The next morning, you told Nayoung everything, even the part where you cried. 

"Aw, you poor dear," she said sympathetically, rubbing your shoulder. "That's really what he said?" 

You pursed your lips. 

"I wouldn't lie to you about something like this. He's such a pabo. I'm such a pabo," you sighed, focusing on your hands, which were resting casually on your desk. 

"You're no pabo," Nayoung looked at you. "You're Lee Sunjung. The prettiest and snappiest queen I know." 

You laughed. 

"Thank you Nayoung." you smiled to her. 

"No problem. What are friends for?" Nayoung smiled back. 

"To tell you if you're a pabo or not..." you joked. 
Nayoung playfully punched your arm.

"What's with all this 'pabo' business, eh?" she pouted. 

"It's because you're a pabo." 

"Why, you! Lee Sunjung!" Nayoung laughed and gave you a noogie.

"Pabo pabo pabo pabo!" you said in a singsongy voice.

"You're the pabo!" Nayoung argued.

"No you, you're the pabo~" you objected loudly.

"...You're having way too much fun with that word." Nayoung rolled her eyes.

You simply smiled to her.

Suddenly, Ren walked in the room and joined you and Nayoung.
You were indifferent, but Nayoung looked at you awkwardly.

"So what's up?"
"No-nothing." you stuttered, clearing your throat.

"Oi, Ren!" Nayoung said cheerfully, hoping to clear up the tension in the air.

"Hm?" Ren looked at her with disinterest.

"Are we friends?" Nayoung asked.

"Hm? Me and you?"

Nayoung nodded.

"No. You're a pabo." he said, and turned to you, who laughed a little bit.

"Not you too, Ren! I'm not a pabo! You both are!" she pouted.
"So, are we friends...?" You hesitated when asking him.

Ren raised a brow.

"Of course we are? Why would you even ask that?" he replied.

You weren't sure if you should be happy about this or not.

"Oh, no, nothing," you forced a smile.

Ren smiled back.

Nayoung eyed you with curiosity and sympathy.

You pretended not to notice.

"Hey Ren-sshi, do you have a crush on anyone?" Nayoung interjected. 

When Ren wasn't looking, you flashed her a glance. 

"Wh-what? Why so sudden?" he raised a brow. 

"Well, we're friends now right? We should know!" Nayoung grinned. 

"Well, I don't like anyone right now." he replied. 
You silently sighed a breath of relief. 

Thank goodness. 

Wait. 

Why were you sighing in relief?

Weren't you going to get over him?

Wait.

You couldn't?
Yah! Why were you so confusing?

"So, how's Nu'est?" You asked, trying to avert the conversation away from love. 

Ren looked at you. 

"Oh, it's good. I'm gonna go on tour with the group soon." 

"Oh..." you trailed off. 

"How long?" Nayoung asked. 

"Hmm, a month or two. We're trying to wrap it up as fast as we can, so we can get back to school." he replied. 

"Ah, I see."
"Will you miss me?" Ren teased, turning his head to face you. 

"Pabo. Of course I will." you replied honestly. It wasn't because of your affection for him. He was also a really good friend. 

"Ren-sshi," Minhyun poked his head in the classroom. "Yah, we've got a rehearsal, pabo! Hurry up and come out." 

"Yah yah, I hear you!" he called. "Sorry Sunjung, Nayoung. I've got to go." He rolled his eyes, and ran off. 

After he left, you groaned and rested your head on the desk. 

Nayoung pat your back. 

"Don't worry, one day he'll realize that he likes you too." 

"How do you know?" your voice was muffled. 

"I don't. It's just that fate can also be nice to you as well." 

"Hm," you replied. "Maybe." 

"So just keep on working hard. Sunjung hwaiting!" Nayoung cheered. 

"Ne ne, kamsahamnida~" you replied. 

Nayoung was right. 

All you had to do was pick up your feet and make Ren fall for you. 

You are just one step closer. 

You're his friend, you know him closely, and you can do this. 

Yeah, it might not work. 

But you knew that you couldn't just sulk forever. 

You had to try. 

If you didn't, then it means nothing. 

You've got to make Renjung real. 

You had to. 

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