Si Kyo now strolls across the green open courtyard, grin wide, hands in his pockets, head held high—but not too long.
(touches his forehead)
"Ow—damn it, still feels like a watermelon's growing in there."
He shakes it off, eyes darting around.
"Lowkey mode: activated."
He ducks behind a rock then a large tree, then peeks around it dramatically..
Inside Jiho's classroom. Soojin leans over.
"And this year? For the first time ever, our university will not be participating."
"What?! Why?"
Soojin shrugs, resigned.
"Nobody signed up. Not a single runner. And no one volunteered to cheer either."
A classmate, ever the optimist, pipes up from the front.
"I mean, look at the bright side... at least we won't embarrass ourselves in front of everyone again?"
A wave of solemn nods follows. Students in unison, like monks at a pity party.
A single sweat drop metaphorically forms behind Jiho's head. He chuckles under his breath and shakes his head.
"Unbelievable."
"Focus! Eyes on the board unless you'd rather repeat this semester!" The professor shout.
Everyone straightens like a sudden military inspection hit.
" Yes, professor!"
...Except Minseok and Soojin. Still talking.
"At least we won't have to see that jerk Park Jinwoo from SanSoo University." Minseok reveals.
"Ugh. That smug runner boy? I'd rather eat chalk." Soojin agrees.
They both nod in grim agreement like they've just signed a peace treaty. Jiho smiles faintly, returning to his notes.
TAP.
Something lightly hits the window.
TAP. TAP.
Jiho blinks and glances from the second floor. Outside the Campus ground, waving like he's greeting a long-lost soulmate, stands Shin Si Kyo.
Bright grin. Swollen forehead. Eyes gleaming with chaos. Face screaming 'unmedicated'.
"Oh no." Jiho gasps.
Si Kyo waves harder, mouth moving dramatically through the glass.
"Hey, How r u doin...?"
Jiho's face emidietly turns pale. "Oh no, oh no, oh no... the devil is here."
"Surprise~! Miss me?"
Jiho jumps in his seat, clutching his notes like a shield. He leans his head out the window whispering harshly.
"What the hell are you doing?! Get out! How did you even get in here?"
Si Kyo smirks. "That's for me to know and You to find out."
(Jiho's dramatic inner monologues)
"My whole entire existence must have been a joke to that insect, Si Kyo."
(Meanwhile from below, Si Kyo, cupping his hands)
"Jihooo~! Yoo-hoo! Scholar boy!"
Jiho panics. He whispers almost shouting. "Are you insane?!"
"What? I can't hear you~"
Si Kyo looks to his left, eyes catching something tall, green, and very climbable.
A tree. A massive, slightly crooked tree that brushes just under the second floor window.
"No..." Jiho already sensing doom. "What are you doing? What are you looking at?"
"Looking at what?" Si Kyo smirks menacingly.
He doesn't wait for an answer. One foot is already on the bark.
Jiho is visibly shaken. "Stop. Stop it. I swear— don't you dare. Si Kyo. I mean it!"
"This tree's got good vibes."
" You're going to break your neck!"
"Then I'll haunt you with jazz music."
He starts climbing. Effortless. Jiho buries his face in his hands, muffling a strangled groan.
"Whoever's up there... God, Buddha, Beyoncé... if you hear me... smite him. Or me. Either's fine. I'll thank you later."
Suddenly, a voice at the window. Leaning in cheerfully.
"By the way... hi."
Jiho jolts so hard he knocks over his water bottle. "You absolute menace!"
"You say that like it's new."
"I'm literally just... trying to pass!" Jiho eye's start to water. "Like a normal person!"
"Normal is a cult."
Jiho glances nervously toward the front. The professor is mid-rant.
He hisses back to Si Kyo. "You're going to get us caught!"
Si Kyo whispers back like it's sacred. "I was bored."
"That's it?!"
"And I missed bullying you."
"You're a grown man Si Kyo. With a credit score and a driver's license! What are you? Five!?"
"Don't age me, worm. I'm timeless."
He flicks Jiho's forehead.
"Ow!"
"See? That's the sound of brain cells dying. Stop thinking so hard."
"You're literally impossible, Si Kyo."
"And yet, here I am. Irresistible."
Jiho opens his mouth. Closes it. His eyes begging for divine intervention.