Reputation

Chapter 7 - Shadow?

The next day, I decided to set things straight with Hokuto. "Hey, Hokuto, can we talk?"

"Sure, Ara. What's up?" he replied.

"I really appreciate your feelings, but I don't feel the same way. I think it's best if we stay friends," I said gently.

He looked disappointed but nodded. "I understand, Ara. Thanks for being honest."

The next few days were pretty normal, except for one thing—Jeonghan. He was becoming more clingy than usual, especially whenever Hokuto was around. It was like he had a sixth sense for when Hokuto was nearby.

Whenever Hokuto approached, Jeonghan would suddenly appear, sitting beside me, leaning on my shoulder, or finding some excuse to be close.

"Hey, Ara, what's up with your shadow?" Jiyeon asked, nodding towards Jeonghan, who was practically glued to my side during lunch.

"I have no idea. He's been like this ever since... you know," I replied, glancing at Jeonghan, who was currently balancing a spoon on his nose to make me laugh.

"Jeonghan, you're being weird," I said, nudging him.

"Weird? I'm just keeping my rival close," he smirked, leaning even closer.

"Right, because you're so competitive," I said sarcastically.

"Exactly. Can't let my guard down, can I?" he teased, draping an arm over my shoulder.

As Hokuto passed by our table, Jeonghan's grip tightened slightly, and I couldn't help but notice the smug look on his face.

"Jealous, much?" I whispered.

"Who, me? Nah, just handsome," he replied with a wink.

It was both infuriating and endearing.

Finally, it was the last day of the exchange program. Hokuto and I had just submitted our report, and now it was time to say our goodbyes.

"Thanks for everything, Ara. I had a great time," Hokuto said, a sincere smile on his face.

"Me too, Hokuto. It was fun working with you," I replied, feeling a bit nostalgic.

Just as I thought we were done, Hokuto stepped forward and gave me a surprise hug. I stiffened for a moment, caught off guard.

"Take care, Ara," he whispered before pulling away.

"You too, Hokuto," I managed to say, still processing the unexpected hug.

As Hokuto walked away, I felt a pair of burning eyes on my back. I turned around and, of course, there was Scoups, looking like he was ready to explode.

"What was that about?" he asked, crossing his arms and glaring at Hokuto's retreating figure.

"It was just a goodbye hug, chill," I said, trying to downplay the situation.

"Just a hug, huh? Didn't look like just a hug to me," he grumbled.

Before I could respond, Jeonghan swooped in. "So, Ara, how does it feel to have your personal space invaded?" he teased, clearly enjoying the moment.

"Oh, please. Like you're one to talk," I shot back, rolling my eyes.

Jeonghan smirked. "Touché. But seriously, A, you good?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just ready to get back to normal, I guess," I sighed.

"Normal? What's that?" Joshua chimed in, appearing out of nowhere with his usual sunny disposition.

"Exactly," I laughed, feeling a bit lighter. "Alright, let's go. I'm starving."

As we headed out, I could still feel Scoups' protective aura hovering nearby, but I knew he meant well. And Jeonghan? Well, he was back to his usual self, keeping things interesting and unpredictable.

We all headed to the canteen and sat down to eat while I zoned out, lost in my thoughts. The boys were animatedly chatting about their upcoming basketball tournament, their excitement palpable.

"Did you see the lineup for the other teams? We're going to crush them," Joshua said, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Yeah, especially with our secret weapon," Jeonghan chimed in, winking mischievously at Scoups.

I snapped back to reality just in time to catch Scoups grinning at me. "Don't forget, Ara, you're coming to cheer us on, as always."

"Of course," I sighed, unable to hide my smile. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

"You better bring those signs you made last time. They were a hit," Jeonghan teased, nudging me playfully.

"I think my fabulous self is all they need," I joked, flashing a confident grin.

"Alright, A, we're counting on you to bless us with your presence," Joshua laughed.

As we continued eating, the conversation naturally drifted back to the tournament. Despite the recent whirlwind with Hokuto and the exchange program, being back with my friends felt grounding. Normalcy was creeping back into our lives, punctuated by our usual banter and camaraderie.

"So, Ara, what's the plan for after the tournament?" Scoups asked, drawing me back into the conversation.

"Survive the exams, I guess," I replied, chuckling. "And maybe catch up on some sleep."

"Sounds like a solid plan," Jeonghan remarked, leaning back in his chair. "Just make sure you don't zone out too much during our games. We need our number one fan fully present."

"Don't worry, Yoon," I said, rolling my eyes. "I'll be there, so don't miss me too much."

With that, we finished our lunch and headed back to class, the boys still buzzing with excitement about their upcoming tournament.

Back in our class, we had a quick chemistry test scheduled for the afternoon. The room buzzed with nervous energy as everyone scrambled to prepare their notes and review formulas. Jeonghan, seated next to me, couldn't resist leaning over with a mischievous grin.

"Hey, A, ready to lose to me again?" he whispered, nudging me playfully.

"Shut up," I whispered back, shooting him a confident smirk. "Just don't get distracted by my face, Yoon."

Jeonghan chuckled softly, shaking his head. "We'll see about that."

As the teacher distributed the test papers, I focused intently on each question, ensuring my answers were precise.

After the test, the teacher displayed the results on the screen for everyone to see.

"Ah, a tie, huh?" Jeonghan remarked, glancing over at my paper. "Don't worry, I'll beat you next time," he said with a playful grin.

"I'm waiting for it," I replied, standing up and packing my bags.

Jeonghan winked at me teasingly, and I couldn't help but smile back.