After the unsettling incidents in the locker rooms, both Jungwon and Kwon found their way back to the track field, pretending as if nothing had happened. They rejoined the group of seniors, who were now lounging around, catching their breath after the final laps of the period.
The moment they returned, one of the seniors clapped his hands, excitement lighting up his face. "Hey! You guys—are you coming to the party?"
"Party?" Jungwon and Kwon asked in unison, their brows raised in confusion.
Senior 1 grinned and leaned in like he was sharing a juicy secret. "Yeah, you haven't heard? Sechan and Tae are throwing a party this weekend. And let me tell you—when those two throw a party, it's not something you want to miss."
Kwon's smile faltered the moment he heard Tae's name. His mind instantly flashed back to the heated encounter in the restroom—the intense gaze, the whisper, the sudden bite on his ear. He shook his head lightly, trying to brush the memory away.
"I don't think I'll come," Kwon muttered, looking down at his shoes.
Jungwon, still new to all of this, tilted his head curiously. "Who are these guys exactly?"
Senior 2, who had overheard, chuckled and stepped in. "Oh, just the elite of the elite. Sechan and Tae are top-ranking seniors here. They're brilliant, ridiculously good-looking, and both come from some of the wealthiest families in the country. The kind of guys everyone either wants to be—or be with."
Jungwon raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Hmmm… I'll think about it."
Just then, a more playful senior—Senior 3—pouted dramatically. "Don't even think about missing it! If you're not there, I'll be all sad and lonely," he whined, making a silly face.
Jungwon burst out laughing. "Hahaha, alright! I won't miss it, then. I can't have you suffering alone."
The group laughed together, the tension melting as they continued chatting casually. The warm camaraderie followed them all the way back to the classroom building. As they climbed the stairs and returned to their seats, the air between Jungwon and Kwon shifted.
Kwon glanced sideways. "Hey… are you really thinking of going to that party?"
Jungwon leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling for a moment before replying, "I'm not sure yet. I'll have to check my schedule, maybe talk to my cousin about it. You?"
Kwon hesitated, fiddling with the pen in his hand. "I… I'm not so sure either."
Jungwon noticed the faint nervousness in his friend's voice and gave him a soft smile. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Kwon replied quickly, too quickly. Then, after a pause, he added more softly, "I just… don't know what to expect. Parties like that aren't really my thing."
Jungwon nodded in understanding, but a small part of him was curious now. Who were these guys really—Sechan, the cold-eyed heir with a gaze like a storm, and Tae, the smooth-talking enigma who clearly had an interest in Kwon?
Something told him that this party was going to change things.
And maybe… for better or worse, they needed to be there.
Chapter: Weekend Preparations
The weekend arrived with soft golden sunlight pouring through the skies—a perfect day to breathe, relax, and step away from the rigid schedules of school. It was on this bright morning that Jungwon's phone buzzed. Moments later, Kwon's did too.
Incoming Call: Senior 1
"Hey guys! We're heading out to do some shopping and hit the café. You two are coming with us. No excuses!"
Jungwon chuckled and responded with an enthusiastic "Sure, sounds fun!"
Kwon, although a bit hesitant, gave in the moment Jungwon sent him a text:
"Come with me, please. I need help picking something for the party."
And that was all it took.
A few hours later, the group of seniors, Jungwon, and Kwon strolled through the vibrant streets of the city, hopping between fashion boutiques and stores lined with glass windows that reflected their laughter and casual banter.
The shopping spree was mostly to help Jungwon and Kwon pick out outfits for the highly anticipated party thrown by none other than Sechan and Tae—the mysterious duo who had quickly taken over their thoughts in one way or another.
Jungwon was visibly excited, sifting through racks of stylish clothes with a sparkle in his eyes. Kwon, though not entirely thrilled by the idea of a party, was still present, trailing beside his friend with soft sighs and small nods.
They tried on a few outfits—Jungwon eventually picking a crisp white shirt and sleek black trousers, while Kwon went for a deep green button-up with light tan slacks, reluctantly admitting that he looked "decent."
After the shopping, they all settled in a quaint café that had become a weekend ritual for the seniors. The place was quiet but lively, filled with soft music and the aroma of fresh coffee beans and sweet pastries.
They sat at a corner booth, drinks in hand, conversations flowing with ease.
Jungwon, ever the curious one, stirred his iced latte thoughtfully before asking, "So… are Sechan and Tae graduating this year?"
Senior 1 leaned back with a grin. "Yeah, they're in their final year. It's kind of surreal, honestly. Doesn't feel like they're about to leave."
Senior 2 added with a note of admiration, "You know, Tae's the son of the CEO of Yosan Company. And Sechan—he's the heir to Light Corp."
Jungwon's eyes widened slightly. "Wow… that explains the aura."
Senior 3 laughed. "Yeah, those two basically have the school wrapped around their fingers. But don't be too intimidated. They're human too—just a little extra intense."
Jungwon smiled, processing the information while sipping his drink. His thoughts wandered to Sechan's quiet intensity, the way his eyes seemed to see through people. And Tae—he remembered the name clearly now. Kwon had mentioned him once, though always briefly.
"Speaking of the party," Senior 3 leaned in, smirking. "Tomorrow is the big day. Jungwon, I better see you there. If you don't show up, I'll personally drag you out of your dorm."
Jungwon chuckled and nodded. "I'll be there, don't worry."
Their laughter danced around the table, light and easy, until the room quieted slightly. All eyes turned to Kwon, who sat quietly with his coffee, his eyes cast down, thoughts clearly elsewhere.
He felt their gaze and slowly looked up. "What?" he asked, blinking innocently.
The seniors leaned in. "Are you coming too?"
Kwon sighed dramatically, but a tiny smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He glanced at Jungwon, then back at them. "Haah… yeah. My bestie's going, so why wouldn't I?"
"Aw, look at that loyalty," teased Senior 1.
Kwon simply smirked and took another sip of his coffee, though deep down, his stomach fluttered slightly—not from caffeine, but from the anticipation of what might await at the party. He hadn't forgotten Tae's words, the smirk, the closeness. That confusing moment still echoed faintly in his chest.
As they left the café, the sky had turned a soft hue of peach and lilac. The city buzzed with quiet life, and a gentle breeze brushed past them.
Jungwon looked up at the sky and said quietly, "Tomorrow's going to be interesting, huh?"
Kwon nodded beside him. "Yeah… I've got a weird feeling about it."
Neither of them could quite put it into words, but they both sensed it—that tomorrow's party wasn't just another social event.
It was the start of something bigger.
Something unexpected.
Something that could change everything.