Reasons to Stay // Hyunin

~14~

By study hall time, Jeongin concluded that Hyunjin either thought the photo on his door was no big deal or he hadn't put it there and hadn't noticed it at all, because he didn't give a word about it. Jeongin was debating whether he should ask or not; he wasn't too sure of what he would say anyways. But might as well bring it up, because he was also gonna ask the blonde about his pretty ring.

The two were sitting at a table in the library, supposed to be studying, when Jeongin, after a few minutes of struggling, finally spoke up. "Hyunjin hyung, where did you get that ring? It's really pretty."

"Oh–! This–!" Hyunjin said and sat up straight to examine it for some reason. "Well I got it from my dad." And that maybe was a lie or not a lie because Eun had raised Hyunjin but Hyunjin wouldn't call him his dad because that was just weird and Eun was the last person Hyunjin wanted to call dad. But it was the first thing coming to his mind so he just said it.

"Ohh, okay," Jeongin said, nodding. "I noticed, is that some specific logo?"

"Hm? Oh, no, it's not," Hyunjin said quickly. "I guess he custom made it? I'm not sure."

"Because I saw someone else the other day with a necklace with that sign, and I thought it's a really pretty sign but I've never seen a brand like that before. So I was just wondering."

Hyunjin cocked his head and frowned in thought, "Oh really? That's weird. I can ask my dad about it though." 

Jeongin shook his head quickly and laughed nervously. "You don't have to. I was just wondering."

Hyunjin smiled, "I'll see."

But in his head he was thinking that Jeongin had probably seen Han around somewhere. What a coincidence. It wasn't good. And to be honest, Hyunjin did think it was dumb for all gangsters to wear the same sign, because wasn't that bigger evidence of connections if they were caught by the police? But "Posh" Eun was a proud man and he had a big mafia, so he liked to show his power. And wearing jewelry that subtly indicated their connection with the gang was part of Eun's mocking the government's agents, who were oblivious of the gangsters walking right under their noses.

Jeongin nodded and looked back down at his book. His next question...about the photo, how would he introduce it?

Straight-forward would be the best. "Hyung, this morning at your locker, I saw a photo of someone on your door, I mean—I don't mean to look but you know, um, I just happened to see it—"

"Hm? What photo?" Hyunjin was genuinely confused. So he probably didn't put it there.

"Like on the inside of your locker door," Jeongin said quickly.

"I don't think I have a photo of anyone there?" Hyunjin answered, "Oh well. You can show me when we get our stuff later."

"Okay," Jeongin said quietly. Who could have put it there? What a weird and suspicious turn of events...

After study hall, the two went to the lockers and Hyunjin opened it up and Jeongin immediately pointed at the photo. "See, that." He said. Now having a better look at it, Jeongin knew it was definitely his Lee Know-hyung...except...! The guy looked older than the Lee Know Innie had remembered. Could his hyung possibly be...?

While Jeongin was having his rapturous moment of epiphany, Hyunjin was having his mental panic attacks. No no no no no...what is this?! #1025?! He gently took the photo off and looked at in his hands. He turned the photo to see if there was anything on the back. Some words had been hurriedly scribbled.

#1025 (LK) 14 yrs

Jeongin's eyes got big and Hyunjin heard him whisper "14!" Hyunjin looked at Jeongin's surprised expression and he knew he had to act obtuse quickly, before Jeongin saw the caught/panicked expression on his face. "? You know who it is? Truth I have no idea what it is or how it got in my locker—wait, that means someone knows the password to my locker—"

Innie was too shocked to respond. Hyunjin slowly said, "Maybe it's just a prank..."

"No that's my Lee Know-hyung!" Jeongin exclaimed in the form of many emotions. "How do you have a picture of him?!"

"I don't know—" Hyunjin played the fool.

Innie wanted to know more. He had to know more. But before they discuss it any further, a voice from down the hall suddenly spoke, cutting off the precious conversation. "Mr. Hwang Hyunjin? You need to go to the front desk." A teacher said sternly. Both Hyunjin and Jeongin looked surprised. "Me??" Hyunjin asked, unsure, pointing to himself.

"Yes, you," the teacher reiterated, "and right now."

"Um...ok," Hyunjin looked at Jeongin, pouted and shrugged then whispered, "Sorry, I don't know what it is either, I'll see you later."

"S-see you," Innie replied, scared that Hyunjin may be in trouble.

Hyunjin quickly made his way to the front office and the secretary told him to sit in a waiting chair. So he sat...and waited. Then the principal himself came out and told him, "Someone wants to see you, he'll be out in just a minute and don't worry, you're classes for the day is already relieved."

Who? Huh? What's going on...? Hyunjin did not like the surprises life was giving him today. "Okay, thank you," he answered respectfully. He tried to think who it might be. No, Hannie hadn't planned anything and neither had any of the other members...

Presently someone came out of the office and looked at Hyunjin. Hyunjin looked up at him and blinked twice.

The guy looked like a student around the same age as Hyunjin, maybe a little younger. He had a calm look on his face and his mouth was turned upward ever so slightly at the ends. His hair was brown, fluffy, and perfect. He looked like the good kid, teacher's favorite, not necessarily called a nerd but really smart and clever. But even though he looked innocent and mild, he had an aura about him that made Hyunjin feel a bit...scared?

"Hi, Hyunjin," the boy said somewhat mechanically, yet still pleasantly.

"Ummmm hey...!" Hyunjin was slow to respond. "Uh, do I, um, know you...?"

"How should I know? Maybe? Ask yourself. I can only tell you that I know who you are," was the reply.

Hyunjin felt shivers. "Um, cool...? Like, how?"

"From a lot of reasons," the boy answered almost immediately. Goodness, was he a robot? Hyunjin didn't feel very sure about this guy. "What's your name then?" he asked.

"Sky." The answer came quick as lightning.

"Never heard of it," Hyunjin shook his head. "So what did you want me for?"

"As coworkers, we need to discuss some things. I wanted to go out and eat over the conversation so I came and cancelled your classes so we can go now."

"...Coworker???" Hyunjin knew he looked stupid right now.

"Eun."

"Oh, um—ohh, I see," Hyunjin relaxed, then tensed up again in suspicion: "wait, what do you mean?" and he gave Sky a skeptical look that read, Really. Then give me a sign.

Sky casually rolled up his hoodies sleeve and rubbed a bruise on his arm. On his wrist was a silver bracelet with a familiar pattern. Hyunjin stared at it, then finally said, "All right, where to," as he got up.

"Recently I like a Chinese restaurant called Gan Bei," Sky answered simply and headed towards the door, evidently expecting Hyunjin to follow. And follow Hyunjin did, because he felt very meek towards this calm and composed guy who radiated supremacy. 

He left the school building with an uneasy feeling.