“Jeonghan-ssi?” Seungcheol knocked on the door the next day. He carried a bag of food in his hands. Hopefully Jeonghan hadn’t left for school yet. 

“Seungcheol? What are you doing here?” Jeonghan opened the door, wearing his uniform.  

“I came to bring you food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all inside. Just heat it up.” Seungcheol handed the bag over to a confused Jeonghan. 

“But...why?” 

“Because I want to.” Seungcheol gave a simple reply. Jeonghan tried to tell him that he didn’t need it, but Seungcheol insisted and Jeonghan was almost late for school, so he had no choice but to accept it. 

“Thanks, but I really have to get going now. I’m gonna be late.” Jeonghan took the bag while slinging his bag over his shoulder. 

“Let me send you to school.” Jeonghan quickly rejected his offer politely. “It’s faster. You can eat on the way. Come on.” Seungcheol dragged him by the arm and brought him to his car. 

Jeonghan chewed his bottom lip. 

“What’s wrong?” Seungcheol glanced over at him briefly. 

“Why are you being so nice to me?” 

“I’m nice in general. What do you mean?” 

“You don’t have to do this just because you feel guilty for not remembering me.” 

“I’m not. I just want to be nice to you. I understand if you’re uncomfortable with it.” Seungcheol gripped the steering wheel firmly, his knuckles turning white. 

“No-it’s not...it’s just.” Jeonghan suddenly felt guilty for questioning Seungcheol’s actions towards him. The man was just being caring, who was he to judge him? 

“I’m sorry.” Seungcheol apologised, his eyes softening. 

“You don’t have to apologise.” Jeonghan shook his head. “Thanks for the food. And the ride.” Jeonghan smiled at Seungcheol and got out of the car. Seungcheol waved at him from inside, causing the younger to wave back shyly. 

————————————————————————

“Hey Jeonghan!” Mingyu grinned as he greeted his desk mate. This boy never seemed to be in a bad mood. “Did you get a car?” 

“What? No, I don’t even have enough money to buy a car, what are you talking about?” 

“But I saw you get out of a car this morning.” 

“Oh, that was my friend’s car. He sent me to school today since it was on the way.” 

“Friend?”

“Don’t look at me like that, I have friends, okay?” Mingyu frowned a little. He was unhappy, but he wouldn’t show it to Jeonghan. Who was this friend of his? Mingyu couldn’t help but feel jealous. 

————————————————————————

“Jeonghan. Are you free after school?” 

“Yes, I am. Why?” 

“You’re smart, right? I need some help with my homework, can you help me? Please?” 

“Sure.” Jeonghan laughed a little at being called smart. He wasn’t actually that smart, all it took was hours of hard work to get his results. 

Mingyu paced around in the classroom, taking deep breaths.

“Mingyu?” Jeonghan called. 

“Hey.” Mingyu smiled sweetly at the older. He brought out a single stalk of rose from behind his back. “I really like you. You know that, right?” Jeonghan looked down at the flower in Mingyu’s hand. 

“I-I’m sorry, Mingyu. I like you as a friend, but...” He looked back up at Mingyu, whose face was crestfallen. “I’m really sorry, but I like someone else.” 

“Oh. T-that’s fine.” Mingyu smiled again and shook his head. Jeonghan opened his mouth to apologise again, but Mingyu cut him off. “Really, you don’t have to apologise. I just wanted to get it out.”