(note that Suoh is also a 2nd-year, y/n's childhood friend)
3 DAYS AGO
"Have you seen Kaveh?" Suoh asked. Alhaitham and Y/n shook their head as a response. After Suoh waved goodbye, all Suoh could see is the tracks. He went to the School Park. After he arrived, he saw his academic rival, Seo. "Oh? What are you doing here early in the morning? And what happened to your face..?" Seo went to Suoh, observing his face. He was a bit flustered that she is observing him. To his surprise, he likes Seo. Since 1st year. But, he didn't want to say it out loud to anyone, it was embarassing for him. Especially when they're academic rivals, one of the greatest one in the school so far.
Unexpectedly, she touches his cheek. He flinched, then later on he softened at her touch. "S-Seo..?" She looked at him, chuckling softly. She pulled away. He cleared his throat. "..." Suoh touched the cheek that she touched. "You haven't answered my question, why are you here hm?" she asked in a casual way, crossing her arms. She slightly glared at her rival, Suoh glared back. "I'm looking for Kaveh." He scoffed. Their moods completely changed, different from earlier. "Huh? He said he's going back to his dorm. Couldn't wait? Mr. Impatient?" Seo laughed sarcastically, while Suoh let out a grumble of annoyance. They both look away from each other, annoyed already by each other's presence. "I'll be going. Bye." In mere 3 seconds, she walked away in a slight fast pace. Suoh sighed at the sight of her leaving. "What a pain in the ass.."
— PRESENT, IN THE 2ND YEAR CLASS
The professor sat humbly at his seat, while the students studied. The professor, known as Professor Renzo. From that one chapter, he is introduced as the "young professor". Who is also 15 years old. He stood up, grabbing everyone's attention. "An announcement. As you all know, next week is the Welcome Party of 2nd years. Planned by the Principal, himself." Renzo said. "It will be held at xx, xxxx." He wrote down the address on the board, as the students murmured to their seatmates. Renzo finished writing on the chalk board, he looked at the class.
"I am looking forward to see you there."
— IN THE 1ST YEAR CLASS
"A welcome party?" Y/n asked, Alhaitham was beside her. "Mhm..." Seo stretched her arms, up in the air. "You seem down. What's the matter?" Alhaitham asked in a neutral tone. "It's just..." Seo sighed and explained.
The both of them stared at Seo, slightly snickering. "W-What..." Seo crossed her arms, looking at them with murderous intent in her eyes. Y/n couldn't help it, so she stiffled a laugh. "You're going to do it next week?" She asked. "Mhm. I'm just too nervous." Seo fidgeted her fingers. "A representative in front of the Principal huh?" Alhaitham sighed. "What happened to the confidence?" Seo blinked, and looked down.
"I...I...honestly...don't know" Seo looked at her hands.
— PAST
'Social Communication Anxiety.'
Seo looked around at her classmates, currently in Junior Highschool. She shivered. She wanted to talk, but she couldn't. "Hey Seo, could you -" the student beside him nudged him. "You shouldn't interact with her. She can't talk." The boy that nudged him scoffed, dragging the other boy somewhere. Seo looked down, clutching her shirt. She huffed in confidence. 'I can do this. I'll... i'll... train at home!'
And with that, she started to speak. Slowly, bit by bit. She managed to overcome her anxiety, but the anxiety in her still remains. Even if the anxiety starts to overtake her again, she pushes herself to the fullest. Since Junior Highschool, she was known for a person to have a bubbly personality, that has Social Communication Anxiety.
It may have been hard for people, but they can do it. People expect a person with Social Communication Anxiety to remain quiet and distant, but deep inside they also want to speak. Some also don't. Bit by bit, they can speak confidently. It takes time.
— PRESENT
Seo took a deep breath and huffed. "I can do it." She blurted out. She chuckled. "Don't worry! I can manage. It's also embarassing that a 2nd year would be scared. I have to put a good example!" Seo punched Alhaitham's back 'accidently'. "Ow." He reacted sarcastically. Y/n let out a small chuckle at the interaction of the 2 cousins. She felt like she was getting warmer and warmer by the second. Did her heart warm up?
The school bell rang, Seo ran to her class. Meanwhile with Y/n and Alhaitham, they were concerned about Seo. But the most concerning part is...
Surprise Quiz. Once again.
TIMESKIP
The students around groaned in annoyance as they head to their dorms. Alhaitham and Y/n saw Seo, sitting on the bench. "What are you thinking about?" Alhaitham asked his gloomy cousin. "Nothing." She scratched the back of her head. "Let me guess, you didn't do well at the quiz?" Alhaitham let out a teasing smirk. "Yeah. My scores are all moderately fine, but i want to do more. Like Y/n I saw her on the weekly quiz board." Seo chuckled. "I-It's no problem at all..." Y/n slightly blushed. "Awww.. where did the cold Y/n go?" Alhaitham teased her. Seo laughed, smiling. They made a conversation for a while, and then Suoh happen to pass by.
"Ah. Y/n" Suoh called out, jogging to them with his backpack on his chest. "Hi Suoh." Y/n greeted. Alhaitham also greeted him, but Seo didn't spoke a word. Suoh looked at Seo, as if the time stopped. They looked at eachother, his eyes reflecting hers and hers is reflecting his. "We should leave you both alone." Y/n blurted out. Suddenly, she pulled Alhaitham's hand, and then running away with their hands intertwined. "Wait wait! — what are you doing?!" Alhaitham arugued, as Y/n chuckled at his reaction. "Let Suoh and Seo talk."
Back to Suoh and Seo, they were staring at each other's souls. As if they were a threat. "Why are you here?" Suoh scoffed. "I'm obviously going to my dorm!" He argued. "..." Seo stayed quiet. "Ok." Seo said it in the most coldest way yet. "You little-" Suoh took a deep breath, and sighed. "Whatever." Suoh said. "And can I ask you something?" He thought for a while. "Go ahead."
"Can I take you out...? Saturday?" Seo blushed slightly, fidgeting her fingers. "No. I can't. Too busy." Seo blinked. "We don't have any school on saturday. How are you busy?" Seo looked frustrated, her heart was crumbling. Suoh went closer to Seo, going to her ear.
"Too busy thinking of you actually."