The final bell rang, echoing through the hallways like a starting gun for chaos.
Hyunwoo slung his bag over his shoulder and glanced at his friends.
Minjae was already sprinting ahead, probably trying to be the first to the vending machine.Hyunwoo (thinking):One day that energy will be the death of him. Today is not that day.
Taemin adjusted his jacket and strolled at an exaggeratedly slow pace, as if the entire school were his audience.Hyunwoo:"Ah yes. The majestic Taemin. Watch as he walks… slowly… dramatically…"
Jisoo rolled his eyes.Jisoo:"You're so mean."
Hyunwoo:"Objective commentary. Not cruelty."
Sora walked beside Hyunwoo, headphones in, notebook tucked under his arm. He barely glanced at anything around him, yet somehow noticed everything.Sora:"You're ridiculous."
Hyunwoo:"Flattery or insult?"
Sora didn't answer. Classic Sora.
Outside the school, the group paused at the park near the gate.
Minjae suddenly crouched dramatically behind a trash can.Minjae:"Attack position! The vending machine is too far!"
Taemin:"You're insane."
Hyunwoo:"Correction: The vending machine is too tempting for the insane."
Jisoo:"Do we really have to indulge his chaos?"
Hyunwoo:"Yes. Chaos sustains life."
Sora just muttered something about calories and walked past, leaving Minjae mid-crouch.
The group eventually made it to the vending machine. Minjae shoved a few coins in and pressed the button with too much force. The snack got stuck halfway.Minjae:"No! Betrayal!"
Taemin calmly pushed it down.Taemin:"Use your head next time."
Minjae:"My head is for thinking, not vending machines!"
Hyunwoo (thinking):This is why evolution gave us thumbs.
A brief moment of peace came as they each grabbed their snacks. Hyunwoo sat on the low wall nearby, quietly observing.Hyunwoo (thinking):Life is chaos.Friends are chaos.Vending machines are chaos.
Minjae, munching loudly, suddenly leaned toward Hyunwoo.Minjae:"Why don't you ever eat with us?"
Hyunwoo:"I prefer my snack in solitude. Less risk of milk spills."
Taemin:"Coward."
Hyunwoo:"Strategic withdrawal."
Jisoo:"Also cowardice."
Hyunwoo:"…Semantics."
Sora raised an eyebrow, smirking ever so slightly.Sora:"You enjoy this way too much."
Hyunwoo (thinking):Maybe. But someone has to document history.
As the sun began to dip, the boys walked home together, laughing, joking, and occasionally arguing over the "correct" way to eat a snack.
Hyunwoo (thinking):Another day survived.Another day observed.Another day… of ridiculous friends.
He smiled faintly, though he'd never admit it out loud.