Chapter Text
Gi-hun was a simple boy, whenever he saw someone at the playground it was his absolute mission to befriend them immediately. He loves making friends; the feeling of wind brushing his hair as he ran around in the dirt with them, laughing at something stupid with the other children, eating dalgona shaped candy and sharing stories, it was the epitome of pure happiness for the seven-year old.
So, there was no exception when he saw a young Cho Sang-woo who was new to the park, alone and defensive. Gi-hun has heard all about the genius boy of Ssangmun-dong, supposedly having achieved so many awards at school in such a short amount of time.
Naturally he was curious, which led him to approach the stoic boy.
Gi-hun held out his hand and introduced himself.
The rest was history.
They were inseparable after that day, both being so different and alike in so many aspects. Sang-woo did not talk much but he made up for it as he patiently listened to all of Gi-hun's absurd endeavors and adventures, following every animated gesture, observing keenly of the older's habits.
And Gi-hun was always the best in bringing Sang-woo out of his shell, to let the younger boy express his emotions without teasing him for it. Making him smile more than anyone aside from Sang-woo's parents. It was as if they were made to complement each other.
Gi-hun thought it was the two of them against the world.
Unfortunately, that was not the case.
When middle-school exams came closer, they started to drift apart. Sang-woo was a year younger than him but had more chances of getting into a prestigious high-school than he ever could. The boy was already studying his hardest, leaving no time for them to interact. Gi-hun, being a ninth grader, had to take it first and essentially ended up leaving his closest friend behind.
He barely passed, but thankfully got enrolled just in time for his tenth year. He knew he wasn't well-versed academically, he didn't have book smarts, but if it was street smarts? Gi-hun was a genius there. He has communication skills, and was somewhat strong for his skinny stature.
Three years flew by in the blink of an eye. Not once had he and Sang-woo made any form of contact. In fact, Gi-hun moved on, mingling with new people, creating different groups. The teen was content with his new adolescent life. At least, that's what he tells himself.
Seong Gi-hun didn't need Cho Sang-woo, and Cho Sang-woo sure didn't need him.
If his friends would notice the longing glances Gi-hun made at the stall where Sang-woo's mother sold fish, they didn't talk about it. They never did.
"Sang-woo-ah!" Gi-hun shook Sang-woo's shoulder to catch his attention, however the shorter boy's head didn't leave his gaze on the book carefully nested on his palm.
"What is it, hyung?" After turning to the next page, Sang-woo finally responded.
"You're even studying when we're alone? Come on, loosen up! You're going to pass. After all, you're Ssangmun-dong's pride and joy. The one and only genius who's going to SNU!" The older of the two giggles, patting Sang-woo on the back for all of his hard work.
"We don't know that yet, it's best if we don't make assumptions. And I'm studying for the entrance exams." A piercing glare was sent to Gi-hun's direction, Sang-woo rarely ever looked at him that way.
"Well you already know that even if I study I won't be able to get good grades like you do." Gi-hun rebutted, raising both of his arms in defeat.
"You don't try hard enough. How are we supposed to go to the same school if you're not going to pass?"
As much as Sang-woo was right, that struck a chord in Gi-hun's feelings. The smile on the corner of his mouth thinned into a line, he licked his lips as a way of maintaining his composure.
"You don't have the right to say that. I apologize that not everyone has the same brain capacity as yours." He mumbles quietly instead.
"Stop trying to twist my words, hyung. This isn't about me. I just want you to take this seriously for once." Sang-woo snapped his book shut before standing up, folding his glasses neatly into its case.
"You don't think I'm being.. serious?" Gi-hun whispered, his lungs felt heavy, his stomach gurgling in distress, sweat prickling against his forehead as millions of thoughts nauseated him.
"I do, but I'm having doubts."
Gi-hun blinked twice, returning to the present day, where he was now in eleventh grade. Those memories resurfaced when images of Sang-woo invaded his head, he always pondered what he did wrong for his best friend to get so heated at him that day.
They never talked again after that little argument. Rather, Sang-woo distanced himself from Gi-hun no matter how many times the older tried to initiate a conversation, offered for a ride home, and called out to him in the neighborhood.
Eventually Gi-hun stopped after his twentieth attempt. To Sang-woo, he was just the kid from the park that bothered him. For Gi-hun, Sang-woo was the only friend he would have given his world to.
"I heard we were getting a new transfer student."
"This late in the second semester? Is that even allowed?"
"He's special. His grades are higher than everyone in his year, and one teacher said it was better than the seniors of his last school too."
The commotion in the hallway was buzzing early in the morning, Gi-hun thought it was strange, especially since the staff urged an assembly on a Thursday.
Students quickly arranged themselves in lines of two for each class. All were heading to the auditorium with no clue whatsoever. Gi-hun weaved around in the crowd, hoping to see someone familiar, though his search did not take long as Jun-ho inserted himself in the space behind him, the teen was from the same grade albeit a different class, there was no teacher to scold him however.
"You're going to get in trouble, you know." Gi-hun muttered, yet as he turned around to face Jun-ho, there was a large smile etched on his face.
"Good morning to you too, Gi-hun." Jun-ho greeted with amusement, "Where are the others? I haven't seen them today."
The lines were progressing slowly, Gi-hun didn't have to worry about getting caught. "Knowing them, Sae-byeok must be with Ji-yeong and I've texted Ali but he hasn't responded. Where's your brother?"
"In-ho is running a little late today. He was studying for the suneung last night." Jun-ho amended, the disappointment of not walking with his brother was visible in his features. Gi-hun knew how much Jun-ho idolized his brother, he also knew that the younger Hwang was lonely since In-ho couldn't spare any free time with the way he studied.
Giving a sympathetic nod, Gi-hun ruffled Jun-ho's hair whilst walking. "Aish, stop with the kicked puppy expression, I can't tolerate it!" Truly Gi-hun didn't like it when his friends felt sad or were upset. It didn't sit right with him, "We'll go eat ice-cream later, my treat. Scout's honor!"
"You don't have to and you're not even a scout, but thanks Gi-hun, I appreciate it." Jun-ho rolled his eyes, sighing affectionately. The pair aimlessly conversed until they were inside the building. Jun-ho asked him if he was finished with his assignments, the prior replied sheepishly, grinning as he said he had, but was not so sure of his answers.
"We can run them over later before you submit. Have you heard of the rumors about the assembly? They said we're getting a new student, it's not impossible I suppose." The news reached Gi-hun's ears earlier, and if he was going to be honest, he didn't know why he was nervous for the arrival of a new student.
"Gi-hun hyung, Jun-ho hyung!"
That voice belonged to no one other than Ali Abdul. Except, Gi-hun was not focused on the junior. He was staring directly at Ali’s companion, who seemed to be in genuine shock as he was.
Sang-woo was the new student.
The Sang-woo he considered his closest friend of eight years.
Cho Sang-woo who he shared jokes, laughter, tears, and everything else with.
Suddenly the auditorium felt smaller, time remained frozen, and it was just him and Sang-woo in the room. Eyes filled with uncertainty from both teenagers.
Gi-hun didn't know who moved first, he was thankful either way for the large gap being created between them. Jun-ho softly grabbed his elbow so he could see Gi-hun. His voice laced with concern as he spoke, "Are you all right? You're sweating bullets."
"Yeah, yeah I'm.. good." Exhaling a breath of relief, Gi-hun bobbed his head, "I'm fine, my stomach just decided to hurt, do you ever get that sometimes?"
Not at all convinced, Jun-ho shook his head. He opened his mouth but no words came out. When he saw a teacher approaching them, he hurriedly got out of the line. “We’ll talk later!”
“Are you okay, Sang-woo-ssi?” Beside him, Ali rubbed the back of his neck, the grin on his face faltering. “Did you see someone familiar to you?”
He hesitated, unsure of what to say. Pushing up his glasses to the bridge of his nose, Sang-woo forced a polite smile. “Just someone I used to know, don’t worry about it.”