TANTIANA UNIVERSITY | SCARLET LIGHTS

CHAPTER 25: NICE? DONGHYUCK?

The school gates buzzed with activity as students streamed in, chatter and laughter filling the crisp morning air. Jeno paused mid-step when his gaze landed on Donghyuck and Gayoon, walking side by side. Their heads leaned slightly toward each other, small smiles gracing their faces as they exchanged quiet words.

Jeno blinked, unsure if he was imagining things, but the scene only became stranger as Donghyuck casually tugged Gayoon closer when they neared the crowd of students.

What in the actual...

Snapping out of his stupor, Jeno jogged to catch up. Without warning, he launched himself between them, draping an arm over each of their shoulders.

"Well, good morning to you, lovebirds," he teased, grinning wide.

Donghyuck stiffened, his glare sharp enough to cut glass. "Motherfu—" He caught himself, taking a deep breath. "Jeno, what the hell?"

"Don't give me that look," Jeno quipped. "You've got some explaining to do." He turned to Gayoon, his curiosity piqued. "Why are you two walking together? What's going on here?"

"Don't bother her," Donghyuck snapped, shoving Jeno's arm off Gayoon's shoulder.

"Bother? This is a public service!" Jeno cried out dramatically, rubbing his shoulder. "Morning, Gayoon. Is he bothering you?"

"Good morning," Gayoon replied with a chuckle. "No, he's being... nice."

Jeno's eyebrows shot up. "Nice? Donghyuck? Are we talking about the same guy?"

"Still here," Donghyuck deadpanned.

Jeno ignored him. "So what's going on? Did something happen? Is this newfound niceness an act?"

Donghyuck rolled his eyes and grabbed Gayoon's hand. "Let's go."

"Oh, no, you don't!" Jeno exclaimed, running ahead to block their path. His gaze zeroed in on Donghyuck's wrist. "Wait a second. You're not covering your tattoo!"

Donghyuck clicked his tongue. "Why don't you shout louder? Make sure the entire campus hears."

Jeno gasped, his eyes darting between the two. "Wait... you two? What happened over the weekend!?"

"It just happened recently," Gayoon said, swatting Jeno's pointing finger away. "And it's fine now. Donghyuck's... different."

"Different? Really?" Donghyuck smirked, amused.

Gayoon shrugged. "You're suddenly nice."

"Donghyuck? Nice?" Jeno repeated, his voice laced with disbelief. "Seriously, what happened over the weekend? Did aliens abduct him?"

"Not your business," Donghyuck retorted, placing a protective hand on Gayoon's waist and steering her forward.

"Hey! What about me? Don't leave me behind!" Jeno called after them, his protests drowned out by their laughter.

Donghyuck's hand lingered at Gayoon's waist, a subtle but firm gesture that didn't go unnoticed. Heads turned as they made their way through the school corridors, whispers spreading like wildfire.

"Is that Donghyuck walking with Gayoon?"
"Look at how close they are! And he's holding her!"
"Didn't he hate the whole soulmate thing? What's going on?"

Gayoon couldn't help but feel the weight of their stares. Yet, Donghyuck's steady presence beside her, his subtle glances toward anyone who looked too long, was oddly comforting.

By the time Gayoon sat down in her classroom, her phone buzzed with a message from Donghyuck:

"Don't let those idiots bother you. See you later."

She smiled, the warmth of his words easing her nerves.

Yangyang leaned over from his seat beside her, a knowing grin on his face. "So, when's the big reveal?"

Gayoon groaned. "Don't start."

Yangyang chuckled. "Relax, I'm just saying. Everyone's talking already. And hey, I'm honored to be in the loop before the rumor mill goes full throttle."

Her expression softened. "Thanks, and, um, about the mall—"

"It's fine," Yangyang interrupted with a wave of his hand. "But not gonna lie, his glares were terrifying."

"He's... intense," she admitted, laughing lightly.

"Intense? That's one way to put it. But seriously, is he always like that?"

"He has his moments," she said, her voice carrying a mixture of fondness and exasperation.

"Just make sure he doesn't kill me next time." Yangyang smirked. "I value my life, you know."

"I won't let that happen," Gayoon assured him, her tone firm.

Later, as their classmates gathered around, curiosity practically oozed off them.

"What's going on with you and Donghyuck?"
"Is he your boyfriend?"
"Are you guys soulmates?!"

Gayoon froze, her cheeks burning under their scrutiny. "We're, uh—"

"Class, take your seats!" the professor's voice cut through the chaos, saving her from further interrogation.

She exhaled in relief and dropped her head onto her desk. Beside her, Yangyang stifled a laugh.

"You're going to have to tell them eventually," he whispered.

She groaned. "I know, but it's just... complicated."

Yangyang leaned back, his grin softening. "Look, I don't know how deep you and Donghyuck are into this, but judging by how he almost disintegrated me with his glare before, I'd say he's serious. You'll be fine."

Gayoon lifted her head slightly, his words resonating with her.

As the lesson droned on, Gayoon's mind wandered. She glanced at her wrist, at the soulmate tattoo that now felt like a blessing instead of a burden.

Telling everyone about us... she thought. Maybe it's time.