Chapter Text
Kihyun sits at the front of the class, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose as he watches the teacher scribble out the main points of the day’s lesson. His eyes watch with a furious speed as they manage to keep up with every stroke of her wrist. His hand mimics her movements as he writes down the material. He can feel Minhyuk’s unimpressed stare on him as he concentrates, and he has to bite back a nag at how his seat-mate should be paying attention to the class and not to him.
“Alright, class,” Ms. Hylolyn says as she steps away from the white board, “who can translate this English sentence into Korean?”
Several hands in the rooms shoot up at once, all kids eager to please one of the most favored teachers on campus. She studies the room with a proud twinkle in her eye, gesturing towards one of the kids in the back. Kihyun drops his hand, having to hold back a disappointed sigh. Just as the kid is about to give her an answer, there’s a knock at the door. Ms. Hyolyn glances over with a confused frown, and tells them she’ll be right back as she goes to answer. Minhyuk watches with a hawk-like gaze, eager to know what’s happening.
“Kihyunnie,” Hoseok’s voice says, drawing the younger’s attention to him, “I can’t find my keys again. Do you remember if I had them this morning?”
“Of course you had them this morning,” Kihyun answers. “You had to lock your front door when you left home. Check the inner front pocket of your backpack.”
“But they shouldn’t be there,” Hoseok argues, moving to check the pocket anyway. He peers into his backpack, and a moment passes before a vibrant chuckle escapes his lips. He reaches in and pulls out his set of keys, smiling gratefully at the younger. “How’d you think of that, Kihyun-ah? You always know where my stuff is.”
“Because you always end up putting them there without thinking,” Kihyun tells him, smirking knowingly. Hyungwon, Hoseok’s seat-mate, chuckles under his breath at the usual interaction, earning a typically wide smile from Hoseok. Ms. Hyolyn returns to the room, an older-looking boy following her. She clears her throat to get the students’ wandering attentions to refocus on her. She smiles widely at them all, gesturing towards the boy.
“Class, this young man is joining our class today.” She turns towards the new kid, adding, “Would you like to introduce yourself?”
The boy nods meekly. He bows deeply to the class, licking his lips nervously.
“H-Hello,” he stutters out, “I’m Lim Changkyun. Thank you for welcoming me. Please take care of me this year.” Kihyun finds himself smiling, thinking this new kid’s nervous mumblings kind of cute. The teacher suddenly glances over at him, waving at him slightly to say something. Kihyun gives a start, standing as he remembers this aspect of his position.
“I’m Yoo Kihyun, your class president,” Kihyun says, bowing to him. “On behalf of class 5-14, welcome.” Kihyun offers a smile to Changkyun, and then retakes his seat. The teacher looks around the room, clearly looking for a place for the sudden addition to sit. Kihyun bites back a sigh, already knowing where the only free seat is.
“I’m afraid the only seat we have for you is in the back,” Ms. Hyolyn tells Changkyun, gesturing towards the duo of desks set in the back of the class. Changkyun glances around, nodding at seeing the desk and rushing over. Kihyun feels guilty at the new kid having to sit on his own in the back, but he doesn't know why. It isn’t as if it’s his fault or anything.
Ms. Hyolyn clears her throat, calling Kihyun’s attention back to her and not the new kid sitting behind him. She asks the question once more, looking pointedly at the kid who she had called on before the interruption. He gives his answer, but it isn’t quite right. Ms. Hyolyn thanks him for his efforts, but explains that the tense is wrong. As soon as she says this, hands shoot up into the air once more. She scans the room once more, a surprised light coming to her eyes. She calls on the new boy, who only hesitates a moment before giving the correct answer.
“Well done,” she compliments, turning to write down the translation on the board. Kihyun can almost feel the air of respect rise in the room at the new kid being able to just dive into the classwork like that. It is an advanced class, after all, and not many students enrolled in the course can keep up so easily with the work.
That’s the only thing the new kid offers to say all the way until lunch. It’s understandable, of course. No one wants to draw such attention to themselves on the first day. Kihyun glances back, watching him pull his lunch out of his bag, for some reason feeling the undeniable need to invite the new kid to join him for the break. He hates the thought of him eating lunch alone on his first day. He stands and walks quietly to the back, earning a curious glance from his friends as he goes. The new kid doesn’t notice him until he’s standing directly in front of his desk. He glances up from rustling around in his bag, visibly jolting at seeing the class president so near.
“You’re welcome to come eat with us,” Kihyun says with a polite smile, gesturing towards his group. Changkyun glances over at them with anxious eyes, as if asking if that’d really be alright. Kihyun waits for the predictable nods to come from the others, not even having to turn around to know their response.
“Th-Thanks,” the new kid mumbles, moving to stand. Kihyun turns on his heel to lead him back to the awaiting group, who’s already pushed around the desks to create a single table for them to spread their food out on. As he sits down, Kihyun takes the seat across from him.
“I’m Jooheon,” Jooheon greets, offering the new kid a dimpled grin. “Your name is Changkyun, right?” Changkyun nods, trying for a small smile of his own. The others take his lead, going around the makeshift table and introducing themselves one by one. Hyunwoo and Hyungwon go last, them being the quietest around new people because of their shyness.
“What year are you?” Minhyuk asks, reaching over to grab a bite of Jooheon’s food.
“I’m a first year,” Changkyun replies. Everyone pauses, staring at him questioningly. “I-I’m really good at science and math,” he begins to explain nervously, thinking he’s said something wrong, “and I know a bit of English from when I lived overseas recently. My dad’s job made us move a lot, so I picked up some of the language as I went.”
“You don’t look like a first year,” Hoseok explains. “You look like a second or third year.” Changkyun’s eyes widen slightly in understanding.
“I get that a lot,” he nods.
“Though you are really adorable,” Minhyuk says, as if Changkyun hadn't said anything. Changkyun, who had been taking a long drink of water from his bottle, but begins to choke at the sudden comment. Kihyun rolls his eyes, hitting Minhyuk lightly on the shoulder.
“Sorry,” Kihyun tells the younger quickly as Jooheon pats him on the back. “Minhyuk never thinks before speaking.”
“Wastes too much time,” Minhyuk adds, shrugging. “Besides, it isn’t as if I'm wrong. Don't you think he's cute, Kihyun-ah?”
“Minhyuk-ah,” Kihyun warns, “you're making him uncomfortable.”
“Oh, sorry!” Minhyuk apologizes brightly, realizing how madly the new kid seems to be blushing.
“I-I-It’s okay,” Changkyun stutters out. Kihyun gives him a sympathetic gaze, one that the first year gratefully returns.
Kihyun doesn't even realize he's still staring at Changkyun until Minhyuk bumps him with his shoulder, asking about some class officer business. Jooheon turns to Changkyun and begins a conversation about their different hobbies, and Kihyun can't deny his intense desire to eavesdrop.
He bites back a sigh, shaking his head at himself. He turns his full attention to Minhyuk, who seems to be babbling on about trying to schedule a sort of class field trip. Kihyun sucks in a breath through his teeth at this, already mentally listing all the things they'd need to do to make that happen. Though, at stealing a final glance at Changkyun, he can't help but agree.
Maybe Changkyun would enjoy a field trip so soon after transferring to a new school…