“Going on the second semester MT? When?”
Jae-ha frowned. If they were talking about the second semester retreat, that should’ve happened ages ago. To bring it up now was ridiculously late. Hyung-jun, the senior in the group and a student council officer, replied.
“Next week. Min-hee sent out a notice the week before last. Didn’t you see it?”
“Oh.”
That had been when all of his attention was wrapped up in hanging out with Hae-hyun. Unless it was a message from him, Jae-ha had skimmed everything else at best, so of course he didn’t remember any group chat announcements.
“You little punk.”
Hyung-jun clicked his tongue at Jae-ha’s guilty reaction and then explained further.
“We planned to go earlier, but the department head insisted on stopping by. We had to reschedule around his availability. We couldn’t push it back too much because of exam season, so next week was the compromise.”
“Where is it?”
“Daeseong-ri.”
“More like Again-seong-ri.”
One of the juniors chimed in, and Hyung-jun grinned at the joke.
“Yeah, Again-seong-ri. The student council’s got some amazing games lined up, so hurry and pay your fee, Jae-ha. You don’t have anything else planned, right?”
“Is there a penalty if I skip?”
“Oh-ho, already trying to weasel out?”
Hyung-jun shot him a look like that wasn’t even an option, then softened his tone.
“The Business Department’s idol can’t be missing. If you show up, attendance goes up. If attendance goes up, the department head’s happy. If the department head’s happy, the council’s job gets easier. And if our job gets easier, it benefits everyone. So do us a favor and come.”
That was the signal for the others to jump in.
“Yeah, hyung, I’ll go too.”
“Same here.”
“I haven’t paid yet, but if Jae-ha hyung goes, I’m in.”
“What, trying to freeload? Yoon-taek, you better pay up fast.”
Hyung-jun cut him off with mock sternness. His expression looked serious, but instead of killing the mood, it set off laughter and excuses like, “Hey, I wasn’t planning to skip~.” Being the oldest didn’t make him distant—his down-to-earth personality kept him popular with the juniors.
“So, you’re coming, right?”
His eyes burned with determination, like he’d bore holes through Jae-ha if he refused.
“Alright, fine.”
It wasn’t such a bad thing. At least it gave him a decent excuse to get away from the blood-pressure-inducing person at home.
“Yes!”
At his answer, Hyung-jun pumped his fist.
“Hyung-jun hyung, you’re being way too obvious.”
“Favoritism~.”
Booing and teasing poured in. Hyung-jun laughed it off, saying this was the least he could do to celebrate bringing along their “idol,” and even ordered the juniors to spread the word that Jae-ha was coming.
The younger ones complained but were already chatting excitedly, saying it sounded like a good turnout. The topic quickly shifted to what they’d actually do at MT.
“They’re not gonna make us do some cliché talent show or cooking contest, right?”
“Please, Yoon-taek oppa. Didn’t he say it’s gonna be amazing? No way it’s something that basic.”
“Yeah, hyung. The department head’s coming, too.”
Their sidelong glances didn’t dampen Hyung-jun’s spirits. Instead of warning them not to expect too much, he flashed a proud grin.
“Come on. The sharpest minds in Business put their heads together. Of course it’s not just that. The council’s fired up.”
“Oooh, now I’m excited.”
“What could it be? I’m gonna bug Min-hee noona about it.”
As chatter bubbled around him, Jae-ha walked along quietly. He wasn’t the type to dominate a conversation, but he’d normally toss in at least a few words. His silence stood out, enough that Ji-woo, walking beside him, finally asked,
“Oppa, did something happen? You’re quiet today.”
“Am I?”
He played dumb, but Hyung-jun had already sidled up. Clearly, he really wanted Jae-ha at the MT.
“Seo Jae, don’t back out later. You have to come. Attendance numbers completely change depending on you. Pay the fee soon.”
At this point, Jae-ha was starting to get curious about what kind of event they had prepared. He shrugged.
“You’re not planning anything weird, are you?”
Being too popular came with its downsides. At every school event, he’d ended up as the face of it—even though he never volunteered. He’d dressed in drag so often since he was young that it wasn’t even shocking anymore. He’d been pulled onto festival stages more times than he could count.
He wasn’t embarrassed anymore, but that didn’t mean he enjoyed being a spectacle. Setting his boundary early, he felt Hyung-jun laughing heartily as he slapped him on the back. It stung.
“Of course not! You think we’re kids? We just wanna borrow a little shine from our handsome junior.”
That sounded childish enough on its own, but Jae-ha let it slide—he didn’t dislike Hyung-jun’s cheerfulness anyway.
Even after he nodded, Hyung-jun wouldn’t leave until he saw the transfer of the participation fee go through. His persistence bordered on obsession.
When they reached campus, Ji-hyang split off for the library, Jae-ha headed for his lecture hall, and the others made for the department lounge. They all parted ways at the main gate.
He checked his phone. Still a bit of time before class. Should he just wait inside? He was strolling casually when he spotted a familiar figure up ahead.
“…Im Su-min?”
His voice wasn’t loud, but Su-min stopped instantly, turning to spot him. He gave a small bow. Jae-ha walked over.
“First time seeing you outside class.”
“…Yes.”
Silence lingered. Other than glimpses during liberal arts lectures, they hadn’t really talked.
Coincidentally, the class Jae-ha was heading to was that very same lecture. He was about to suggest walking together when Su-min suddenly spoke first.
“Coffee.”
“…What?”
“Would you like some coffee? I’ll buy.”
The steady, deliberate tone made Jae-ha blink before chuckling softly.
“Sure. I’ll buy.”
“No, I—”
“Freshmen are supposed to get treated by their seniors. Save your money. You’ll need it later when it’s your turn to treat juniors.”
Jae-ha joked lightly and turned toward the café. After a moment, Su-min hurried after him, short steps quick and eager. Jae-ha slowed down just enough to match his pace.
They bought an Americano and a strawberry ade, then headed back toward the lecture hall side by side. Su-min glanced at the cup in Jae-ha’s hand.
“You like Americanos?”
“They’re reliable. So I usually go with that.”
Since he wasn’t picky about drinks, Americano was his safe, go-to choice. At that, Su-min glanced at his own bright pink ade, cheerful like his age.
His fingers fidgeted constantly around the cup. It was obvious he wasn’t used to being treated.
“Don’t your seniors buy for you often? Freshmen usually get that a lot.”
At the question, Su-min’s eyes darted uneasily. Maybe he was a bit of a loner? Unsure if he’d hit a nerve, Jae-ha shifted the subject.
“We never properly introduced ourselves, did we?”
“…What?”
“Seo Jae-ha. You can just call me hyung if that’s easier.”
Enough with vague titles. If they were going to keep talking, better to set things straight. After a long pause, Su-min whispered,
“…Hyung.”
“Can I drop the formal speech?”
“…Sorry?”
“Or should I keep calling you ‘junior Su-min’?”
It wasn’t his usual way of talking, but the thought amused him. Smiling, Jae-ha asked, and after a moment’s thought, Su-min shook his head.
“No, dropping the formality is better. Makes it feel like we’re closer.”
Did he really have to say it that bluntly? Jae-ha just nodded.
“Alright then.”
Another short silence fell as they sipped their drinks, walking quietly.
That’s when Jae-ha noticed how close they were walking. He hadn’t paid attention to the spacing, so it had to be Su-min who’d closed the gap.
He didn’t seem like the clingy type, but people sometimes linked arms or slung shoulders casually. Walking a little close wasn’t much to fuss about.
Then Su-min broke the quiet. Suddenly, he raised a hand and brushed Jae-ha’s shoulder a couple of times.
“What’s wrong?”
It looked like he was brushing off dust. Was something on him? Puzzled, Jae-ha turned, but Su-min’s eyes were locked on his shoulder, sharp and intent—almost glaring.
“Hyung, have you run into anyone strange lately?”
