Together | Asadodam

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Yedam's week is ruined and it is only Monday. Out of all the days, he has to be told at the beginning and left suffering throughout the week with the information burdening him.

Every step he takes is heavily loud, echoing in the narrow hallway. He is leaving the council's room after a meeting with his class president, Jihoon. Grumbling in annoyance when he replays the scene and the voice that he hears hours ago which still lingers in his head.

He almost bangs his forehead to the nearest metal locker but stops himself when there is no sign of the topic going any time soon.

***

"I want you to make sure our two classmates are passing their grades."

Yedam stares dumbfoundedly at Jihoon, obviously showing confusion when he processes the words into his understanding. He lifts a finger of uncertainty.

"Um, are you sure that I'm eligible enough to do that?" Yedam asks him.

Confirming the matter so that he can mentally prepare for the favour. Not wanting to stress himself with the sudden commission.

To his dismay, he sees the shrugging shoulders. Jihoon composes his posture to reread whatever is written on the paper, unknown to Yedam. He clears his throat,

"They've been having this problem for some semesters, yet none of the students here makes improvement on the two. You're our only hope for them." Jihoon emphasises while looking at him, trying his best to appeal the offer.

"Besides," He continues. "you'll get the tutoring credits into the report card as an extra booster. Hopefully, that can be seen as a repayment to get you to your favourite school." Jihoon mentions, ever so easily.

Yedam leans back to his chair with his fingers going through his brown strands, looking up to the ceiling to battle incoherent words with himself.

He dislikes how the class president knows his strengths, weaknesses as well as needs. Yedam returns to face the floor while fixing himself to think of the final decision.

"Fine, I'll agree." He defeatedly sighs. Scoffing when he watches the crescent smiles forming in Jihoon's eyes. "Awesome!" The class president exclaims with a little victory clap that goes unnoticed by Yedam, thinking that the conference is over.

The latter is ready to dash out of the room as fast as possible to go to the nearest bathroom and scream his frustration out. But Jihoon stops him from doing all that by slightly shouting his name. Yedam takes a deep breath before he turns to Jihoon.

"You can start from today. Please join their lunch table by the oak tree and introduce yourself." Jihoon commands. "For the next three months, you are required to stick with them. We want to monitor their behaviour, as well as from your report's perspective."

Yedam feels weirded out by the odd requests. He throws a worrying interrogation at Jihoon, feeling ridiculous about the question.

"Isn't that a bit.. too much for privacy-invading?"

Jihoon lets out an exasperated sigh. "I'd think so as well, but just do as I told you to be safe." He dismisses the talk and is not able to give a proper answer.

"I'm sorry that I can't disclose the reason." Yedam can see the way Jihoon's eyes shift in guilt, avoiding his contact. "I really wish I could." He hears him whispering.

Yedam expects another small comment, but that is all Jihoon reveals. In the end, he nods in understanding, whether he likes it or not.

Their school has a weird system, different from the rest of the schools in their area, whose students have to strictly follow its rules.

Silence falls on both, waiting for nothing in particular until they let the bell ring making them part ways to their respective classes.

***

So there, while holding his tray, Yedam stands near the door barrier between the cafeteria and the outdoor field of lunch tables. Searching for an oak tree, though it is not much of a challenge as he catches the glimpse of the unique shaped leaves on the ground. Plus, it is the only huge tree on the field and Yedam sees two familiar faces occupying the table around it.

Realising that he will be approaching a possible turning point in his life in seconds, Yedam takes a deep inhale and reassures himself that he will be alright as long as he searches for the positivity in the situation and he exhales. Keeping a smiley face in check, Yedam finally marches toward them.

"Hey, do you mind if I sit here? All the tables seem full today and my feet are starting to hurt from searching for an empty one.." Lies, Yedam has counted there are at least five vacant seats available, but the two do not need to know that. Secondly, his feet actually ache from pacing to calm his nerves.

Yedam can feel his gut drop despite avoiding the subtle glimpse of glances Doyoung and Asahi share. He wants to protest to Jihoon about the unfairness of him having to go through the process alone while the latter, the class president, settles comfortably doing paperwork in the student council. But on the thought of proportional comparison on meeting and conversing with people he and Jihoon have, Yedam concludes that he will deal just fine.

They know but pretend to not know. Dobby is flirty af, Asahi is oblivious. Yedam feels empty when the session is done. Life has no purpose now.. Yedam grumbles in annoyance, all his train thoughts are overflowing. His mind repeatedly goes back to Jihoon's words as he goes through the school hallway towards the particular table for lunch. They study at his place, Yedam flicks Asahi's forehead. Doyoung flirts with his cheesy pick-up lines. "Why don't you ever use that brain of yours?" Asahi points to him and doyoung a few times. "We only come in the package as a duo. the other will show up no matter where the other half is."