Reserved [Book V]

Small World

It was raining on Wednesday and Zitao had just snapped his brain from class mode to the events of this morning before he went on with his schedule. His sharp senses felt like they were injected with adrenaline and his head swam in a thousand possibilities when his nose picked up something fishy, eyes squinting at one particular scene he had never expected on the way to his first lecture.

Why was Kyungsoo with Gyuri?

Looking at the bigger picture, anyone who belonged in a house would normally talk to the same type of people. But this was Do Kyung-soo, someone Zitao had known for being able to figure trouble out in one glance and avoid it at the first chance he got. The North leader on the other hand, was a direct way there.

All probabilities were laid out on Zitao's table. Did Gyuri take interest in Kyungsoo and the K house? That was bad, for interests usually end up in favors and if the queen of campus fraternities favored K, M's ass would be on fire judging from the leaders' situation. But what if Gyuri and Kyungsoo were simply friends? That would be even worse.

It was about seven minutes early before Areum's usual dismissal time, so Zitao thought of waiting by the office of the writing club thing. Her classes mostly took place on that floor and he figured it would be convenient for both of them.

However, by the bulletin, stood Kyungsoo with a new book in hand and eyes on a posted article, clad in a black and red sweater. Zitao didn't exactly know when the other boy began mixing colors in his wardrobe, but if he could clearly remember the time he first saw it, Zitao would say it was something Kyungsoo changed to impress Areum. After all, what's so attractive about a person who dresses like he could eat your soul if you piss him off?

As if you're ever attractive for Areum. Even so, you'll have to go through her brothers and twenty layers of Wonshik hyung. You won't survive it, Kyungsoo.

Zitao approached, not realizing at all how defensive his thoughts about the slightly older boy sounded. He first concentrated on the same article Kyungsoo was staring at, not really paying attention to it, and faced the other guy only after he spoke.

"Tao." Kyungsoo started in a not-so-enthusiastic manner. "What brings you here?"

"Who." Zitao corrected. "Jang Ah-reum."

They both had blank faces on, only Zitao's was stronger. He expected Kyungsoo to ask if ever an opportunity like this ever came and he was prepared to answer them all, so it wasn't such a surprise when Kyungsoo really did. "I feel like it's none of my business but out of curiosity, how do you know her? And why do you seem so defensive?"

"You said so yourself." Zitao said calmly. "It's none of your business."

"Tao, we're friends. I'm sure you can trust me with it no matter how confidential." Kyungsoo replied, facing him directly. "I've known you for years and you won't act like that around her without a reason."

"I am very surprised that you played the friendship card on me." Zitao flashed a smirk but Kyungsoo didn't appear offended. The short boy was too understanding of Zitao's behavior, he just didn't know exactly what he understood. "I've never known you to move so desperately."

"Well, I don't like to be killed by my own speculations and since you're here, I'm going to get answers once and for all."

"What makes you think you'll get them from me?" Zitao spat, smirk gone.

"I don't." Kyungsoo shook his head. "But I won't lose anything if I tried, right?"

Zitao breathed in. He tried not to think of Kyungsoo and Gyuri, tried not to bring it up. He had half a mind fixed on believing they were friends just like Kyungsoo said and half a heart of trust, but the other halves reminded him of Jaehwan and Areum and whatever the hell he did that pulled him into this position.