About fourty-five minutes later, the cafeteria had grown quieter. Most students had already left, but the girl and her friends still sat in their corner. She was calmer now, though her eyes were red and puffy. Her fingers twisted the edge of a napkin as if it were the only thing keeping her grounded.
"Uhm... guys..." Haechan's voice broke the silence. His eyes flicked toward the entrance and the dreamies followed his gaze.
Renjun leaned closer to the girl, his tone soft but steady. "Uhmm... Soul... we're really sorry, but we have to leave you for a bit, okay? We'll be back soon. We just need to support Jeno, okay?" He placed a reassuring hand over hers.
"I'm coming too.." Sungchan said to Renjun- then turned toward his sister. "Will you be fine?"
She blinked at him, confused."W-Wait, y-you-"
"I am coming back," he said. "I'm not leaving you behind... but I don't want you anywhere near that bastard again..."
He looked over his shoulder, at the two friends next to the girl- Bic and Daehwi. "Will you two take her to class?"
Both nodded, without hesitation. "Of course."
Bic gently helped her stand; she was still a little shaky on her feet. Together the two boys led her toward the door. As they passed the entrance, she could feel several eyes following them- including the two figures that waited at the entrance of the cafeteria.
"Hyung..." Renjun called as they reached the entrance, where the two males were waiting.
Ten's eyes were small due to anger. "Do you have any idea how furious hyung is? AGAIN!? What are you kids even doing all the time?!"
"Ten, not here," the other murmured, grabbing his arm. "Don't cause a scene."
"Why are you here, hyung? What's with Taeil hyung?"
"Ten and I were in a meeting with hyung when your principle called us. So- guess why we're here".
Sungchan opened his mouth to explain, but Ten cut him off sharply. "Save it, Sungchan! You'll explain to him later..."
He narrowed his eyes. "He's here again?"
The boys nodded silently.
Ten sighed. "Let's go..." he motioned toward the principal's office.
"Hyung, can I come in too?" Sungchan asked quickly. Behind him, Chenle and Jisung stepped forward.
"I can explain what happened..." Sungchan answered.
"He's right- we saw everything," Jisung added.
"This bastard will lie again, hyung!" Chenle said, looking at Ten- his eyes pleading.
The two adults exchanged a brief look- both tired, both reluctant- but finally nodded. "Alright. Come on."
Renjun sank onto one of the chairs outside the office, glancing at them. "We'll wait here..." he said quietly, with Haechan and Jaemin nodding beside him.
They knocked, and a deep voice answered, "Come in."
"Annyeonghaseyo" the two adults greeted politely as they stepped inside, the three boys following behind.
"Stop right there- what are the students doing in here?"
"They said they saw what happened between Jeno and that other student."
The principal sighed, rubbing the vridge of his nose. "Of course they did. Why am U not surprised? Every time one of you is involved, this office turns into a conference room."
"Let's not hope that becomes a habit," Ten said- looking with strict eyes down on the boys. "We've got better things to do than always appearing here." he added.
