The next day, Woonhak and Jaehyun both skipped school. Jaehyun's mom told them they didn't have to go if they didn't feel like it.
She made them breakfast, and they ate together before she headed out for work.

Jaehyun and Woonhak spent the day taking a walk through the park nearby with Japchae and finally writing down observations of Dubu and Mandu. As the hours passed, Woonhak grew more and more relaxed and at ease.

Throughout the day, Woonhak’s phone remained silent. His aunt hadn’t reached out, despite him being gone for over a day now. He knew all she cared about was the spotless house he was expected to maintain. As long as he returned to clean it on Sunday, why would she care where he was?

***

Wednesday

On Wednesday, Jaehyun and Woonhak returned to school together. Thankfully, Woonhak had his uniform and school bag with him, having gone straight to Jaehyun’s house on Monday. The morning air was crisp, and the golden sun made everything feel fresh and new.

To Jaehyun’s delight, Woonhak seemed to be in a surprisingly good mood. He smiled often and even chatted freely, his voice light and unguarded. Seeing this side of Woonhak — relaxed, almost carefree — made Jaehyun’s heart soar. It felt like he finally got to know the person Woonhak truly was, and Jaehyun treasured it.

When lunchtime arrived, Jaehyun had their packed lunch ready, assuming they'd eat together in a quiet spot like before. But to his surprise, Woonhak asked if they could eat in the cafeteria with Jaehyun’s friends. Jaehyun's eyebrows lifted in surprise.

"Are you sure? You don’t have to do it just because of me," Jaehyun said gently.

Woonhak smiled softly. "Your friends can’t be that bad if they’re your friends. And… as long as you’re there, I won’t be scared."

Something warm and fierce bloomed in Jaehyun's chest. He nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. "Okay, then let’s go."

As they walked to the cafeteria, Jaehyun gave Woonhak a heads-up. "Just so you know, they’re loud, nosy, and make the stupidest jokes. Don’t say I didn’t warn you."

Woonhak chuckled, the sound light and genuine. "I’ll be fine."

The moment they entered, Jaehyun spotted his friends at their usual table. Sanghyuk saw them first, his eyes widening slightly before a grin spread across his face.

"Oh, hi, Myungjae! And Woonhak. Didn’t expect to see you two here."

Donghyun and Sungho looked up from their trays. Donghyun's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Jaehyun!" he called out, then peeked around him, noticing Woonhak. "And you brought your boyfriend!"

Jaehyun’s face turned bright red. "He’s not my boyfriend!"

Donghyun smirked. "Well, from what Sanghyuk told me, it sounds like a different story."

Jaehyun glared at Sanghyuk, who held up his hands in mock innocence. "I just said you two seem to get along really well now."

"Ugh, whatever." Jaehyun rolled his eyes and slid onto the bench next to Sanghyuk, gesturing for Woonhak to sit beside him.

Jaehyun turned to Woonhak. "Do you want to get school lunch, or should we eat what my mom packed?"

Woonhak’s eyes softened. "Let’s eat what your mom made."

As they unpacked their lunches, the conversation flowed. Jaehyun’s friends, curious but respectful, asked why they had come to school together. Jaehyun kept his answer simple. "Woonhak stayed over last night."

Sungho opened his mouth to ask a follow-up, but Jaehyun shot him a subtle look, a silent warning. Sungho got the message and quickly pivoted the conversation, switching to lighter topics.

They started asking Woonhak some basic questions — favorite subjects, hobbies, things like that. Though a little shy at first, Woonhak eventually opened up. To Jaehyun’s delight, he seemed to genuinely enjoy talking to his friends, his voice soft but steady.

Under the table, Jaehyun reached for Woonhak’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. The younger boy squeezed back, and when Jaehyun glanced over, Woonhak’s eyes sparkled with a warmth and trust that made Jaehyun’s heart ache in the best way.

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Word count: 681

Can we please talk about how insanely adorable these outfits are?😭😭