“Maknae-ah!” called a voice behind Sungjae, just as he was about to walk out of school.

Sungjae turned at the familiar voice and saw Changsub and Hyunsik walking towards him.

“Oh, hyung-deul. Shall we head home together?” asked Sungjae.

“Sure,” replied Hyunsik, as the three of them fell in step with each other.

Changsub and Hyunsik flanked Sungjae’s sides, as they walked down the street. A short silence hung over the usually cheery trio before Hyunsik broke the silence.

“So, Sungjae-ah. Have you made any progress with Sooyoung?” asked Hyunsik.

“Aaaaeeeee, hyung. What are you asking?” replied Sungjae embarrassedly.

“Don’t try to act innocent, Yook Sungjae. I’m sure something’s happened since the last time we broached this topic,” chimed Changsub.

Sungjae’s ears flushed a bright red, as memories of what happened that evening when Sooyoung had cried on his shoulder. Sungjae’s heart fluttered a little before he recalled Sooyoung’s words.

Thanks for being such a good friend to me during this period.

“I’m just a friend to her, hyung,” replied Sungjae sullenly.

“And that’s fine for now, Sungjae-ah,” replied Changsub. “But is she just a friend to you?”

For once, Sungjae had no cheeky reply for Changsub.

Is she just a friend to me?

“Molla,” replied Sungjae shortly.

Changsub caught Hyunsik’s eye and rolled his eyes at Sungjae’s reply.

“You’ve always been like this, maknae-ah. You can lie to everyone, but you cannot lie to use. And above all, you cannot lie to yourself,” said Changsub.

Sungjae was about to reply when he suddenly felt something warm run out of his nose. He reached up instinctively and wiped it off with his hand. A streak of crimson greeted him as he looked at his hand.

Hyunsik and Changsub looked at him in horror, as he stared at the red stain.

“Sungjae-ah!” exclaimed Hyunsik.

“Kwenchana, hyung. It’s just a nosebleed. Don't worry too much about it,” replied Sungjae. “I should get going.”

But before Sungjae could take a step forward, Hyunsik gripped his arm in a vice-like grip.

“NO! Listen to us, Sungjae-ah! If this is really what we think it is, then make sure you tell her your feelings!” shouted Hyunsik.

“And then what, hyung?! Why should I when I already know the answer?” replied Sungjae agitatedly, as tears started to pool in his eyes and the blood continued to flow. “I’m sorry, I need to attend to this.”

“Don't let this be one of your regrets, Sungjae-ah! You obviously have feelings for her!” ranted Changsub frustratedly, as Sungjae strode off holding his nose.

“What should we do, hyung?” asked Hyunsik.

“Pray that what we just said sinks in,” replied Changsub in a deadpan voice.

…

“Oppa!” called Sooyoung.

Sungjae looked up from his seat in the classroom and saw Sooyoung waving outside.

“Oh, Sooyoung-ah! Is it your break time now too?” asked Sungjae.

“Neh! Can you come out for a while?” asked Sooyoung.

Sungjae nodded and headed out of his otherwise empty cla