#00.
Tap, tap.
“Hey, Kwon Taeyeol. Gimme your gym uniform.”
“…”
Taeyeol stared blankly at his friend, his face just waking from sleep. The round clock hanging above the blackboard showed that it was still morning. Lunch break was far off, so it was bewildering to see Han Doyoung from another class standing in front of him.
“Why are you always sleeping whenever I come over?”
Doyoung looked at Taeyeol with a pitying expression and clicked his tongue. Taeyeol blinked vacantly and replied grumpily.
“…It’s still morning.”
“It’s past ten, you idiot. Hand over the gym uniform.”
“…”
Doyoung, annoyed that Taeyeol was just staring at him with sleepy eyes, reached out and tugged on his hair. Taeyeol frowned in disbelief.
“Hurry up! I need to change.”
“Wait, did you leave it with me?”
“Yeah! Hurry up!”
At Doyoung’s pestering, Taeyeol lazily swatted his hand away.
“My pants don’t even fit you. Borrow from Kyungsoo.”
“Where’s Kim Kyungsoo?”
“Dunno. Taking a dump?”
Doyoung’s face twisted in disgust at that.
“Ugh, gross… It’s fine if they’re big, just lend them to me.”
“Your legs are short so you’ll have to roll them up… Ow!”
“Just give them to me.”
Han Doyoung — whenever something doesn’t go his way, his first instinct is to grab someone’s hair. Taeyeol grumbled as he dug into the pocket of his school uniform and handed over his locker key.
“Thanks!”
Doyoung snatched the key quickly and dashed toward the lockers. Taeyeol gave him a sidelong glance and flopped back down onto his desk.
“Hey! …You sleeping again?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m giving the key back after gym, okay?”
“…”
Taeyeol didn’t even respond. Not long after, he slipped into a light sleep again.
“What the hell does he even come to school for…”
Doyoung shook his head at him in disbelief, clutched the gym uniform, and left the classroom. Soon after, the bell rang for the start of fourth period. It’s rude to be sleeping when the teacher walks in, so Taeyeol figured he’d lift his head just enough to show his face, then go back to sleep. Stretching, he reached out and tapped Kyungsoo, who had returned to the seat in front of him.
“What class is next?”
“Math.”
“…”
Taeyeol scrunched up his handsome face and groaned as he got up sluggishly. He reached into his desk and rummaged around. All he pulled out was an English notebook and some crumpled bits of Korean history worksheets. If the textbook’s not in his desk, then it’s probably in the locker.
“…”
His eyes widened as he reached into his pocket to grab the key.
Oh? The key’s gone. Oh right, he’d lent it to Han Doyoung earlier. Turning to check his locker, he saw it was locked up tight, the padlock firmly secured and Doyoung had taken the key with him.
“This crazy bastard.”
Taeyeol let out a hollow laugh. Right then, the math teacher banged on the door and raised his chin.
“Well, well. The bell rang ages ago, why are you still standing around? Planning to walk in? Move it and sit down!”
“Fuck…”
There wasn’t even time to go to another class to borrow a book. Taeyeol quickly turned his head away. He didn’t get along well with the math teacher, so the moment he stood out, he’d get nitpicked to death. The teacher always gave him a particularly hard time, and Taeyeol didn’t like him.
It’s not like he ever did anything to deserve it, but the teacher would say he looked too sly, or that his constant sleeping during class made him seem like a delinquent. He nitpicked over the smallest things. At this point, half of Taeyeol’s demerit points were thanks to this math teacher.
But as long as he didn’t get caught without the book, it’d be fine.
“Hey, do you use your workbook?”
Taeyeol whispered, tapping his desk partner.
“Why?”
“If you’re not using it, let me borrow it.”
“No.”
That’s my precious textbook. His desk partner, one of the school’s top ten students, clutched the workbook tightly and muttered.
“…Shit.”
Taeyeol thought for a moment, then, just to at least look like he was doing something, opened his English notebook as a temporary cover. He picked up his pen and posed thoughtfully, resting his chin on his hand like he was concentrating.
“Class 7 changed their seating arrangement? Hey, Kwon Taeyeol. Where’s Kwon Taeyeol?”
“Here.”
“…”
About half the time, the math teacher would call on Taeyeol first. As all the students turned to look at him, the teacher narrowed his bean-sized eyes and asked,
“Well now, why don’t you have any books on your desk? Where’s your book?”
“…In my locker.”
“Go get it.”
“It’s locked.”
“Unlock it.”
“I don’t have the key.”
The math teacher’s eyes thinned. Taeyeol muttered every curse he knew under his breath. Just one more week and the demerit points would reset. And now he was getting screwed like this.
“Kwon Taeyeol, you little punk. You can’t come to school like this.”
This was all Han Doyoung’s fault.
“Well now, where’s your necktie? And who told you to wear sneakers in class?”
“…”
From the front, Kim Kyungsoo could be seen slipping off his sneakers. Taeyeol considered ratting him out but held back, selling out a friend felt a bit too low.
“Desk mate, show him your book.”
“Huh?”
“And Kwon Taeyeol, come to the faculty office after class.”
“What? Why?”
“What do you mean why? You’re getting a demerit, of course.”
“…”
Shit.
Taeyeol spent the rest of the math class imagining himself plucking out the math teacher’s already thinning hair one by one and turning his head into a boiled egg.
Through the wide-open classroom window, he could hear the voices of kids in gym class. Among the shouts, he heard Han Doyoung’s laughter. Every time that familiar voice rang out, Taeyeol ground his teeth.
This was all Han Doyoung’s fault.
***
Han Doyoung walked toward Taeyeol’s classroom, sucking on the ice cream he won from a soccer match bet with the neighboring class. In his hand, he casually carried the borrowed gym uniform. When he entered the classroom and looked for Taeyeol’s seat, for some reason, it was empty.
“…”
Now what? Doyoung thought for a moment, then neatly placed the gym clothes on the desk. Why doesn’t this guy even carry a pencil? He borrowed a mechanical pencil from the desk next to him and kindly left a note.
[← Wore it well, thx thx]
After returning the pencil to its place and heading out, Kim Kyungsoo entered the classroom. Doyoung raised his hand in greeting.
“Tell Kwon Taeyeol I left his gym clothes.”
“No. You tell him.”
Kyungsoo firmly shook his head, arms crossed.
“Then don’t tell him. I’m leaving them anyway.”
“…Hey, you can’t do that. Just tell him.”
“Huh? Why?”
“You just have to.”
“Why? It’s not like anyone’s gonna steal it….”
Doyoung chuckled.
“Still, tell him.”
“It’s hot, let go.”
Kyungsoo grinned and grabbed the back of Doyoung’s neck. Doyoung batted away his hand, saying it was hot, and laughed back playfully.
“By the way, where did Kwon Taeyeol go? It’s hot outside, what’s he doing out?”
“Straight to the teacher’s office after class.”
“Why?”
“What do you think?”
Kyungsoo shrugged.
“Demerit? Again?”
“Yeah, again.”
Doyoung immediately realized Taeyeol had gotten another demerit and let out a dry laugh, muttering to himself. Knew it.
“That guy must be exhausted from getting demerits all the time. It’s like once a day. Must be a hobby or something, right?”
“…”
“Right, Kyungsoo?”
“Oh, yeah.”
Kyungsoo gave Doyoung a pitying look, patted his shoulder, and went back to his seat. Normally, Kyungsoo would have giggled along and agreed, so Doyoung found his reaction strange. Blinking, he turned to leave the classroom.
“Doyoung.”
“WAAH!”
Taeyeol, who had been standing right behind him, smiled brightly and called his name. The sweet tone of his voice gave Doyoung chills. He instinctively took a step back.
“Doyoung, you’re here?”
“…”
Why’s he pissed…?
“…What?”
Doyoung asked, breaking out in a cold sweat.
“What?”
“…”
“Did you just ask ‘what’?”
“I did. So what.”
“Doyoung.”
Doyoung swallowed dryly. Even though Taeyeol’s face was all smiles, something felt off. There was a shadow to it. Like he was scheming something.
“Doyoung, you stole my locker key, didn’t you? Where’s the key?”
“Stole it? It’s right here.”
He pulled the key from his pocket and handed it to Taeyeol. Was this what he’d called him so sweetly for? Doyoung glanced at Taeyeol’s expression. But there was no emotion on his face.
“All good now? I’m leaving.”
“Where to?”
Doyoung frowned.
“…My class.”
“Why?”
“…?”
“I’m doing fucking school service ‘cause of you, Han Doyoung, and you’re going back to class?”
“What the hell are you on…?”
Doyoung muttered under his breath and quickly shut his mouth. Taeyeol’s eyes curved beautifully.
I’m screwed.
Sensing an incoming natural disaster, Doyoung turned quickly to flee.
“Ugh!”
“Where you running off to?”
But Taeyeol grabbed him by the back of the neck even faster.
“What did I do wrong!”
Doyoung protested, but Taeyeol said nothing as he gently massaged the back of his neck.
“You’re the reason I got a demerit today, so wait for me when we do cleaning duty.”
“That’s on Friday, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
“…They’re launching the new Alpheus server on Friday. I have to get a rare IGN.”
“Didn’t you quit that? You’re starting again?”
“Just wanna get the name. I might start again… maybe…?”
“You wanna die before you get that rare IGN?”
“…”
“Didn’t think so.”
Taeyeol smiled sweetly again. But Doyoung couldn’t admire his face like usual. Because the hand gripping his shoulder was definitely applying pressure.
…What did I even do wrong today? Doyoung blinked and retraced his steps. But all he’d done was borrow gym clothes.
“This is a misunderstanding. I’m seriously innocent.”
“I’m the one who’s more wronged.”
“What the fuck are you even wronged about!”
“Because it’s your fault I got a demerit!”
The two of them were squabbling in the back of the classroom over a measly demerit, but the other students passed by without even glancing, it was nothing new. They glared at each other until the bell rang, and only then did they part ways.
***
“Drop your bag.”
Kwon Taeyeol said with a lazy smile. Doyoung had no choice but to hand over the tightly strapped backpack. Then, with Taeyeol gripping the back of his neck, he was dragged off, feet shuffling. He had tried to run to the other stairwell right after homeroom ended, lured by the promise of a rare IGN on the new game server. But Taeyeol, one step ahead, had caught him.
“I’ll even reserve your PC bang seat, okay?”
He looked up at Taeyeol with desperate eyes, but, of course, it didn’t work.
“Buzz off.”
“You asshole.”
Doyoung muttered under his breath. Somehow, Taeyeol always heard those.
Gripping his shoulder tighter, Taeyeol said nothing.
“God, you’re so fucking violent.”
Shaking free of his grasp, Doyoung muttered while clutching his neck. Taeyeol dragged him down to the first-floor window and carelessly dropped his bag on the ground.
“Hi, Doyoung.”
“…”
“Didn’t you want that rare IGN on the new server?”
“As you can see.”
“Still got caught though. Should’ve run better.”
“You think it’s that easy?”
Kyungsoo chuckled and picked up one of the flower pots.
“You move ten, Han Doyoung.”
“…”
Taeyeol shamelessly shoved half the work on Doyoung. About twenty large flower pots were lined up on the window sill. Doyoung stared up at him in disbelief.
“You’re making me carry half? Kyungsoo’s here too.”
“Kim Kyungsoo will carry the other ten.”
With that, Taeyeol crossed his arms.
“…Me? What about you?”
Kyungsoo also stared at him like he was trash. Taeyeol lifted his chin proudly.
“Wait, you want me and Kyungsoo to do all the work? And you?”
“Why should I? If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t even be doing this…”
“You insane bastard…”
Shameless as ever, Taeyeol stood tall. Doyoung had overheard on the way out that the final demerit was his fault, so he accepted that part. But if not for the pile of previous infractions, there wouldn’t have been any school service.
Still, all the guy had going for him was a pretty face and unyielding stubbornness. If he was going to be that stubborn, there was no helping it. Better to just get it over with and head to the PC bang. Doyoung picked up a flower pot, but the unexpected weight made him stumble. Taeyeol caught him and clicked his tongue.
“Shorty can’t even lift this.”
“I’m not that short!”
“Really?”
Taeyeol widened his eyes in mock surprise and looked down at Doyoung. Then, he supported the bottom of the flower pot and took it from him.
“Aren’t you gonna say thanks?”
“…Huh?”
Doyoung blinked, tilting his head.
“…Thanks?”
“Sure.”
Taeyeol chuckled and headed up the stairs.
…Wait, I’m helping him, so why am I saying thanks?
Realizing too late, Doyoung let out a laugh of disbelief. Watching them, Kyungsoo approached with a large flower pot and whispered,
“Take one of the small ones. These aren’t heavy.”
Following his advice, Doyoung picked up a small one and grumbled.
“Kwon Taeyeol, you fucking bastard. Your personality is the worst…”
“Yeah, everyone knows that except Kwon Taeyeol.”
Kyungsoo snickered. Doyoung muttered more curses under his breath.
“I can hear you.”
“…”
“…”
At the voice from above, both Kyungsoo and Doyoung clamped their mouths shut instantly.
“Give it to me.”
“Huh?”
“The flower pot. Hand it over.”
Somehow already back down from the 4th floor, Taeyeol extended his hands.
“…”
To take the wide but small flower pot, he had to spread his arms and practically hug Doyoung. Cradling the pot, he gestured with his chin for Doyoung to head back down. As Taeyeol turned around, Doyoung blankly stared at his back.
“…”
As soon as he disappeared from view, Doyoung crouched down and buried his face in both hands. His face was burning. He didn’t need a mirror to know he was bright red. Fanning himself, he clutched at his chest.
Shit. There’s no way Kwon Taeyeol meant anything by that… But for a second, I thought he hugged me. I thought I was gonna die. His heart was racing.
He shook his head to clear the thoughts and trudged back downstairs.
“Hey, Han Doyoung.”
Doyoung slightly looked up at the voice. Taeyeol had already carried the pots to the fourth floor and come back down to call him.
“You’re so damn slow. Is it ‘cause your legs are short?”
“I swear I’ll kill you. I’m helping and you’re being a dick.”
Doyoung raised his fist. Taeyeol blinked once, then smiled lazily. It was a familiar smile, but Doyoung never got used to it. His heart thudded again. He clenched his fist tightly.
“Did you forget? I got the demerit because of you. That’s why I’m helping.”
“…Bullshit.”
I like Kwon Taeyeol. I don’t even know why I ended up liking such a bastard. Every time my heart pounds, I just get endlessly miserable.
Doyoung tried to distract himself by thinking of the sad drama he watched yesterday, or the saddest movie scene he could recall.
Shit! …This isn’t working! I’m screwed.
He buried his face in both hands to hide how red it was.
“What’s wrong? Does your head hurt?”
Taeyeol leaned closer, tilting his head.
“No. …It’s just hot.”
“Did you get heatstroke? A senior passed out during 3rd period gym. Did you see the ambulance after 3rd period?”
“Nope. It’s hot, so get away.”
Doyoung muttered as he pushed Taeyeol’s face away with his index finger. Despite being pushed, Taeyeol kept tilting his head curiously. Just then, Kyungsoo came down the stairs late, beaming with joy.
“The principal said we don’t have to move any more pots!”
“Really?”
“Then let’s get out of here.”
Before the supervising teacher arrived with a new task, they had to run. Taeyeol picked up the three bags scattered on the floor and handed them out one by one. As Doyoung slung one over his shoulder, Taeyeol smirked mischievously.
…What’s with that smile? Before he could figure it out, Taeyeol handed his own bag to Doyoung.
“What’s this supposed to mean.”
“I carried the flower pots for you, didn’t I?”
“…?”
“So now you carry my bag.”
“You bastard…”
Doyoung let out a breathy laugh and raised his middle finger. Taeyeol narrowed his eyes and said sweetly,
“Bastard? Wanna die?”
“…No.”
I still don’t know why I like a bastard like him.
thank for the chapter