Chapter Text
The first year was anything but uneventful yet it felt strangely short, leaving him no time to process everything that had happened. As quickly as the vacation started, the second year of highschool arrived.
Seojoon sighs, tossing his pen onto the desk "Second year, and still the same routine," Seojoon complains, propping his chin on his hand, class, home, and repeat, it doesn't really click to him that they're second year students now. Seojoon jumps, turning to Eunsung with rather expectant eyes as he exclaims, "I want a drama, Eunsung! I want a real romance! Youth!" he clenched his fist dramatically, "Being lovey-dovey, holding hands, hugging!"
"You get what I mean, right?"
Eunsung shrugs, "Not really"
"Of course you don't." Seojoon pinches his friend's cheek, annoyed eyes mixed with genuine admiration, "Perfect grades, athletic and handsome. You're basically living the perfect student life", "Switch that face with mine, will you?"
Eunsung swats his hands away, a smirk touching his face. He leans his chin on his hands, eyes tracking Seojoon as he vents, "Want to change places?"
"Really?!" Seojoon shouts, then immediately retreated to his seat after earning a few glares from his classmates. "Forget it, ugh, that was stupid."
Eunsung tilts his head to the side as a small smirk appeared on his face, "Were you really considering it?"
"Whatever, you jerk" Seojoon poked him at the side, his expression shifting from lecturing to a grin, "We have soccer for P.E, let's team up later" despite the lectures, Seojoon is still Seojoon, he somehow eases the tension even if just a little. Eunsung starts to reply, but his gaze drifted toward the classroom door. A teacher is there, standing quietly in the frame, watching them, "Jung Eunsung?" The teacher beckoned by the door, making their conversation cut short. "I want to talk to you, can you please come to my office?"
Eunsung answers with a polite "yes" throwing Seojoon a small wave as he followed the teacher to their office. Inside the office, the air was still, smelling faintly of old papers. The teacher gestured for him to sit, a warm, practiced smile spreading across his face "I've reviewed your records, first place in every assessment. It's a remarkable achievement!" The teacher offers a bright smile, his words spoken with intensity "It is only natural to praise a student for their consistency."
"The school will have a separate module from top-scoring students. It's optional but it will be a great opportunity for you" Teacher keeps praising him to the point that they didn't bother to hide their desperation to keep Eunsung in good mood, almost as if waiting a chance to ask a favor. They don't need to beat around the bush.
Eunsung maintains a pleasant, polite smile that doesn't reach his eyes; he tilts his head just enough to show attentive interest, "I see" He replies, his tone calm, "It sounds like a big opportunity"
"You are truly talented, Eunsung." he smoothly slides in a paper infront, "Why don't you sign up for this class? It's for the best" The teacher’s request hung in the air, shifting the atmosphere from a casual discussion to something heavy and non-negotiable. Eunsung feels the other teacher’s gaze sharp on him, a silent pressure that made refusal impossible.
A prickling sense of discomfort settles in Eunsung's chest but he keeps his eyes focused on the teacher, smiling just enough to mimic a polite interest, "Yes." he said, voice steady even as his pulse quickened, "I'll sign up." It is the only answer. Eunsung left the office shortly after writing his name on the paper, leaving the teacher satisfied as well.
"Talented, huh?" Eunsung mutters to himself, he ruffles his hair messing it up, and rubs his temple; feeling a headache coming. He shakes his head and goes back to his classroom to prepare for next subject.
____
There's still some things that never change even in Second Year, right for example
"Ah, I bet he'll study again."
"Who?"
"You know, the nerd, the one with nasty look"
...Same petty people with the same insults.
"Stop it, he'll hear you"
"Come on, I bet he wo-"
The student take a careless glance at Soohyun's way who's dark gaze fixed on them with sharp glare. For a brief, silent second, the air felt heavy that the gossipers shift uncomfortably in their seats, looking away.
It's pathetic how they have courage to gossip about someone who is infront of them but immediately cower away by just a simple glare.
Just as the tension threatened to snap, a voice boomed infront; a teacher holding a heavy stack of papers, "I need a steady hand to help me organize these in the office", "Lee Soohyun, can you come with me?"
Soohyun stands up, walking past through the gossipers, ignoring their sudden silence as he helped the teacher carry the files out of the room.
...
"Just place the papers there, Lee Soohyun" The teacher says and Soohyun does so, "Before you go back to your class, can I ask you something?"
The teacher gives Soohyun a paper which explains shortly about the new module and the students who signed up. "Are you interested in taking extra class?" the teacher ask, "It's voluntary and regular students are welcome but there's only few students willing to take the class" oviously, no student who prefers playing around would pick being in the same room as the studious people, "Since you are one of our top student, I thought it might interest you?"
Soohyun immediately lost interest, since it's a separate module, taking the study hall won't count as his grades nor will be worth his time and effort if he can do the same by himself. The conversation drawn out, the teacher's tone is lighthearted, genuinely suggesting the study hall to him. He skims through the paper, more specifically, the names across it.
There was a moment of silence before Soohyun responded shortly, "I'll take it" he adjust his glasses, fingers lingering on the frame, I'll sign up for the study hall."
The teacher looked at him weirdly for a second but it was soon replaced by a gentle smile "Okay, then you can sign your name there"
Soohyun writes his name on the paper, he gives the teacher a quick polite gesture before leaving the office. He walks toward his class, his pace slightly slowed due to unexpected request from the teacher The study hall didn't interest Soohyun at first since it''s something he doesn't need, but,
'His name was there'
When he skimmed through the paper it just so happened he saw Jung Eunsung's name written on it. Eunsung is the last person Soohyun expect to take extra classes, he initially thought Eunsung wouldn't need those but now that he knows he'll join the same module changes things.
Though, joining the study hall meant Soohyun quitting his tutoring lessons which will be inefficient but it isn't a great loss if it meant being able to keep an eye on Eunsung. Perhaps, he can gain something out of it eventually.