That morning, Eunyeon prepared to leave for school. With the usual stoic expression on his face, he concealed the complexities of his thoughts. As he straightened his uniform and grabbed his helmet, his mind wandered back to yesterday's events—the tense confrontation with Joonwoo and the unexpected encounter with Minsik. The lingering shadow of his past made him feel uneasy.
Stepping out of the house, Eunyeon mounted his motorcycle. The hum of the engine gave him a small sense of calm. The morning roads were still quiet, with the rising sun casting long shadows across the asphalt. Eunyeon always appreciated moments like these, allowing him to feel a brief peace before the day's chaos began.
When he arrived at the school gate, a familiar figure caught his attention. Yulhan stood near the entrance, leaning casually against the wall. His expression looked serious, as though he was waiting for someone. When Yulhan spotted Eunyeon, he immediately stood upright and walked toward him.
"You're early today," Yulhan remarked in a light tone, though his eyes carefully observed Eunyeon. "Are you okay?"
Eunyeon shrugged as he parked his motorcycle. "Yeah, just wanted some quiet. What about you? Why are you here so early?"
Yulhan offered a small smile. "Same reason. Wanted to get here before the usual chaos starts."
Before they could continue their conversation, the school bell rang loudly, signaling the first class was about to begin. Eunyeon glanced at Yulhan for a moment before heading toward the entrance.
"Let's go," he said shortly, ending the conversation.
Yulhan followed behind him, his eyes still fixed on Eunyeon, sensing something different about his friend. Maybe Eunyeon was trying to hide something, but Yulhan knew that when the time came, he would be there to help him.
As the day progressed, Eunyeon found himself sitting in the classroom, staring blankly at the board. The teacher's voice echoed in the background, but his mind was elsewhere. The confrontation from days prior, the growing tension with Seungho, and Joonwoo's unexpected involvement all weighed heavily on him. He clenched his fists under the desk, silently berating himself for being distracted.
"Alright, class," the teacher announced, snapping Eunyeon out of his thoughts. "We're having an unannounced test today. Clear your desks."
Groans filled the room as the students reluctantly complied. Yulhan, sitting a few seats behind Eunyeon, caught his friend's slumped posture and furrowed brow. He could tell Eunyeon wasn't in the mood for this, but he decided to keep quiet for now.
The test papers were distributed, and as Eunyeon glanced over the questions, he realized he couldn't focus. The words blurred together, his thoughts racing back to the unresolved threats looming over him. His grip on the pencil tightened until his knuckles turned white.
Yulhan, on the other hand, worked steadily through the test, occasionally glancing up to see Eunyeon tapping his pencil nervously against the desk. He frowned, knowing that this wasn't like him. Eunyeon was usually composed, even in stressful situations.
As the teacher walked by, Eunyeon took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He began answering the questions, though his progress was slower than usual. Time ticked by, and the pressure of the test seemed to match the weight of his personal struggles.
When the bell rang, signaling the end of the test, Eunyeon exhaled in relief. He turned in his paper and quickly gathered his things, ready to escape the stifling atmosphere of the classroom. But as he stood to leave, Yulhan intercepted him.
"Eunyeon," Yulhan called out, his tone soft but firm. "Wait."
Eunyeon stopped, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What is it?"
"You didn't look okay during the test," Yulhan said bluntly. "Something's bothering you."
"It's nothing," Eunyeon replied curtly, avoiding eye contact. "Just tired."
"Don't lie to me," Yulhan pressed, his voice low so others wouldn't hear. "If something's going on, tell me. I'm here."
Eunyeon hesitated, his fingers tightening around the strap of his bag. For a moment, he considered opening up but quickly dismissed the thought. "I said I'm fine," he muttered before brushing past Yulhan.
Yulhan watched as Eunyeon walked away, his heart heavy with concern. He knew Eunyeon was carrying a burden far greater than he let on, but he also knew better than to push too hard. For now, all he could do was wait and be ready when Eunyeon needed him.
While Eunyeon walked away, Yulhan remained standing by his desk, deep in thought. The rest of the class was buzzing with chatter, but he couldn't shake the concern for his friend. He grabbed his bag and decided to take a different route to clear his head before his next class.
As he exited the school building and headed toward the courtyard, Yulhan's phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling it out, he saw a message from one of his acquaintances—a name he hadn't seen pop up in a while.
"Need to talk. Urgent. Same place as before."
Yulhan's brows furrowed. He knew the sender well—an old connection from his past, someone who occasionally helped him when things got rough. Without wasting time, he typed back a quick response: "On my way."
Leaving school grounds discreetly, Yulhan headed toward a small, secluded café tucked away in an alley not far from the school. It wasn't a place most students knew about, but it was a safe spot for private conversations. As he entered, the familiar smell of coffee and pastries greeted him. Seated in a corner booth was Junho, a tall guy with a calm demeanor but sharp eyes that seemed to see through everything.
"Junho," Yulhan greeted, sliding into the seat across from him. "What's so urgent?"
Junho leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "You've been asking around about Seungho and his crew, haven't you?"
Yulhan's expression hardened. "Yeah, and? I need to know what they're planning."
Junho sighed, lowering his voice. "You're treading on dangerous ground, Yulhan. Seungho isn't just some guy running small-time operations. He's got connections—people who don't play fair. I heard they're already watching you and…" He hesitated, glancing around before continuing. "…and Eunyeon."
The mention of Eunyeon made Yulhan's jaw tighten. "What do you mean they're watching us?"
"They know you've been poking your nose where it doesn't belong," Junho explained. "And they've got their eyes on Eunyeon because of his history with them. If you're not careful, you'll both end up in deeper trouble than you can handle."
Yulhan exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. He wasn't afraid for himself, but Eunyeon's safety was another matter entirely. "I need more than warnings, Junho. I need information—anything that can help me protect Eunyeon and deal with Seungho once and for all."
Junho hesitated, then nodded. "There's a meeting happening tomorrow night. A warehouse near the docks. Seungho and his crew will be there. If you're serious about ending this, that's your chance to gather evidence or confront them."
Yulhan nodded slowly, already forming a plan in his mind. "Thanks, Junho. I owe you one."
"Just be careful," Junho warned, leaning back in his seat. "If you get caught, I didn't tell you anything."
Yulhan smirked faintly. "Understood."
Leaving the café, Yulhan felt the weight of his decision settle on his shoulders. He couldn't let Seungho continue to torment Eunyeon—or anyone else for that matter. But he also knew this wasn't a battle he could fight alone. For now, he'd keep the information to himself, but when the time came, he hoped Eunyeon would trust him enough to stand together.