A dim light flickered faintly, poorly showing itself for those who looked from the outside of the dark and secluded warehouse. A few men circled around the supposed to be abandoned construction, mostly on guard, attentive to everything surrounding them. Something interesting was going on inside, and it was their job to keep everything else away. ‘No interruptions’, they were told, and so it would be.

The vibe on the inside was fairly different though. The men in there weren’t as quiet.

“As you can see, we’re not joking around here.”

The strong voice rang out, but Yongguk didn’t have strength to look up and face his attacker anymore, and the pounding wound on his forehead, the taste of his own blood in his mouth, were quite distracting. He was having a hard time paying attention.

“One more time.”

The guy insisted on a conversation, even while Yongguk looked more unconscious than anything. But he knew the other was still awake, as his body flinched at the sight of the rusty and bloody pipe he dragged close to the tied up man.

“I don’t want to have to hit you again.”

He jokingly pleaded, chuckling as he used the end of his weapon to lift Yongguk’s face, taking a proud look at the cuts and swelled up spots his iron pipe had caused.

Yongguk’s vision was blurred, and staring at the man in front of him was difficult, because every few seconds he seemed to duplicate, and then join back into one person, just to break apart again. He was pretty sure that the guy gave him a concussion, and probably a broken wrist as well, as it hurt too much while he tried to wiggle out of the tight and resistant rope that kept him in place. He felt hesitant to move his other limbs, in wonder of what other bones he had broken while getting beaten by those men.

“Where is Zelo?”

The guy seriously asked, and Yongguk swore, after being tortured so much, he really wished he knew. He’d tell them if he did. As strong as everyone viewed him as, he couldn’t handle anymore, he couldn’t take that much pain. He was just a university student, he was no gangster.

“I don’t know.”

He muttered once again, closing his eyes and bracing himself for the blow that would definitely draw him out of consciousness.

…

10 days Earlier.

“I’m so sorry Junhong-ssi, I really don’t know what happened. There must have been confusion with our paperwork on this side.”

The secretary talked while he looked over the papers the boy had just handed him, trying his best to calmly solve the problem like a professional, but he hadn’t been working there for a long time, and that was the first time he faced a mistake.

“Let me go check the archives with my supervisor, just wait here for now.”

He got up and faked a smiled, not being able to directly face the tall boy that kindly stared at him from the other side of the table. He just bowed and walked away nervously.

Zelo couldn’t help but let his eyes follow, grinning as he leaned back on the chair, sitting in a very relaxed stance.

Forging papers and sneaking information into the Seoul University’s system was easy, and a bit amusing in itself, but now watching the secretary panic over not knowing something he was supposed to know – but had just no way of knowing – was just plain fun.

Everything was going smoothly, and his plan was flawless. He felt confident and peaceful. It would all be over soon, and he’d be free forever. And all thanks to the clueless Mr. Bang Yongguk.

“I should remember to at least buy him a drink.”

The boy spoke to himself, getting a judgmental side eye from a woman who was working on the next table, to which he gladly replied with a wink, while adjusting his high school uniform’s tie.

…

“Hey, Bang Yongguk~”

The loud and slightly whiny female voice rang deep into his ears, and probably made everyone around look at him, but the man didn’t move at all, the book that rested on his face hiding the slight smile that voice brought to his expression.

“Well, aren’t you a lazy .”

Jun Hyosung – by many known as the prettiest, nicest, and most wanted girl on campus – gladly kicked the side of his body, making him turn around, his book falling on the grass beside him. He looked up to be greeted by a huge gummy smile, her eyes practically disappearing into it.

“It’s not like I’m cutting class or anything. I had a free period so I came here to take a nap.”

He defended himself, sitting up and starting to gather his books into his backpack, and resting it against the tree that was currently casting a nice shadow on his perfect napping spot of the whole campus.

“I know. I just wanted to bother you.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle at her response, especially as it was followed by a high pitched giggle fit. She always looked cute when she laughed exaggeratedly like that.

“Are you free now?”

He asked, raising his eyebrows, his gaze inviting her to sit down and hang out with him, something that would probably annoy every guy that was currently staring at them with jealousy. She was wanted by many, but none ever complained of her closeness to Yongguk, since they were all too scared of him to try to get him away from Hyosung.

“No, I was on my way to economy when I spotted you sleeping.”

She waved he class’ books a couple of times, making him nod understandingly.

“But I’m free tonight, wanna grab some pizza and make fun of Himchan while he works?”

Yongguk laughed, showing her his own gummy smile.

“Great, it’s a plan.”

He answered and she cheered shamelessly, then suddenly getting serious and leaning down to reach his arm, taking a peak at his watch, and gasping.

“I’m going to be late! See you later!”

She screamed and started running off towards the buildings, lazily waving at him without even looking back.

Yongguk smiled as he watched the beautiful woman disappear from his sight, and took a deep breath, letting the silence and tranquility kick in once again. He had some time left, maybe enough for another nap, but weirdly enough, he didn’t feel like lying down. A cool breeze gushed by, and he felt amazingly serene as he watched the campus, busy students going about their own ways. Everything seemed so peaceful, he liked it.

“There you are.”

A deep and husky voice called out, and Yongguk could not help but smile at how recognizable his best friend’s voice was.

“I’ve been searching for you; we’re both being called to the main office, something about that partial scholarship.”

Himchan explained, folding his arms across his chest and staring at Yongguk, waiting for the man to get up and accompany him.

“Did they find a kid to stay with us?”

Yongguk asked, quickly looking around to check if he wasn’t forgetting any of his belongings, and calmly getting up, ignoring how impatient his friend looked.

“Probably, but I think it’s weird, because the other people only got a paper notice, they weren’t called down to the office. I’m thinking maybe we filled the form wrong or something.”

Their university had recently started a new program, where high school students would come to visit, and get to experience collage life for a few weeks, shadowing one of the university’s students. To encourage participation, a partial scholarship, of only a few months expenses, was offered to students who signed up, and since both Yongguk and Himchan could benefit from spending a couple months without having to pay tuition, the roommates filled the form as soon as they got their hands on it.

“Maybe.”

Yongguk answered, not thinking much of it, and lazily following Himchan, who started to move away as soon as he was standing.