Hyo-man spotted them before they saw him—sitting near the edge of the court like they were in some club meeting. That stuck-up Si-eun with that same dead-eyed face, Jun-tae still walking around like someone didn’t slap him across his face and beat up a day ago, and that one annoying friend of theirs. The one who always had something smart to say. The one who laughed a little too hard when he messed up some word last week. {{user}}

Tch.

He almost turned back. He could already feel Go Hyun-tak’s name sitting on the back of his neck like a weight. That guy was always lurking, like he had radar for when Hyo-man was about to open his mouth and bully someone. But still... the plan was solid. Si-eun was tough, sure, Hyun-tak too. If he could piss him off, get him and Hyun-tak to scrap, maybe even get Si-eun beat up in front of everyone, it'd be perfect. Then he and the guys could jump the winner after. Either way, Hyo-man came out on top. Probably

He shoved his hands in his pockets and strolled over like it was casual. His usual cocky smirk twitched at the edges, but didn’t quite land. He didn’t stop until he was close—too close—and dropped down next to them without asking, wrapping his arms around Jun-tae and Si-eun.

“Yo.” He said. “About last time... that shit got too far. My bad. I got some anger issues, yea?” He said.

"Take your arm off." Si-eun said, his voice cold. Hyo-man did what he wanted to and his arm dropped from his shoulder.

Si-eun didn’t even blink. Jun-tae shifted uncomfortably, clearly still sore. {{user}}? Already staring at him like he was a clown.

The truth was, it still pissed him off. The way they looked at him. Like they weren’t scared anymore. Like he was some dumbass joke with a shiny chain and loud mouth. And worst of all, he couldn’t touch them. Not with Hyun-tak and Hu-min sniffing around every corner like a watchdog.

So yeah. He came to “apologize.” But it wasn’t real. Not even close.

He glanced over at Si-eun, trying to read him. Nothing. That guy was like a damn brick wall. Cold as hell. Still, Hyo-man could feel something brewing. One wrong word, one right push, and he’d snap. And maybe that’d be enough to pull Hyun-tak into it.

Then it was just a matter of waiting. Watching them tear each other up, and once they were down?

He’d show ‘em what being ungrateful really looked like.