The garden slowly returned to silence after the fight.
The bullies had already run away, dragging their injured friends with them. Only the soft sound of wind through the trees remained.
Jinu dusted off his hands and glanced at the boy they had helped.
"You'll be fine now," he said calmly.
The boy nodded quickly and hurried away, still shaken.
For a moment, Jinu and Suho stood there in silence.
Then Jinu finally looked at him.
"…Thanks," he said.
Suho raised an eyebrow. "For what?"
"For helping back there."
Suho shrugged casually. "You were doing pretty well on your own."
Jinu gave a small smile.
"Still… thanks."
He picked up his bag from the ground and slung it over his shoulder.
"Well, I should get going now. See you tomorrow."
Jinu had barely taken a few steps when—
"Wait."
Suho's voice stopped him.
Jinu turned around.
Suho rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Listen… I don't really know anyone here yet."
Jinu frowned slightly.
"So?"
"So… technically you're the only person I know in this school right now."
Jinu crossed his arms.
"And?"
Suho smiled faintly.
"Could you help me out a little?"
Jinu stared at him suspiciously.
"Help with what exactly?"
For a second, Suho didn't answer.
The truth was, the moment he saw Jinu earlier, he could tell that he was someone reliable. Someone honest.
And right now… Suho needed someone like that around.
So he improvised.
"I'll tell you on the way," Suho said casually. "I kind of forgot the details right now. Maybe I'll remember while walking."
Jinu looked at him like he had just heard something ridiculous.
"You forgot… the thing you need help with?"
Suho nodded seriously.
"Yeah."
Jinu sighed.
"That's… pretty weird."
But after a second, he chuckled and started walking again.
"Fine. Come on then."
Suho grinned and followed him.
A few minutes later, they reached the front gate of the school.
Jinu suddenly stopped.
Suho looked at him.
"Why did you stop?"
"I'm waiting for someone."
Suho tilted his head.
"Oh? Who?"
Jinu didn't answer immediately.
Suho smirked slightly.
"Don't tell me you have more friends."
Jinu shot him an annoyed look.
"That's none of your business."
Then he added bluntly,
"Just mind your own business."
Suho chuckled softly but didn't argue.
At that moment, two girls were walking toward the gate.
Jia and Shini.
They were chatting casually as they approached.
Jinu noticed them first.
But Suho's eyes suddenly froze.
His expression changed instantly.
Because the moment he saw Shini—
His eyes widened in shock..
"…You."
For a second, he almost couldn't believe it.
The girl he had been searching for the entire day…
was standing right there.