kim sunoo sat out on the bench during gym class, bored, as always. if it weren't for his condition, he would've been out there running around with his classmates playing soccer.
he absolutely hated being binded by all these restrictions. it became even more annoying after going through a major lung surgery a year and a half ago.
growing up, he was always a weak kid, often catching colds and having a low body temperature. he was sixteen when it started getting progressively worse, which ended up with him having to have surgery. the procedure basically stranded him inside the hospital for many months, resulting in him being held back a year, which was most certainly discomfiting.
and because of that, he struggled to make friends. the only people who willingly hung out with him were his cousin, brother's friend, and of course, his brother.
as sunoo prepared for another day of zoning out, a classmate of his came and sat down next to him. he didn't think much of it though, as it was normal for coach rain to timeout kids for getting too many penalties.
however, things felt different this time. it wasn't a frustrated, arrogant athlete who broke too many rules who was next to him. it was a boy with gentle actions, and a quiet yet friendly demeanour. his small size and soft cat eyes gave off a sense of kindness.
"taking a break as well, jungwon?" sunoo inquired nonchalantly.
"yeah, needed a breather." the younger male answered, wiping his sweat with a handkerchief. "do you sit out often?"
"yup. doctor's orders" sunoo sighed. "not as fun as it may seem"
"that must be tough. what happened?" jungwon asked.
sunoo tilted his head out of confusion. "you don't know?"
jungwon shook his head apologetically. "no sorry, i was homeschooled and only joined this year"
"oh, i see, sorry if it came out a bit rude." sunoo said.
"don't worry, i wasn't offended." jungwon assured. "so if you're okay with it, may i know what happened?"
"well a year or so ago, i went through a pretty serious surgery on my lungs, and things have been pretty annoying since." sunoo explained. "i was hospitalized for a large portion of the year so i was held back. i'm an '03 liner"
"that must've been a lot to deal with." jungwon acknowledged. "its nice that you're here now"
"the others seem to think otherwise... why do you think i have no friends?" sunoo sighed.
"i could be your friend" jungwon offered. "you know it's not that easy to suddenly appear from homeschooling while everyone's already in their own cliques."
"i guess we're made for each other then" sunoo smiled, eyes forming crescents.
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the two boys were enjoying a moment of bonding, when someone else joined the conversation.
"hey lazy ass, i see you've finally found someone to match your energy" they laughed, eyes shining with gleeful malice.
"shut up seon, don't you have a soccer game to play?" sunoo hissed.
"well isn't your friend here supposed to be out on the field too? or is he weak and frail just like you?" seon mocked, putting up a fake pout.
"you're not being funny, leave us alone" sunoo rolled his eyes.
"why should i, it's not your property, is it? i guess that's what happens when you get pampered too much, you turn into a little brat who thinks everything is theirs." seon sneered
he reached out to snatch sunoo's hair, like he always did. however, things went differently this time.
a hand quickly grabbed onto his wrist, pulling it away before he laid a finger on sunoo.
"leave us alone, seon" jungwon said with a sharp glare. "did you not hear what sunoo said? or are you just as dull as a mule, you stubborn, irritating little bitch"
"shut up nerd. whatever a mule is, you should be the one embodying it." he belittled.
"you don't even know what a mule is? no wonder you pretty much rank last in our class." jungwon said, his gaze still as cold as ice. it surprised sunoo how quickly he switched demeanours. "now get lost."
"you really think i'm going to?" he scoffed, raising his fist up for a punch. "i'm not afraid of you."
before anything else could happen, their teacher joined in on the scene.
"what do you guys think you're doing? this is gym, not drama class." coach rain rebuked. "get back on the field, seon. you too, jungwon."
seon quickly ran off, turning his head to sunoo and sticking out a tongue.
"yes coach" jungwon mumbled, leaving as well.
sunoo's eyes followed the boy who just willingly defended him, a nice, warm feeling spreading through his body.
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