The lecture finally came to an end, Chairs scraped lightly against the floor as students packed up, conversations filling the room again.
Taehyun stretched dramatically "I'm tired already," he complained.
Jaekyung laughed. "It's just one lecture."
Aran closed his notebook neatly, standing up. "I'm going back," he said.
Taehyun turned immediately. "To where?"
"The dorm."
Taehyun blinked. "…Why?"
Aran gave him a look. "To rest?"
Taehyun scoffed. "No."
Aran frowned. "No?"
"Let's go to the field," Taehyun said excitedly.
Aran didn't even think twice. "No."
"What do you mean no?" Taehyun asked.
Aran slung his bag over his shoulder.
"What's so special about that place?" he said. "You people are always eager to go there."
Taehyun stared at him like he had just said something offensive. "You're so boring."
Aran shrugged. "I'm fine with that."
Taehyun turned to Jaekyung.
"Are you in?"
Jaekyung nodded immediately. "Of course."
Taehyun smirked. "Good."
Before Aran could react they both grabbed him.
"Hey!" Aran protested.
"Let's go!" Taehyun laughed.
"I said I'm not going!"
"Too late!" Jaekyung added.
They dragged him out of the classroom ignoring his complaints completely.
"Let me go!"
"No."
"I'm serious"
"Same here," Taehyun replied.
A few students turned to look, amused by the chaos.
Aran sighed in defeat. "…You guys are unbelievable."
Taehyun grinned. "You'll thank us later."
"I won't."
"You will."
"I won't."
But despite his words he stopped resisting.
Soon, the familiar field came into view again lively and full of energy.
Aran exhaled slowly."…Here we go again."
Taehyun and Jaekyung didn't waste a second.
"We're going to change!" Taehyun said, already running off.
Jaekyung followed right behind him.
Aran watched them go, shaking his head slightly. "…Unbelievable."
A few minutes later, they were back on the pitch, running abd shouting completely immersed in the game.
Aran sat on the bench, resting his arm over his eyes to block the sun, the heat was strong.
But the energy on the field was even stronger.
"Pass!"
"Here!"
"Shoot!"
Then suddenly... Thud!
The ball flew off course straight toward the side of the field and hit someone.
"Oof" Jeha staggered slightly, caught off guard.
Minjae, who had just walked in beside him, stopped immediately.
"Ah! I'm so sorry!" Taehyun shouted, already running over.
Jaekyung followed quickly.
"Are you okay?" Taehyun asked, worried.
Jeha rubbed his arm lightly. "I'm fine."
"No, you're not," Taehyun insisted. "We should go to the infirmary."
"I said I'm fine"
"No," Taehyun cut in. "Let's go."
Jeha blinked."…You're serious?"
"Yes." A pause.
Then Jeha sighed "…You're annoying."
Taehyun grinned. "Let's go."
And just like that he dragged Jeha away.
Jaekyung laughed lightly, shaking his head before running back to the pitch.
Now the bench was quiet again.
Minjae walked over slowly then sat down beside Aran.
"Isn't the sun too much for you?" he asked casually, lifting his hand slightly as if to block the light.
Aran lowered his arm from his eyes "I'm fine."
Minjae smiled faintly.
A small silence settled between them comfortable but not empty.
"Why didn't you join?" Minjae asked.
Aran looked ahead at the field "I don't know how to play."
Minjae turned to him "I can teach you."
Aran shook his head immediately. "No."
"I'm serious."
"I'm not interested."
Minjae leaned back slightly, still calm "I'll make it easy for you."
Aran frowned. "I said no."
A pause then...
"Are you scared?" Minjae asked lightly.
Aran turned sharply "I'm not scared."
Minjae raised a brow. "Then try."
Aran looked back at the field then at him "…Fine."
Minjae smiled… satisfied "Good."
The infirmary was quiet, too quiet compared to the noisy field outside
Jeha sat on the edge of the bed, rolling his shoulder slightly.
"I told you," he said, glancing at Taehyun. "I'm fine."
Taehyun stood in front of him, arms crossed stubbornly.
"I was just worried, sunbae."
Jeha paused.
Then slowly looked up at him."…Why?"
Taehyun froze his mouth opened slightly then closed again.
"…Uh…" For once he had nothing to say.
Jeha tilted his head, studying him...Waiting.
Taehyun scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"…Because of the weight of the football," he said quickly, forcing a smile.
Jeha stared at him for a second longer, then he stood up.
Taehyun blinked "Sunbae?"
Before he could finishJeha stepped closer he reached out
and gently lifted Taehyun's chin.
Taehyun's eyes widened instantly.
"You're cute," Jeha said casually.
Taehyun's brain stopped working "…What?"
"What's your name?" Jeha asked still holding his chin.
"I...I'm Taehyun," he stuttered.
Jeha nodded slightly "Good."
He pulled out his phone "Can I get your number?"
Taehyun blinked once,twice, then quickly nodded.
"Y..Yes."
He took the phone, typing in his number with slightly shaky fingers.
Jeha watched him amused.
When Taehyun handed the phone back, Jeha slipped it into his pocket. Then gently he patted Taehyun's hair.
"Cute," he repeated.
And just like that he turned and walked toward the door.
Leaving Taehyun standing there frozen.
Completely stunned his cheeks slowly turned red,very red.
"…What just happened?"
Outside, the noise of the field continued.
But inside Taehyun's heart was racing for a completely different reason."
The infirmary door opened, Jeha stepped out a small, satisfied smile still lingering on his lips.
"…Interesting."
Then..."Why are you smiling like that?" Jeha paused.
Minjae stood a few steps away, arms crossed, watching him closely suspicious.
"I was wondering what was taking so long," Minjae added, narrowing his eyes slightly. "And now my friend comes out looking like this?"
Jeha scoffed, trying to walk past him. "Get out." a hint of shyness in it.
Minjae wasn't having it he quickly stepped forward and grabbed Jeha by the neck lightly, pulling him back.
"Will you tell me now or not?"
Jeha didn't hesitate, he punched Minjae lightly in the stomach.
"Oof!" Minjae let go immediately, holding his stomach. "Ah! So wicked!"
Jeha burst out laughing. "Such a coward."
Minjae straightened up, glaring at him "Who are you calling a coward?"
Jeha just smirked and started walking away.
"Hey wait for me!" Minjae ran after him.
Within seconds they were chasing each other across the side of the field like kids, laughing and shouting completely unserious.
"…You're not escaping me!" Minjae shouted, speeding up.
Jeha laughed louder, dodging him.
"Catch me first!"
A few minutes later, Taehyun finally returned walking a little too fast, face slightly turned away.
Aran and Jaekyung were still by the bench, waiting.
The moment Jaekyung saw him he stood up immediately.
"Hey!" he said, grabbing Taehyun's arm and dragging him closer. "What took you so long?"
He placed a hand on his chest dramatically. "I almost went to the temple to pray."
They both laughed but Taehyun didn't laugh as much.
His mind was somewhere else...You're cute.
His cheeks flushed again.
Aran noticed immediately he tilted his head slightly.
"…Why are your cheeks so red?"
Taehyun froze, then quickly covered his face. "I'm not blushing!"
Aran raised a brow, slowly turning to look at Jaekyung.
Jaekyung looked back at him both of them smiled and nodded.
"Something happened," Jaekyung said.
"Definitely," Aran added.
Taehyun stood up abruptly. "I'm going home!" he announced quickly. "Bye!"
Aran frowned. "Aren't you waiting for me?"
Taehyun shook his head immediately. "Nope! See you at home!"
And just like that he ran off.
"Why is he running like that?" Jaekyung laughed.
Aran shook his head slightly. "…Suspicious."
Jaekyung nodded. "Very."
They both stood up. "See you later," Jaekyung said, waving.
"Yeah," Aran replied.
They went their separate ways, Aran had barely taken a few steps "Let me give you a ride."
He stopped and turned....Minjae.
Standing there like he had been waiting, Aran stared at him for a second.
Usually he would refuse, argue and say no.
But this time he didn't "…Okay."
Minjae raised a brow slightly surprised.
He simply turned. "Come on." and Aran followed.
Minjae started the engine, glancing briefly at Aran.
"…You didn't refuse this time."
Aran turned slightly, meeting his gaze.
"I guess that's useless," he said calmly. "Since you'll never back off."
A small smile formed on Minjae's lips.
"That's true it's 's good", Minjae added lightly. "Seeing you soften your heart."
Aran scoffed immediately turning to him with a slight glare.
"No, I'm not."
Minjae raised a brow.
"I'm just pitying a puppy."
Minjae laughed softly..."A puppy?" he repeated.
Aran looked away, folding his arms slightly.
"Don't think too much of it."
Minjae shook his head, still smiling as he focused back on the road. "Whatever you say."
The car continued moving smoothly the city passing by quietly outside.
Inside the silence returned but this time It wasn't awkward.
Just calm and somehow comfortable.