YOUR MOVE

TWO

(Please be a active reader and like?)

It was after school now, the final bell long gone. She followed quietly behind Beom Seok, her bag slung lazily over one shoulder, watching as he made his way toward Sieun. From the way he was fidgeting with his hands, she could tell he was nervous probably trying to keep his word about making up, just like he'd promised her earlier.

She slowed her steps, giving him some space, observing as he muttered a few words to Sieun. The other boy's face stayed unreadable, his eyes briefly flickering toward Beom Seok before he turned away, brushing past without a word. She frowned, catching the faint slump in her brother's shoulders as he watched Sieun walk off.

"Did you apologize?" she asked as she finally came up behind him, her voice careful but firm.

Beom Seok nodded, though his expression looked tight. "Yes, I did... but—" he sighed, letting his bag slip lower against his side, "he didn't want to talk. He just walked off."

She studied him for a moment, then turned her gaze toward where Sieun had disappeared. A group of students were gathered just ahead, noisy and restless, forming a circle around something or someone.

"You sure that was all? You didn't say something wrong?" she pressed gently, tilting her head at him. "Maybe it's gonna take more than just words," she murmured, half to herself, then glanced ahead again.

She nudged Beom Seok lightly with her elbow. "Come on," she said, gesturing toward the crowd.

They slowed their steps when they reached the edge of the crowd. Her eyes scanned past the line of uniforms until she spotted him Yeong-bin, his smug grin already plastered across his face as he stood toe to toe with Sieun. Behind him hovered a group of guys, rowdy and restless, and even one girl lingering close. Her chest tightened as she watched one of the boys shove Sieun forward, forcing him to stumble after them. A ripple of whispers spread among the watching students.

"Are they messing with him again?"

"Poor guy doesn't know when to quit."

"Yeah, Yeong-bin's not gonna let him off easy this time."

"Come on," he muttered urgently. "I think I know somebody that could help."

She stared at him, incredulous. "Somebody?" But he was already walking fast, and she had to jog to keep up.

With a frustrated sigh, she followed, muttering under her breath, "Why am I always the one coming to this boy's rescue? He doesn't even know I exist half the time."

They speed walked back into the building, the echo of their footsteps bouncing down the empty hallway. She glanced around, confused, until Beom Seok pushed open the door to his homeroom.

It was silent inside silent except for the steady sound of snoring. She froze in the doorway, blinking at the sight before her.

Ahn Su ho, head tilted to the side, was dozing at his desk, cheek squished against his notorious pink pillow.

"You've got to be kidding me," she muttered, crossing her arms and leaning against the doorframe. "Why him? Really, Beom Seok?"

He ignored her skepticism and hurried inside, making a beeline for Su ho's desk.

She rolled her eyes dramatically. "I've heard things about him, you know. Rumors. From people who actually know what they're talking about. He's... reckless. A fighter. Half the time he's in trouble, the other half he's the cause of it."

Beom Seok didn't answer, just reached out and shook Su ho's shoulder with more urgency than she expected.

"Suho... hey, wake up," Beom Seok said in a low voice, glancing nervously toward the door as though the noise from outside might suddenly spill into the room.