Secrets and Lies || Hoonki/Nikihoon

Chapter 5: Breaking the Routine

Ni-ki slouched in the back of the classroom, not really paying attention to the lesson. Math had never been his thing, and today was no exception. His eyes wandered to the window, where the sky was a dull shade of grey. Everyone around him was scribbling down notes like their lives depended on it, but Ni-ki couldn't care less. It was just another day of feeling like he didn't belong.

He rested his head on his hand, letting his mind drift, when a crumpled ball of paper hit his desk. He blinked, slightly startled, and turned to see Sunoo grinning like an idiot from across the room. The teacher was too focused on the board to notice.

Ni-ki uncrumpled the paper.

"You still alive? Or should I call 911"

He glanced at Sunoo and gave a small nod, but his friend didn't look convinced. Sunoo mimicked the action of writing more, clearly expecting a real answer. Ni-ki sighed, grabbing his pen and scribbling back a response.

"Just tired."

Sunoo shot him an Exaggerated look that screamed, "Sure you are." He mouthed back, "Liar," and rolled his eyes.

Before Ni-ki could react, the teacher's voice cut through the air. "Sunoo! If you're that eager to pass notes, why don't you come up here and share it with the rest of the class?"

Sunoo froze, his smirk vanishing in an instant. The room fell silent for like two seconds before the entire class erupted in laughter. Sunoo's cheeks flushed red, and he threw a sharp glare at Ni-ki, who was trying his hardest not to laugh.

Ni-ki covered his mouth, stifling his chuckles, but when he met Sunoo's glare, he couldn't help but smirk. Sunoo narrowed his eyes, clearly annoyed, but Ni-ki quickly looked away, pretending to focus on the lesson as if nothing had happened.

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When recess finally rolled around, Jungwon, Sunoo, and Ni-ki gathered at their usual spot in the back corner of the courtyard. It was their go-to place, away from all the noise of the other students. Sunoo flopped onto the grass with a groan, tossing his backpack aside.

"Why is school literally designed to destroy us?" Sunoo mumbled, staring up at the sky dramatically.

Jungwon rolled his eyes and sat down next to him. "Because that's how they keep us in line. They kill our spirits before we can even rebel."

Ni-ki sat nearby, pulling at the grass absentmindedly. His friends' random banter usually made him laugh, but today, he was quieter than usual. Sunoo noticed immediately.

"Alright, spill," Sunoo said, sitting up and eyeing Ni-ki. "You've been looking like a zombie all day."

Ni-ki shrugged. "I don't know. I'm just tired."

Sunoo shot Jungwon a glance, and they both leaned in like they were preparing to interrogate him. Jungwon crossed his arms, his face way too serious for the situation.

"Ni-ki," Jungwon said, voice low like he was in some crime show. "We know you. You're never just 'tired.'' There's something else going on."

Ni-ki stared at the ground, suddenly aware that they weren't going to drop this. "It's nothing, really. Just not in the mood for anything today."

Sunoo threw himself back onto the grass, arms spread wide. "Life's too short to be in a mood. You need a distraction. Something to get you out of your head."

Jungwon nodded, agreeing. "Yeah, like..."

He paused, thinking for a moment. His eyes lit up as he suddenly snapped his fingers. "We could totally ditch the last period and grab some snacks from that new place down the street."