overprotection: on, instincts: on

Two days has passed ever since the exposure of the bullies. Many students posted shady things, gossiped about them, and it even reach the other year levels. Many became wary of the three, avoided them the best way possible, and their classmates rejected them as their group members. It was all unknown to San, he'd rather not to prey to school gossip because he's busy thinking of what to do if he was ever put in situation like that again.

He was reading textbooks, preparing for their reporting later. It's not like he's not confident with his skills or anything, but he wants to make sure that he will deliver his reporting efficiently. San excels in public speaking because his parents had taught him ever since he was nine years old; for the reason that someday, he might work as a manager, or whatever.

"Sannie! You're here! I keep searching for you." A familiar voice called, running towards him. San flinched but was eased when he looked at the man. It was Wooyoung. He was confused though as to why he hadn't seen him around. But he didn't think any further. "Hi, Wooyoung." The elder replied, smiling sweetly, making the younger's heart thump.

San and Wooyoung sat, they were at the gazebo once again. Today, it was silent, no Year 1 running around, no other years chattering and studying. It was just both of them. "Do you have a class to attend now?" Wooyoung asked, hugging his backpack, voice soft, looking at San lovingly. San thought, "I do have. Linguistics Research." He answered, earning a nod from the younger. "Okay! I'll accompany you! Let's go?" The younger suggested, but it was NOT a suggestion from him, rather an obligation.

San smiled unknowingly to him, his eyes disappear, and his smile was bright, warm, and radiant, hence the rapid heartbeat from the latter. It was overwhelming yet feels so good. On the other hand, the elder feels his body heat up. Wooyoung? Accompanying him even though he has to attend a class the same time? Talk about friendship.

"Okay, let's go." San replied. Then, Wooyoung took all San's book and held it tightly, "I'll hold this for you." The younger stated, chuckling. San nodded and chuckled as well. The scenario wasn't unnoticed by Changbin, who was sitting at the canopy.

"What's up with the school air? First, Jongho and Yeosang, then, Seonghwa-hyung and Hongjoong-hyung, and now, Wooyoung and San? Poor me." Changbin sighed. When he was about to leave, a group of men walked past him, talking about something.

"Have you heard about the Year 2 being beaten up by Year 3s?" One man asked, "Yeah. I don't know what he did to deserve that." Another man replied, earning a nod from two men. There were four of them, "Honestly, what happened to the Year 3s deserved it. They should be kicked out at this point." The third man stated. On the other hand, Changbin smiled. Their plan was successful. He was about to turn his back, when a man spoke again, "I heard they are planning something against the poor Year 2 they beaten up." He whispered, but was enough for the brown-haired man to hear.

Changbin stopped his tracks, pulled out his phone, and started to record discreetly. "Wait, what?! Why?!" One man asked, his voice raising, "I swear! My noona told me something about it. Maybe they will attack him outside the school premises? Given that they were exposed here." The one who gave information spoke, persisting that he heard it right. The three of them gasped. "Mygod!" Changbin knitted his eyebrows.

While Wooyoung and San were happily walking in the hallways, not caring for the people's looks and glares. They've reached San's room, many students watched and peeked, as if Wooyoung didn't notice him.

"Thank you, Wooyoung." San stated, lovingly replied. It may seem not like it, but his heart was beating loudly, pounding against his ribcage. Wooyoung smiled back, "No problem." He replied, then waving goodbye to the elder. San went to his seat silently, getting his laptop from his bag and his textbook. He reviewed his created power point, and practiced, whispering.

Meanwhile, Wooyoung's phone buzzed, which he instantly took out from his pocket. The message was from Changbin, it seemed that the man sent him a voice mail. He opened their chatbox, and pressed play. At first, it seemed a gossip-type of chattering, but the end of the voice mail said otherwise. He heard crystal clear that the same men will come for San once again, assuming that they want revenge against him.

"These bastards." The black-haired spat, clenching his phone. He quickly sent Yeonjun a message to watch San, since the two are blockmates. He was already fuming mad; seconds he heard the chattering. No, he doesn't care whether it's fake, he wanted San safe. He doesn't want San to experience fear in the place where he thought is safe. Then, he proceeded to meet up with Changbin.

"Hi, San!" Yeonjun called, jumping from San's back. The black-haired flinch, "Yeonjun! You scared me." He replied, earning a "sorry" from the other. It was their vacant, so San decided to go to cafeteria and eat, in which Yeonjun followed but was unnoticed to San. That confused the elder, how come he did not notice? For someone who has a high alert in the surroundings, but thankful it was Yeonjun.

The two sat beside each other; Yeonjun has a plate with chicken, rice, kimchi, and radish while San has beef, rice, kimchi, and an apple juice. The cafeteria was crowded and loud, talking and chaterring everywhere, shouting, and banging of utensils. It was already 12 noon, which explains the number of students.

While the two was eating, Yeonjun, three meters away from them, senses men who were walking to their direction. They were unknown to them. San noticed the men a little far from them, it scares him.

As the men were approaching closer, Yeonjun remained calm but noticed that San was uneasy. He cannot pick up his utensils, he was looking down, his hands shaking. The younger does not want trouble. Suddenly, a familiar man arrived, sitting quickly on the opposite of San.

"Wooyoung? Where did you come from?!" Yeonjun asked, surprised. He didn't saw him coming, or he was just busy eyeing the three men.

"Hi." A man spoke. Yeonjun glared subtly, not trying to come off too scary. On the other hand, Wooyoung looked back, his eyes darting towards the three. His eyes say a lot. He is unpleasant by their presence. "Woah! Chill man! I'm just gonna ask if the seat is taken." The man added, raising his hand in defense.

Wooyoung tsked, "Isn't it obvious?" He replied, voice stern and heavy. The two men behind the other poked him, shaking their head, like telling him to find another table. Yeonjun, then, soften his gaze and averted to the elder beside him. He saw San had stopped fiddling, so it was a good sign, but still, he cannot raise his head.

"Geez, so hostile." The man stated, sighing, then left with his friends.

"That was mean, Woo." San joked, looking at the other. Wooyoung's aura suddenly changed from being a scary, mean to a soft, gentle one. He chuckled at the other's joke. Yeonjun could definitely sense something is up with Wooyoung.

Wooyoung, then, pulled out a lunch box from his bag, "I heard you like Mango and Apple." He says his voice was soft--loving even. Yeonjun was confused now. Was he the same Wooyoung from the gymnasium? The blonde shrugged off, and just continued eating, whilst watching the two interact.

San smiled, "Thank you, Woo." He replied softly, looking at the lunch box filled with his favorite food while Wooyoung watched him, his eyes sparkling as his eyes fixated on the elder. He felt his blood rushing once again, his heart beating rapidly, and his problems washing away.

"Let's eat? We'll share this fruit with Yeonjun." San suggested earning a nod from Yeonjun, while Wooyoung just slowly nods and pulled out another lunch box he prepared for his lunch. San's heart was thumping really hard, what is it now? He can feel his face heat up. He smiled and opened the container and ate one fruit.

While the two were silently eating, Yeonjun was left curious. Munching his chicken, he keeps on thinking what the two really have between each other.

-

a/n: hello! i would like to apologize for not updating much. i was hospitalized and it took me a week to recover. thanks for patiently waiting. ❤️

add: yeonjun is younger than san! basically, san is older than yeonjun and wooyoung! 😄