Chapter Text
By now they should be used to this.
But yeah, pretty much everyone commented on how much the pair looked alike as soon as they met their fellow classmates. You guys look so much alike! Are you twins? Even randos they met in the halls throughout the day would make a brief comment on their similarities. Sometimes they liked lying and saying, yeah, we're twins, we were born ten seconds apart and seeing how long everybody fell for it. Or they'd break the news straight up, trying to put it through people's heads that yeah they were brothers, but still very unique. This time they went with the latter as well— I mean, first day of high school meant solidifying your identity, right? Can't have people get mixed up for too long. Pretending to be each other was cute if you were like five, but fifteen?
Not to mention the homeroom teacher mixing them up already. "Keonho, could you— oh no, Seonghyeon, could you hand this out please?" Seonghyeon actually wasn't so sure exactly how Keonho felt about it (despite the little amused grin he gave Seonghyeon when he stood to collect the papers), but as much as he adored Keonho and all, he did kinda want to be recognized as well... himself. Maybe they didn't need to sit so close on the first day. Even though they did introduce themselves to the class. (A few his brother is cute/handsome could be heard muttered in the class during both of their introductions. Already Seonghyeon wanted to warn them that they'd better be chill with Keonho or he'd tell them off) Damn. He's gonna have to tell Keonho they need to sit at least two chairs apart.
Again, there's nothing wrong with being mistaken as Keonho. Not at all. It was really a compliment. Seonghyeon even liked to be compared to his cute little brother. One of the most important parts of their identity were literally that they were brothers. They're each other's best friend after all.
But anyway, perhaps the point was: Seonghyeon wanted to be actually recognized as the older brother. That makes sense, right? Like me, the youngest? No way. No way people should mistake us like that.
First period was pretty good. The first class of high school is always going to be a little nerve-wracking, it being about 8:00am and all. If it weren't for the excitement of school, Seonghyeon knew Keonho would be slumped against his desk snoring. Maybe that'd change now that it was of the most importance to be on a social A-game now.
Keonho tapped on Seonghyeon's desk, giving another grin. "You ready for them to forget who we are tomorrow?"
Snorting, Seonghyeon playfully flicked his pencil into Keonho's chest. "Maybe we need to pretend not to know each other."
Keonho pouted, clutching the pencil to his chest
Chuckling, Seonghyeon gave his younger brother a playful hit on the shoulder with his sleeve. "I'm joking."
Instantly brightening, Keonho threw the pencil back, and they entertained themselves like that for a bit before being told off. Keonho picked up the pencil from the floor where Seonghyeon dropped it, deciding to chew on the eraser cheekily.
"Dude, gross, stop chewing my damn pencil."
"We have the same DNA."
"Doesn't matter."
"It actually does."
When the bell rang, they dapped each other up.
"You be good," Seonghyeon teased.
"Of course, I'm an angel!"
"Uh-huh. See me during lunch."
They parted ways.
The first half of the day was fairly interesting, even if going over the syllabi was kinda a pain. But oh well. There was at least one teacher Seonghyeon was worried about. He'd have to fill in Keonho later. Eventually, lunch did arrive, and the pair met and chatted as they picked a table to sit at.
"Hey, so I met some guys earlier and I was gonna sit with them for the other half of lunch if that's okay?"
Putting his soda down, Seonghyeon nodded. "Sure, you're free to do what you want." To be honest, he was a little taken aback. Usually Keonho was... extroverted, but still a little shy with strangers. When they were younger, he'd have to hide behind Seonghyeon or tuck into his side like a lost puppy. He was proud Keonho wasn't being all overly nervous, but he was definitely gonna be bored and a little lonely without Keonho. He hadn't yet met anyone he was certain wanted to socialize with him. "Who are you meeting with? What are they like?"
"You might remember one of 'em, actually. He invited me. Martin."
Seonghyeon frowned a bit. "Martin? You mean... middle school Martin? The wannabe rockstar?" He wasn't trying to be mean or anything, but Martin had a bit of a reputation, nothing bad, nothing great, he was just kinda an... eccentric guy, to say the least.
"Hey, 'wannabe' sounds judge-y. Anyway, yeah, that Martin. His style is sick! Anyway, he seems a lot more... approachable, I guess? I'm just glad someone from middle school's here and actually recognizes me. I think I could really be friends with his group. Besides, I'd be pretty popular. What d'ya think?"
Shrugging, Seonghyeon popped another chip in his mouth. "I mean, if that's what you want..."
"You don't want me to, do you?"
"It's not that I don't want you to, just... be careful, okay? I don't want you friends with the wrong crowd."
"Oh c'mon, I wouldn't get mixed in with weirdos. Don't you trust my judgement?"
"It's not that, it's just, you're a little... gullible at times, is all."
Rolling his eyes, Keonho sighed a little and stole some of Seonghyeon's chips. "I'll be careful. hyung."
"Okay. Promise?"
"Promise." A grin. "You're too protective sometimes."
"I'm the average amount of protective."
"Whatever. Well! I'm gonna go now." Keonho stood and slung his backpack over his shoulder. He needs to fix those straps, Seonghyeon thought offhandedly, and before he could comment about it Keonho waved goodbye and hastily went to find whatever weirdos Martin's little clique had.
Sighing, Seonghyeon looked at the time. This was going to be tiresome without company.
He better actually keep his promise.
It's natural when maturing to separate from your siblings for a bit, but man did it feel a little strange.