The tense atmosphere in the classroom was broken when Mr. Han entered. He raised his eyebrows at Song Yujin, Lee Hyun, Lu Yuze, and Kim Hajun who stood still, and inquired what was the matter, but the four shook their head and went back to their respective seats.
The teacher's lecture barely registered in Yujin's head as he tried to ignore the varying looks of his classmates.
The day dragged on, each period feeling like an eternity. By lunchtime, Yujin was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. He grabbed a tray from the cafeteria, barely noticing what he was putting on it.
As he moved to an empty table, he spotted Hajun trying to approach him, but he was pulled by Lu Yuze and some of the rowdy students from another class.
Yujin frowned at Hajun, feeling resentful that the guy didn't even refuse and continued to go to him. His attention was snatched when a senior club member sat before him.
"Yujin-ah, you don't mind if sit here, right?" Geum Beom-Jin, the captain of the track and field team asked in a friendly manner.
Yujin nodded, "Go ahead, Beom-Jin hyung."
Beom-Jin's smile grew wider. "Wow, you're really quick to adapt and easy to get comfortable with! I remember the new members before were still uncomfortable and hesitant to call me 'hyung' but you called me that as soon as I allowed you!"
The senior student laughed, making Yujin wonder if he still hadn't heard the rumor about him. He parted his lips to ask, but another student loomed over their table, stealing their attention.
"Can I join you, guys?"
Yujin was startled to see Lee Hoon—the student council's president and Lee Hyun's older brother—asking them for permission. He nodded and was even going to stand to give room to the respectable guy, but Lee Hoon waved his hand and sat next to Beom-Jin.
"Thanks," Lee Hoon mumbled and started eating.
Beom-Jin glanced at him and asked teasingly, "Not eating with the student council today while having a meeting?"
Lee Hoon swallowed the food first before answering, "We finished earlier than expected, so they all left to have lunch with their friends."
"Lee Hyun has friends?" Yujin blurted out, unconsciously. The two seniors turned to him with blank faces, that soon broke into heaps of laughter. Beom-Jin's laughed maniacally, while Lee Hoon did it gracefully.
Yujin realized his words and peeked at Lee Hoon with awkward and regretful eyes, but Lee Hoon just smiled at him and answered, "Yeah, he has friends. Some chubby orange cat and books."
Chubby orange cat? Oh! The cat at behind the old building! Yujin's face brightened after recalling the adorable creature.
"Wow, look at this kid looking so genuinely happy for your brother, president!" Beom-Jin remarked, laughing at Yujin's face.
Lee Hoon just dismissed the guy's teasing and continued eating. A few minutes later, their table was joined by other seniors. Yujin was introduced to them, and without knowing, he found himself enjoying their company.
For a moment, Yujin forgot the rumors existed and the concerning relationship between him and his brother.
---
Song Yujin looked up at the sky after running another lap. All the classes ended and students were vacating the school already, yet the track and field club was still inside, training until the sun disappeared in the sky.
Coach Park clapped his hands after checking the time.
"You're doing very great, Song! Your time's decreasing by a few seconds, it's a big difference considering that you just started training."
Yujin wiped his face with the towel given to him by the club manager. "Thanks, coach."
Coach Park pointed out some points he needed to remember and incorporate in his practice, so Yujin listened attentively. After the coach finished, he went back to the bleachers and grabbed a bottle of water.
The members complimented him before they gathered their belongings and started to leave one by one since the practice had ended. It was a huge relief to Yujin that no one seemed bothered by the rumors about his family situation.
Yujin noticed a figure standing not far away from him. He looked up and found Lee Hyun lingering by the edge of the field. Yujin was catching his breath after an intense workout and running, sweat glistening on his brow and his shirt clinging to his back.
His heart still pounded from the exertion, and he felt an exhilarating fatigue and satisfaction.
Lee Hyun walked closer, his cool demeanor appeared warmer because of the golden hue of the setting sun casting on him, and his light-colored eyes burned brighter as they were hit by the light.
Yujin felt like there was something different about Lee Hyun today—an almost imperceptible shift in his usually aloof demeanor.
"You're pushing yourself too hard," Lee Hyun said, his voice calm and a little bit concerned. His eyes, usually so guarded yet blunt, held a flicker of worry and hesitation.
Yujin paused momentarily, taken aback by the genuine note in Lee Hyun's voice. He wiped his sweat trickling down his forehead with the back of his hand. "I didn't expect to see you here after practice. I imagined you'd be in the library again but…what are you wearing?"
Lee Hyun was wearing an archery chest guard over a white and blue shirt, an arm guard on his left arm, and a finger glove on his right hand.
The vice president answered as he walked toward Yujin, "Archery club gears."
"You're part of the archery club?" Yujin asked with awe, thinking to himself that Lee Hyun was suited to play the sport, judging by his calm and focused attitude.
Lee Hyun replied, "Yes."
Yujin expressed his amazement. He walked closer to the guy and examined the vest and the arm guard, thinking how cool they were. It was such a pity that Lee Hyun came without a quiver and a bow. Yujin really wanted to see him strike a pose.
He was checking Lee Hyun's arm guard—which the latter let him lift and touch—when their eyes met. In that brief moment, Yujin felt a spark—something more than just the meeting of an eye. His heart skipped a beat, unwillingly.