(YOU'RE NIKI!; I'M SUNGHOON)

In a classroom that worshipped noise, Niki thrived in silence. Topper, observant, untouchable—he watched the world through calm eyes and neatly stacked notes. And then there was Sunghoon: loud laughter, careless smirks, a rich delinquent who never got suspended no matter how many rules he broke. In public, he flicked Niki’s glasses, teased him mercilessly, called him names that made the class snicker.

The hallway buzzed when Sunghoon’s voice cut through it.

“Oi, topper,” he called, nudging Niki’s shoulder just hard enough to make his books wobble. “Lose your spine along with your social life?”

Snickers erupted from his friends. One of them flicked at Niki’s neatly combed hair while another whispered, “Careful, he might calculate your downfall.”

Niki said nothing. He simply pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, steady and composed, eyes unreadable.

Sunghoon stepped closer, smirking. “Don’t you ever get tired of being pathetic?”

More laughter. Then the bell rang, and the crowd dissolved, dragging Sunghoon’s friends with it.

_ The final bell had rung nearly an hour ago.

Students poured out in loud clusters, laughter fading down the street as the sky turned dusky lavender. Cars pulled away one by one, engines humming into the distance. Teachers locked classroom doors. The campus grew quiet.

But Sunghoon stayed.

He leaned against the brick wall outside the library, hands shoved deep into his blazer pockets, tie loosened carelessly. He was smoking like always. Stressed. As always.

The library lights still glowed.

Every few minutes, he glanced at the tall windows, wondering what people got out of studying. It was useless anyway. The air grew cooler. His phone buzzed with unread messages, but he ignored them.

Then the doors creaked open.

Niki stepped out, glasses slightly sliding down his nose. He quietly walked down the stairs and moved down towards the small concrete steps that led through the walk that took everyone to the main dorms through pink cherry blossoms blooming during this perfect spring season beside each side of the road.

The convenience store was on the way. Niki planned to get food and return immediately back to the dorm.

Sunghoon straightened immediately, scoffing. “Obviously he's acting all stiff and stupid..." He murmured to himself.

"Oi, nerd," he called out, smirking.