Chapter Text
It was just a another typical, regular day at Squid Game Academy. The campus was alive with the energy of the students renewed vigour, buzzing around campus like little flies, their laughter and giggles filling the atmosphere and permeating the school grounds. Some were either fooling around or hanging out together in their respective friends groups. It was full of life.
There was this group of guys hanging out by the classroom, it consisted of Dae-ho, Seong Gi-hun, Jung-bae and Gong Yoo. They were all rushing their homework for the next class, which was no surprises. Except for Gong Yoo who had a shit eating grin while watching the other three to copy his homework in exchange for a favour from each one of them.
"Gong Yoo, you dip shit. Wipe that smile off your face now." Jung-bae complained.
"Beggars unfortunately cannot be choosers Jung-bae, so I take this as a sign you don't need my answers anymore?"
"Wait. My bad bro. Haven't you have some good in your heart? Have some mercy." Jung-bae immediately retracted his insult.
"Tch, hes literally the reincarnation of the devil. He's literally a sadistic masochist. There's literally no redeeming features about him." Gi-hun retorted, believing Gong Yoo deserved some criticism.
"Oh Gi-hun, I rebuke your statement. First off, I have the looks comparable to the God of Beauty himself in the blood and flesh. Secondly, my charming personality is known to make others swoon within seconds. Thirdly-"
"Okay man, whatever floats your boat."
"Hey guys? Does anyone happen to know where In-ho is yet?" Dae-ho spoke up, realising one of their member isn't present so far.
The 4 boys looked around and agreed, which was uncommon as In-ho was usually the first to arrive before anyone else does.
"I'll do the pleasure of searching for him~" Gong Yoo spoke up, "Carry on with your last minute copying guys."
Thus, he got up from his seat and went out of the classroom searching for In-ho.
He walked along the corridor, with students rushing past him to make it to their respective classrooms. It was very bustling and crowded, people disappearing into the sea of bodies, squeezing together packed as tight as a can of sardines.
Suddenly, he spotted a familiar guy.
Ah, it must be In-ho. What is this rascal not doing in class yet?
"In-ho hyung~" Using his signature irritating voice to call out In-ho.
Gong Yoo seemed to notice In-ho was talking to another guy that he himself has never seen before, he was slightly shorter than In-ho and he had a comma hairstyle which really complimented his looks. Gong Yoo was stunned.
"---Alright, goodluck. And make sure to call or text me if anything important happens." Gong Yoo managed to catch snippets of what In-ho said to the guy, while ruffling his hair and sending him off into another classroom.
"What is it, Yoo." In-ho didn't even need to turn around to know that Gong Yoo was behind him.
"Who was that? I didn't know you went for the younger freshman now hmm?"
"..That was my brother." In-ho deadpanned, as if that was the most obvious thing in the world, .
"What's his name?"
"Jun-ho."
"Oh, I see." Gong Yoo merely hummed, before him and In-ho walked back to their own class.
~~~
"I didn't know In-ho had a brother."
Gong Yoo announced his recent discovery to the trio in the cafeteria during lunch.
"Oh, you mean Jun-ho? Yeah we been knowing about that."
"Huh? You guys already knew about him?"
"....Yeah? And you didn't?"
"What! This is absurd... Does In-ho hate me.. Why didn't he tell me about this news.." Gong Yoo pouted and exaggerated, as he slumped against the cafeteria table as if he just got backstabbed and betrayed.
"Relax dude, it isn't much of a deal anyway. Well now you know?" Jung-bae shrugged his shoulders not seeing how this is a problem, while chewing his packed sandwich.
"B-but guys.." Gong Yoo didn't even lift up his head from the table, but it was visible that he was sulking.
"What? You're into Jun-ho or something?" Gi-hun reached over and flicked Gong Yoo on his head with his fingers.
"Well, he looked really adorable and endearing...."
"No way, are you just teasing or is this for real? Because you do know In-ho is awfully protective over his brother..?"
"Yeah! Besides he would stare daggers at anyone who comes near him, but now if it was you in that case?" Dae-ho shudders before continuing as if he's recalling some urban legend story. "He would probably make sure your family name ends with you."
Jung-bae and Gi-hun nodded at Dae-ho's statement.
"Pfft, you guys." Gong Yoo finally looked up from the table, dismissing the trio's over-exaggerated warnings as if it was nothing. "Well we're friends either ways, and what can he really do if I just went to Jun-ho and--"
"What about Jun-ho."
Gong Yoo felt a hand on his shoulder, and he didn't need to ask who did it belong to when the other three already avoided eye contact and continued to swallow their food.
The aura emanating from just the hand was already enough evidence.
"Ah, In-ho hyung. Just in time!" Gong Yoo played it off cool, and flashed a all knowing smirk as if he wasn't just discussing about deciding to court his little brother with the trio.
In-ho just heaves a sigh, before walking past Gong Yoo and taking a seat between Gi-hun and Jung-bae.
"You know we would've thought you won't make it to lunch, where were you?"
"..Some pesky imbecils kept pestering Jun-ho, so I had to take matters into my own hands." (Dae-ho, Gi-hun and Jeong-bae collectively gulped and shuddered.)
"I'm just worried for him, after all he just joined and I feel like I should keep a watchful eye on him every time."
"In-ho hyung, maybe you should let lil champ breathe. His every move shouldn't have to be watched and monitored. After all, he should develop his own experiences without you having to intervene at every chance."
In-ho gave Gong Yoo stare, squinting at him.
"A-ah, I do agree with Gong Yoo. What if no one wants to be friends with him or nobody wants to talk to him if you're going to be perched by his side like some sort of parasite?" Jeong-bae tried to defend Gong Yoo, all while shooting him a 'You owe me one' face.
In-ho looks defeated and had an expression with seemed to look like he was making a life changing decision.
"I guess so." In-ho responded. "What if-"
Before he could continue rambling on about the dangers and whatnot that may occur to Jun-ho, Gi-hun did the group a favour by shoving a spoonful of tteokbokki into In-ho's mouth, rendering him unable to speak.
~~~
Jun-ho loved his older brother In-ho, he was protective, caring and thoughtful, everything that you'd want for in a sibling. However even Jun-ho will admit, that the drawbacks of such is that In-ho was awfully overprotective to the bone. He thinks of everyone to be a phony and was out there to use or inflict harm on Jun-ho.
He has recently noticed that In-ho had began to let him be more independent, allowing him to roam anywhere in campus or talk to anybody without having a walking CCTV which follows him.
Not that he was complaining, of course. The first few days of In-ho's retreat was slightly challenging to Jun-ho, as he had to socialised with new people without needing his older brother's approval and judgement. But thankfully, his classmates were friendly and pleasant, so making friends was not even an issue.
One day, Jun-ho was speed walking towards one of his classes, holding a stack of books which was assigned by one of his teachers to carry it to the next class. The books did obstruct his vision, so he was unable to really get a clear vision of the path infront of him.
Suddenly, he bumped into someone. Which caused the books he was holding to fall on the floor, scattered around haphazardly.
"Ah! I'm so sorry!" Jun-ho apologised profusely to the person who happened to be the victim of this accident, already kneeling on the ground picking up the books.
"Oh? No worries."
He could see from the corner of his eyes, the person was also helping his pick up the books.
Finally when all the books were picked up from the floor, Jun-ho stood up to collect the books from the person and maybe slip in another apology while bowing.
"I'm truly sorry, it's completely my fault for not taking in the possibility someone may bump into me and-"
Jun-ho felt the person's hand on his hair, seemingly carding his fingers through his hair, petting him .
"Ahaha, aren't you a cutie." The person chuckled, "Don't worry about it, no need to apologise, its just a silly mistake that caused no harm."
Jun-ho looked up from his slight bowing person to see the person's looks. His hair was slicked back neatly, giving him a more polished look. His eyes were crinkled and he had a warm smile. Jun-ho also analysed that the uniform that he wore indicated that he was a senior in this academy and it there was no creases to be found at all. There was also a certain charm to this guy which makes him stand out even more, and Jun-ho can't help but be drawn to it.
"..O-oh, uh." Jun-ho was caught off guard by his appearance he stuttered a little.
The younger boy felt a tinge of pink dusted his cheeks, trying to avoid eye contact with the senior.
"Thank you for your help, I suppose I have to go now... my teacher must be waiting for these books.." Jun-ho said sheepishly, trying to wriggle his way out of this situation.
"Ah ah, I can't let you carry all these books by yourself now. Can I?" The senior said with a hint of a teasing look behind his eyes. "How about I carry half of the stack and accompany you to the room instead?"
"I hope it isn't a burden to you..." Jun-ho felt bad at his suggestion, he didn't want to furthermore bother this guy.
"Its no burden!" His eyes twinkled, "Besides this gives us an opportunity to know more about each other doesn't it?"
Jun-ho felt slightly reassured upon hearing his response. "Alright, the classroom is this way."
"My name is Hwang Jun-ho, is there a name that I can address you by?"
"Gong Yoo."
Gong Yoo followed suit beside Jun-ho, both engaging in a small conversation.