The morning sun cast a pale golden hue across the school courtyard, filtering through the trees as students trickled into the building. Amid the usual chatter and footsteps, Jungwon and Chae walked side by side toward their classroom, their conversation light and filled with casual smiles. But beneath Chae's soft laughter was a storm of quiet thoughts she couldn't silence.
Her eyes drifted briefly to Jungwon's profile as he spoke. He was kind, careful with his words, even charming in moments—but something about his sudden interest in her didn't sit right.
Maybe it wasn't me he really wanted.
Maybe something happened between him and Sechan.
Maybe that's why he said yes to me.
She pushed the thoughts down with a forced smile, deciding silently, I'll just play along.
As they reached the classroom, Jungwon's demeanor subtly changed. The lively mask faded from his face as his gaze met Kwon's, who was already seated, waiting. Chae slipped into her seat, but her attention lingered on the boys, ears pricked for anything she could catch.
Jungwon sank into his chair beside Kwon, a sigh escaping him like something heavy was being let go—though not entirely.
Kwon leaned in, voice low. "How did it go?"
Jungwon didn't look at him. His eyes stared ahead, unfocused. "Sechan told her… we were together."
The words hit Kwon like a slap. His mouth parted in disbelief. "Wait, what? Why the hell would he go that far?"
Silence settled between them for a beat too long. Kwon's brows furrowed as he searched Jungwon's face, trying to read the emotions swimming in his friend's eyes—hurt, confusion, guilt?
"And… what did you say?" Kwon asked, quieter now.
Jungwon's voice was barely above a whisper. "I told her it wasn't true… and I said yes. I told her I'd go out with her."
Kwon stared at him, stunned. He wanted to speak, to demand why Jungwon would lie, why he'd give Chae something that belonged to someone else. But he saw it in Jungwon's face—this wasn't just about a decision.
Jungwon had been preparing himself all day—mentally rehearsing what he would say, how he would stand, how he would hold back the emotion that clung to his chest like a second skin. He knew he had to face Sechan. There was no avoiding it anymore. No more hiding behind silence.
As the final bell rang, echoing through the school halls like a call to battle, Jungwon didn't waste a second. He strode out of the classroom with determined steps, his heart pounding against his ribs like a warning. Kwon noticed and immediately followed, struggling to keep up with his friend's urgent pace.
They moved through the corridor like shadows slicing through sunlight, passing students who laughed and chattered, unaware of the storm about to unfold.
At the far end of the hallway, near the lockers, stood Sechan. Tae was beside him, talking casually, as if nothing was wrong—like the past didn't exist, like the silence between friends hadn't grown into a chasm overnight.
Jungwon didn't hesitate. His eyes locked on Sechan's as he approached. Without a word, he reached for Sechan's wrist, his grip firm but not violent. There was urgency in his touch, a quiet desperation masked behind a clenched jaw.
"Come with me," he said under his breath.
Before either Sechan or Tae could react, Jungwon dragged Sechan down the hall, straight into the nearest restroom. The door slammed shut behind them, and Jungwon turned the lock with a final click—sealing them in, away from the eyes of the world.
Outside, Tae blinked in confusion. "What just—?"
He turned toward Kwon, who stood frozen nearby. "Hey," Tae called out, stepping closer, "What's going on?"
But Kwon turned away swiftly, his face unreadable.
"Why are you turning that way? Are you avoiding me now?" Tae asked, voice laced with disbelief.
Kwon remained silent, shoulders tight with restrained emotion.
"I don't know anything," Tae added, his voice softer now, edged with confusion and hurt. "Why are you acting like this?"
Kwon's voice was low, almost inaudible. "Birds of the same feathers flock together."
But Tae heard him. And it cut deeper than he expected.
Inside the restroom, the tension hung like fog.
Jungwon stood in front of Sechan, breath heavy, jaw clenched. "Why did you say that to her?" he asked, voice trembling—not with weakness, but with restrained fury. "Why did you tell her we were together?"
Sechan didn't answer. He couldn't. His gaze fell to the tiled floor, his throat tightening with unspoken words. He looked… guilty. Or maybe just broken.
But Jungwon shook his head, not waiting for an explanation.
"You know what? Save it," he said bitterly. "It doesn't matter anymore."
He straightened his shoulders, eyes sharp, voice steady now—like a blade. "She's my girlfriend now."
There was no hesitation in his tone, no falter. It was a declaration, a line drawn in the sand.
Sechan finally looked up. The disbelief in his eyes was unmistakable. It wasn't just about Chae—it was about what was left unsaid, about what they had, what they never talked about, and what Jungwon had just buried.
"It can't be…" Sechan's voice cracked, filled with disbelief and something more fragile—hope, maybe. He reached out slowly, as if touching Jungwon's cheek might make the moment real, might erase the distance that had grown between them.
But Jungwon stepped back, the space between them growing like an invisible wall. His eyes, heavy with pain and resolve, didn't waver.
"So please…" Jungwon's voice was low, but firm, each word weighted with the finality he wished he didn't have to carry. "Stay in your lane and let me be."
For a moment, the silence between them stretched—thick, suffocating, filled with everything they never said and everything they could no longer fix.
Then Jungwon turned away, walking off without looking back.
Outside the school, Jungwon found Kwon waiting, worry etched deep into his features. Without a word, Jungwon took Kwon's hand, a quiet gesture that spoke volumes—he wasn't ready to face everything alone, but he needed to escape the chaos for a while.
They moved toward home, the weight of the confrontation still heavy in the air. As they reached the steps downstairs, Chae was waiting there, her face brightening when she saw them. She joined them without hesitation, slipping easily into their quiet little group.
The three of them walked together, the tension easing just a little with Chae's laughter mingling between them, small smiles shared over casual conversation. The world didn't seem quite so heavy for those moments, as if hope could still find its way back through the cracks.