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Wisp University. A place where chaos resides and yet still one of the most prestigious universities you know. It has so many classes with supportive system, affordable prices, and many good facilities. People dreams on being there, to study and to explore the vast aspects of the university it can offer.
And Loonac is no different.
Loonac, one of the students in the university, is currently studying to become a tailor, following a path of his mother, someone who he admired from the start. The way her hands were like magic, cutting and folding and sewing, pinning fabrics into places, and making ideas into reality. It was his dream to be able to do the same, to create his own designs and turns them into something people can like and wear.
Though, here's one problem;
He can't really interact much with people.
While he is physically capable of being around many people despite his introverted ass wanting to have less people around, he can't communicate with people with words.
That's right, he is selectively mute.
He never wanted to be like this, but alas, the constant isolation and personal stuff gets him, making him selectively mute for years. It is not pleasant to be like this, he'd tell you that, as most people doesn't even bother to interact with him.
So why the hell are these two freshmen clings onto him and tries to interact with him???
"I think we should be done after this one, right?"
Slushly and Loonac are currently sitting together, discussing about the materials they were working on, as they have the same class and is in desperate need to finish the project before Wednesday.
While Loonac is searching for the materials and references, Slushly organize and deals with editing and making the information to the point and as clear as possible. It's a teamwork that they have been executing since middle school.
You see, Slushly and Loonac met in middle school and they hit instantly. Most of the time, Loonac can be seen with Slushly and vice versa. It's no better when he introduces Loonac to his brother, Galaxy. Where one goes, the others follow.
Not to mention, Slushly and Galaxy are some of the few people he's willing to speak to, even with his quiet voice.
So it's no wonder they are together when there's a project or an assignment that needs to be done. Slushly likes it when he's working on something with someone around, and Loonac likes the company and the talks, so it's a win - win situation, even when they both are working on something entirely different thing.
With a click 'Save File' and the shutdown of the laptop, they both let out a sign of relief. Project is done, now they both can hang out normally. Too bad Galaxy is not around, as the other is busy with school and trying to get in the university, since he is two years younger than the both of them.
While cleaning the table from their project and talking, Loonac caught sight of two strangers walking into the cafe with Galaxy besides them. His body immediately shuts up, mouth clamp shut without his permission.
When someone that is not in his list of 'comfort people', his body instantly went into a 'shut' mode where his mouth would hardly open, and when it's open, no sound would came through. His vocal cords would be useless for strangers to communicate or to even utter a sound, so his body language becomes a primal language for him to 'speak' to others.
That's selective mutism for you.
The sudden change did not go unnoticed by Slushly as he glances at Loonac's line of view. His eyes immediately brightens up when seeing his brother and the two others, recognizing them instantly but quickly focus on Loonac as he is unfamiliar with the other two.
When Galaxy came to their table, Slushly nodded towards them, pointing at the vacant chairs for the two to sit down.
"Hey guys, sorry for suddenly coming even though I said I was busy. Me and my friends here wants to know more about Wisp University since you guys are in there," said Galaxy, scratching the back of his neck in embarrassment for not telling them soon.
The blond guy smiles, "Hi Slushly! Hello new guy! I'm Dimofyy, but just call me Dimo!"
"And I'm Nufuli! A friend of them both and same class as Galaxy," the curly haired one, Nufuli, said with a grin.
Loonac is doomed with these new people bro…
"Yo guys! Didn't think I'd see you three around. Oh, this is Loonac! He's selectively mute, so don't worry about him not saying much," hearing his name being called out, he nodded, only looking at the space between the duo, unable to hold eye contact with new people.
They both nodded, trying to act civil, but Loonac knows by the body language those two had, they were curious and intrigued by him. And if that doesn't sound bad, Nufuli starts to ask questions about him. Dimo is listening in interest, while Galaxy is quietly snickering at the fact that Loonac is having a short circuit over people wanting to know him better.
Well, why wouldn't he? Loonac is not used to people getting curious about him or even takes a moment to glance at him! This is a new experience, so this is definitely out of his understanding!
While he is silently panicking, staring at the table as if it have all the answers in the world, Slushly notices it immediately, hand rested silently atop his, thumb gently caressing the back of his hand to slowly coax him back into reality and calm him down of this unfamiliar experience that is surely an overwhelming thing.
He hates that it's actually working, because now he has to deal with the reality of these two strangers being interested in knowing him more.
Like they wanted to be his friends or something...
That thought is quickly shoved back before a fragile hope can even start. He doesn't want to give himself false hopes again and again when this keeps on happening. He can't deal with any more lies about interest for him and not to get themselves closer with Slushly, someone who is pretty popular around the university for both his grades and performance in many things. And he doesn't want to be used for things. He's done with those.
Maybe these guys would leave once they get their answers finally accepted into Wisp University. Yeah.. maybe…
Nope. Not at all.
These two won't stop bugging him. They're not leaving him alone at all.
At first, both Dimo and Nufuli tries to communicate with him when being around Galaxy or Slushly, but slowly, they started to approach him themselves. Alone or together, they seemed to have a mission to know Loonac and maybe even make him their friend.
Which, at first, was something that is shocking for him. But those shock and surprise melts into annoyance the longer they seemed to never leave him alone.
Sure, they gave him space and never force him for anything. But the constant exposure to interaction where it needs communication, needs talking at worst, is something that he can't do for them life of him! They're driving him insane!!
But he can't help but feel amusement and fondness exasperation that whenever he shows signs of leaving them, they would panic amd tries hundreds of reasons on why he shouldn't leave them be. Which is funny at first, and it still is, but now it has different hits at him.
Maybe at first it was when they don't want him to feel uncomfortable, but nowadays they're doing it out of tease and familiarity. Loonac can't help but think that they're slowly carving their way into his heart, slowly climbing up into his list of 'comfort people'.
And he didn't think that he would object when they're finally there. A small thought keeps on encouraging his body to slowly warms up to them, to try to talk or make sounds, and the thought of actually being able to speak with them both fills him with excitement.
"Yo Dimo, can you pick that up for me?"
The three of them are currently in Loonac's dorm, hanging out as usual.
Both Dimo and Nufuli, and also Galaxy, are accepted into the Wisp University a few weeks ago, to the joy of the trio. Both Slushly and Loonac can only smiles fondly when the three of them jumping with joy when they saw the results. They can't do much about it as this is such a lovely thing to see. It's like older siblings watching their younger siblings finds joy in anything.
Which might be true...
Both Galaxy and Dimo becomes roommates, while Nufuli is with Mugm. Those two have beef since middle school, but now it's one-sided since Mugm seems to enjoy bantering with Nufuli. Their violence is also toned down. From fisting each other to insults pouring down like water streams when they both saw each other. It's like watching a comedy when they both were mocking one another like it's a hobby for them.
Though, enough of those thoughts. Back to present you go, dear readers.
Dimo rolls his eyes but still picked up the item, throwing it at Nufuli who caught it effortlessly.
"Thanks, white boy," Dimo looked at Nufuli like he just insulted his whole family. Nufuli, on the other hand, stares at Dimo while grinning mischievously.
"EXCUSE YOU-" A small giggle cut him off.
They both freeze before glancing towards Loonac, who was leaning against Nufuli while watching them both being fools in front of his eyes.
Seeing their eyes looking at him, his mouth quickly fell shut. Panic slowly rises up from the back of his mind, thinking that he might have been a bit too fast at opening up. It's not his fault that his body starts to recognise them both as 'comfort'!
Outside of Loonac's panic, gears were turning into both Dimo and Nufuli's mind. Did they just hear a giggle from Loonac?? Their friend who never utter a word, let along a sound??? Just makes one when they're around????
Before the panic can spiral, Dimo was quick to be in front of Loonac, hands holding his cheeks and quickly stretching them. Loonac snapped out of his panic, staring hesitantly towards Dimo in confusion.
Dimo only stares at Loonac before a big smile break out into his face, "Did I hear a giggle?? From the snowman himself!?"
Nufuli gasped, eyes sparkling in excitement, "Was that a giggle?? Loonac.. you giggled!?"
Loonac stares at them in confusion, but deep in his heart, he felt the doubt and fear slowly blooms into happiness and giddy. He slowly nods, a small smile make its way to his face.
"..yeah…"
And in that moment, Loonac learns how loud they both can be when excited.
Ever since then, Dimo and Nufuli have succeeding in being able to climbed their way into Loonac's list of people he find comfort in, able to hear a comment or two from him, and maybe even electing a loud laugh from the guy.
It was hard, but to them, it was the most fun they've ever had. A challenge worth taking again and again if it means that Loonac shows how much he trusts them, how much he's comfortable with them, and how their bond strengthen with the achievement of staying in that list of his.
Dimo would usually talks in calm manner, maybe sometimes even talking in a fast and hyper way, but Loonac is always one to know what Dimo meant to say, so it's like an exercise for the both of them. An unconscious exercise that both have adapted to.
Nufuli, on the other hand, would coax Loonac to be the talker. It was hard, with short answers here and noises of acknowledgement there, but it slowly makes Loonac able to speak longer and longer each time the coaxing came. It had becomes a habit for them to stick around, with Loonac rambling about something and Nufuli humming and adding comments once in a while when doing something.
●•●
Life is good. Life is chill…
Until it's not.
Some guys they don't know have been nitpicking Loonac lately. No one have a problem with him, but these bullies are annoying him to no end for funsies.
No matter what he does, these guys won't leave him be. Instead, the more he avoided them, the worse those nitpicking were.
They treated him like he's deaf instead of selectively mute, they would try to force him to talk, they would mock and nitpick his every actions in front of many people,and even goes as far as to try to pry his jaw open as if that'll make Loonac speak.
That was a haunting experience. It has only ever happen once, but that alone makes Loonac aware of how far they can go for this little 'funsies'. It makes him paranoid, makes his progress of speaking to others plummeted down, and it makes him isolates himself even more. He was doing so good! So good with the communication! Hell, he even starts on being able to communicate with his professors! People outside his comfort zone!
The change doesn't go unnoticed by the group. Slushly notices that Loonac barely speaking, and when he does, it sounds so small that he has to strain his ear to hear what Loonac was meant to say. Galaxy barely hears any short stories by Loonac, and he misses it a lot.
It's a little worse for Dimo and Nufuli. Nufuli felt like all the progress were down the drains and he doesn't know why, with Loonac refusing to speak or even utter any noises, and even distance himself from everyone, including him. Dimo is devastated that Loonac refuses to even look at him in the eyes again despite every works they've done to come this far..!
Both of them were confused and devastated for the change. Loonac, despite everything, is a stubborn and tough person to crack. So when he's back to become what he is months ago, it becomes clear that something or someone have been around to make Loonac regress.
Loonac is currently walking into the hallways, hand holding his tote bag loosely, he went past a crowd before stepping back, doing a double check on who's in the centre of the crowd.
It's Nufuli and that jerk.
He frowns when Nufuli punches the guy, stepping into the crowd and sternly holds his wrist when he's about to swing another punch.
As much as he supports Nufuli's actions, he'd rather for him to be out of trouble.
"..Nufuli..!" Nufuli's head snapped towards the source of the familiar voice, seeing Loonac holds his wrist tight but not tight enough to hurt, just uncomfortable.
Loonac is frowning at him, glancing towards the jerk who was trembling in confusion on his knees while Nufuli is holding his collar shirt down to keep him down to the bloody knuckles on his hand before resting his eyes at Nufuli, even with the slight tense he's having from doing it after weeks of not doing so.
He points towards the hand that is still holding the guy's collar, and Nufuli immediately understood and let go, uncaring of the guy kissing the floor from that. Loonac rolled his eyes, grabbing Nufuli's ear and drag him away, to the taller's dismay and cries.
While dragging Nufuli with his ear, he spotted Dimo who is with another jerk who bullied him, both on their knees while a professor is scolding them both like they're children.
Dimo has a red bruise on his cheek and the guy has a purple eye. Seems like these two were fighting, but the fight got cut short when the professor came around.
Nufuli and Dimo reeaaally loves to fight today, huh…
The professor sees Loonac dragging Nufuli away, sighing before nodding at him to take Dimo away.
'With pleasure, Mr. Su,' while thinking, Loonac drags Dimo away with his ear, just like Nufuli. They both complains on the way, making up reasons why it was valid for them to fight today.
They're now in Loonac's dorm, being treated for their bruises left from fighting. Both Nufuli and Dimo looking down like they're children at a mother's wrath, but that's not too far from the truth, anyway.
Loonac is fuming. And that is still an understatement. He can't believe these idiots decided that today is the best day to fight someone! He can sees that Nufuli and Dimo are trying to find ways to make up lies just to get out of this situation.
Nope. Not on my watch.
"Speak," and suddenly both have no reason to lie.
"That guy pisses me off by mocking me and the others in front of my face…" mumbled Nufuli, "He stole my necklace!!" Dimo complained.
Loonac raises a brow at them but let go of the situation, sighing like hearing it alone drains him. He put away the first aid kit, finish treating their bruises and double checking for anything that he might miss. While doing so, Nufuli and Dimo looked at each other, a silent conversation went through their minds.
"So.. why did you suddenly regressed after all those efforts you did..?" Nufuli asked, concern paints his face whole. Dimo nodded vigorously, curious to know why.
Without looking back, he throws them a small notebook, as if already foreseeing this and wrote the explanation.
Dimo catches it, flipping to the middle of the notebook. The pages read about the guys that have been annoying Loonac to no end, nitpicking everything and even as far as going physical, like he wouldn't snitch on them. There's a list of names, presumably the guys that have been bullying Loonac for weeks.
Welp. Seems like those regrets went out of the window the second they recognised those names.