From afar, you hear chaos.
Screams. Curses. Sloshing water.
You glance toward the sound just in time to see Joshua and Mingyu emerging from the forest path like two dramatic heroes returning from battle.
Soaking wet. Covered in mud. Visibly bickering.
"You said turn left!" Joshua exclaims.
"I said your left," Mingyu snaps.
"That was my left!"
"Then, you're wrong!"
You don't know whether to laugh or gasp as Joshua and Mingyu approach. Mingyu thrusts a small herb into your hands, slightly squashed but intact.
"What happened? Are you guys okay?" you ask, wide-eyed.
"No!" Joshua blurts.
"Yes," Mingyu says at the same time.
They glare at each other.
Joshua wrings out his soaked shirt, scowling. "You said waterfalls, not a muddy swamp!"
"I said near the waterfall, not in it, dumbass," Mingyu shoots back.
"Whatever! Something bit my ass. Twice! I swear, if I get poisoned by it, I'm coming for you."
"It was a freaking twig!" Mingyu mutters, swiping at his face with the back of his hand, only to smear a streak of green moss across his cheek.
Before you think twice, your hand lifts to gently wipe the moss from Mingyu's cheek.
He flinches at the touch, eyes snapping to yours. The moment hangs for a second, before you quickly pull back, clearing your throat and looking anywhere else. Your ears feel suddenly warm.
Just then, Camille and Wonwoo emerge from the opposite trail, also disheveled, but less swamp-monster and more angry hiking couple.
They both pause as they take in the muddy mess, and then they burst out laughing.
"Dude!" Wonwoo chokes between laughs. "Who did you fight? A bog witch?"
Mingyu and Joshua glare at him in perfect unison.
Wonwoo stumbles back dramatically, clutching his chest. "Ah! A double death glare! I'm dying!"
Camille rolls her eyes. "Ugh. Stop being dramatic, Wonwoo. Should I also mention how you shrieked when a slug crawled onto your foot?"
Wonwoo is about to defend himself when Charmaine comes, shrieking and swatting the air like a ghost is chasing her.
"Oh my GOD, they're everywhere!" she screams, batting at invisible bugs.
She bolts straight for Joshua until she sees him soaked and muddy. Her face contorts in disgust like she just bit into a lemon.
"Never mind," she mutters, veering dramatically to the side.
You all head back to the classroom, looking like a misfit parade. Mingyu and Joshua trail behind, still damp and grumpy. A few students whisper and stare as you walk by, some gasping outright at the sight of the herb-streaked, mud-speckled duo.
You manage to hand Professor Smith your herbs just in time. He raises an eyebrow at the state of your group but accepts it without question.
"Class dismissed."
Mingyu and Joshua head out first to change their clothes.
You're stepping out of your classroom when a pair of familiar arms wrap around you.
"Hey, stranger," Nikki grins, giving you a tight squeeze.
You laugh, leaning into the hug. "Hey, yourself. Thanks a lot for helping me out."
She pulls back and gives you a once-over. "Oh, c'mon. It's no big deal. Are you okay now?"
"Much better," you chuckle.
Her eyes widen suddenly, lighting up with excitement. "Wait. I nearly forgot. Come on. Follow me!"
"Where are we—?"
You don't get to finish. She grabs your wrist and tugs you down the hall at alarming speed, weaving through students until you both burst into the cafeteria like a two-person tornado.
Inside, the usual afternoon noise buzzes in the air until Nikki lets out a squeal and waves.
You follow her gaze and nearly trip over your own feet.
"Yraiza? Jeimyka?!" you exclaim, half-shouting.
They jump up in sync.
"Rory!" Jeimyka beams.
"You're alive!" Yraiza adds as they hug you.
The three of you collapse into a group hug, laughing and talking over each other as Nikki pulls up a chair like she's officiating the reunion.
"What? You thought we'd leave you alone in this jungle of elite chaos?" Jeimyka grins. "Not a chance."
"So, it's official?" you ask, still in disbelief.
Yraiza smirks. "Uh-huh! Hurt my throat from screaming when we got the news."
You all settle into your corner table, still laughing from your reunion.
"So, tell us everything," Yraiza grins, propping her chin on her hands. "I heard my brother has accomplished his dream of becoming your private nurse this afternoon."
"A... w-what?" you say.
Looking for a witty reply, you glance toward the entrance. And freeze.
There they are.
Minghao. Seungcheol. Jeonghan. Hoshi. Dino.
Walking in with the kind of slow, deliberate presence. They say nothing. The silence stretches around them like a force field.
Students start to clear out. First a few, then more, slipping away from tables like they suddenly remembered they had somewhere else to be.
Minghao leans against the counter, tapping his fingers like time owes him something. Seungcheol doesn't say a word, just stands there like a general ready to command his army.
Jeonghan offers a lazy smile to the staff, which somehow makes them panic more. Hoshi is bouncing on the balls of his feet, eyes sharp despite the grin he wears. And Dino? Sitting casually on a stool, waiting to be served.
The cafeteria staff springs into action, visibly flustered. One trips over another trying to grab a tray. Someone else pushes a coworker forward, whispering frantically before darting back behind the counter.
You watch, stunned. "They're not even saying or doing anything."
Yraiza, still sipping her drink calmly, smirks. "Fascinating, isn't it?"
You turn to her, confused.
She lifts her chin toward the group. "Those brats."
All of you turn your attention to them again. The air practically warps with their presence.
Jeimyka leans in, eyes sparkling. "So… which one's your favorite problem?"
"Uhm...," you try to play it cool, but your gaze flickers. "Well, all of them?"
Yraiza catches it and grins. "Oh. We're gonna have so much fun."
As soon as they finish placing their orders, the cafeteria staff breathe a collective sigh of relief. The tension loosens, only slightly, as the group moves to the reserved leather-lined booth at the far end. Students lingering nearby practically scatter, pretending to study their phones or rehearse escape plans.
You relax back into your seat, finally letting your shoulders drop.
But not for long.
Seungcheol's gaze sweeps the room like a slow scan. You freeze as it lands on your table. Sharp. Calculated. Then—
"Yraiza," you hiss under your breath, eyes widening.
"What?" she chirps innocently, waving at Seungcheol, who smiles back.
You want to stop her, but it's too late.
You catch Seungcheol turning to say something to the others. He gestures subtly in your direction.
The others follow his gaze. One by one.
Minghao, impassive. Jeonghan, eyes glinting like he knows something you don't. Hoshi raises a brow, already grinning. Dino pauses, mid-sip of his drink, then nods once.
And then… they move.
"Oh, please!" you mutter, heart speeding up as they begin striding toward your table.
Go away! Go away!
You don't know how it happened, but here you are, seated in the middle of the social tension.
You're all seated around the circular table like some modern, ultra-rich version of the Knights of the Round Table, minus the chivalry and plus a ridiculous amount of silent power tension.
To your right is Seungcheol, composed as always, while to your left is Jeonghan, swirling his drink like it's a cauldron of secrets.
Next to him is Yraiza, bright and smug. Then, Minghao, effortlessly elegant with his arms crossed; Jeimyka, quietly observant; Hoshi, animated as ever; Nikki, pretending not to analyze everything; and Dino, sitting like he's five steps ahead in a game you didn't realize you were playing.
To your surprise, the conversations flow effortlessly.
You smile. You nod. On the surface, you're part of the group now, laughing when they laugh, leaning in when they do, but inside?
You're barely keeping up with the emotional whiplash.
No one's singling you out. No sharp comments. No pointed stares.
Why does it feel worse? Scary like a calm before the storm.
Too focused and confused by the relative calmness, you don't notice a staff approach until a glass tips.
Your eyes widen, mirroring the horror on the staff member's face.
But just before the contents soak your side of the table, strong arms wrap around your waist and yank you sideways.
You gasp, more from shock than the movement, because suddenly you're no longer sitting.
You're in Seungcheol's lap!
The room stills. Conversations die. Forks pause midair. Even Dino looks mildly surprised.
Your hands are on his chest.
Why are my hands on his chest?
His arms are still around you.
Why is he not letting go?
Minghao raises one eyebrow. Nikki's jaw drops, followed quickly by her fake-coughing into her cup.
Jeimyka is stuck between awe and concern. Yraiza looks like she's already writing about this in her mental diary.
Hoshi? Claps once and dramatically mouths, "Aw...how cute."
You go stiff. "I—I didn't—"
Across the table, Jeonghan leans forward with a smirk. "I didn't realize this meeting came with premium seating."
"Not complaining though," Minghao adds. "It's rare to see Seungcheol flustered."
Seungcheol immediately lifts you by the waist as if you weigh nothing and places you back in your seat. Almost rough, but with enough gentleness.
You sit, posture unnaturally straight, face hot enough to cook instant noodles.
Why? Is this the payment for the sudden inclusion? If so, I don't want it.