On cue, it is now Suhyeon’s turn to speak, to let out to her friends what is on her mind.

Right then, Suhyeon reminisced about how her parents pressured the shit out of her in terms of academics and how she strongly loathe it. While Suhyeok is unrestricted to do anything he wants, the youngest twin was stuck at home reading dozens of books and studying future lessons.

Although she fulfilled everything her parents asked and demanded her to do, Suhyeon was deprived of playing with her older brother and friends, doing things she really want to fulfil and having her independence.

“Suhyeok, thank you for allowing me to experience what a normal child should. Even if it was restricted by our parents, he would still find a way to put a smile on the face of my toddler self.”

“And to all of you guys, for keeping up with me after the accident.” Suhyeon pauses to take hold of her breath, “A special mention to On-jo, I can never thank you enough for staying with me when the times I was afraid of the male population, including my own father and twin brother. For being patience with me on the days I was hardheaded, stubborn, and at the lowest point of my life. For being a good friend. I really appreciate all of it.”

A gleam crack on On-jo’s face, while on the other hand, Wujin was waiting for his name to be called out. “Daesu’s brother-in-law, I appreciate your existence, you are enough and will always be my partner in crime.” Suhyeon worded out which was deeply acknowledged by Wujin a second after.

See, when Suhyeok began hanging out with their school’s tormentors, it was Wujin and On-jo who were constantly with Suhyeon. It even got to a point where her twin brother was replaced by Wujin as her partner in crime—they don’t literally do crimes but, one of their inappropriate behaviour (according to her parents) was when Wujin would constantly help her to sneak out of their house since he lives a few blocks from the Lee family’s humble abode and sometimes, the two of them would sneak out of the campus after lunch to stroll around the town doing whatever they like to do.

Wujin has always been a good friend to Suhyeon. He respects his best female friend and at the same time will tease her like it is the end of the world. He cared for Suhyeon and will always be until the only explanation they can speak clearly is because of dentures.

If only Suhyeok is not the best brother for Suhyeon, Wujin can definitely yank the title at any second. Even if they are not blood-related.

On-jo, on the other hand, is Suhyeon’s girl best friend, even if the former has another person in mind if she was asked about who her best friend is.

At first, they weren’t that much of friends and were more likely to treat each other as acquaintances but after the incident, everything changed, as they open up to each other and shared a bond. On-jo was one of the first people to support and assist her in her recovery.

Then, Suhyeon turned her head towards Hyunjae, with a fulfilling smile piercing on her face. “Hyunjae, thank you for embracing and accepting my imperfect self. For listening to my rants at one o’clock in the morning every fucking day. For breaking the wall I built around myself. For helping me to trust again, and, for just being there.”

Hyunjae pats Suhyeon on her back as a smile creeps on his face. Never did he think that a simple act of kindness from him made a significant impact on the lady sitting next to him. He was only trying to be a good friend.

While his so-called friends that he left in Seoul for Hyosan never treated him like one. They would just constantly use him for their own gains, although, there are no illegal acts involved (aside from the incident). Hyunjae never felt so near yet so far from those people.

He might be against the thought of him staying in Hyosan, but now, Hyunjae is eternally grateful that his father chose Hyosan, of all places.

Looking around, taking a glimpse at everyone that is on the roof, there is one thing Hyunjae regretted. It was that he think that he is a little bit late for arriving at Hyosan and in his friends’ lives.

Obviously, the memory of the unjust accident he was involved in will be installed in his mind forever but because of it, Hyunjae had found a place where he rightfully belongs. Friends. Hell, even a family.

He only wishes that his father should have done the big move right before the chaos started—but then, it has already happened. A life was taken and the person behind it is now facing the consequences of his arrogance and mistake.

But of course, not everything is perfect in his life but then, what even is perfect in today’s society?

There is no such thing.

Hyunjae abhors the predicament that they are in currently but he is glad that their bond as friends grows thicker.

The group anticipated for Namra to speak, and all their heads turned at her. As anxiety kicks in, the class president has decided to open her mouth.

“I don’t really have anything to say. I wouldn’t really know,” She pauses as she tilts her head towards Suhyeon and then to On-jo. “...but I feel like I made friends.” She continued, and a satisfying grin appears on On-jo’s lips.

As Suhyeon caught a glimpse of On-jo’s positive reaction, like a viral blight, she did the same.

A bright smile on her face was seen.

Cheongsan put another stick of branch of wood on their fire and a sigh of heavy breath was heard from him. “On-jo and I...” He halted.

While Suhyeon secretly nudges Hyunjae on his side, assuming that their friend is finally about to confess his undying love for the oblivious girl, Cheongsan is about to shit on his pants.

It would be embarrassing if he really did because Cheongsan does not have any spare pants and their improvised toilet bowl is left unattended in the broadcasting room.

Feeling the eyes of everyone, including On-jo, it is safe to say that Cheongsan’s tongue is almost got taken by a cat. He then nervously turns his head around his friends, then a final stare at On-jo before he avoided her gaze.

“I just... I just want some water.”

Hyunjae scoffs, “You’re unbelievable.”

“Not like that. Be completely honest.” Hyoryung dismissed Cheongsan’s blabbering while Daesu asked him if he likes someone.

Daesu was answered by Cheongsan with, “Yes,”

“Really? You do? Why are you stalling, is it a crush?”

“Pretty much,”

“Pretty much, what does that mean? Who is she?”

Suhyeon cringed with On-jo’s desire to know who Cheongsan is speaking of and was eager to enunciate a side comment. She wanted to answer the question herself but, still, she chose to keep her silence and that would have been a sign of disrespect towards her friendship with Cheongsan.

And just like that, Cheongsan took the chance to confess yet On-jo keeps on bugging him to tell her and everybody who is Cheongsan’s lucky girl.

“Who?”

The girl’s too dense.

“You.” Slowly, On-jo’s beaming face turned into a frown, processing the information she recently heard.

“You, On-jo. I like you.”

And with that, everyone revelled inside their mind, not wishing to ruin their moment just to stay at their seat in silence. Yet, On-jo disregarded Cheongsan’s confession in front of their friends and told them that the man is just joking around.

No one's buying her excuse for obvious reasons.

“Stop joking.”

Cheongsan looks straight into On-jo’s eyes, still expressionless, “I’m not joking.” He said as he muster up to finally tell her how he feels for her. “I’ve liked you for every day for the past 12 years since we were six years old. And I’ll continue to.”

And just like that, the bomb was dropped. Along with On-jo’s jaw.

A smile emerges on everybody’s lips, except for Namra. The girl did not even bat an eyelash, she was just there sitting next to Suhyeok with lots of thoughts in her head. She doesn’t really care about their personal relationship for years, so, why would she?

Namra began to take them as her friends not a week ago.

However, there is a specific guy named Yoon Gwi-nam who crosses her mind. Namra will not bother to think about him if it is confirmed that he is dead as is not certain that the guy is already dead.

She has to see it with her own eyes before believing.

And of course, let us not forget the fact that if he still breathes, Namra will finish him off again, in a heartbeat. She has someone she cares about now, more reason to fight.

On-jo, Suhyeon, and Suhyeok. Obviously, Namra cares about the others too, but she deeply cares about the most to people mentioned in her mind earlier.

After Daesu’s verbal reaction, On-jo got up to her feet, confused and slightly embarrassed about her friends. She liked Suhyeok and she would be stupid enough to say that she is unaware of the growing connection between Namra and Suhyeok.

Shortly after, On-jo was right close to the walls along with Cheongsan with the strong persuasion from Suhyeok since he already got his girl.

He just has to keep her on his side and help her to protect everybody, especially his younger twin sister, Suhyeon.

Hyunjae, however, is in no position to talk and utter the word ‘confession’ and give a pep talk to Cheongsan to persuade him since he himself hasn’t done anything that involves his not-so-secret romantic feelings towards his best friend's twin, Suhyeon.

Oh, to be on On-jo’s feet right now. That was probably–if not–one of the most pleasant confessions Suhyeon has ever witnessed—she is not being biased. It is just that the last sentence from Cheongsan made an impact on herself.

How she wishes someone had a sufficient amount of courage in their body to confront Suhyeon’s brother to ask for his approval and court her. But of course, having Suhyeok’s former reputation at Hyosan, was one of the reasons no one dares to mess with her—also the fact that she is intimidating to men and a top student.

Suhyeon would have thought that the male population of Hyosan high school is terrified of women succeeding in every aspect.

It is not like Suhyeon is in need of the assistance of Suhyeok. She just finds it adorable to ask the opinion of the older sibling of the girl/boy you like before confessing and courting them.

Suhyeon somewhat finds it a little bit of a cringe and stupid but, she thought that it must have been a joyous occurrence to experience.

Obviously, she hasn’t yet because the only people who can stand against Suhyeon’s older brother are Cheongsan and Hyunjae.

The younger twin glances at Cheongsan and On-jo in her peripheral vision having a supposedly deep conversation with each other.

“No one has ever confessed to you, correct?”

Suhyeon rolls her eyes in annoyance, “Gee thanks, for reminding me, but is that really necessary?" Suhyeon seethed at Wujin. “Why? You’ve got any plans?”

Wujin scowls, “Gosh, you wish!” He said as a sour look on his face appeared. “But someone might have.” He whispered, loud enough for Suhyeok to hear while Wujin sends a teasing smile in Hyunjae’s direction.

But the man who they wanted to do the same thing Cheongsan just recently did is just staring straight down at the blazing fire that is in the midst of them.

In Hyunjae’s mind, he wanted to tell Suhyeon. But, bluntly blurting it all out in front of everyone sounds like a cheap copy of the way Cheongsan confessed to On-jo.

It was supposed to be today.

So, maybe Hyunjae had to plant it all again. He doesn’t want to overshadow the previous revelation of Cheongsan’s feelings towards On-jo.

Seeing the look on Cheongsan’s face as he walks away from On-jo after having the conversation they needed to have given Hyunjae shivers down his spine. By the looks of it, one of his best friends is facing rejection.

It is not a secret that On-jo likes someone else. Even the person she likes is aware of it too. Hyunjae will understand her if she rejected Cheongsan, she’s a friend too. He only hopes that if On-jo will reject Cheongsan, she will do it kindly.

Truth to be told, Hyunjae hasn’t been in a place of being rejected.

It is only because he hasn’t confessed to anyone yet. Hyunjae has never felt something similar to what he feels towards Suhyeon.

Sure, he’s got some silly crushes too, but it is nothing compared to the attraction and adoration towards Suhyeon. And even if he gets rejected, Hyunjae will still be on Suhyeon’s side whenever he is needed.

Obviously, there will be awkwardness that they weren’t aware of that might occur between them but, as long as Suhyeon is not sick of Hyunjae’s existence yet, he will always be her friend.

No matter what happens.

Hyunjae’s head turns back to where On-jo is while not listening to the little chit chat of his friends around him.

“Oh shit,”

Hyunjae silently muttered, it was loud enough for everyone to hear and turn their heads towards him. He has been in silence ever since On-jo and Cheongsan got up from their seats.

“On-jo!”

Shouted by Cheongsan as he beats Hyunjae to it then proceeded to run towards the young lady after hearing her whimpers, while Hyunjae, along with everybody stands up to his feet after Namra did.

“The son of a bitch is still alive, how?”

As Gwi-nam saw Cheongsan running toward him, he did the same and they met in the middle. Cheongsan finds himself tackled to the floor, the zombie bully’s hands all around Cheongsan’s neck.

At that moment, that is when Suhyeok came into the picture after hearing his friends’ loud cry before giving a warning look to his younger sister, and also was followed by Hyunjae.

On-jo was shoved to the ground by the man who is missing an eye after she attempts to make an attack on the bloodied man and was quickly approached by Suhyeon, “I know that this is a stupid question but are you alright?” She asked, fear is all over her eyes.

The man who is currently fighting with her brother and Hyunjae is stronger than ever. After knowing how good of a fighter Hyunjae was, Suhyeon thought to herself earlier that if ever Gwi-nam will come back, the duo will be able to defeat him.

Each kick and punches Gwi-nam lands on every part of both Suhyeok and Hyunjae producing whimpers is torture to Suhyeon’s ears.

Now, Suhyeon knows how it feels to be a bench warmer. If you would have asked her a few days ago if she is fine with being one, she would wholeheartedly nod her head.

But not today, so, in proving such somewhat less heroic, but more of a brave act (for herself), she threw a big chump of wood on where Gwi-nam was standing and it successfully made a loud thud, as it hit the man on his head with his stupid mullet hair.

Suhyeon almost peed in her pants as she waits on Gwi-nam’s reaction while Joonyeong is assisting Suhyeok and Hyunjae.

“Why did your sister do that? Does she have a death wish or something?”

Hyunjae’s vision was slurring, uttering all of every curse he can think of after hearing a wood clank on the ground and Joonyeong confirming the question he had internally.

“Who the hell are you guys?”

With his fists balled, Daesu was the one who answered back with another question, “What about you? Are you from the One Heart club?”

A sinisterly smirk appears to be on Gwi-nam’s bloody face as if he is chewing something in his mouth.

Hopefully, it is just a piece of gum.

•─────⋅☾ 𝔭𝔥𝔬𝔢𝔫𝔶𝔵𝔳𝔦 ☽⋅─────•

hellooooo.

it has been a while & a day late in what i said in my announcement. hehe. i am terribly sorry for the late update.

i just wanted to say that ( & i know that i am in no position to talk since i live outside the USA and definitely do not hold an American nationality or ethnicity but), whatever is happening in American schools right now needs to be stopped.