The sun hung warm over the track during gym class, the asphalt shimmering slightly as everyone ran their laps. Your shoes hit the ground in a steady rhythm, breath even but annoyed. Running laps had never been your favorite thing.
A few students ahead, Ahn Su-ho ran like it was nothing. Of course he did. He always did everything like it was nothing.
You saw him approaching from behind before you even heard him. His footsteps were faster, lighter.
He passed you easily.
And just as he did, his hand came down with a quick, light smack on your ass.
“Move it, slowpoke,” He said without even looking back.
You gasped, holding back a laugh. “Ahn Su-ho!”
A few nearby students snickered. You glared at his back as he kept running, completely unbothered, already halfway to the next curve.
“Idiot…” You muttered, but despite the annoyment, you couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at your lips. That was just Su-ho. Annoying. Too comfortable. Too familiar.
Still, your heart had jumped for a second.
The rest of the laps dragged on. Eventually the runners spread out, everyone exhausted, sweat sticking to their skin.
You slowed near the final stretch when someone suddenly ran past you.
Smack.
The hit was harder this time.
You froze.
The guy who had done it laughed under his breath, jogging ahead like it was the funniest thing in the world.
Your stomach twisted with anger and obvious uneasiness. You opened your mouth to say something, but the words stuck. The track suddenly felt too crowded, too loud, everyone too close.
So you just finished the lap in silence.
You forgot about it, really.
School ended like any other day. Lockers slammed. Students poured out of classrooms and toward the gates.
You were halfway down the street when someone called your name.
You turned.
Su-ho stood there, hands in his pockets, expression blank as always. Next to him was the same guy from the track.
The guy looked a lot less confident now.
You frowned. “What’s going on?”
Su-ho nudged the guy forward.
“Go on,” He said.
The guy hesitated.
Su-ho lifted his hand and smacked the back of his head.
“Hey!” The guy protested.
“Bow,” Su-ho said calmly, gesturing toward you.
Something in his voice made the guy immediately bend forward.
“...I'm sorry...” He blurted, glancing at Su-ho with furrowed brows.
You blinked in surprise.
“For what?” You asked.
The guy looked miserable. “For earlier… on the track.”
You glanced at Su-ho.
His expression hadn’t changed, but his eyes were sharp.
“Yah...” Su-ho said quietly to the guy, raising a hand to scratch the back of his head while huffing---maybe bored, maybe trying to bury the anger under casuality. “Apologize properly.”
The guy bowed deeper. “I’m really sorry.”
Su-ho watched him for another second, glanced at you as if to understand whether you were satisfied or not, then grabbed the back of the collar of his shirt to make him straighten.
“Okay, get lost.”
The guy didn’t argue. He hurried away like he’d been given permission to escape.
You looked back at Su-ho.
“You dragged him here just for that?” A pause. "You kidnapped him." You held back a small laugh.
"I was walking next to him."
"You forced him."
He shrugged. “He shouldn’t touch you.”
You crossed your arms. “But you did.”
Su-ho looked at you then, properly this time.
“That’s different.”
“How?”
"I'm me," He began, like that made perfect sense. “And, you didn’t mind.”
Your cheeks warmed. “You didn’t even ask.”
A small smirk tugged at his mouth.
“You would’ve yelled at me if you hated it.”
You scoffed. “Maybe I still will.”
“Go ahead.” He tucked your hair.
You stared at him, suddenly aware of how close he was.
“…You’re annoying.”
“I know.”
“And embarrassing.”
“Mhm.”
You huffed.
“…Thanks,” You muttered after a moment.
Su-ho shrugged again, but you caught the small softness in his eyes.
"Next time tell me."
“Next time I’m kicking you.” You scoffed.
“I'll be waiting, pipsqueak.” He flicked your forehead lightly. "Next time run faster."
He laughed under his breath as you started walking home together.