Jihoon somehow agreed) as the kind of gorgeous man born on earth only once every a
thousand years. While Wonwoo, uncharacteristically but not so surprisingly, blushed to the
tip of his ears. Jihoon laughed, and he accepted Soonyoung’s offer.
After two weeks of secretly helping Soonyoung study after school (he told Seungcheol he had
school projects to work on as an excuse, which his brother easily believed), he finally had
enough money. Soonyoung paid him a bit too much for such a short time of tutoring, but
Soonyoung argued that it was an appropriate amount, for Jihoon had to put up with his
constant whining about why high school math had more letters than numbers. Jihoon accept-
ed it with gratitude and went to the store to buy the watch. None of his three best friends could
come with him that day. Soonyoung had a library date with Wonwoo, and Junhui had to
practice for an upcoming competition. But that’s fine. They helped him a lot already.
Jihoon walked home with the widest grin on his face, his hand cradling a small box with a red
ribbon, Seungcheol’s favorite color. His chest felt full, with warmth and excitement. Finally,
after so many years, he could give something to his brother. How he wished August would
come faster. He just couldn’t wait to see Seungcheol’s smile—
“Long time no see.”
Jihoon halted his steps. Colors faded from his face.
The bullies. All five of them. Blocking the way with the wicked smile on their faces, vicious
glint in their eyes.
This can’t be good.
“I am sad, Jihoon.” The leader, Joonjae, took a few steps closer, urging Jihoon to step back
further. But soon his back met a wall. A dead end. “I thought we’re friends. But you left us
just like that. Have we not been kind to you?”
Jihoon tried to look for a way to escape, but they quickly surrounded him closely, making
running away impossible.
“Do you know how we feel, Jihoon? Do you know how hurt we are? It feels like—this!”
A jab landed on his stomach. He gasped, doubling over in pain. Another blow on his back
thrown him to the ground. Countless kicks followed. He instinctively curled up, trying to
protect himself from fatal injuries. It’s nothing. It’s nothing. I can endure this. They’ll get
bored soon. It will be over soon. I can go home and meet Seungcheol-hyung soon, and every-
thing will be okay again.
“Ooh, what is that you’re hiding?”
Jihoon’s heart skipped a beat. He hid the box deeper into his arms.