"Here's the class rep."
The whole class turned to look at him.
Lukas stood in front of them, holding a stack of papers.
"These are your exam scores," he said calmly. "This is only the first step. To keep your balance, you need to take the second step. Why worry about the first when there are thousands more to reach the top?"
He paused, then raised the papers slightly.
"Can someone help me distribute these?"
A few classmates raised their hands.
"Thank you."
After handing them out, Lukas finally sat down. He hadn't had time to eat earlier because of everything that happened during break.
He opened his bag, searching for food… but froze.
"I forgot my lunch…"
"Here, idiot."
Elliene suddenly handed him a sandwich.
"I figured you wouldn't have time to buy food."
Lukas' face immediately lit up, practically sparkling.
"Thank you, Elliene, my hero," he said, almost drooling with happiness.
Elliene stood there like a proud Buddha statue, completely satisfied with herself.
Lukas narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"This isn't poisoned, right?"
Elliene's expression instantly darkened.
"Then don't eat it, idiot!"
"I'm joking, jeez!" Lukas quickly said, hugging the sandwich protectively.
Elliene huffed, crossing her arms.
"How was your exam?"
"It was fine…"
"Your score?"
"Fifty out of fifty. You?"
"…Forty-nine," Elliene said, looking like she was about to cry.
"Yeah… it was hard," Lukas said, trying to comfort her.
Elliene sniffed… then suddenly lifted her head, eyes sharp.
"Let's drink."
Her expression turned deadly serious.
"S-sure…" Lukas replied, already scared.
Later, the four of them walked toward a pub.
Lukas had invited Arthur and Valerie to celebrate.
"It's not like there's anything to celebrate about my grades," Arthur said casually. "GPA: 3.0."
Valerie, who had been quiet the whole time, suddenly spoke.
"Hey, no need to announce mine either! …3.3."
Meanwhile…
Elliene and Lukas: 4.0.
They finally arrived at the pub.
"Order anything—my treat!" Elliene declared… already acting drunk even though they hadn't even ordered yet.
Elliene was rich—everyone knew that—but she still chose to live normally and even took a scholarship.
"Can I order this… and this… and this?" Lukas said, pointing at way too many dishes.
Unlike the others, he focused more on food than drinks—he was a total lightweight.
A few minutes later, their orders arrived.
Elliene raised her glass.
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!!" they all said in unison.
By the time the moon was high in the sky…
Lukas and Elliene were completely knocked out from drinking.
Arthur and Valerie, however, were still wide awake—they were used to this.
Arthur sighed, then bent down to lift Lukas.
"I'll go carry my boyfriend, and you go carry Elliene and call for a taxi," Arthur said while carrying Lukas.
"I'll let Luke sleep in my room tonight," Arthur said, grinning.
"Let me borrow your boyfriend this night," Arthur teased.
"Nahhh, I'll just let Elli sleep in my apartment. Besides, it's the weekend—me and Elliene will be shopping and talking about girl stuff," Valerie said.
"Take that plan of yours to yourself. I don't care, as long as I'm with Luke," Arthur joked.
Valerie rolled her eyes, and both of them waved goodbye and took different paths.
"I didn't know you were this much of a lightweight, Luke," Arthur said.
"Hmm…" Lukas only hummed in response, clearly out of it.
"Wait here—I'll buy cigarettes," Arthur added, about to leave.
"Buy me candies too…" Lukas mumbled, smiling childishly.
Arthur sighed but ended up buying every candy Lukas pointed at.
When he returned, he unwrapped one and gently placed it in Lukas' mouth.
For a brief moment, Arthur's gaze lingered on Lukas' lips.
They look like they were made to be kissed.
"…Yeah, no. Someone got you first," Arthur muttered under his breath, looking up at the stars instead.
By the time they reached Arthur's house, Lukas was barely conscious.
Arthur carefully laid him down on the bed.
"Looks like I'll be sleeping on the floor tonight…"
"Join me… I'm alone…" Lukas murmured, eyes still closed.
Arthur glanced at him, then laughed softly.
"Hahaha… you talk too much when you're drunk."
"Val… turn off the light…" Lukas mumbled.
Arthur was surprised.
"Okay, my king… and it's Arthur," he replied.
"Ohhh… Arthie…" Lukas said, smiling faintly, still half-asleep.
Arthur froze.
A blush crept across his face—caught completely off guard. It was the first time he'd heard that nickname… and it came from Lukas.
"…Hahaha, just sleep, idiot," Arthur laughed it off, quickly turning off the light before lying down on the floor.
But even in the dark, his smile lingered a little longer than it should have.
Morning came softly.
Arthur gently shook Lukas awake.
"Hey… eat this. I made soup."
"Yey… thank you, Arth," Lukas said happily, like a child being taken care of.
Arthur froze.
That name—Arth.
It reminded him of last night… Arthie.
For a moment, his composure wavered—but he quickly recovered, putting on a calm, unreadable expression.
"After you're done eating, go take a shower," Arthur said, voice steady.
"But I don't have clothes with me… and I didn't leave extras in my locker," Lukas replied.
"I have spare clothes in my closet. I'll get them," Arthur said.
"They might be too big for me…" Lukas pouted. Arthur was taller, after all.
"It'll be fine," Arthur said, trying to sound casual.
"It's not about the clothes."
"…Fine," Lukas gave in.
"Where are you going?" Lukas asked as Arthur turned away.
"I'm just going to buy cigarettes at the convenience store," Arthur replied.
"Hey, stop smoking," Lukas said suddenly, adjusting an imaginary pair of glasses like a serious little researcher.
"Take care of your lungs… and your lips too. I heard they get darker if you keep smoking."
He leaned in slightly, studying Arthur's face.
"It'd be a waste… your lips are nice."
Arthur paused for a second, then looked away.
"…Alright, fine. Just get ready—we're gonna be late," he muttered.
A few minutes later, Lukas came out, freshly dressed in Arthur's clothes.
"See? It fits you," Arthur said, trying to sound casual.
Lukas ignored him, still fixing the sleeves.
As they walked down from the apartment, Arthur caught a faint scent—
His shampoo.
On Lukas.
For some reason… it felt nice.
A little too nice.
Arthur quietly looked away, pretending it didn't affect him.