Back to School Hand in Hand
Mid-August, the start of the new semester. The midday heat still lingered relentlessly, but the mornings and evenings had taken on a refreshing chill. School uniforms began dotting the streets here and there, heralding the arrival of the second term.
On the first day of school, in front of the entrance to Isul's apartment complex.
"Hoo..."
Nam Siu rubbed his dry face tensely and took a deep breath. They'd met almost every day over break, yet his heart was pounding for one simple reason: this was their first walk to school together since they started dating. On top of that, thanks to steady workouts with Juwon and Park Geon during vacation, the summer uniform shirt he'd pulled out after so long fit him perfectly, making him fidget with his clothes nonstop.
"Nam Siu."
A low voice came from behind him. Her short bob swayed lightly in the breeze, paired with a neatly worn school uniform. After seeing her dolled up in casual clothes all break, this plain uniform look felt fresh and innocently alluring in a way that was totally new.
"You're early. Wait long?"
Isul asked as she approached, and Siu grinned lightly in response.
"Nah! I just got here too."
Sweat beading on his forehead betrayed the obvious lie, but Isul didn't call him out on it.
Siu's gaze, fixed on her, slid past the uniform to her pale wrist—and stopped abruptly. Beneath the crisp sleeves, the blue bracelet he'd tied on her just days ago sparkled. He'd thought she'd only wear it with casuals, but seeing her match it with the uniform made his lips twitch upward uncontrollably.
"Haven't seen you in uniform in forever."
"Why? Weird?"
"No. You look... really pretty."
"...!"
The unfiltered compliment hit her like a sudden gust, and Isul forced a prim expression before brushing past him to take the lead.
"What're you saying, first thing in the morning... Hurry up. We'll be late."
Siu let out a goofy grin and caught up to her in two big strides.
"Want me to carry your bag? Not heavy?"
"No need, it's not heavy..."
"Still, it's hot out. Must be tough."
Siu stubbornly snatched the bag from her hand and slung it over his shoulder. He glanced at her now-empty pale hand, sidling up close with obvious intent.
Spotting the blatant stare, Isul let out a small, exasperated scoff and reached out—grabbing his hand firmly.
"...!"
Thrilled by her unexpected initiative, a smile bloomed on Siu's face. He gripped the soft warmth tightly, cherishing it, and started chattering happily away at her.
Isul responded with her usual nonchalance but never let go of their intertwined fingers.
The crisp tail end of summer. Their cheerful chatter filled the morning alley with warmth as they walked side by side.
"Haa... Isn't this too much? Crammed full with class first period on the first day... Can't they give us a break?"
The bell signaling the end of first period rang, and Juwon sprawled over his desk, grumbling. But Siu, seated beside him, seemed oblivious, sneaking glances at his phone hidden under the desk and grinning to himself nonstop.
"Sigh... Won't even glance my way for a friend's lament now that he's got romance. What a tragic fate."
"Huh? Sorry, Juwon. What'd you say?"
Feeling the prickly stare, Siu startled and looked up. Juwon tsked pityingly.
"Forget it, dude. Saw your chat—dripping with honey. Just reply to Baek Isul before your face splits."
"Ah, no. I was just asking if she's heading to the snack shop..."
Siu scratched his head sheepishly, making excuses, when—
Drag—bang!
"Hey!! First period's over—snack shop time!!"
The back door flew open as if it might shatter, Park Geon bursting in with a booming voice. He yanked the slumped Juwon upright, then grabbed Siu by the collar and hauled him to his feet.
"W-wait! I'm coming! I said I'm going!"
Siu stumbled up awkwardly, regretfully shutting off his phone screen and stuffing it in his pocket. As the trio headed out into the bustling hallway,
a group of girls from another class passed by. One bumped Siu's shoulder deliberately on her way.
"Ah."
The small cosmetics pouch in her hand clattered to the floor.
"Sorry. You okay?"
Siu bent quickly to pick it up and hand it back. The girl took it, tilting her head to meet his eyes.
"Thanks. Hey... you're Nam Siu from Class 1, right?"
"How was break? You look totally different from first semester—almost didn't recognize you."
She scanned him up and down, smiling brightly and striking up conversation.
"Uh? Oh... just a bit."
Oblivious Siu scratched his head awkwardly, mumbling.
"Yo, snack shop—break's almost over."
Juwon, watching from a step back, slung an arm over Siu's shoulder, cutting in sharply.
"Sorry~ Snack run's urgent."
Without even glancing her way, he waved vaguely and dragged Siu off ruthlessly.
"Have I changed that much...?"
Siu glanced down at himself in the hall, a smug little smile creeping on. Juwon eyed his antics with pity.
"Dude, hallway this wide and she bumps you on purpose. What's her angle?"
Obviously a ploy to get close to the newly hot Siu—and by extension, his crew with Park Geon. Crystal clear to Juwon. But someone totally off-base beat him to it.
"Ah, got it."
Both turned to Park Geon. He nodded solemnly, utterly convinced.
"She saw you as an easy mark. That's why she picked a fight by bumping you. Obvious."
"Really...?"
Siu deflated, instantly buying the simple logic, while Park Geon beamed triumphantly. Juwon alternated glances between them and sighed deeply.
"Sigh... Why bother explaining to idiots like you."
Moments later, at the snack shop. Isul, Dasom, and Chaerin were there ahead, grabbing stuff before heading back.
"Where's Ji Yoon?"
"Passed out after gaming all night—said she'd nap."
Juwon nodded at the update on absent Ji Yoon and passed the group. Dasom tsked at the boys arriving as break wound down.
"You guys are late. Anything good's probably gone by now."
"Ah, Nam Siu got hassle on the way—held us up. No snacks for us."
Park Geon blamed Siu, who waved his hands in panic.
"No, what hassle—"
"Hassle?"
But first, Isul—strawberry milk in hand—frowned sharply and closed in on Siu.
"Not a girl, so a guy? Which class."
Her mood soured instantly, ready to hunt them down. Park Geon spilled the story.
"Nah, coming from upstairs. This wide hall, some girl goes thwack into Nam dude's shoulder. Total easy mark move."
As Park Geon reenacted it like it happened to him, Isul's face chilled further. Not guy rivalry—a deliberate vixen play. She clocked it instantly, eyes narrowing.
"...A girl? Which class."
"Dunno. First time seeing her."
Park Geon's casual reply deepened the furrow in Isul's brow—she'd been geared to confront, now no target. Her glare snapped to Siu, mood in the gutter.
"...Nam Siu."
"Y-yeah?"
Her icy tone made innocent-victim Siu—who thought it was just random hassle—flinch and shrink.
"From next period on, snack runs with me. No—text if you wanna go. I'll come to your class."
"...!"
Her firm declaration widened Siu’s eyes in emotion. Sounded like his girlfriend stepping up to protect her easy-looking guy in the wide hall. He beamed gratefully.
"For real...? 'Cause you're worried I'll get hassled again?"
"Haa..."
His clueless echo nearly made Isul clutch her neck. How'd I end up with this dummy boyfriend? But the point landed, so she relented easily.
"Yeah. So no wandering solo during breaks."
"Got it! Won't wander at all!"
Siu nodded vigorously, massively misunderstanding. Only Juwon, watching, pinched his brow with an inner sigh.
'Hassle my ass... Baek Isul's in for it.'
No need to spill the truth and stir trouble, so Juwon zipped it and chatted with Dasom and Chaerin.
"Here."
As the guys turned back empty-handed, Isul casually tossed the cold strawberry milk to Siu.
"Huh? Weren't you gonna drink this?"
"You got hassled and ate nothing. I got another in class."
She shoved it at him snippily, then paused, eyeing his grateful dopey grin. The workouts since spring had bulked him up nicely, and that disarmed, ice-cream-melting smile aimed her way... Annoying that other girls eyed him, but him knowing only her? Not half bad.
"Bell's ringing. Hurry before you're late."
Isul hid her upturned lips with her bob and shooed him off. Siu clutched the strawberry milk to his chest with both hands, walking backward with vigorous waves just to keep her in sight.