L. Joe was distractedly playing with his phone, when Chunji set his books down on the desk beside the younger boy, unintentionally surprising the other boy. Noting L. Joe's startled jump, which caused him to drop his phone on the floor, with a displeased frown, he cringed. “Sorry, didn't mean to startle you.” Chunji commented, apologetically.

“Why are you sitting with me, now? Don't you normally go sit with CAP and move later on in the class, when the teacher tells us to partner up?” L. Joe quizzed as he bent down to retrieve his phone, only to crush a few of his fingers between his knee and the underside of the table. He winced, but ignored the pain, pressing a few buttons on his phone before returning the device to his pocket.

“Well, that's what I did last week, but I figured, why bother? Moving is such a hassle, particularly when I can just come and sit with you from the moment class starts. Why? Don't you like my company?” Chunji questioned, but he was clearly in too much of a good mood, to be serious about his question.

“Why are you so happy?” L. Joe questioned, suspecting that the other boy might be waiting for him to question him on it, before he'd tell him his good news. L. Joe was a little surprised to note how relaxed he felt about this whole thing. Third time sitting together, and yet he felt like they were already well on their way to being friends.

It felt like both of them had already decided that they'd be friends, without knowing anything about one another, and that they were just talking to one another in order to cement the details of the other person's life into their minds. The feeling was so unusual, that Byunghun worried that he was oversimplifying the situation, and yet that was the only way he could find to describe how he felt.

All he was able to discern was a slight tremor of excitement at the thought that he might get to know more about the other boy. Though there was a tiny voice that pointed out, in the back of his mind, that if he got close to Chunji, then the other boy might introduce him to CAP. But he tuned the voice out, worried that it would only make him nervous again, and thus cause him to make a fool of himself again.

He'd had enough of embarrassing himself in front of Chunji. Or anyone else for that matter.

“I delivered! I told you I would. I've got you a nickname! Isn't it great? I've already told all the guys, so it's going to be your new name, whether you like it or not, I'm afraid. I've been trying it out all week, trying to see if it'd suit you. I think it's going to fit you really well, for some reason.” Chunji explained, nothing with clear glee, the look of surprise covering Byunghun's features.

“Oh? What is it?” L. Joe questioned, wondering whether he should be happy or nervous to hear that Chunji had already started talking about him to his friends, using the name. He had no idea what it was or if he would like it. What if he hated it, and yet they were all calling him it? What if it was something really embarrassing, and then CAP associated it with him for the rest of his life? He couldn't even imagine how embarrassed he'd feel for his idol to go around thinking that was his name.

Still, it was kind of exciting to know that Chunji was talking about him to his friends already. Hadn't Chunji been the one to say the other week that his friends were far too intense for him to be able to handle? Did that mean that he'd managed to impress the other boy enough that he was planning on introducing him to his friends, already? Was he really ready to meet his idols?

“From this day forth, your name will be L. Joe. Isn't it awesome, Byunghun?” Chunji asked the other boy excitedly, gazing at him, not wanting to miss a trace of the other boy's immediate reaction to his new name. Byunghun blinked, rolling the name around on his tongue a few times, trying to get a grip on it.

It could have been much worse. He already quite liked it. Though maybe that was at least partly influenced by the knowledge that his idols had chosen the name for him, as a term of endearment. Because that's what it was, really, wasn't it? If you needed a nickname to be able to hang out with them, and there was nothing insulting about the name they've given you, then it must be a nickname they gave you because they liked you. Hence, it must therefore be a term of endearment.

He smiled, considering it, nodding his agreement with Chunji. It was a pretty awesome nickname, he decided. It made him sound cool and tough. It almost made him feel like he was a gangster or at the very least a bad boy, who played by his own rules. One that chose not to be around other people, rather than accepting his nerdy, isolated existence with quiet acceptance. It might have been his imagination, but he almost felt as though he could feel himself grow taller; rising in his seat to do his new name justice.

It was like he'd just been initiated into the life of a cool kid, like his idols, through his name change. It was an odd feeling, and probably evidence that he was just reading too much into something simple, but it made him feel a bit happier nonetheless.

“Anyway, enough about that. I only have a few minutes before that woman will be handing out work again. Tell me more about you, again. I want to know more.” Chunji demanded, excitedly, as he scrambled to get a notebook out of his bag, before tossing a half-hearted glare at their teacher's back, as she began writing some notes up on the whiteboard.

L. Joe paused for a moment, eyeing Chunji again, as though he'd intended on speaking until he stopped to really consider what the other boy had said. “Darn it. Right, shy boy.” he chided himself, smacking himself lightly in his forehead, trying to force the reprimand into his mind, so that he wouldn't forget to be more direct the next time he spoke. “You threw me off, because you seemed so.... I mean, until now you've been speaking with me a bit more.... calmly that usual.” Chunji exclaimed, throwing a delighted grin in the other boy's direction.

“I'm growing on you, aren't I? That's what's going on here. You like me now, so you can't help but talk to me, like this.” Chunji continued, gesturing between them wildly with his left hand, as he flipped to a blank page in his notebook, noting their teacher's reproachful look towards his still unopened book. The other boy frowned, but other than that paid the woman no real attention for the moment.

“I guess so.” L. Joe agreed, with a nod. Chunji looked as though he were about to continue their conversation, as he'd originally intended, probably having lined up the first question he wanted to pose to the other boy, only for their teacher to settle the class, instructing them to begin the class, forcing him to close his mouth again with a slight pout.

L. Joe couldn't help but notice how cute the gesture was on the other boy, even if he was his friend. No wonder they always commented about how Chunji was the beautiful idol. He couldn't help but wonder with a barely suppressed laugh what the boy beside him would say, if he were to tell him about his reputation amongst the other students.

L. Joe fully expected that the teacher's words would stop Chunji from speaking to him again until discussion time, like the time before. He couldn't help a hesitant glance towards the table across the room on his right. He didn't tend to look in CAP's direction anywhere near as often as he did before, now that he was friends with Chunji. Having someone to talk to provided enough of a distraction that he didn't see as much of a need to look at the other boy to try and imagine what it would be like to be one of them. When Chunji paid attention to him, it was like he already became one of them.

But he felt so awkward about the fact that Chunji decided to sit with him right off the bat today. He might've spoken in that offhand tone of his, telling him that Chunji hadn't thought much of what he was saying, but L. Joe had heard exactly what he was saying. He'd come right out and said that he ditched his friend in favour of sitting with some weird, quiet boy that he didn't really know. He found the thought both flattering and terrifying.

After all, he and CAP must've been really close, he reasoned, given the fact that he always saw the two of them taking classes together, and sitting and chatting with one another. Not to mention all the time they spent together outside of classes. When someone is that close to someone else, and the other person takes an interest in someone new, it's quite common for their old friend to get jealous.

He didn't want CAP to feel jealous that Chunji was paying him attention. The last thing he wanted was to have a bad reputation with CAP. Stealing his best friend from him would certainly have to count as bad. He couldn't even say it was just because of his admiration for the other boy. CAP was built. If he wanted to, he could absolutely crush someone as petite as L. Joe. He could probably crush him with just a glare.

The fear both of making CAP hate him and potential physical harm, kept his gaze drifting over in CAP's direction. He couldn't decide if he should feel relieved or not that CAP wasn't looking in their direction. He seemed to have his back to them, because of where he sat on that particular table, but that also meant that L. Joe didn't get the chance to be able to look at his face to try and work out what he thought about this arrangement.

He was fairly confident that he was being discreet about the looks, between bouts of writing, but that idea was ruined by the gentle but insistent nudge against his forearm. He looked down only to see the corner of a piece of paper he quickly noted came from Chunji's book. He looked at the boy beside him, but Chunji's attention seemed to be solely focused on his note taking, probably in an effort to stop himself from getting in trouble off the teacher again.

The hurried scribble of the other boy's handwriting made him smile, even as he puzzled over a few of the words, trying to figure out what the other boy had meant based on the context of the rest of the sentence. Realising that he'd been caught looking at the other boy, he flushed guiltily, biting his lower lip thoughtfully, as he decided what he he should write in response to the other boy's question.

Why do you keep looking over at CAP?

Are you sure he's not going to be mad that you decided to sit with me, instead of him?

He asked, attempting to draw the paper closer to himself multiple times, despite the firm hold Chunji kept on the paper with his forearm, while he finished up his sentence. His eyes traced over L. Joe's own, neat handwriting eagerly, a smile quirked at the edges of his lips, as though he kind of wanted to laugh at him, but thought that it was inappropriate.

It kind of made L. Joe want to pout in return, but he doubted the gesture would be half as cute as it had been when Chunji had done it before. Instead, he had to settle for averting his gaze, quickly to complete the notes he was writing, realising his musings had made him get more than a little bit behind the teacher.

He couldn't really afford to do that, under normal circumstances but it appeared as though the woman was intent on finishing up her notes from the lecture the previous day. L. Joe frowned slightly at the thought. He usually typed his lecture notes, but thinking that they would be having a normal tutorial, he'd begun writing these ones out by hand. He'd have to type them out for himself later.

But it also meant they wouldn't be able to talk to one another like Chunji had planned. He wondered if Chunji had realised that fact too? Did the other boy feel as disappointed as L. Joe did at the thought?

You worry about it too much! Why would CAP care?

L. Joe eyed those words, gaping in shock. He knew he made a big deal about little things sometimes, but he was pretty certain this wasn't one of them. He wasn't the only person that got jealous if someone he was close friends with started ditching him in favour of hanging out with them, he was certain about that.

Because the two of you are friends and you completely ditched him to be able to come and sit next to me, a boy you don't even know that well. I would've thought hat was obvious.

If Chunji took any offence to what he said, he didn't show it. Eyeing the piece of paper for a moment, as though he were trying to choose his words carefully.

Clearly you don't know CAP very well. But you're right, I don't know you very well. That's why I told you to tell me about yourself! You keep getting away without telling me anything: how can I possibly feel anything but curious, then?

L. Joe blushed slightly a the thought that Chunji might be curious about getting to know about him. He wasn't exactly sure why he'd be embarrassed to read that, knowing that Chunji hadn't meant anything by the comment. He supposed that it was just because he wasn't used to the idea of someone as cool as Chunji wanting to pay attention to him.

Well, that's fair enough. We've never been formally introduced, so I suppose I don't know him very well. Yes, and we went over this, you can't just write some big open statement like that, if you want me to tell you anything; you need to ask directly.

Chunji rolled his eyes, as though he were scoffing at what L. Joe had written, but he scribbled a hasty reply nonetheless, quickly covering the piece of paper, when he suspected the teacher was about to look back at the class, as she continued her notes.

I'll have to do something about that, then won't I? I know that, but class started before I had a chance. Why do you think I started this conversation in the first place? I mean it, I'm going to find out something new about you today, if it's the last thing I do!

L. Joe tried to give off the impression that he was unfazed by Chunji's words, even as his heart thudded in his chest more painfully than ever. He felt like Chunji was pursuing him; chasing him, what with the way he tried to find out about him. It felt kind of nice to know that someone was so interested in him; for the first time in his life L. Joe was starting to see what the appeal could be to playing hard to get.

Eh? No Chunji, please don't! I wouldn't know what to say to him, it'd be so awkward! Besides, he probably hates me now that you abandoned him thanks to me! Well then you should probably try asking me something, before the lesson's over, don't you think?

Chunji looked at him, something so intense about the way he was looking at him, while he smiled that L. Joe couldn't bring himself to look at Chunji. He had a feeling that if he caught sight of that look, full force, he'd be paralysed. He tried to avoid looking in Chunji's direction so much, that it took a few flicks of the paper into his arm, and a light tap on his thigh to draw his attention back.

Awww, that's so cute! Trust me, CAP doesn't care what I do, or if he gets abandoned or not. He doesn't pay attention to stuff like that. I mean come on, you do realise that he's asleep in that chair over there, right? I know, I know, but it's so hard to organise my thoughts and keep up with the notes at the same time! Let's see... oh I know, pretty generic question but still... kind of important... What subjects do you take?

L. Joe observed the thick paragraph, noting with some amount of envy the fact that Chunji was only a few sentences behind the lecturer, despite having abandoned her notes to write so much to him on the piece of paper. They would have to flip it over soon, or else they'd run out of space.

...Really? Well... I take this unit, of course, plus the other mandatory units for my degree. It's pretty structured. What do you study?

L. Joe couldn't help the small burst of hope that Chunji wouldn't look upon his question as intruding. He really just wanted to get to know the other boy in return. If Chunji insisted on learning everything about him but didn't let him learn about Chunji in return, he'd feel like he was being dissected for an anatomy practical. But his heartbeat quickened when he noticed the slight frown marring Chunji's features when he read what L. Joe had written.

You avoided my question.... Meanie. Don't think I didn't notice. I just wanted to know if I should be seeing you around the place, and have been rude and ignored you by accident. I'm a 2^nd year in combined music and business. My music major is for vocals, and my business major is in management. See, it's not hard. Fine where do you live? What is your commute like? How many days a week do you attend? How early are your starts? How late do you stay? Do you have classes back to back or do you have large breaks between classes?

L. Joe took one look at Chunji's massive paragraph, frowning when he realised that he only had a line in which he could answer the other boy. He'd have to write very small, and give Chunji one word answers instead of the full sentences they'd been exchanging up until now. The thought made him kind of sad, but at least, he realised with surprise, the class would be over in 5 minutes time.

Really? Why do you study such an odd combination of subjects? I live about an hour away from university, by train, very boring. 4 days. Earliest at 9 am, but after 12 every other day. Classes end somewhere between 2-5. Breaks. Oh and I'm a music major too.

Chunji's head shot up, excitedly, telling L. Joe that he'd read everything he'd written and was about to burst into a new array of questions, but the bell rang, before he could speak. He pouted slightly, looking as though he wanted to drag L. Joe away, in order to force him to keep talking with him, but L. Joe had to leave.

Besides, CAP came over to them, yanking on the back of Chunji's hood, harshly. Chunji glared over his shoulder, waving the other boy off, distractedly. “We've got to meet up sometime, L. Joe, or I'm never going to get answers out of you!” Chunji exclaimed, as he packed his things away quickly, giving L. Joe a light nudge as he got up, as a way of saying goodbye.

L. Joe was excited by what Chunji had said, his mind alight with all the new information he'd received from Chunji, trying to process it all, and commit it to memory. He never even considered the idea that perhaps Chunji had just meant it as a general suggestion, rather than an actual invitation.

It was only when he went to stand that he realised the bit of paper, their conversation had been written on, had disappeared.