Hanbin finds himself wandering toward the music building with a sense of purpose. His assignment deadline is looming, but he brushes it off for now—he has time to turn it in. Besides, he can't get the image of Haneul out of his head, and this small detour seems worth it. The quiet halls of the music faculty are lined with posters of past recitals, all casting an air of sophistication that feels almost foreign to him.
He leans against a wall outside the main entrance, slipping his phone from his pocket to check the time. One hour left. He sighs, settling in for what might be a long wait, but he's patient, glancing up at every passing student in case one of them turns out to be a red-haired tutor.
With every passing minute, he glances down at his watch, calculating how much longer he can linger here. Fifty minutes… Forty minutes… Thirty-five… And just when he starts to consider giving up, he spots a flash of familiar red hair in the crowd.
Haneul strides through the hall, a messenger bag slung over his shoulder, his steps calm and composed. Hanbin's gaze fixes on him, noticing the way Haneul's fitted jeans hug his frame, accentuating his slender waist and long legs. Hanbin notice Haneul's not in an oversized look today, and Hanbin can't help but feel a little spellbound. His eyes linger a moment too long on Haneul's waist, trailing up to the gentle slope of his shoulders and the calm expression on his face.
Snapping himself out of it, Hanbin steps away from the wall and falls into pace behind Haneul, his usual confidence slipping back on like a favorite jacket. He quickens his stride, coming up beside him with an innocent, "Haneul-ssi!"
Haneul startles slightly, eyes widening as he turns to look at Hanbin. "Jihoon's hyung?"
"It's Hanbin" Hanbin corrects him smiling sheepishly.
"Hanbin-ssi" he says, brows lifting. "Are you… following me?"
Hanbin feigns surprise, letting out a small laugh. "Me? Following you? Nah," he waves a hand dismissively, trying to look casual. "I go here too, you know. I was actually just waiting for a friend over here in the music department."
Haneul's eyes narrow slightly, his gaze assessing. "Really? You were just waiting for a friend?"
"Yep," Hanbin replies smoothly, a nonchalant smile playing on his lips. "Small world, though, huh? Running into you here." He raises an eyebrow, leaning into his playful side. "Maybe it's fate."
Haneul sighs, his expression unamused. "Fate?"
"Yeah, you know—fate, destiny, the universe bringing us together and all that," Hanbin says, throwing in a cheesy wink for good measure. He's expecting at least a smile, but Haneul just scowls, unimpressed.
"I need to get to class," Haneul says, his tone clipped, but polite. He makes a move to walk ahead, but Hanbin falls in step beside him, undeterred.
"Here, let me help you with those," Hanbin says, reaching out to take the stack of books in Haneul's hands.
Haneul pulls them away immediately, narrowing his eyes. "I'm fine, thank you."
Hanbin chuckles, keeping his hands in his pockets now, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Fine, fine, no books. But how about that number I asked for last time?" He gives a shrug, as if it's the most natural request in the world. "I mean, it's not like you're just my brother's tutor right now."
Haneul's expression doesn't soften. "I don't give my number to strangers, Hanbin-ssi."
"Strangers?" Hanbin pouts dramatically, pressing a hand to his chest in mock offense. "I'm not trying to be a stranger, Haneul! I'm trying to get to know you. Maybe over a drink?" He tilts his head, his voice dropping to a lower, seductive pitch.
Haneul simply stares at him, unimpressed, until a soft chime from the clock nearby signals the hour. "I have to go," he says, turning his attention to the classroom just down the hall. "Goodbye, Hanbin-ssi." With a slight nod, Haneul steps inside, leaving Hanbin standing in the hallway with a lingering smirk.
As the door closes, Hanbin lets out a small sigh, amused at his own persistence. He checks his watch, his face slipping into a look of panic as he realizes he has only five minutes left until his assignment deadline.
Realizing the time, Hanbin bolts, practically sprinting through the hallways of the music building and back across campus. He's dodging students left and right, his messenger bag bouncing against his side as he races against the clock. He'd planned to submit his assignment with a leisurely walk to the faculty building, but Haneul's unintentional distraction has him dashing through the corridors like a madman.
He rounds the corner of his classroom building, his shoes skidding slightly on the smooth tile as he makes a beeline for the office. The professor's door is just barely within reach when he hears the unmistakable sound of the bell echoing through the halls, signaling the final minute before the submission deadline.
Bursting through the door, Hanbin makes it to the professor's desk just as the older man is gathering up his files. He slides his assignment onto the stack with a relieved exhale.
"Just in time, Mr. Park," the professor says, looking up from the papers with a disapproving frown. His eyes narrow as he gives Hanbin a once-over, clearly unimpressed with his hasty arrival. "Cutting it close, as usual."
Hanbin flashes a sheepish smile, shrugging as he catches his breath. "You know me, Professor. Always dramatic entrances."
The professor shakes his head but accepts the assignment with a reluctant nod. Hanbin stands there for a moment, still catching his breath, feeling the surge of adrenaline start to fade.
As he walks down the hall, the image of Haneul in those fitted jeans flickers through his mind, and Hanbin can't help but laugh at himself. Maybe he was a bit over the top, but if it meant another chance to see Haneul again, he figured it was more than worth it.