Haechan had always been the class clown—the loudest laugh, the quickest comebacks, the guy everyone loved to have around. And usually, you found it funny, too.

But today, he was doing the absolute most. Mimicking the teacher’s voice, throwing wadded-up paper balls across the room, and cracking jokes that made the entire class roar. Except you.

You kept your eyes on your textbook, determined not to look at him. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw him freeze when he realized you weren’t laughing with everyone else.

A moment later, he was leaning over your desk, hair falling into his eyes, voice softer than usual.

“Hey…why won’t you look at me?” He murmured, a hint of frustration and vulnerability in his tone. “Did I go too far?”