It seems like a week of nothing but pure torture and heartbreak as the birthdays of two out of the three most popular boys steadily approach. Fangirls (and some fanboys) are crying from left and right, the mere thought of their precious and beloved prince and jewel finally getting inked this week causing them to sink into an incurable depression. Of course, that is an exaggeration, because things are not totally bleak – there is still hope, and it comes in the form of a golden blond angel who is walking through the school gates this fine spring morning, his eyes widened and his lips tightened into a straight line in slight horror at the multitude of fangirls who are looking at him with huge, teary eyes, as if he were some kind of beacon of light to their otherwise dark realities.

They give him dazed smiles, happily giggling among themselves as they greet him with cheerful good mornings, making him force an awkward smile while giving curt nods to their directions. They all swoon simultaneously, cooing and sighing over his sheer perfection as he hides a disturbed shudder, his arms rubbing over his arms to soothe the goose bumps that had just formed.

God. How he hated the popularity.

Truthfully, it isn’t that bad. He’s usually nicer than this, but with the fourth month of the year just starting, Donghae couldn’t help but be in an awful mood.

In just a matter of days, the apple of his eyes, Choi Siwon, is getting inked.

Just like everyone else, he can’t quite bring himself to be happy for the school’s prince, knowing that the chances of him becoming Siwon’s soulmate is pretty much close to zero. Studies have shown that a good ninety-eight percent of the people who get inked haven’t met their soulmates yet at eighteen, and if they don’t meet them by chance, they only get to do so by seeking help from the Center.

Donghae sighs, slowing his pace as he approaches the locker area. He keys in his combination code and allows another breathy exhale to come out of his lips as he opens the locker and eyes the schedule taped inside. As he gathers the books he needs for the first three classes, he releases a third sigh only to jolt a little in surprise when he hears familiar laughter ringing from behind him.

“Sighing a lot today huh, Donghae-ssi?”

Donghae gulps inaudibly, blinking furiously to himself and forcing the blush to diminish before he turns, a small smile on his face as he greets Choi Siwon with his usual cool and calm demeanor, “Good morning, Siwon-ssi. I didn’t notice you’ve arrived. You’re pretty early today.”

“Good morning to you too,” Siwon gives him that familiar blinding smile, the one he often uses to greet practically everyone. “I just thought of coming early today. I wanted to adhere to my fans’ requests to see me more often outside of class, as it is only a few days before I might lose all the popularity,” he laughs heartily to himself, making Donghae smile wider.

“I honestly doubt that would happen, Siwon-ssi,” he says, clutching the books in his arms a little tighter as he feels an urge to talk about the reasons why Siwon can’t possibly lose popularity. But knowing it could reveal his feelings, he decides on another answer instead. “I remember when Kim Heechul-sunbaenim got inked two years ago, when we were just freshmen, he ended up dating his soulmate after a month of finding him and yet his popularity was still on top.”

“Well that’s true,” Siwon says with a nod. “I hope that would be the case for me as well. Anyway, what is the cause of your consistent sighing earlier, Donghae-ssi? If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’re one of the fanclub members who are devastated about my inking this week.”

Donghae has to literally force himself to laugh along with him, telling himself that it’s only a joke, that he shouldn’t fret or get worried. Siwon doesn’t know. He couldn’t possibly know.

Clearing his throat as he eyes Siwon’s expectant expression, Donghae allows his grin to soften as he utters, “I’m just feeling a little tired. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

It isn’t a lie. But the reason for why he didn’t get a lot of sleep is something he’d much rather keep to himself.

“Oh?” Siwon’s bright smile immediately downturns as his face shows genuine concern and worry. “Too much studying?”

“Yeah, something like that,” Donghae nods, hoping that the white lie isn’t obvious on his face.

“You should take a break,” Siwon suggests. “I know how you feel, since I study a lot too. But every now and then, I make sure to do at least one stress-free activity to get rid of all the tension. Trust me, it helps.”

The brilliant grin is back and Donghae couldn’t help but chuckle, truly liking this kind and friendly side of Siwon. “Thanks for the advice, Siwon-ssi. I’ll definitely try that.”

“You’re welcome,” he says, and then his thick brows scrunch up slightly as a thought seemingly strikes him. “And I just realized that we’ve been sharing classes since freshman year and yet we’re still acting all polite with each other. We’re the same age. Don’t you think it’s just fine for us to drop the formalities?”

“O-Oh,” the stutter comes out before he could stop it and Donghae almost wants to punch himself for losing his cool. He quickly regains composure, smiling his usual calm, close-lipped smile at Siwon as he says, “Of course. That’s not a problem at all.”

“That’s great,” Siwon flashes his pearly whites. “Anyway, Donghae, what do you think should I do when I get inked this week? I’m almost certain it’d be someone I do not know yet, but I’m not sure if I should wait for this person on my own or if I should seek for the Center’s help.”

Donghae could’ve swooned over Siwon calling his name without the formal honorific, but with this topic suddenly brought into light, he couldn’t help but feel an urge to roll his eyes. Of course Siwon just had to ask him of all people. Of course Siwon just felt the need to talk to him about this when it’s this very topic that has caused him to be unable to sleep properly the previous night. Of ing course.

“I mean,” Siwon continues, completely oblivious of Donghae’s inner turmoil. “I have really mixed feelings about it. In a way, I’m absolutely terrified. But at the same time, I’m rather excited as well,” a dreamy expression forms on his face, “Getting to know the name of your soulmate… it’s that once-in-a-lifetime, most-awaited moment. If you were in my shoes, what would you do?”

To be happy that Siwon is so casually talking to him and asking him for advice about a serious topic, or to be annoyed that it’s this topic of all things, Donghae isn’t sure. But as he dismisses that thought from his mind and tries to think of himself in Siwon’s shoes, in order to give him a good advice, Donghae finds himself conflicted.

Indeed, what would he do?

Frankly, he hasn’t given it a thought before. Sure, he’s been aware that once he turns eighteen, his skin would be inked with the name of the person he’s supposedly meant for, but that doesn’t mean he actually thought about what he would do when the time comes. And then there is the fact that Donghae has somehow managed to like someone before his fated day. Ever since he started crushing on Siwon over a year ago, all he could think of when the topic of getting inked comes up is that it’s utterly sad that he couldn’t be Siwon’s soulmate. He never thought of the name that would appear on his own skin, never wondered about who it could possibly be, and only imagined himself becoming depressed when Siwon finds his other half.

But now he is forced to think. If it is indeed him who is finally getting marked this week, what would he do?

“He wouldn’t know, Siwon-ah.”

An all-too-familiar voice echoes within the hallway and a scowl automatically forms on Donghae’s face as he turns to look at the intruder, his fingers tightening their hold on his textbooks.

“Remember that debate I told you about last week?” Hyukjae smirks as he walks up to them, the taunting look of confidence on his face instantly infuriating Donghae.

He stops, glancing at Donghae with that annoying condescending look as he folds his slim arms over his chest and leans against a locker before continuing, “This little friend of ours actually argued that people shouldn’t have to consider what fate tells them when they get inked. He argued that the people who fall in love with someone who aren’t their soulmates before they turn eighteen should just simply disregard what is written on their skin when the time comes,” he lets out a humorless chuckle. “I don’t know about you, but that just screams pure ignorance and stupidity to me. Makes me think he’s one of those people who have fallen for someone before he even found out his destiny.”

“Hyukjae,” Siwon says in a warning tone, his face completely devoid of the friendly smile he wore earlier.

Donghae simply smiles, his lips tightened as he clutches his books so hard his knuckles turn white. He turns to face Hyukjae, his blatantly forced smile widening before he speaks, “First of all, I am not your friend, Lee Hyukjae-ssi. Second, it was a debate where we were asked by the teacher to argue about our points, so of course you have to disagree with mine as much as I disagree with yours,” he smirks as Hyukjae narrows his almond-shaped eyes at him, “Third, calling someone ignorant and stupid doesn’t make you any better than that someone, in fact, it only makes you look so much worse. I’m surprised you stooped that low, by the way. And lastly, as I have pointed out earlier, we are not friends, so it doesn’t really look good for you to assume things about myself.”

“Guys,” Siwon says, his hands held up while he looks back and forth at the two of them, worrying even more as he sees the heated gazes. “Guys, come on now.”

He is simply ignored when Hyukjae scoffs, eyes practically sending daggers to Donghae as he retorts, “Oh yeah? Because you’re so perfect, aren’t you, angel? You’re so much better than me when you can’t even honestly say the truth about yourself, right? Don’t tell me I was simply assuming things about you because we both know I’m not. I know about that, and if you’re going to lie to my face right now, then doesn’t that make you just as bad as you make me out to be?”

“Hyukjae, come on man, stop it,” Siwon practically pleads. “Donghae, please just ignore him, he’s–”

“Then what do you know, Hyukjae-ssi?” Donghae snarls, his gaze almost murderous and his voice filled with venom. “Go ahead. If you really think you’re right then why don’t you say it directly? What is it about me that you know? Please do tell me. I might as well say things I know about you and then we can all have some fun, sharing, bonding moment in here, yeah? Because I’m pretty sure I have interesting things to say, some that even roots from years ago.”

Siwon gasps, his eyes wide as he stares at Donghae in confusion.

Hyukjae appears to have been taken aback, his lips slightly parted as his own eyes widen in apparent disbelief. And then he shuts his mouth, his jaw clenching visibly as his gaze hardens before he looks away, huffing to himself.

Donghae smirks, his tensed shoulders slightly relaxing as he releases an inaudible sigh of relief through his nose. “Seems like you have nothing to say then, Hyukjae-ssi.”

Hyukjae glares at him from the corner of his eyes. “Only for today, Lee Donghae. The next time you piss me off, I wouldn’t hesitate.”

“Then I wouldn’t either,” Donghae chuckles humorlessly, his eyes glinting dangerously.

“Oh my god, look! Our three beautiful boys all together!”

“Ah this is such a rare sight! Hurry, take pictures!”

Siwon immediately smiles and waves at the group of fans approaching, as if totally relieved for the distraction. He poses for their cameras, his usual bright grin on his face as Hyukjae clears his throat and composes himself before facing the fangirls with a small, forced smile. Donghae merely blinks in slight horror, the mere idea