Villain kids

17

Sungchan: “OH MY GOD—IS THAT DONGHYUCK?!! HYUCK!! OVER HERE!!”

He’s yelling his guts out across the crowd, waving both arms like a man on fire. The others join in, adding whistles and claps, anything to get the purple-haired boy’s attention.

Hyuck visibly cringes.

He locks eyes with them, rolls his eyes, and shoots a small glare their way — not that it stops the chaos one bit. People around them are giving weird looks, but none of the Isle kids seem to care.

Sungchan: “I can’t believe you’re actually here! You said you wouldn’t come!”

He pulls Donghyuck into a tight hug as he plops down beside him. Donghyuck groans dramatically.

Hyuck: “Yeah, yeah, I know. Don’t get used to it, though…”

His grumble earns knowing smirks from the group.

Jisung: (sing-song) “I think our scary Donghyuck has a soft spot for the prince~”

Hyuck’s eyes go wide.

Hyuck: “No, I do not!”

Jeno: “Oh Hyuck… I think you know we don’t believe that.”

Hyuck scowls, cheeks warm, suddenly wishing he could melt into the bleachers.

Hyuck: “Can you not? The game’s about to start.”

He turns toward the field, desperate to change the subject.

Chenle: “I think you’ll like it.”
Jaemin: “Yeah. And don’t be afraid to yell — everybody goes wild at these things.”

He laughs as the players begin to gather, energy buzzing through the air.

---

Referee: “And the winner is… Oredon Prep! With the star shooter — Mark Lee!”

The field erupts. Cheers. Claps. Whistles echoing through the sky.

Even the Isle kids were swept up in it, yelling excitedly despite not knowing the rules. Donghyuck included. He was… cheering?

Chenle and Jaemin exchange looks, their eyes drifting to Donghyuck — who’s clapping, whistling, even calling out Mark’s name with the others.

Maybe… just maybe… they won’t want to destroy this place. Maybe they’re already starting to like it.

Hyuck: “I’ll meet up with you guys later. I just have to do something first.”

He watches the field slowly empty as students start heading back.

Jisung: “You’re acting weird. I don’t think I like it.”

The comment makes Donghyuck pause, his spine stiffening slightly.

Jeno: “We’ll be in our room if you want to come by.”

The group walks off, leaving Hyuck standing alone at the edge of the field.

He spots a bench and sits, glancing toward a cluster of players still chatting by the goalpost.

And then, he sees him.

Jungwoo.

Bubbly. Loud. Grinning like he owns the sun.

Jungwoo: “Oh baby!! You did so well!!”

He practically launches himself at Mark, kissing his cheek. Mark chuckles — not really encouraging, but not stopping it either.

A sharp twist curls in Hyuck’s stomach. He flicks his fingers.

Thud.

Jungwoo hits the ground, flat on his ass.

The confused murmurs ripple through the players, but Donghyuck just laughs quietly to himself.

Until—

??: “So it’s funny to you — watching someone fall? That’s pathetic…”

The sudden, deep voice makes Hyuck whip around. A tall guy — taller than him by at least a head — stares down at him with a smug little grin.

Hyuck: “Excuse me?”

??: “You heard me. You don’t belong here. None of your little friends do.”

His tone is smug. Confrontational.

Hyuck: “I’d stop talking if I were you.”

??: “What are you gonna do? Curse me?”
(He laughs.)
“You can’t use your little powers here. You’re useless.”

Hyuck’s eyes flash — literally. Bright, venomous green.

The guy steps back.

Mark: “Lucas! Donghyuck!”

The prince jogs over, chest still heaving from the game. Hyuck files away the name: Lucas. So this is the jerk.

As Mark arrives, Donghyuck’s eyes return to normal. Lucas straightens up, switching to a big, fake smile.

Lucas: “Yo, Mark! I was just telling Donghyuck how great Oredon is. He’ll love it here.”

Hyuck grits his teeth but says nothing.

Mark: “That’s nice. I actually need to talk to Donghyuck about something. You can head back — the team said they’re going out for celebratory drinks.”

Lucas: “Sure thing! See you around, Mark.”

He walks off, flashing one last empty smile before disappearing down the path.

Mark: “Lucas is a nice guy, isn’t he?”

Hyuck: “Uhm… no comment.”

Mark chuckles.

Mark: “Haha, okay. Fair. Come on — this way.”

He turns the corner, waving for Hyuck to follow.