Senior Posturing and Fate's First Shift
"You're class of '13, right? Seo Joo-hwan."
The name called out, Seo Joo-hwan clicked his tongue inwardly. Publicly pointing out his absence from the entrance ceremony didn't look good at all. His impression of Baek Jeong-gi from his memories wasn't great to begin with.
'A guy who hasn't even done his military service loved throwing his weight around.'
It was the typical college class-year hazing. Nothing major had happened, but his senior act was over the top, earning him a bad reputation.
He glanced at Jang Deok-hoon and Joo Hana—no, wait, that was a slip; it was just Jang Deok-hoon looking tense. Freshmen on their first day getting singled out by a senior was enough to make anyone nervous.
Baek Jeong-gi continued with a smile. "Haha, I'm not trying to chew you out or anything, so no need to tense up like that."
His clean-cut face and easygoing laugh quickly thawed the stiff atmosphere. Jang Deok-hoon and the others visibly relaxed in relief.
Baek Jeong-gi scanned the first-years in the lecture hall. "As I mentioned in the group chat, I place a lot of importance on department events and respect between seniors and juniors. Skipping the entrance ceremony doesn't look great, but you're new, so I get it. I'm not a hardass."
"Sorry, sunbae."
"We'll make sure to show up from now on."
The two bowed politely. Seo Joo-hwan, meanwhile, stayed silent, showing no reaction. He didn't see skipping the ceremony as something worth apologizing for—unless a professor called him out on it.
Maybe that attitude rubbed him the wrong way. Baek Jeong-gi's eyebrow twitched before he plastered on another smile. "Oh, you cool with me using casual speech? Can't help it—college runs on class years, and I enrolled late, so I'm twenty-three. Older than you guys, no need to feel bad about it. Okay?"
"Yes~."
The first-years nodded. Seo Joo-hwan couldn't hold back a scoff. Lee Seok-chan nudged his arm beside him, as if asking what's up? He shook his head—I'll explain later.
'Same as always.'
Even if he'd checked the first-year roster in advance, Baek Jeong-gi acted clueless about his class year and age. Just like before the regression.
"Quick announcement time. No one's left yet, right?"
The first-years, including Seo Joo-hwan, were still seated.
"First up..."
It was about department dues and MT costs. Seo Joo-hwan half-listened, propping his chin on his hand. Lee Seok-chan whispered from the side.
"Dude, what's with you? That senior was glaring."
"Senior my ass."
"Huh?"
"My class year's higher."
"...What're you talking about?"
As Lee Seok-chan blinked in confusion, something worth noting came up.
"Third is MT group assignments. I'll post them in the chat today or tomorrow—check then. Each group will have one or two second-years mixed in. Oh, and every group must do a talent show, so prep with your members."
A collective groan rippled at "talent show." They'd heard about college talent shows, but performing in front of seniors? Daunting. Sure, it was no big deal once you got into it, but still.
A few eyes sparkled with excitement, but they were the minority. The Publishing Content department wasn't big on outgoing types.
Baek Jeong-gi smirked at the first-years. "Separate from that, there's our department tradition: the cross-dressing contest. Guys, get ready. Actually, the girls'll have to handle the prep."
"Huh? Cross-dressing?"
"Yep, one per group—no exceptions, it's tradition. I did it myself."
Seo Joo-hwan's face twisted. Right, there was this pointless tradition. With so few guys in the department already, why force it? Or maybe because there were so few guys.
He, Lee Seok-chan, Jang Deok-hoon, and the other males looked grim, while the girls' eyes lit up mischievously.
'I can dodge it again this time, right?'
Before the regression, Lee Seok-chan had cross-dressed for their group.
"MT's for both A and B sections, groups mixed regardless. That's all for announcements."
Finishing up, Baek Jeong-gi swept his gaze over the room and added, "Unrelated to announcements, a few words. I said it at orientation and just now: respect between seniors and juniors matters to me. Greet us first when you pass by—it makes bonding easier. You'll see us around anyway, right? And join department events."
With a smile, he wrote his number on the board—eleven digits.
"Saved it? I'm second-year class pres, so we won't cross paths much. Text if you have questions—or if you wanna hang. I know all the Anyang spots; dinner or drinks on me."
"Yes~!"
Most students whipped out their phones to save it. Baek Jeong-gi grinned and left.
Seo Joo-hwan watched with distaste, then tsked. Lee Seok-chan eyed him oddly and jerked his chin toward the back door.
"Smoke?"
"Yeah."
"Yo, Deok-hoon. Come on. Billiards time."
Jang Deok-hoon followed reluctantly, face uneasy.
*
On the first day, you'd expect clusters forming to bond, but most headed home.
'That's this department for you.'
He remembered it as full of introverts—maybe the department's vibe, or the female-heavy ratio. Male-dominated departments apparently partied hard on day one. At least with so few guys here, they naturally stuck together.
Seo Joo-hwan and Lee Seok-chan hit the smoking area, lighting up. Jang Deok-hoon hung back awkwardly.
"You don't smoke?"
"No. Tried once long ago—not for me. Never again."
"Heh. Good call—stay away from this crap."
Lee Seok-chan exhaled dramatically, playing it up. The fake concern was gross enough for a curse.
"Fucking psycho."
"Harsh!"
"Deok-hoon, ignore Seok-chan. Smoking's bad, obviously. Hate the smell? Step back a bit."
"It's fine. But Joo-hwan... hyung, right? You seem like friends with Seok-chan hyung."
Seo Joo-hwan nodded casually. His age would come out soon anyway.
"A year older than Seok-chan."
"Ah, figured. I'll call you hyung-nim then."
"...Just hyung."
"Yes, hyung-nim."
"......"
Not surprising. Jang Deok-hoon had always been polite, even before. Probably strict family.
"Billiards now. Just us guys—gotta stick together."
Lee Seok-chan said cheerfully.
"Where to?"
"Obvious choice."
Anyang's play spots were limited. They headed to 1st Street.
*
They entered Sum Billiards on 1st Street—packed due to a discount event. Except for Lee Seok-chan, it was their first time, so pocket billiards it was. Lee Seok-chan and Jang Deok-hoon teamed up against Seo Joo-hwan solo.
"You're the best, Seok-chan—you should go solo."
"Nah, you don't get it. I'd hog turns and end it quick. Need a newbie for balance."
"Like that?"
"Yeah. And practicing solo speeds you up. Alternate me, you, and Deok-hoon solo per game."
Didn't fully get it, but sounded legit—game on.
Billiards was trickier than expected: eight-ball, sidespin, english—jargon overload. "No masse under 300" meant nothing. But by game's end, he had the basics.
Thanks to Lucky Hand talent? Or natural aptitude? He adapted fast.
"First time for real? You pick it up quick—no shaky shots. Rookies scratch like crazy."
"I keep scratching—hyung-nim's the pro."
"Pro? Billiards ain't about age. Just happens with practice."
He hadn't seen tough shots yet—just straight, no-scratch play.
As the second game wrapped, Lee Seok-chan spoke up.
"Joo-hwan, about intros earlier."
"Yeah?"
"I was number one, but you went first. Said your class year's higher than the second-year pres?"
Seo Joo-hwan scratched his eye and nodded.
"Class of '13."
"...Should I call you sunbae-nim? Or sunbae?"
"Joo-hwan hyung-nim. Sunbae-nim or hyung-nim?"
He waved it off frantically.
"Cut it. Same as before. Class year doesn't matter—we're all first-years basically."
"Gotcha. 'Sunbae-nim' feels weird now anyway."
To Jang Deok-hoon too: "You too—just hyung. Forget class year."
"Understood, hyung-nim."
Understood, but still hyung-nim. No change there.
Lee Seok-chan had more: "But why the vibe with the second-year pres?"
"What vibe?"
"Looked like a stare-down. You know him? Didn't seem friendly."
"Ah, just... bad feeling. Day one, and he's on about class years and hierarchy. Don't know him."
"Hm. Yeah, not a great first impression."
Lee Seok-chan nodded in agreement.
"I don't know. Seemed like a good senior wanting to bond with juniors."
Jang Deok-hoon's take. Based on today alone, most would agree. Baek Jeong-gi started stiff but ended friendly—offering meals, contacts. Seemed uptight but well-meaning.
Seo Joo-hwan didn't contradict. Couldn't explain the future. Sounded like sour grapes now.
'He only cared about class when it suited him.'
Baek Jeong-gi would learn his class year soon. Acted clueless day one, but days later? "Sunbae" from him, then open disdain and ignoring the timid Seo Joo-hwan.
But that was past—er, future. Hadn't happened yet.
Back to billiards, but Lee Seok-chan chuckled. "Dunno. I side with Joo-hwan."
"...Why? Deok-hoon's right, no?"
He shrugged like Seo Joo-hwan had. "Gut? My instincts are spot-on. Good judge of character."
"Pfft."
"Anyway, we'll see. Oh, Joo-hwan—no open fights, yeah? High class year or not, no friends in your year. Hassle."
"When'd I fight?"
"Just in case. Heh."
Lee Seok-chan giggled lightly. Seo Joo-hwan smirked and refocused. A friend agreeing on nothing? Surprisingly fun.
Another game ended. Lee Seok-chan's phone buzzed. He set down his cue. "Hold up—phone."
"Yeah, at billiards. Sum on 1st Street. Bored? Come. Wait."
He glanced at Seo Joo-hwan and Jang Deok-hoon, scowled at the phone. "Two classmates here—cool? If you're gonna be shy... sigh. Nah."
Sighing, he covered the mic. "Joo-hwan, Deok-hoon—sorry, gotta bounce. Friend's a total loner; gotta check on him."
His apologetic face and thuggish vibe hid a soft side.
Seo Joo-hwan peeked at the phone. "Jeong Ha-yeon?"
"Urk. Dude, that 'ssi'? Total ajusshi vibe."
Ajusshi stung—he was self-conscious.
"...Anyway, it is?"
"Yeah, but how'd you know?"
"Voice. Tell Ha-yeon-ssi to come. You invited her. Knows billiards?"
"She can play, yeah. But... I'd love it, but she might not..."
Still wanted to play but worried about her.
Seo Joo-hwan got it and smirked. "Shy about it?"
Lee Seok-chan's eyes widened. "...How'd you know?"
"Saw you two arguing on the way in. Something about behaving properly."
"You heard? Changes things. Yo, Deok-hoon—cool with one more I know?"
"Yes, fine by me."
Lee Seok-chan, thrilled for more billiards, hummed and redialed. "Just come. Map incoming—hurry. Hanging up."
An angry retort leaked, but he ended it. Might get hit later.
"Pocket's clicking? Try four-ball?"
"Sure?"
"I'm still bad at pocket..."
"Four-ball it is."
"Hyung-nim?"
Jang Deok-hoon's ignored. They switched tables.
Phones buzzed simultaneously. Bzzz—bzzz— KakaoTalk!
"What the?"
They checked.
"Oh, groups out?"
"Hope we're together."
Seo Joo-hwan eyed Jang Deok-hoon pityingly. In the set future, he and Lee Seok-chan grouped; Jang solo. Few guys—no trio possible.
"Dammit, I'm separate?"
"Joo-hwan hyung-nim, we're together!"
"Huh?"
He double-checked the list.
"For real?"
For some reason, the future had changed.