Si Kyo now strolls across the green open courtyard, grin wide, hands in his pockets, head held high—but not too long.
"Ow—damn it, still feels like a watermelon's growing in there."He touches his forehead and shakes it off, eyes darting around.
"Lowkey mode: activated."
He ducks behind a large tree, then peeks around it dramatically...
Inside the classroom, Soojin leans over.
"And this year? For the first time ever, our university will not be participating."
"What?! Why?" Jiho reacts.
Soojin shrugs, resigned.
"Nobody signed up. Not a single runner. And no one volunteered to cheer either."
A classmate, ever the optimist, pipes up from the front.
"I mean, look at the bright side... at least we won't embarrass ourselves in front of everyone again?"
A wave of solemn nods follows. Students in unison, like monks at a pity party.
A single sweat drop metaphorically forms behind Jiho's head.
He chuckles under his breath and shakes his head.
"Unbelievable."
"Focus! Eyes on the board unless you'd rather repeat this semester!"The professor snaps.
Everyone straightens like a sudden military inspection hit.
"Yes, professor!"
...Except Minseok and Soojin. Still whispering.
"And at least we won't have to see that jerk Park Jinwoo from SanSoo University."
"Ugh. That smug runner boy? I'd rather eat chalk."
They both nod in grim agreement like they've just signed a peace treaty. Jiho smiles faintly, returning to his notes.
TAP.
Something lightly hits the window.
TAP. TAP.
Jiho blinks and glances from the second floor. Outside on the campus ground, waving like he's greeting a long-lost soulmate, stands Shin Si Kyo.
Bright grin. Swollen forehead. Eyes gleaming with chaos. Face screaming 'unmedicated'.
"Oh no."
Si Kyo waves harder, mouth moving dramatically through the glass.
"Hey, How are you doin...?"
"Oh no, oh no, oh no... the devil is here."
"Surprise~! Miss me?"
Jiho jumps in his seat, clutching his notes like a shield. He leans his head out the window.
"What the hell are you doing?! Get out! How did you even get in here?"
"That's for me to know and You to find out."
(inner monologue)My whole entire existence must have been a joke to that insect, Si Kyo.
"Jihooo~! Yoo-hoo! Scholar boy!"
"Are you insane?!"
"What? I can't hear you~"
He looks to his left, eyes catching something tall, green, and very climbable.
A tree. A massive, slightly crooked tree that brushes just under the second floor window.
"No... what are you doing? What are you looking at?"
"Looking at what?"
He doesn't wait for an answer. One foot is already on the bark.
"Stop. Stop it. I swear— don't you dare. Si Kyo. I mean it!"
"This tree's got good vibes."
"You're going to break your neck!"
"Then I'll haunt you with jazz music."
He starts climbing. Effortless. Jiho buries his face in his hands, muffling a strangled groan.
"Whoever's up there... God, Buddha, Beyoncé... if you hear me... smite him. Or me. Either's fine. I'll thank you later."
Suddenly, a voice at the window.
"By the way... hi."
Jiho jolts so hard he knocks over his water bottle.
"You absolute menace!"
"You say that like it's new."
"I'm literally just... trying to pass! Like a normal person!"
"Normal is a cult."
Jiho glances nervously toward the front. The professor is mid-rant.
"You're going to get us caught!"
(whispering like it's sacred)"I was bored."
"That's it?"
"And I missed bullying you."
"You're a grown man with a credit score and a driver's license! What are you? Five!?"
"Don't age me, worm. I'm timeless."
He flicks Jiho's forehead.
"Ow!"
"See? That's the sound of brain cells dying. Stop thinking so hard."
"You're literally impossible."
"And yet, here I am. Irresistible."
Jiho opens his mouth. Closes it. His eyes watering, begging for divine intervention.