used to love. | sunsun

03. stranger

Jungwon and I were walking down the busy hallway to the next boring lesson when I still couldn't process what had happened on the field not so long ago today.

Did he just completely ignore my existence? It's impossible that he didn't recognize me. Sure, we haven't seen each other since forever, but he should at least have recognized me by my voice, right? What has happened over the last few years and why is he suddenly appearing out of nowhere?

"Are you alright Sunoo?", I heard Jungwon asking.

I turned to look at him and saw his concerned face, he slowly closed the gap between his eyebrows. "I'm not sure. I mean, I'm so glad he's finally back, I might pass out, but it seems like he has changed a lot in the past few years..?", I said, more like a question than a affirmation.

"By the way, why didn't you tell me he went to our high school? And the fact that he's the fifth member of Decelis?" I turned my face forward and still felt Jungwon's gaze on my side profile.

"I'm sorry, Sunoo but I really thought you knew, as he was trending literally everywhere when he came back and even attended our Highschool. But I guess you didn't know, because of your health issues back then.. He came back last year, but since he's here for sport, he hasn't attended any other classes. I heard that he wants to study more this year, so starting this semester he will attend more classes."

I was born with a weak heart. So in my life I've been in and out of the hospital quite a lot. I also suffer from a lung problem from a young age, so I had to go through surgery last year and couldn't attend high school in person for almost a whole semester. I guess that's when Sunghoon hyung entered my high school. There were always rumors of him joining this school, but whenever I asked Jungwon he denied it. I do understand why Jungwon didn't tell me but still..

"Of course I knew that hyung returned to Korea after last year's competition. But his sudden appearance here is news to me," I said as we both walked toward the classroom.

In class I turned my head to the windows - which were open to freshen the stuffy air as the weather got a little fresher - still lost in thoughts. The wind ruffled my hair as the book pages turned. It was impossible for me to concentrate as I was still thinking about Park Sunghoon for the rest of the lesson.

When the bell finally rang, all the students started packing their bags to leave, some of them already running out of the classroom. The voices in the hallways grow louder and the footsteps of the students can be heard again.

I was waiting for Jungwon to clean up so we could go get something to eat together as an excuse for this morning, when suddenly Riki Nishimura approached us. I was amazed that this kid actually woke up from his nap. As soon as he entered the class, he fell asleep with his long ass legs stretched out on the empty chair in front of him.

"Jungwon, right? My best friends told me about you. You're a junior on our team, aren't you? I'm Niki, by the way but I think you should know.", I was taken aback that he had actually started the conversation. "We're going to have a training for new team members tonight, if you want to improve you should come. You look like you don't know anything about basketball."

"We'll definitely come tonight! Thanks for reminding me.", Jungwon said excitedly.

"Right. Don't think we're friends now just because I spoke to you. Heeseung hyung just wanted everyone to come tonight.", that sounds more like Riki Nishimura.

"Rude.", I said, rolling my eyes, watching him walk away with his hands in his pockets.

"Whatever. Pick me up with your bike tonight. You should come too, I need some support from my best friend! Maybe you'll get a chance to talk to him and figure out why he was so cold to you."

"What? You were expecting me to come too? Ain't. No. Way. It's also his fault if he doesn't want to be friends anymore."

"You owe me one! Forget about Tteokbokki, we're going tonight. Don't be a spoilsport, Sunoo."

"I'm not a spoilsport, but I don't bother going there so late just to smell sweaty basketball players!"

"No. You'll come too. It's not like you'll be there alone. Come on, we wanted to make new friends this year! "

"...Ugh, You'll ride the bike.", I said leaving the room annoyingly.

10:15 PM, it said on the display of my phone when I sat on the back of the bike, while Jungwon was driving us to basketball practice.     I wasn't sure what to wear, so I just put on sweatpants and a simple, baggy shirt. Jungwon wore his blue jersey with the number 04 on his back. It was a cool and breezy night. I felt a light gust of wind blowing against my skin, giving me a slight chill.

After about a 10 minute bike ride, we finally arrived and entered the huge hall. The sound of squeaking shoes and bouncy balls echoed through the hall.

Surprisingly, there weren't many students on the team bench. They really only select the best candidate for the team. I heard that only a good player gets picked for the next competition and Jungwon was keen to get the spot.

Jungwon sat next to the other players while I walked to the benches on the other side and watched as Heeseung called out the players' names in turn with Niki at his side.

I was about to fall asleep when the basketball hall door opened and the three remaining Decelis members, Jay, Jake and Sunghoon walked in.

My heartbeat skipped for a moment. What's going on. Why is my heart beating like crazy? I almost forgot he's going to show up too.

Part of me just wanted to leave the room and never set foot in it again, but I wanted to know what was going on. My legs were shaking as I got up.

"Sunghoon hyung.", I said, almost whispering. But instead, Jay replied, "Oh hello, you from this morning! Sorry again about the accident.", he glanced at Sunghoon, who avoids eye contact, before continuing, "Do you two know each other?"

"Just someone I used to know.", Sunghoon said coldly - before I could even say something - glaring straight at me before approaching the new players.

Someone he used to know? I felt like my heart just shattered in thousand pieces again.

"I didn't know you guys knew each other. Anyways, are you here to watch your friend play?"

I nodded in response.

"Right, I forgot to ask for your name earlier."

"It's Kim Sunoo. You must be Jay and your friend over there Jake?"

"You know us well. Nice to meet you, Sunoo.", Jake said playfully, winking at me.

The two of them also left to practice a bit. For some reason I spent the rest of the night watching Sunghoon's every move without realizing it. He didn't even glance my way.

So I am 'someone you used to know'?
tsk, asshole.