you messaged him? You talked to him?"
Haeyoung hesitated.
"Well, yeah—"
"And in the morning you gave me excuses that you forgot to message me?"
His voice cracked there.
Not angry…
just hurt.
"You had time for him. But not for me?"
Haeyoung froze.
"That's not how it is—"
Junghan shook his head.
"You don't need to explain.
Go to his basketball match."
He turned.
"Bye."
"Junghan—wait!"
But he didn't.
He walked away.
Haeyoung stood in the garden, stunned and confused.
🌆 Evening — Everyone Leaving School
Junghan packed his bag slowly, his mood heavy.
He kept replaying the conversation with Haeyoung in his mind.
Why does it hurt?
Why does it matter so much?
He sighed.
Just then, he saw Daeho walking into class quietly.
And he looked genuinely sad — which was unusual for the always-smiling Daeho.
Junghan instantly walked up.
"Daeho? Where were you? What happened?"
Daeho said softly,
"Nothing… I was just on the terrace."
"Terrace? Why?"
Daeho forced a shrug.
"No reason, bro. Really."
Junghan stepped closer.
"If something's bothering you, you can tell me."
Daeho looked away.
"…Let's go eat something. I'll tell you."
Junghan nodded.
"Okay."
As they walked out, Dejin caught up dramatically.
"DUO in trio? My heart… BROKEN!"
Junghan laughed slightly,
"Come with us."
Dejin gasped dramatically.
"Am I even a person you need to invite?? Of COURSE I'm coming!"
They all walked together toward the exit.
🚪 Main Gate — Confrontation
Haeyoung was waiting.
With Hana and Ji Eun on each side.
The moment Junghan appeared, she hurried toward him and grabbed his wrist.
"What's your problem?? Why do you get upset so easily?? Did I ever get upset with you?? Only I can handle your mood swings—say THANK YOU."
Junghan turned slowly.
His face was unreadable.
"Why didn't you go to your Jisoo's match?"
Haeyoung made a face.
"My Jisoo?? He's NOT my Jisoo. He's just… someone I know."
Junghan stared at her.
"Someone you used to have a crush on?"
Haeyoung froze.
Hana and Ji Eun stared at the ground like "not again."
"Who told you that?" she whispered.
Junghan said calmly,
"I heard it myself. Don't lie."
Haeyoung sighed.
"That was one month ago. I don't have a crush anymore."
Junghan asked quietly,
"So are you going to his match?"
She gave a tiny smile.
"Hehehe… yes."
Without a word,
Junghan walked again.
Haeyoung shouted from behind,
"Junghan!! I won't buy you butterscotch ice cream next time! This time I won't fix your mood again!"
Junghan said without looking back,
"That's okay. Go to his match."
Haeyoung stomped.
"Trust me, next time I won't run after you!"
Junghan replied, still walking,
"Don't come."
Haeyoung yelled,
"So are you ending our friendship??"
Junghan stopped.
Turned.
"Why are you so dramatic?"
She grinned.
"Because YOU handle my drama!"
She went up to him, held his arm gently.
"So… can I go…?"
Junghan exhaled.
"Okay. Go to the match."
"You won't be upset?"
"No."
She beamed.
Then—
she leaned in and kissed his cheek.
And before he could understand anything—
She ran toward the basketball court with Hana and Ji Eun screaming behind her.
Junghan froze in place
Cold wind brushed his hair.
He felt like the world stopped.
No movement.
No sound.
Just the warmth on his cheek.
Dejin stood beside him, blinking.
"Uh… bro… did she just—??"
Junghan didn't answer.
Deho stood on the other side, still lost in his own sadness…
but even he glanced up in shock.
Junghan was still frozen in the corridor.
His fingers rested lightly on his cheek—the exact spot where Haeyoung kissed him. His face was red, ears burning, and his heartbeat was loud enough to echo inside his skull.
Dejin stared at him, one eyebrow raised, mouth half-open.
Then slowly—very slowly—a teasing smile spread across his face.
DEJIN:
"…bro… she kissed you."
Junghan didn't answer. Still frozen. Still replaying the moment like a broken film reel.
DEJIN (leaning closer):
"Hey… earth to president Kim… come back from heaven."
Still no reaction.
Finally, Daeho—who had been quiet and gloomy all day—blinked, looked at the two of them, and suddenly broke into a half-smile.
DAEHO:
"What did I just witness???? Friendship…? Or goood-morning-romantic-drama??
Ohhhh myyyy myyyy Junghan Kimmmm…"
Junghan snapped back and hissed:
JUNGHAN:
"Shut. Up. Both of you."
But the blush refused to leave his face.
🍜 AT THE RESTAURANT
The three boys took a booth in their usual Korean dinner .
They ordered ramyeon, kimbap, tteokbokki… but only Dejin and Daeho were eating.
Junghan still had his hand pressed on his cheek like a guy who'd discovered electricity.
Finally, Dejin gave up.
He hit Junghan's arm—not softly.
DEJIN:
"COME OUT OF YOUR DREAMLAND, ROMEO!"
Junghan blinked hard.
JUNGHAN:
"I—did she really…? Like… actually…?"
DEJIN:
"YES! She kissed your cheek. If you want, I can reenact—"
JUNGHAN:
"Try it and I'll kill you."
Daeho laughed weakly at their banter, but his eyes were still red.
Junghan noticed.
He slowly turned serious.
JUNGHAN:
"Okay. Enough teasing. Daeho, what's wrong? Since lunch you're… off."
Daeho looked down at the table.
His ramen was untouched.
He sniffed once and then made a face like he was stopping himself from crying.
DAEHO:
"…didn't you hear? Ji Eun is dating Hee Seong."
Dejin nodded casually.
DEJIN:
"Yeah… so what—"
Junghan kicked him under the table instantly.
JUNGHAN:
"Shut up. Let him talk."
Daeho swallowed.
His voice cracked.
DAEHO:
"I liked Ji Eun… okay?
I liked her for a long time. You two idiots never understood."
Both boys froze.
DEJIN:
"…WAIT WHAT?!"
JUNGHAN:
"YOU WHAT?!"
Daeho's eyes filled.
DAEHO:
"I was going to confess to her during farewell. I planned everything.
But… now she's with Hee Seong.
I'm late.
Really late."
He wiped his nose with his sleeve.
DAEHO:
"And bro… it hurts. Like—really hurts. I didn't know liking someone could hurt this much."
For the first time, Dejin shut up.
Even he realized it was serious.
Dejin scratched his head.
DEJIN:
"…okay… tragic event… very tragic… I respect your pain."
Junghan threw a tissue at him.
JUNGHAN:
"Idiot. Speak properly."
Then he looked at Daeho.
Softly.
Gently.
JUNGHAN:
"You're not late. You just loved someone who loved someone else.
It happens."
Daeho took a shaky breath.
DAEHO:
"Have you guys ever loved someone like this? To the point your heart just… breaks?"
Dejin pointed at Junghan instantly.
DEJIN:
"HE HAS. He likes Haeyoung—"
Junghan nearly choked on air.
JUNGHAN:
"YAH! Don't drag me—"
But Daeho gave him a long knowing look.
DAEHO:
"Junghan… you do like her. Childhood to now.
Why don't you propose her?"
Junghan went still.
Like his entire body locked.
JUNGHAN (quietly):
"…don't say that."
DEJIN:
"Why not? What's the problem?"
JUNGHAN:
"Because…
If I confess…
I risk losing her."
Silence.
Only the restaurant's clinking sounds filled the gap.
Junghan looked down at his hands, voice heavy.
JUNGHAN:
"Haeyoung is everything bright in my life.
And me? My house… my mom… my life is a mess.
I don't want that mess touching her.
I don't want her to love me and ruin her life."
His voice cracked just a little.
JUNGHAN:
"She deserves someone whose world isn't dark.
Not someone like me."
Daeho sniffed.
DAEHO:
"…you're a bigger heartbroken loser than me."
DEJIN:
"Both of you need therapy."
They all laughed a little—even Daeho through his sadness.
Meanwhile… at the Basketball Match
The gym echoed with cheers.
Haeyoung sat in the front row with Ji Eun and Hana, waving a tiny handmade sign that said:
"GO JISOO! FIGHTING!"
Hana whispered:
HANA:
"Girl… did you just draw hearts next to his name??"
HAEYOUNG (lying badly):
"Noooo… that's… artistic bubbles."
Ji Eun snorted.
Jisoo glanced at the audience, saw Haeyoung, and smirked confidently.
Then winked.
Haeyoung froze.
HAEYOUNG:
"…he winked."
JI EUN:
"She's gone. Our girl is gone."
HANA:
"K.O. finished. Put her in the hospital."
But Haeyoung pouted.
HAEYOUNG:
"It's JUST a wink! Why are you guys like this??"
Still… her cheeks were red.
And she kept thinking…
Junghan said he wouldn't be upset… right?
He really won't be… right?
Right…?
Her smile dimmed for a second.
But the whistle blew, players ran, and the match beproperl
BACK AT THE RESTAURANT —
While cheering echoed across school grounds…
The boys were still in their booth.
Daeho's voice was softer now.
DAEHO:
"What do I do now…?"
Junghan sighed.
JUNGHAN:
"Nothing.
You heal.
Slowly.
We're with you."
Dejin raised his hand dramatically.
DEJIN:
"And I will make sure you get a NEW crush by next month."
Both boys slapped his head.
JUNGHAN:
"That's not how hearts work, idiot."
But they all ended up laughing.
For the first time since lunch…
Daeho smiled properly.