Bully | Beomjun / Yeongyu

Chapter 5

Jiwoo gives him a firm pat on the shoulder.

"That's the spirit. Just focus on the game, alright? Don't let anything else get in your head. You're the captain, we're counting on you to lead us to victory."

Yeonjun nods, feeling a sense of determination.

"Yeah, I know. You don't have to worry about me, man. I'm gonna give it my all. Football is my priority. Always has been."

Jiwoo grins and gives a nod of approval.

"That's what I like to hear. Just don't push yourself too hard, alright? You don't have to prove anything to anyone, you've already worked your ass off these past few years."

Yeonjun chuckles slightly, feeling a bit less on edge now..

"You're right, maybe I do need to relax a bit. Let's get to class."

Jiwoo nods. "Just quit being stressed it doesn't suit you."

Yeonjun rolls his eyes jokingly and laughs.

"You act like you're my mom or something"

Jiwoo chuckles, throwing an arm around Yeonjuns shoulder.

"Nah, just your unofficial wingman. Somebody's gotta look out for you."

The two friends start walking towards their first class, but Yeonjun can't help feeling a strange mix of emotions. He knows he has to concentrate on football, knows it's his top priority. But he also can't shake the image of Beomgyu from his mind. He tries to push it aside, to focus on Jiwoo's ramblings as they walk.

As they walk around the corner of the hallway, someone suddenly bumps into Yeonjun, the person falling back to the ground and dropping their books.

"Hey, watch where you're going! Dumbass-"

Yeonjun's words get caught in his throat as he looks down and sees who he's bumped into.

His heart skips a beat as he sees Beomgyu on the floor, looking up at him with wide eyes. For a moment, all he can do is stare at the boy, the events that happened the other day rushing back into his mind.

"S...s-sorry...i-i didn't mean to..." Beomgyu trails off in a panic.

"You will be sorry you idiot, are you blind or something?" Jiwoo speaks up from behind Yeonjun.

Yeonjun's heart sinks at Jiwoo's words, knowing exactly what's coming next.

Beomgyu shrinks back at Jiwoo's tone, looking more scared. He starts shaking slightly, his eyes wide with panic.

Yeonjun feels like his heart is being ripped out of his chest as he looks at the boy, looking so frail and vulnerable. He hates seeing him so afraid, and a part of him wants to just reach out and comfort him, tell him that it's okay. But he can't do that, not here, not in front of Jiwoo.

Yeonjun knows if he outright tells Jiwoo to leave it he'll be suspicious. Yeonjun usually picks on Beomgyu too after all so Jiwoo will know something is off.

Yeonjun tries to play it cool, to act like he's the same as he always is, trying to hide his true feelings.

"Yeah, are you an idiot or something? Watch where you're going." He says with a slight glare.

Beomgyu's eyes widen even more at Yeonjun's words. It hurts more now since Yeonjun helped him the other night. He was actually nice to him.

Yeonjun feels a pang of guilt as he sees the hurt in Beomgyu's eyes, but he has to keep up his act, he has no choice. He tries to ignore the feeling in his gut and puts on a more indifferent expression.