like a volcano | minsung (and a hell lot of other ships) ✓

𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑦-𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑟.

"We are sorry to inform you that a member of the staff of this school, Kim Hyojin, has passed away due to suicide."

"WHAT?!" a senior student yelled, but he wasn't the only one. The entirety of the school broke into chatter. Everyone was confused. The principal cleared his throat to draw everyone's attention and the crowd fell into a hushed silence.

"Most of you might know him as Mr. Kim since he was your history teacher. Though he wasn't very popular among the students, but he made sure that his students always got the best education. He may have been strict with his ways, but he did participate in the amazing result of our school. His funeral was very quiet and intimate. And I request you all to have a 5 minute silence for our teacher. May his soul rest in peace."

And for five minutes, the students stared at each other in shock, communicating wordlessly. After a while, they were escorted back to their classes but it would be miraculous if a student could concentrate in their class after all this.

"I heard the girls from 9th grade cried. They used to be his fanclub," Wooyoung told them in a low voice.

"Seriously, Wooyoung? Even at a time like this you listen to tea?" Minho asked him.
"Well, do you have anything better to do?" Wooyoung replied.

"He had it all planned. That's why he did all that yesterday. He tried to apologize." Chan caught up with them on their way to class.

"Seriously, all this... I don't know how to feel." Felix said. "I just feel so guilty for all the time we back stabbed him."

"Don't feel guilty. What he did was still wrong, no matter the reason. His mental health wasn't our fault. I'm saying this in the nicest way possible. We have a right to be angry at him; especially because we didn't know about his mental health. May he rest in peace though," Seungmin commented.

"No offense, Seungmo, but you're kinda insensitive at times. You're the type to think logically and ignore feelings," Yeonjun said.

Seungmin considered his words. He felt angry, but Yeonjun had a point so he couldn't argue. Was he really emotionless? From a distance, he saw Jeongin. Jeongin looked his way and they made eye contact. It was one long moment before Jeongin went away into his class and disappeared.

Seungmin didn't move. He kept staring at the place where Jeongin had stood. He didn't know why they weren't talking. Maybe because he didn't care for feelings. Because he was smart when it came to logic. He just couldn't grasp on sentiments and he thought that his intelligence would mask this flaw, but it was irreplaceable. It was like an open wound that continuously bled.

Except that it didn't have a bandage...

Or did it? Seungmin didn't know how to step up and reach out. How to actually feel for the sake of feeling, and let go of logic. For once. But no one else was going to do it for him. He had to do it himself. But how?

"Seungmin, are you coming in?" Yunho asked from afar, his voice coming from miles' distance.

Seungmin remembered that he had to consult the library. It was Hermione Granger's method anyway, who happened to be one of Seungmin's inspirations. Ron Weasley's voice rang vaguely in his head.

"When in doubt, visit the library."

Seungmin knew he had to go there, not just to consult about his own feelings and psychology, but Sunoo's behaviour. He didn't really have much of a choice. All this was a bit embarrassing to explain to Jisung and Felix. No, really, he had to do it alone. He had sworn to do it himself.

Without another word, Seungmin sprinted off in the opposite direction, towards the place that potentially hid answers. It wasn't much, but there wasn't a lot to choose from.

"Hey, dude, we have classes right now, you know?" Soobin called after him. "Where are you even going at a standard 10 am, anyway?"

"Tell Jisung to hide my bag. I'll be away for a while." Seungmin ignored Soobin's second question.

"But where are you even going?"

"To find peace of mind."
----
"Heyyyy, tell me what you noted," Minho looked at Jisung's notes. He had moved to sit with Jisung because his seat was empty. Felix hid Seungmin's bag and was sitting with Hyunjin, Changbin and Wooyoung. His seat was occupied by Kang Yeosang, who showed up every 2 months or so just to confirm his existence. It was rather unlucky a tragedy chose to happen today.

"Wow, I didn't understand a single word in today's lecture. You seem to have noted everything. Han Jisung, can you please donate me some of your brain?" Minho drawled. He stared in awe at Jisung's perfectly organized, aesthetic notes.

Jisung giggled, dying inside. He couldn't think straight and was trying his very best not to pass out from blushing.

"Nevermind, I'll just fail this year," Minho said grimly and that shook Jisung out of his trance.
"Hey, it's fine, is there something you don't understand?" Jisung asked him.

Minho heard the worry in his voice and said, "Hey, don't worry! I'm just kidding," he smiled slightly but his eyes told otherwise.

Jisung was persistent. "The neighbouring class is empty today. How about we go there? We have two free classes right now. The teachers went to the funeral."

Minho couldn't stop himself from smiling no matter how much he tried. "Then we should go, I guess?"

They stepped out and Minho couldn't help but hold his hand. The sudden contact made Jisung's heart skip several beats, but he determinedly held his hand and entered the classroom. Closing the door behind him, he took a seat.

And so they resumed studying and Jisung helped him understand the things he was having difficulty comprehending.

After what seemed like three whole classes, the bell for break finally rang. Though it did not feel the same anymore. There was no euphoria or that feeling of escape when the recess bell rang. There was nothing to escape from.

"Jisung, I have no idea how to thank you. Thanks for teaching me all these chapters, you're a life saver," Minho sighed.

"It's not an issue. Let's have lunch?" Jisung said.

Minho smiled in gratitude. "Sure. Let's go. And now that I can manage to pass Chemistry... I don't really know about others, though..."

"We can study later too! I can help you catch up." Jisung said brightly. Minho blushed a deep crimson. The thought of spending that much time with Jisung made Minho feel some kind of way and he didn't think he could manage it. Right now it had taken all his self-control not to stare at Jisung's face like an idiot and he didn't think he could do it much longer.

"Minho.. I know what you're thinking. It's not embarassing to be a hard worker. I see your efforts. And I appreciate them. I think you're amazing for managing all the stuff by yourself. Managing a job and studies! It's very pressurising and I understand. And that's why I'm more than willing to help you with anything. I'd love to." Jisung said.

"Huh?" Minho looked up to see the younger's beautiful doe eyes staring back at him innocently. It wasn't what he had been thinking, but the unexpected comfort and appreciation meant a lot to him nevertheless.

How could he say no to those pretty eyes?

-----
So guys I was just reading about omegaverse because I know absolutely nothing about it. And I don't even know what to comment on all that 😭
Anyways Jeongin was live, did you watch it? I swear he's so precious and I wanna protect him so much
Anyway guys I see people commenting on this deserted story... Finally! I love you my readers. So much! I would love to interact with you. If you wanna be friends, then I'd love to!