RED STRING REWRITTEN

12

Fourth (pouting, muttering):
"Hmm... fine. But I don't believe it fully."

(He grabs his bag and lunchbox from the counter, sighing. Tae finally looks at him for a second-just enough to muster a small smile, though it doesn't reach his eyes. Fourth stares, confused but unwilling to push more. He sighs again and waves.)

Fourth:
"Okay... I'll go then. Don't stress too much, hyung. And Jungkook-hyung, stop calling me little boy!"

Jungkook (grinning tiredly):
"Never."

(Fourth rolls his eyes, muttering under his breath as he leaves the apartment. But as he steps outside, a faint unease lingers in his chest. Tae's silence... Jungkook's sudden presence... nothing felt normal. Still, he lets it go-for now.)

Scene: College - Morning

(The campus is buzzing with energy. Students chatter, groups laugh, the clatter of footsteps fills the hallways. Fourth walks through with his bag slung over one shoulder, headphones loosely hanging around his neck. His expression is distracted. The conversation at home lingers in his head, leaving him unsettled. But when he spots Dunk and Phuwin sitting at a bench with snacks, his lips twitch into the faintest smile.)

Fourth (plopping down beside them):
"Eating again? Didn't you two just have breakfast?"

Dunk (mouth full, grinning):
"Energy refill. College drains us, you know."

Phuwin (calmly sipping his drink):
"He's just greedy."

Dunk (pouting):
"Hey! Don't expose me like that."

(Fourth chuckles softly, shaking his head. For a while, he lets himself relax-talking about assignments, small jokes, the usual routine. The first lecture passes peacefully. No one barges in. No tension. Just... normal college life. It feels almost like a luxury. Then the bell rings for the short mid-lecture break. Students scatter, some heading for snacks, others stretching. Fourth stays seated, pulling out his phone absentmindedly. His notifications blink. And there it is-)

💬 New Message from 🦁 Lion

(Fourth's stomach flips. He hesitates, thumb hovering, but curiosity wins. He opens the chat. The typing bubble is already blinking, as if Lion's been waiting.)

---

Instagram Chat

🦁: good morning, sunflower boy 🌻☀️ did u sleep well?

🌻: ...you again.

🦁: wow so cold 😭 I was expecting a "good morning lion" at least.

🌻: Why would I say that?

🦁: because... it's polite? because I'm nice? because secretly you're happy I messaged? pick any reason 😌

🌻: Wrong on all counts.

🦁: liar. I can practically hear you sighing but still typing back.

🌻: You're too confident for your own good.

🦁: nah. just optimistic 🌻✨ btw did you eat breakfast?

🌻: Why do you want to know?

🦁: because I need to make sure my sunflower boy doesn't faint in class.

🌻: I told you not to call me that.

🦁: and yet... here you are, replying anyway 👀

🌻: ...

🦁: gotcha again 😎 admit it, you'd miss me if I didn't text.