Secrets and Lies || Hoonki/Nikihoon

Chapter 2: Unseen Currents

The rest of the day dragged on uneventfully. Ni-ki tried to keep his head down, avoiding any more attention, but his mind kept drifting back to that unsettling moment in the cafeteria. No matter how hard he tried to focus on his classes, Sunghoon's gaze haunted him, making him uneasy. Why had Sunghoon been looking at him like that? And that smirk... Ni-ki couldn't tell if it was mocking or something else entirely.

After school ended, Ni-ki hurried to gather his things, eager to leave and clear his mind. Sunoo and Jungwon caught up with him as he was about to exit the classroom.

"Hey, you still up for hanging out?" Jungwon asked, slinging his backpack over his shoulder.

"Yeah, let's go," Ni-ki replied, forcing a smile. He figured some time with his old friends might help him shake off the weird vibes from earlier.

The trio walked through the bustling hallways, making their way to the back of the school where the chill spot was located. It was a quiet area with a few benches and some trees, far enough from the main building that you could escape the noise of the day. As they arrived, Ni-ki felt a bit more relaxed, the peaceful surroundings helping to calm his racing thoughts.

They spent the next hour talking about random things, reminiscing about their old neighborhood, and laughing over stupid jokes. It felt good to just unwind, but even as they laughed, Ni-ki couldn't fully push Sunghoon's gaze out of his mind.

"Alright, guys, I should head home," Ni-ki said after a while, standing up and stretching.

"Yeah, same here," Sunoo agreed, getting to his feet, "Let's do this again soon, though. It was fun."

"Definitely," Jungwon added with a grin, "And hey, Ni-ki, don't sweat the first-day jitters. You'll get used to this place in no time."

"Thanks," Ni-ki said, genuinely appreciating their support, "I'll catch you guys tomorrow."

They all said their goodbyes, and Ni-ki began the walk home. As he strolled down the street, the sun setting behind him, he tried to focus on the positive moments of the day- the reunion with his friends, the fact that he hadn't actually gotten into any real trouble. But no matter how much he tried to convince himself, the unease from that moment with Sunghoon lingered.

When Ni-ki finally got home, he was greeted by the usual silence. His parents were in the living room, watching TV, not even glancing his way as he entered. He headed straight to his room, dropping his backpack on the floor and flopping onto his bed. Staring at the ceiling, he let out a sigh, trying to shake off the unease that had settled in his chest.

His phone buzzed, pulling him out of his thoughts. It was a text from Konon.

Konon: "Hey, how was your first day?"

Ni-ki smiled slightly at his sister's message. She was the only one who really seemed to care.

Ni-ki: "It was okay. Kinda weird, but not too bad."

Konon: "Weird how?"

Ni-ki hesitated before replying, not wanting to worry her.

Ni-ki: "Just the usual first-day stuff. But I ran into some old friends, so that was cool."

Konon: "That's great! I'm glad you're settling in. Just take it one day at a time."

Ni-ki: "Yeah, I will. Thanks, Konon."

He put his phone down and closed his eyes, trying to clear his mind. Tomorrow was a new day, and he'd just have to face whatever came his way. But as he drifted off to sleep, that smirk from Sunghoon lingered in the back of his mind, hinting at something he couldn't quite put his finger on.