NOW PLAYING: GIRLS NEVER DIE- BY TRIPLE(S)

❛The world's a fancy dream, blinding mе
Dazzling, shine better
I'll bе forgotten more and more
I don't like the weak me
Don't wanna show this part of me❜

✦ ⎯⎯ㅤִㅤ୭ ୨♡୧ ৎㅤִ ⎯⎯ ✦

Agonisingly, the clock strikes twelve finally signalling the end of the strenuous study session. Yu-ri yawned stretching like a cat, her back popping and joints cracking. Her posture was like that of a shrimp, she knew she had to improve but she was just too lazy.

The table was a mess, well at least on her side, ransacked with post-it notes being flung everywhere, endless pages of paper stacked like the leaning tower of Pisa. Daesung's side was almost immaculate - neatly wrapped. Yu-ri groaned, her face in her hands clammy with sweat, raking through her hair.

"There's no need to be embarrassed, some of us are messy learners nobody is the same. Don't sweat it. Do you want some help with cleaning up?" he offered politely, seeing how dishevelled and exhausted she was now that her pristine mask was discarded. Daesung wondered what if she stopped being so hard on herself, would she be happier? Or was it perhaps the constant isolation that drove her like this in this mode of self preservation? Only time will tell.

Quickly, they managed to clear up their space, Daesung politely carrying her books and another mango and passionfruit despite the girl's pleas. It really looked like she needed that pick-me-up. They both meander through the corridors aimlessly before reaching their designated destination.

The Dance Studio.

"What are we doing here?" She asked incredulously, never really stepping foot outside the classrooms or the library it was the first time Yu-ri went to the sports section of the school. She'd heard whispers from Hana, who was in the cheerleading team, that they had plans to renovate the area.

She was surprised they were very well designed, very modern. "To watch me perform silly! Did you forget already? Sheesh, that studying must have worn you out." Daesung teased her, swinging open open to the empty room, flicking the lights on, before placing their bags in the corner.

"Such a shame honestly..." he pouted, "I was hoping you'd perform with me, oh well once you watch the Fantastic Daesung you'll have no choice!" Yu-ri chuckled softly, a soft rare smile on her lips lighting up her face, "We'll see... I'm a harsh critic, Mr Kang." Slipping on her glasses in mock judge fashion, sitting cross-legged against the mirrors as the music began. MIROTIC by TVXQ!

The first chords of Mirotic, a sharp burst of K-pop energy, reverberated through the studio, a jarring contrast to the classical pieces that usually filled Yu-ri's ears. It was as if a switch had been flipped. Daesung transformed before her eyes. Gone was the polite, slightly awkward study buddy, the boy who meticulously organized her notes and always offered her a spare pen. He was replaced by a performer radiating confidence and charisma, a magnetic force that pulled her in. Every movement was sharp, precise, and imbued with a captivating energy. He wasn't just dancing; he was telling a story, his body the narrator, the sweat glistening on his brow like punctuation marks, and the music the script.

Yu-ri watched, initially skeptical, then slowly, undeniably impressed. She had expected something... clumsy. Perhaps endearing, but ultimately amateur, a hobby indulged in between study sessions. What she witnessed was anything but. Daesung moved with a fluidity that belied his earlier bookish persona, his limbs unfolding with an effortless grace she hadn't imagined. He owned the space, commanding every inch of the studio with his presence. His eyes, previously focused on textbooks, now blazed with passion, connecting with hers periodically, as if inviting her into the performance, daring her to see the hidden depths within him.

When Mirotic ended, the studio hung in a brief silence, the echoes of the music fading like a phantom applause. Daesung grinned, a little breathless, his chest rising and falling rapidly, but vibrant with exhilaration. The sweat plastered his dark hair to his forehead, making him look even more intense. "Well? Harsh critic, what say you?" he asked, his voice laced with playful anticipation.

Yu-ri adjusted her glasses, a small smile playing on her lips. She felt a warmth spread through her, a surprising and pleasant reaction to his performance. "Not bad, Mr. Kang. Though I suspect you chose that song specifically to embarrass me with its... provocative content." She was, in fact, pleasantly surprised, bordering on astounded, by the whole ordeal. It was a side of Daesung she never knew existed, a revelation that made her question how well she really knew him.

He laughed, a genuine, uninhibited sound that filled the room. "Guilty as charged! But now," he clapped his hands together, the sound sharp in the quiet studio, "for something a little more... contemporary."

He flicked through his phone, the music shifting to a more ethereal beat, the haunting intro to "Girls Never Die" by TripleS washing over them. This time, Daesung's movements were softer, more nuanced, each gesture imbued with a different layer of emotion. The dance was less about raw power and more about emotion, about vulnerability and strength intertwined, a delicate balance he navigated with surprising skill. It was a stark contrast to the previous performance, showcasing a different facet of his talent, a spectrum of expression she hadn't anticipated. His movements mimicked waves crashing, ebbing and flowing with the music, each undulation of his body a whisper of longing, a cry of hope.

Yu-ri found herself lost in the performance, the outside world receding as she became completely absorbed in the story Daesung was telling. It wasn't just the technical skill, which was undeniable, a testament to hours of dedicated practice, but the raw emotion he poured into every step, every gesture. She saw a glimpse of something deeper, something hidden beneath the easy smile and helpful nature. A quiet intensity, a burning passion that seemed to flicker just beneath the surface, now unleashed in a torrent of movement.

As the last notes faded, leaving a lingering echo of electronic whispers, she was genuinely captivated. Daesung stood panting, his chest heaving slightly, a vulnerable look in his eyes, as if he was waiting for her judgement with bated breath. He'd bared a part of his soul through the dance, revealing a fragile core beneath the confident exterior. He had moved her in a way she hadn't expected, breaking down the carefully constructed walls she had built around herself.

"That... that was beautiful, Daesung," she said, surprised by the sincerity in her own voice. The words felt genuine, devoid of her usual academic detachment. "Truly." She actually meant it. He had a rare, exceptional talent, a gift that deserved to be nurtured and celebrated.

He grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck, his eyes downcast for a moment before meeting hers again. "Thanks, Yu-ri. It means a lot coming from you." He looked relieved, as if a great pressure's been lifted from his shoulder now that he knows Yu-ri is impressed, as if her opinion held a weight he hadn't fully admitted to himself.

He walked over to her, picking up his bag, the movement a little stiff now that the adrenaline was fading. "So, what do you say? Shall we head out? All this dancing has made me hungry."

Yu-ri nodded, gathering her things, a faint blush rising on her cheeks. The adrenaline of witnessing Daesung's performance still coursed through her veins, a welcome change from the usual caffeine-induced jitters. It felt like a secret shared, a hidden truth revealed. As they walked out of the dance studio, the setting sun painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, casting long shadows on the pavement, she felt a sense of lightness she hadn't experienced in a long time. A new kind of lightness, not just the absence of academic pressure, but a sense of possibility, a feeling that maybe, just maybe, there was more to life, and more to Daesung, than she had ever imagined. The air felt charged with unspoken words, and Yu-ri found herself looking forward to finding out what those words might be.

They were halfway down the hallway, the late afternoon sun streaming through the large windows and painting stripes of light across the polished floor. Their conversation, initially a polite exchange about the dance studio, had blossomed into a lively debate about the merits of different ice cream flavors. Yu-ri, a penchant for vanilla bean, was passionately arguing the superior subtlety of its flavor compared to Daesung's preferred rocky road. Daesung, a naturally affable boy with a bright smile, was holding his own, gesturing animatedly as he described the textural delight of marshmallows and nuts.

Suddenly, a voice boomed, cutting through their easy banter like a shard of ice. "Daesung! What are you doing?"

Yu-ri and Daesung stopped, turning to see Jiyong standing a few feet away, his posture radiating disapproval. His face was contorted in a mixture of annoyance and, Yu-ri thought, a strange kind of possessiveness. His designer jeans and perfectly styled hair screamed effortless cool, a stark contrast to Daesung's comfortable jeans and slightly rumpled shirt. Two other boys, Seunghyun and Yongbae, stood behind him, looking equally displeased. They formed a united front, a silent declaration of their superiority.

Daesung's face fell slightly, his earlier animation replaced by a hesitant politeness. "Hey, Jiyong. Just finished up at the dance studio. We were just heading to get ice cream." He gave Yu-ri a slightly apologetic glance, as if needing to explain her presence.

Jiyong scowled, his eyes flicking dismissively towards Yu-ri, barely acknowledging her existence. "You should be hanging out with us, man! We were about to hit up the arcade. High scores aren't going to set themselves. What are you doing wasting your time with... her?" The word "her" dripped with disdain, an insult disguised as a question.

Yu-ri's smile vanished, replaced by a tightening in her chest. The casual dismissal stung more than she expected. She hadn't realized how much she was enjoying the afternoon, the unforced laughter and easy camaraderie, until it was threatened by Jiyong's arrival and his blatant disapproval. She felt like an unwelcome intruder, a fly buzzing around a prized possession.

Daesung shifted uncomfortably, his foot scuffing against the polished floor. "Jiyong, come on. That's not cool. Yu-ri's my friend now. We were having a good time."

"Friend? Look, Daesung," Jiyong stepped closer, invading Daesung's personal space, lowering his voice but still loud enough for Yu-ri to hear every cutting word. "You're one of us. We're known for our skills, our dedication. Don't start getting all soft just because some girl bats her eyelashes at you. We have a reputation to uphold! You should be practicing, honing your skills, not wasting your time with... distractions."

The implication was clear, and it hung in the air like a thick fog: Daesung was above spending time with someone like Yu-ri, someone who didn't fit into their carefully constructed social circle, someone who threatened their established hierarchy. Yu-ri was an outsider, and Jiyong was making sure everyone knew it.

Something snapped inside Yu-ri. She'd spent her entire life being overlooked, underestimated, and dismissed. She was the quiet girl in the back of the class, the unassuming student who faded into the background. She was tired of it. This afternoon with Daesung had been the best she'd had in months, a rare glimpse of genuine connection and unadulterated fun, and she wasn't about to let Jiyong ruin it with his petty jealousy and social snobbery.

"Excuse me?" Yu-ri's voice was surprisingly steady, her eyes narrowed behind her glasses, focusing her anger into a laser-like beam. "I don't think I need your permission on who I hang out with, and neither does Daesung. He's not wasting his time. You should've asked if he even wants to go with you before assuming he's at your beck and call."

Jiyong scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Look, Yu-ri, this doesn't concern you. This is between Daesung and his real friends. Just butt out and go back to whatever book you were reading."

Yu-ri took a step forward, her small frame surprisingly imposing, her fists clenching at her sides. "It concerns me when you insult my friend and treat him like he's your property. He's his own person, and he can make his own choices. I'm warning you, your words will backfire on you."

Jiyong just laughed, a cruel, mocking sound that echoed in the hallway. "Oh, yeah? What are you going to do about it? Gonna bore me to death with your knowledge of obscure literary facts?"

Without a word, her eyes blazing with righteous anger, Yu-ri cocked her leg back with a swift, practiced motion and delivered a precise kick to Jiyong's groin. Years of self-defense classes, dismissed by her family as a "waste of time," were finally paying off.

The effect was immediate and dramatic. Jiyong doubled over, clutching himself, gasping for air, his face contorted in pain. The two boys behind him groaned in sympathetic pain, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief. The air crackled with the unexpectedness of it all.

Yu-ri heard faint giggling followed by, "Oh my god, he got kicked! Record it!" as Seunghyun secretly pulled out his phone and began filming the scene, a mischievous glint in his eye. This was going to be legendary.

Daesung stared at Yu-ri, jaw dropped, a mixture of horror and amazement warring on his face. He wasn't sure whether to be concerned for Jiyong, impressed by Yu-ri's unexpected display of aggression, or terrified that she might turn on him next. "Jiyong...are you okay? Yu-ri... Did you really...?"

Before Daesung could stammer out another word, Jiyong managed to choke out, "I... I... I think I deserved that," his voice laced with pain and a grudging respect. The air of superiority had completely vanished, replaced by a raw vulnerability.

Daesung, however, was mortified, acutely aware of the attention they were drawing. "Jiyong, I'm so sorry! Yu-ri, maybe that was a bit much? There were other ways to handle this!" His voice was laced with anxiety, torn between loyalty to his friend, a newfound respect for Yu-ri's surprising assertiveness, and the fear of repercussions.

Yu-ri, surprisingly calm despite her outburst, ignored Daesung's apology and Jiyong's pain. She had made her point. She turned her back on Jiyong, her gaze fixed forward. "Let's go, Daesung." She grabbed his arm, pulling him away from the scene, leaving Jiyong writhing on the floor and his bewildered friends speechless.

As they walked briskly down the hall, leaving Jiyong and his stunned entourage in their wake, Daesung stammered, "Yu-ri, I... I don't know what to say. I'm so sorry. Jiyong can be a real jerk sometimes. He doesn't usually act like that."

Yu-ri stopped, turning to face him, her expression softening slightly. "Don't apologize, Daesung. You didn't do anything wrong. He was being disrespectful and downright rude, and someone needed to put him in his place."

"But... kicking him in the... well, you know..." Daesung trailed off, unable to bring himself to say the word. He winced, imagining the pain Jiyong must be in.

Yu-ri shrugged, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "He deserved it. Besides," she grinned, a flicker of mischief in her eyes, "it was a very effective way to end the conversation, don't you think?"

Daesung couldn't help but laugh, the tension finally breaking. It was absurd, shocking, and utterly unexpected. He had never imagined Yu-ri capable of such a thing. She was full of surprises.

"So," Yu-ri said, breaking the silence, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Ice cream? My treat. I think we both deserve it after that monumental display."

Daesung shook his head, still chuckling. "No way. After you defended me like that? I'm buying, hands down. What flavor do you want? Rocky road, I hope?" He teased, a lightheartedness returning to his voice.

He smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile that reached his eyes, chasing away the earlier anxiety. He looked at Yu-ri with a newfound appreciation, recognizing the strength and loyalty that lay hidden beneath her quiet demeanor. He had underestimated her, and he suspected that many others had too.

As they walked towards the ice cream shop, the setting sun casting long shadows behind them, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Daesung couldn't help but wonder what other surprises Yu-ri had in store. One thing was certain: his perception of her had been irrevocably changed. And he found himself strangely excited, even a little bit nervous, to see what would happen next. He had a feeling this was just the beginning of a very interesting friendship.

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CHAPTER BY ; SEOIN & JAY

WORD COUNT !
2,857