Behind the Golden Hour
The Gold and the Grey
The third-floor hallway of Shin-Hwa High always smelled like a mix of floor wax and old sheet music. It was the only place in the school where the chaotic shouting of the soccer field couldn't reach.
Beak Ho-rang adjusted her headband, her heart hammering out a rhythm against her ribs faster than any drum solo.
Jae-hui
If you keep stalling, the sun is going to set, and he's going to leave!
Ho-rang
I know! Just check if my hair looks okay!
Jae-hui
You look like a protagonist, now scram!
Ho-rang
It looks like you're interested in him way more than I am!😤
Jae-hui
My mom banned me from watching K-dramas because I binged the latest one and skipped my beauty nap...
Jae-hui
SO I NEED TO WATCH ONE!😜
Ho-rang
Damn, so, are you meaning to say that we might end up together?
Ho-rang
Whatever. Let's go!
They crept toward the door. It was slightly ajar, just enough for a single silver of golden afternoon light to spill into the hallway.
Ho-rang
*Takes a deep breath*
Ho-rang
OMG. My king Seo-ha is sitting by the piano like he's the lead in a K-drama! 😳🦋✨
Jae-hui
This is where his hair dramatically falls over his forehead!
A sudden gust swept through, sending Seo-ha's hair tumbling across his forehead.
As Ho-rang and Jae-hui leaned closer for a better look, they eased the door open with a faint creak.
*Both tumbled into the music room*
Ho-rang froze. Her soul nearly left her body.
Jae-hui was already back on her feet, but Ho-rang wished the floor would swallow her whole before she had to face Seo-ha.
Jae-hui
WE'RE SO SORRY SUNBAE, WE DIDN'T MEAN-
Seo-ha
What are yall doing here?
Jae-hui
We came by to wish you good morning!
Seo-ha
Isn't the school about to get over, which means, it's the afternoon!
Jae-hui
Ok fine, Ho-rang came to see-
Panicking, Ho-rang covered Jae-hui's mouth, yanked her by the blazer, and ran for her life.
Ho-rang
YOU'VE SAID ENOUGH MISS HUMAN SPOILER ALERT!
As they ran down the hallway, a faint smile tugged at Seo-ha's lips.
As the school gates creaked open, a chill swept through the campus.
A man dressed in black stepped out of the car. As he set foot on the pavement, it was as though the golden evening itself darkened at his arrival.
The Shadow in the Last Row
Seo-ha sauntered past her desk, his sleeve brushing her shoulder. He dropped into his seat by the window, looking effortlessly cool as the morning sun hit his face like a professional lighting crew was following him around.
Ho-rang
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Ho-rang screamed like crazy inside her head.
Jae-hui
Damn gurl. That's a good character development from before!😘
Jae-hui
Just saying, so that you won't embarrass yourself in front of-
The teacher came inside, with a grin look in her face.
Jae-hui
I LEGIT DON'T KNOW WHY BUT THIS TEACHER ALWAYS BREAKS OUR CONVERSATION WITH A SLIGHT SMILE LIKE SHE WAS PLANNING IT LAST NIGHT WITHOUT TAKING HER BEAUTY NAP.
Ho-rang
Unless you want to stand out with your arms raised, keep talking bish. I ain't taking the bait.💅
Teacher
Good morning children!
"Good Morning", we all shout in unison.
The door slides open, slowly.
A person in black hoodie enters.
Teacher
This is our new transfer student. Introduce yourself, Do-yun.
He dropped into a last window seat right after the introduction like it was all forced.
Ho-rang was in her own imagination.
Jae-hui
But, EFFORTLESSLY HOT.
Jae-hui
I mean, he's already giving the "Protagonist "vibes without even trying.
Jae-hui
Hello? R U LISTENING?
Jae-Hui shakes Ho-Rang vibrantly.
Ho-rang
Not me, I never put cockroaches in the teacher's lunch!
The whole class stared at her like she was the only one visible in this entire world.
Teacher
Ho-rang......meet me after class.
That tone was terrible, not the strict or angry tone, it was the "DISAPPOINTMENT" tone. It hits hard when someone hits you with the "disappointment" tone!
The teacher opened the door and left.
Ho-Rang gave Jae-hui a side eye that says it all.
Jae-hui
I'll stay quite!✌️
Seo-ha got up, then sat down, got up, and then sat down, he did it often. He made it obvious that he wanted to have a conversation with Do-yun, but hesitated.
Finally, he gathered up the courage and stood up in front of Do-yun's seat!
Seo-ha
Um, so. I wanted to introduce myself as your senior!
Seo-ha
'Bout that…I failed 2 grades, continuously.
Seo-ha
So, I'm Seo-Ha. I'm happy to make you my friend!
He j's gave a nod that screamed "I don't really care".
Seo-Ha lost hope and dropped himself to his seat.
Ho-rang
That jerk is totally heartless. My Seo-Ha pitied him, and he dare to ignore it? WOW
Ho-Rang turned behind as if to ask Seo-ha something.
Ho-rang
Sunbae, can I...uh...borrow a...pencil?
Seo-ha
Lemme go grab it from my bag.
Seo-Ha opened the small front zip and took out a broken, crooked pencil which had some bite marks in the middle.
Seo-Ha's fingers brushed Ho-Rang's as he gave her the pencil.
Ho-Rang turned. Then whispered to herself.
Ho-rang
MOM I'M GETTING MARRIED, HE TOUCHED MY RING FINGER, HE WANTED TO CHECK MY RING SIZE!
Jae-hui turned, and as she saw Ho-Rang hugging her own fingers, she already knew what was goin' on!
Jae-hui
Again? How can only you be married for a million times?
Jae-hui felt déjà vu as she stubbornly turned away.
Ho-Rang was in the middle of picking out her white dress.
Jae-hui, as usual, was wearing a pair of novelty glasses with fake eyeballs attached to the frames as she hid her sleeping face.
And Seo-Ha slept like the whole world never really worried him.
Do-Yun, was looking out the window like he was looking was something that was lost a long time ago.
Then slowly glanced at Ho-Rang.
Do-yun
Is it actually you? Or?
Barely audible to himself.
Do-Yun dropped his phone by mistake which made an Earth Quake to Seo-Ha.
Seo-ha
BHA. WHAT HAPPENED?
He looked around, then to Do-Yun, noticing him picking him his dropped phone.
He then slowly rested his head onto his arm towards Do-Yun's side!
Then his eyes landed on a caterpillar that was crawling on Do-Yun's phonecase.
He felt a negative energy from the caterpillar. So, he signalled Do-Yun to alert him.
Seo-ha
Look at your phonecase!
Do-yun's eyes went towards his phonecase, that's when he noticed the caterpillar, crawling on his back camera.
He lifted his phone and went turned towards the window side!
As his back turned towards the entire class, he showed the disgust on his face and just withered off the caterpillar with a tissue. He then grabbed some more tissues from his pocket and wiped his hands hastily.
Then again, he acted all "Nonchalant" as his face turned towards the crowd looking at him.
Seo-Ha joined his hands together and started applauding.
Then the whole class continued with Seo-Ha.
Ho-rang
Ooo, Sunbae still cares about him even after experiencing his personality.
The teacher scolded the students and asked them to remain silent.
Seo-Ha smiled at Ho-Rang. Just as a normal smile just to avoid any conversations with her. But her beautifully Aesthetic brain interpreted the smile into something else.
Ho-rang
Wha- WHAAAAAT. He smiled at me. He smiled at me.
Ho-Rang's brain short-circuited. ERROR 404: HO-RANG HAS CEASED TO FUNCTION.
Jae-hui
HEY BISH. STOP TURNING. TOO MUCH ROMANCE AIN'T RLLY GOOD FOR A GOOD DRAMA.
Ho-rang
You do know that we're not actually living in a coming-of-age k-drama right?
Jae-hui
We might not know. It can be like "Extraordinary You".
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