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CHAPTER SIX

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"Chanhee-ah," Niel's voice snapped Chunji out of his reverie. He glanced up from the table, eyes coming into contact with Niel's own pair. "What's the matter?" his friend questioned, giving him a troubled look. The unnervingly-pretty guy barely seemed to notice that he had not added the obligatory honorific at the back of his address.

"Nothing," Chunji shrugged, and looked away. Then, from the corner of his eyes, he noticed Changjo and CAP staring at him; uneasy expressions plastered all over. It wasn't usual for them to showcase their emotions. Chunji winced inwardly. Were they that concerned for him?

Well, duh. You've been ignoring anything and everything since that day.

"Nothing," he repeated, more firmly. He looked at Niel, and forced a small smile. "I'm fine. I was just thinking of the mountain of homework that I have."

"Oh," Niel's expression got even stranger. "Well, are you sure? You seem to be thinking of schoolwork a lot, then."

"Completely unlike you," CAP added solemnly. "You usually think of schoolwork 20 hours-a-day, not 24."

That was true, he noted; almost cynically. Amongst the group, he was the one that worked the hardest.

"Yeah," Chunji nodded, not exactly processing his words. "I guess I have." At this junction, Changjo raised a brow.

"Seriously, hyeong," he started slowly. "I'm beginning to wonder if you've contracted depression." CAP suddenly sniggered. Yet, as quick as it had sounded, so too had it become muffled.

"Yeah, right," Chunji snorted, half-amused. "Look, I'm fine," he said for the second time, almost exasperated. "I've just been...stressed, and all. About school, about other things..." he trailed off, thinking.

"Like, Ricky?" Niel put in helpfully. CAP sniffed, and sunk deeper into the couch's leathery material.

Chunji blinked.

He hadn't thought about that.

Well, he had. Especially since the that occurred in the canteen. He didn't wonder so much about him now, though. All for reasons well specified. Chunji frowned, and heaved his shoulders.

"I guess."

"I totally understand you, hyeong," Niel nodded, abruptly lowering his voice. Within a span of one cell splitting into another, he had switched from sensitive-Niel to Gossip-Girl-Niel.

You'd make a great female, Niel.

"Here we go again," he heard Changjo mutter amusedly.

"You do?" Chunji questioned, nearly half-absentmindedly. His mind was drifting from the topic, and to-

Stop.

Don't go there.

"Yeah. He's been acting even stranger than before."

"Oh."

"Mmhm. He's been quieter; almost as though he's daydreaming. Kind of like how you were just now, hyeong."

"Is that a bad thing?" CAP interrupted, appearing genuinely curious. Chunji was almost grateful for his intervention, for some reason unbeknownst to him.

"I don't think so," Niel replied slowly. "But, it's really uncomfortable to have him so silent. It's like, I've lost my fellow mate, you know? Apart from you guys, I don't have anyone else to talk to!" he clicked his tongue. "Then again, you guys are way too boring for my standards..." he broke off, then brightened. "Anyways! I just hope he'll snap back to himself soon. You too, hyeong," he gave him a playful nudge.

Chunji let the edges of his lips curl up, and nodded.

"Thanks."

As his lips formed the words, his thoughts then flew to Ricky.

Yoo Changhyun not saying a word? That was almost absurd. Chunji blinked.

What exactly was Ricky thinking about? What sort of reasons?

Lee Byunghun.

He tensed. Where had that thought come from? It was ridiculous.

No, it's not. That wave...

Don't tell me that they're hanging out, now?

But...why would that be a reason for Ricky's present manner? Did they argue, or something?

Yet, even as that thought hit him...Chunji found that he didn't care much for it. A bit of displeasure, yes, but that was mainly it

Just it.

He had no idea why he felt that way. He just did. Anyhow, he too felt no urge to bother much about the abrupt change in direction of his emotions.

Now, Lee Byunghun came into focus, and Chunji flexed his fingers.

He still felt dislike for him, definitely. But, it was less than before. Even after what he had said...