April, when school still felt unfamiliar, had slipped by.
Now May had arrived and with it, the long-awaited school uniforms that had finally been tailored and delivered.
In the mirror stood a striking young man: his crisp, fitted white long-sleeve shirt hugged his frame neatly beneath a dark sleeveless sweater vest. A black tie hung sharp against his chest, matching the slim black trousers that completed the look.
The reflection staring back wasn't just a student anymore it was someone who looked effortlessly put together, almost like he'd stepped straight out of a magazine.
April, when school still felt unfamiliar, had slipped by. Now May had arrived—and with it, the long-awaited school uniforms that had finally been tailored and delivered.
In the mirror stood a striking young man: his crisp, fitted white long-sleeve shirt hugged his frame neatly beneath a dark sleeveless sweater vest. A black tie hung sharp against his chest, matching the slim black trousers that completed the look. The reflection staring back wasn't just a student anymore it was someone who looked effortlessly put together, almost like he'd stepped straight out of a magazine.
When he walked into class, conversations paused. A few students blinked in surprise, others whispered among themselves.
"Damn… that actually suits him."
"He looks like some model straight out of a drama."
"Why does it look so different on him compared to us?"
Even Park Dong muttered with a crooked grin, "Tch, annoying bastard looks too good for a school uniform."
After class ended, I spotted Suwon leaving with Park Dong and Yang Jinsu, their voices echoing faintly down the hall. Instead of joining them, I decided to head over to Room 1-6 where Inseop, Junhyun, and Ono usually hung out.
As I walked down the corridor, the faint chatter of students filled the air doors sliding open, shoes clacking against the floor.
That's when I saw Hyorim and Irina coming from the opposite direction. Both of them looked sharp in the new uniforms, the fresh fabric still stiff and crisp.
Irina tilted her head with a grin. "Wow, you look good in the uniform, Seojin. Almost too good."
Hyorim's eyes flickered over me briefly before she added, more quietly, "...It suits you."
"Thanks," I replied with a faint smile. "The two of you too loos great at the uniform"
"Where you headed?" Hyorim asked, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she glanced at me.
"To your guys' room," I said. "Planning to hang out with Inseop and the others."
"Then let's go together," she suggested, her tone casual but the way her steps immediately fell in sync with mine made it feel like she'd already made up her mind long before asking.
The three of us moved down the hallway side by side, Irina trailing just behind us. As we walked, whispers rose from the classrooms we passed.
"Hey, look at them are they dating?"
"No way… but they look good together, don't they?"
"Tch, Seojin's got some nerve walking around with her like that."
I caught some of it, enough to feel the curious stares drilling into my back.
Hyorim, though, walked on with her usual cool expression, but the slight redness at the tips of her ears betrayed her.
She hummed softly. "You actually get along with them? I thought you were closer to Park Dong and those guys."
"They're loud. Sometimes it's nice to have a change," I said with a grin then, lowering my voice so only she could catch it, I added, "Besides… you're in that classroom."
Her steps faltered just slightly before she caught herself, her expression staying composed but her ears turning faintly red.
"…What was that supposed to mean?" she asked, trying to sound casual.
"Nothing," I said, shrugging innocently.
Hyorim narrowed her eyes, but the corner of her lips betrayed the faint smile.
Behind us, Irina's voice rang out teasingly, "Why are you two walking so close? Should I give you space?"
"Shut it, Irina," Hyorim shot back quickly, brushing past me as if to hide her face.
Irina smirked knowingly from behind, clearly amused at the reaction of her friend.
Reaching the classroom, I headed straight for Inseop's desk, where Junhyun and Ono were already crowded together, their heads bent over some game on a phone.
"Yo, you're here," Junhyun muttered looking up, his thumbs moving rapidly.
"what are you guys playing?I shot back, pulling up a chair beside them.
Time passed with us messing around when suddenly Suwon strolled over, leaning lazily against Inseop's desk.
"Hey, lend me 5,000 won," he said casually.
Inseop raised an eyebrow. "For what?"
"Tailoring," Suwon replied with a perfectly straight face. "Gotta get this uniform fixed and altered."
For a second, we all blinked at him, and then burst out laughing.
Junhyun clutched his stomach. "Seriously? Your uniform? Bro, it looks like it's hanging on you like a laundry rag!"
Even Inseop cracked a grin. "A tailored uniform, huh? What are you trying to be, a model?"
Suwon puffed out his chest, pretending to pose. "What, you don't want me to look good? Don't be jealous."
"Yeah, we're so jealous of you looking good," Junhyun deadpanned, earning another round of laughter.
Still laughing at Suwon's ridiculous "tailor" excuse, Inseop leaned back in his chair and asked, "So, what you want us to come with you or something?"
Suwon shook his head quickly. "Nah. I'm actually going with my classmates."
I tilted my head. "Classmates? You mean Park Dong and Yang Jinsu?"
"Yeah, them," Suwon confirmed, trying to sound casual.
Junhyun leaned forward with a grin. "Then just ditch them and come with us instead. We were gonna hit karaoke after, right?"
Ono nodded, smirking. "Yeah, way more fun than hanging with those two loud idiots."
Suwon frowned. "Tch. You're acting like I don't have plans already."
"Plans? Please," Junhyun snorted. "Your plans are about as reliable as your Tteokbokki coat."
The group cracked up again, while Suwon clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Finally, Inseop waved him off with a grin. "Fine, fine. Then just go with them. Screw off already we don't need you dragging down our vibe."
After a while, we all agreed to hit karaoke.
But before heading there, I slipped away, telling the guys I had something to buy.
They waved me off casually, just telling me to hurry and follow soon.
On my way to the convenience store, I spotted Suwon with Park Dong and Yang Jinsu. They noticed me too.
"Yo, Seojin," Suwon called. "Wanna come with us?"
I hesitated. "I'm with Inseop and the others."
"Just for thirty minutes," Park Dong chimed in. "C'mon, it won't kill you."
After a moment, I nodded. "…Fine. Thirty minutes."
We walked a short distance before reaching a house. The moment we stepped inside, a wave of cigarette smoke and the pungent smell of alcohol hit me hard.
The room was dim, laughter and music spilling out, and right away I recognized faces: Lee Daegyu lounging on the couch, Kim Jiseong half-drunk already, and Seong Heejoon with his girlfriend, Jo Woori, perched close beside him.
"Oh yeah Seojin. Let me introduce you. That's Seong Heejoon," he said, pointing at the guy sitting stiffly, "and his girlfriend, Jo Woori."
The second my presence registered, Jo Woori's eyes widened. "Oh wow. He's handsome."
Heejoon stiffened instantly, a bead of sweat sliding down his temple as his eyes darted nervously toward me.
Meanwhile, the three guys I'd come with dropped into empty spots and started chatting like they belonged there while Suwon seem uncomfortable but still decided to stay. Daegyu then patted the seat beside him. "Sit down, Seojin. Join us."
I shook my head lightly. "Nah. I don't drink."
Instead, I gave a polite nod toward the couple. "Nice to meet you, Heejoon, Woori."
Heejoon forced a laugh, stiff and strained, while Woori's gaze lingered on me a moment too long.
The atmosphere wasn't one I wanted to stay in, so after exchanging a few words, I excused myself and slipped back out, heading straight to rejoin Inseop and the others.