Metanoia | Sunki

9

After that class ended, it was finally time for all of them to go home, as Ni-ki stood up from his seat, he couldn't help but turn around and take a glance at Sunoo. His head was resting on his arms that were on the table on top of a notebook that had a few scribbles on it. Ni-ki softly smiled at the boy and walked towards him, gently ruffling his hair as soon as he got there. Sunoo looked up from his hands, turning to Ni-ki. This made him inhale a quick breath, for Sunoo's face was wet, eyelashes damp, and cheeks rosy from the heat that had built up inside of him. He really looked broken, not to mention regretful.

"Come on, class is over." Ni-ki gently lifted Sunoo from his chair and then gathered his supplies to put them inside his bag. Sunoo didn't say anything, he just let Ni-ki do it for him as he stood there watching the younger pick up a few pens. Once done, Ni-ki handed Sunoo his bag and the older took it, muttering a quick thank you before walking out of the class along with Ni-ki. The two walked side by side on a quiet suburban street at 4 pm. The air was heavy with silence, broken only by the sound of their footsteps gently hitting the pavement. Their faces wore expressions of subdued melancholy as they both thought of what to do next.

One of them, his eyes slightly red and puffy from tears shed in silence, occasionally stole glances at Ni-ki - a silent display of seeking solace in someone who was going through something similar. Each step felt heavier than the last, burdened by unspoken emotions and lingering thoughts. Yet in their collective sadness, there was also an unspoken bond forming between them that none of them noticed. It was in the way when Ni-ki casually rested a hand on the other's back for just a moment longer than necessary - an attempt to offer comfort without drawing attention to it. Sunoo sighed and gave into his warm hold as Ni-ki pulled him closer.

"I really admired what you did back there, Sun," Ni-ki broke the silence when they reached the bus station and sat on an empty bench close to them, "It was very brave of you. It takes a lot to admit to your mistakes." Sunoo sniffled softly and then smiled, unconsciously resting his head on Ni-ki's shoulder. "Thanks, Ni-ki. It still doesn't fix what I have caused." Sunoo heaved yet another sigh and Ni-ki shook his head, soon remembering that Sunoo could not see him. "We both caused this, Hyung. We can't fix what fate does but we can make it better." Sunoo lifted his head for a moment, "How do we make it better? We literally despise each other." Sunoo pointed a blaming finger at the younger and Ni-ki chuckled, running his fingers through Sunoo's hair and then softly kissed his head. "Go out with me tonight?"