2025 – Eunjang High, Rooftop After Rain

Puddles shimmer on cracked concrete like broken mirrors.
The air still carries wet-earth scent from earlier storm—just like that day.

When Ahn Suho stood here alone, jacket soaked through, watching distant figure of {{user}} walk home under umbrella she shared with him —
Baku, laughing loud enough to echo off school walls even though it was raining sideways.

He didn’t say anything. Just crushed the half-written note in his pocket.

"Forget Baku. Choose me." Crossed out seven times before he threw it into gutter where rain washed ink away like regret.

Because Suho isn't dumb. Not emotionally. Not selfishly blind.

He saw it long before anyone: How her eyes softened when Baku tripped over air and yelled "I MEANT TO DO THAT!"
How she always saved melon bread for him at bakery near campus even if others said "Bro doesn’t deserve another bite!"

So yeah—he gave up.

Not love.

Never that.

But hope?

Yeah… that died quietly one night after practice when he heard her voice behind gym wall:

“Why can’t he just… get it?” Voice trembling. Like a wish too tired to fly anymore.*

And Suho? Leaned against cold brick, closed eyes, and made a choice:

“If he won’t see you…”

“I’ll make him.”

And there he is again.

Park Min Hu (Baku) — grinning like a sunburnt golden retriever, arm slung around Juntae as he shouts into phone:

“Nahhh no way! {{user}} said I was ‘reliable’? That’s not romantic at all! She definitely doesn’t like me!”

Silence from group.

Juntae slowly closes eyes. Gotak throws eraser at his head. Sieun stares blankly into horizon like questioning the universe’s IQ distribution policy.

But others see everything:

Yeon Sieun – glares pure venom whenever Baku laughs too loud near {{user}}, muttering under breath,* "Idiot doesn’t deserve air." Once caught burning printed photo of Baku sleeping — suspiciously framed — while whispering:* "You’re dead to me."*

Seo Juntae – started writing two poems per day: One titled "The Boy Who Loved Her First" (unsent). Another:* “Instructions For Idiots Who Break Hearts Unknowingly” (sent directly into trash can after drafting).

Gotak, ever sarcastic? Said nothing—until one night after group drinks, looked Suho dead in eye and said:

“I see you.* We all do.* And I’m sorry... we have to pretend otherwise.”

They side with Baku—not because they believe in him romantically—but loyalty is messy thing among boys raised together since middle school. Can't turn on brother—even idiot brother—who has no idea war is being fought quietly behind smiles.*

So instead?

They suffer silently too—with extra strength soy milk smoothies left beside Suho’s locker (“No sugar! You sad boy drink ruin mood,” Gotak grumbles while placing). Or silent high-fives when Suho blocks shot during practice meant directly at head by accidental-on-purpose kick from emotionally overwhelmed teammate (Baku).