The man standing at the front of the class room he was massive tall. His forearms were covered in old scars, some looked like bite marks, others long, jagged cuts, like a walking reminder of every fight he'd survived.
Jinhwan leaned a little closer to Seyoung and whispered near her ear,
"We're gonna talk about that gate raid later... don't think I didn't know about it. Seventh time this month you enter 7 gates for hunting i know that."
Seyoung didn't respond. She kept her eyes forward, fixed on the board a black screen humming quietly as the teacher began the lesson. Jinhwan leaned back, watching her for a second before focusing on the class.
Minutes ticked by. One subject rolled into the next. The sunlight pouring through the windows shifted slightly, and the once quiet rustling of notes turned into soft yawns and tapping feet. Finally, the bell rang for lunch break.
Seyoung stood up the moment the bell stopped echoing. She moved with practiced silence, trying to slip away from her seat like a shadow. Step by step, she crept forward, not looking back.
But she didn't make it three steps.
Just as her foot crossed, a pair of arms snaked around her waist and pulled her back smoothly. A small yelp escaped her as she landed right in Jinhwan's lap.
"You really thought you could sneak away?" he whispered with a crooked smile, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Sweetheart, we're not done talking."
"You were sleeping.." she muttered, cheeks a little red, trying not to smile.
"I was but not anymore.." His voice was playful now, teasing as his arms wrapped around her gently.
"Now, go on why'd you enter the gate again?."
He gave her nose a soft pinch, just enough to fluster her.
"It's an easy way to make money." she said, brushing his hand away, though her voice stayed calm.
"And stop being clingy like a kid. I'm not gonna go easy on you until you apologize to my dad."
She turned slightly, brushing his hair back from his face, meeting his sharp blue eyes.
"You're not allowed to enter. Which part of that keeps flying out of your head?" Jinhwan sighed, still holding her. "And don't give me that 'money' excuse again. Your dad's doing just fine."
Before she could reply, he stood up suddenly still holding her.
"Jinhwan!" she whispered, kicking her legs gently in protest. "Put me down, people are watching!"
"Let them watch," he said with a smirk as he walked out of the classroom with her in his arms.
A few minutes later, they were up on the rooftop. The sky stretched wide above them, the breeze carrying the soft scent of spring. Jinhwan lay down beside her under the shadow of a tall wall, away from view. His head is resting on her lap.
"Why don't you understand, Seyoung. No means no. If you enter a gate again, I'll lock you up in my room. Got it?"
Jinhwan's head rested on her lap, but his tone was serious.
Seyoung looked down at him, unfazed.
"Why are you so worried? I know you've got hunters tailing me every time I enter a gate. So what's the problem?"
At that, Jinhwan turned his head to the side, avoiding her gaze.
"Hunters after you? Huh. What are you talking about?" he asked, playing dumb like a pro.
Seyoung narrowed her eyes but let it slide. "Whatever.. So, why didn't you come to school the past two days?" She grabbed her water bottle, unscrewed the cap, and took a sip.
"I was hunting in a gate yesterday."
Cough!
She choked in surprise and accidentally spat the water all over his face.
"Wait
COUGH!
hold on, let me clean it!" she said quickly, pulling out a napkin and leaning over him.
Jinhwan just laid there with water dripping off his face, eyes closed like he'd just accepted his fate.
"You could've warned me," she muttered while gently wiping his face.
"I didn't know you were gonna spit on me."
"I just caught off guard." She giggled, dabbing the napkin across his cheeks, then ran her fingers through his hair to dry it a bit more.
"Now spill it. Why were you in a gate?"
"Right. I forgot to mention.. I awakened the day before yesterday."
She paused mid motion. "You what?"
"Yup."
"Did you check your rank? What is it?" She finished drying his hair and looked at him closely.
"A minus."
"Huh? A minus?" Seyoung blinked. "Is that even a real rank?" Then she gave a small laugh.
"Well, I guess it's good. Means you won't do anything reckless since it's like, the lowest of the low."
"Yeah yeah, rub it in. My girlfriend's really not hiding her disappointment." he muttered.
She smiled wider.
"My boyfriend doesn't need to be strong. I'm strong enough for both of us. Just imagine you're in danger, and I show up like a hero, saving the day."
"Sure sure, keep dreaming."
He reached up and gently pinched her nose between two fingers, gave it a soft little shake, then let go.
A light breeze moved across the rooftop, making Seyoung's black hair brush softly against her cheeks. Her golden eyes were quietly focused on Jinhwan's face as he rested. Her fingers moved gently through his purple hair, slow and calm. A soft smile stayed on her lips.
"Let's go." she said gently.
"Lunch break is over. We have practice class."
Jinhwan slowly opened his eyes, blinking a few times before lifting his head from her lap. He sat up without a word.
As Seyoung stood, brushing off her skirt, Jinhwan reached out and pulled her close by the waist. She stopped, surprised, but didn't pull away. He leaned in, his face close.. close enough to kiss.
But just before their lips touched, Seyoung placed her finger on his lips.
"Not so fast," she said with a small grin. "Apologize to my father first. Then you get it."
Jinhwan sighed.
"Aahh, fine, fine," he said, sounding slightly annoyed but clearly amused.
He let go of her, and their hands naturally found each other's. Fingers interlocked, they walked toward the exit. The breeze followed behind them as they headed down to the third floor, back to class.
As they entered the classroom, they found it completely empty. Everyone had already left.
"Looks like the practice class is about to start," Jinhwan said, glancing around. "Let's go change."
[Episode 13 End]