The first period hadn't even started, but the classroom already looked like a graveyard of half-awake teenagers. Heads drooped onto desks. Yawns echoed like haunting chants. A few struggled with tangled earphones or unfinished homework.
Ji Hyun sat slouched over his desk, pencil in hand, copying from Hyun Soo's biology notes like it was a race against time.
"Hey, this is not even neat," Ji Hyun muttered, scribbling in panic.
Hyun Soo peered from behind. "You're writing the diagram upside down."
Ji Hyun blinked. "Huh?"
Hyun Soo leaned in and sighed. "Uh... that's a kidney, not a heart."
From beside him, Ji Yong leaned on his palm, watching with mild amusement.
"You shouldn't copy biology, Ji Hyun," he drawled. "Might be helpful in the future. Like identifying your own organs."
Without looking up, Ji Hyun snapped, "I swear, if you open your mouth again, I'll cut your biology."
Hyun Soo laughed under his breath as he corrected a label on Ji Hyun's diagram. "You spelled 'artery' with a Q."
Ji Hyun gave him a slow, venomous glare that made Hyun Soo retreat to his seat instantly.
"Okay. Chill. Your wife's not in a good mood today," he muttered to Ji Yong.
Ji Yong leaned over to Hyun Soo and whispered, "She's always like this in the mornings." Before Ji Hyun could retaliate, the classroom fell into an abrupt hush as their homeroom teacher entered.
Her shoes clicked sharply against the floor, her face carved in permanent discipline. The room fell silent instantly.
She dropped her bag with purpose, adjusted her glasses, and looked at the class.
"I have an announcement." Her voice sliced through the quiet .The students straightened up. "The school will be participating in an all-round performance competition this year. That includes singing, dancing, acting—any talent you believe you can shine in."
Excited murmurs rippled through the room.
She continued, "Last year, three students from our school were selected to audition in Seoul. One is currently under training with a well-known company."
The buzz intensified.
"But," she raised a hand, "only students with an average or above academic record are eligible to participate. This is a prestigious opportunity, but academics remain our priority. Don't let your grades fail."
A wave of groans echoed. Ji Hyun's stomach twisted.
Ji Yong tilted his head and turned to Ji Hyun, smirking. "Guess that rules you out. You can cheer for me though."
Ji Hyun shot him a deadly glare. "You might want to check your teeth tomorrow."
From the back, Hyun Soo whispered, "Do you want death, Jiyong? She's already angry."
Ji Yong laughed and leaned back, utterly unbothered.
The rest of the class passed in a blur—whispers, excitement, low groans from the ones who knew their marks weren't enough. But the bell finally rang, and the chaos resumed.
⸻
Somehow, Ji Hyun found himself walking with Haeri, Ji Yong, and Hyun Soo toward the school board. He didn't even remember standing up.
"So," Haeri said, eyes sparkling, "if we make it to the finals, we might actually get to go to Seoul?"
Hyun Soo added, "They even have idol scouts in these places, right?"
Ji Yong walked lazily ahead, hands in his pockets. "Mmhmm. My uncle works in one of the entertainment companies there."
They all froze.
Haeri blinked. "Wait—what?"
Ji Yong didn't stop walking. "Yeah. I've met a few idols. It's not a big deal."
Haeri clutched her chest. "Not a big deal?! I would pass out."
Hyun Soo stared at him. "You were born with a golden spoon or something?"
Ji Yong just grinned. "I was born with a winner tag. Spoon came later."
Everyone laughed—except Ji Hyun.
He stared at the board, pretending to read.
Then Ji Yong slung his arm over Ji Hyun's shoulder. "Feeling the heat already? Don't worry, you'll get used to losing."
Ji Hyun shoved his arm off hard. "You'll get used to limping if you don't stop talking."
"Your wife's blood pressure is rising," Hyun Soo whispered.
"I'm praying," Haeri added solemnly.
⸻
That evening, they gathered in Hyun Soo's room. The walls were lined with books and posters. A whiteboard had doodles of music notes and random to-do lists.
"We need a strategy," Hyun Soo said, arms folded. "Step one: convince your eomma."
Ji Hyun sighed loudly. "Impossible. She won't let me."
"She let your sister join that dance competition last year."
"Because she gets good grades," Ji Hyun muttered.
Hyun Soo grinned. "Don't worry. I'm the lead negotiator tonight."
⸻
Dinner at Ji Hyun's house was quiet.
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Too quiet.
Only his father spoke—murmuring about some equipment issue at work while Ji Hyun's mother passed the sambar without comment.
Then, carefully, Ji Hyun's sister cleared her throat.
"I was thinking... the performing arts competition is coming up. I want to try the dance category."
Silence.
Their mother narrowed her eyes.
"For what?"
"Maybe... if I get through, I can go to Seoul. Just to try."
The tension was thick until their father said gently, "If she has the marks and wins, it'll be good for her future. For all of us."
Their mother didn't smile, but she nodded.
Then, Hyun Soo cleared his throat.
"Eomma... Ji Hyun also wants to participate. Singing, maybe. He's good, I swear."
The spoon paused in her hand.
Ji Hyun lowered his eyes.
"No," she said sharply. "You're not."
"Eomma—" Ji Hyun began.
"You never gave me a day of relief with your studies," she snapped. "Until now, I can't even say my son is passing well. And now you want to waste time chasing some useless dream?"
Hyun Soo tried to speak, but she cut him off.
"You can join, Hyun Soo. You're different. You study."
She turned to Ji Hyun again. "You think your friends will always be around? If you don't study and get a proper job, everyone will leave—even your friends."
Her glare landed directly on Hyun Soo, who gulped and looked away.
Ji Hyun glanced at his father—who opened his mouth, then shut it under her stare.
Under the table, Hyun Soo reached out and squeezed Ji Hyun's hand.
⸻
Later, Ji Hyun sat outside, setting a small bowl of food down for Ga Ram.
"We'll go without her knowing," Hyun Soo said beside him, crouching. "She'll come around when you win."
Ji Hyun didn't reply.
Ga Ram padded forward, tail wagging. She looked up at Ji Hyun's face—then slowly leaned in, nuzzling under his chin, licking a stray tear that had slipped down unnoticed.
Ji Hyun didn't move. Just closed his eyes and hugged her.
He held it all too long. And he knew it.
But he couldn't lose.
Not to Ji Yong.
Not this time.