Uncertain about how to respond to such a confusing situation or what to say, Sihyun was caught in a dilemma. As he pondered over his choice of words, he focused on the continuation of the conversation, ignoring Ban Haru's inquiry about his curiosity.
Haru hinted at wanting to speak first, allowing Sihyun to hear a brief account of Haru's story without feeling burdened. However, the story he heard was far from something to be taken lightly.
He was orphaned at a young age and sent to an orphanage by a unilateral decision of the orphanage director, later dispatched to a research institute. It was there that he underwent training and awakened as a 'gaksungja' before entering the strongest high school a year ago. However, despite being judged as not a dual-class during the test, the director of the institute where Haru had been forcibly involved in a project to create a dual-class, for a whole year.
The ultimate result was an unstable dual-class that made it impossible to seal his rank—a revelation that made Sihyun clench his fists in frustration. He had thought the madness was confined to the school, but it seemed the world itself was spinning out of control.
"You entered the institute when you were how old?"
"...Around six years old, I think."
"What kind of training did you receive there?"
..."
Haru chose silence for the second question. Sihyun, chewing on his lip, reached out and ruffled Haru's hair. Startled, Haru blinked as Sihyun, feeling upset, continued to tousle his hair.
What kind of training did he receive?
It must have been a dreadful one.
Recollections of Haru effortlessly killing Wormmen without any remorse, his adept combat skills overwhelming even without resorting to proficient martial arts or skills.
If even after witnessing that, one couldn't fathom what kind of education Haru had undergone, it was akin to having an empty mind.
"They're like trash."
"Huh?"
"Not talking about you, talking to myself. Thanks for telling me."
Seeing Haru, who had been subjected to who knows what for twelve years since he was merely six, Sihyun sighed inwardly as he swallowed the fact that Haru ended up enrolling in school like he was running away. It was a relief, even if it was now.
The dormitory system at the strongest high school, which he had always found dissatisfying, now seemed like a stroke of luck for the first time. If not for that, Haru might have still been living among the lunatics.
Sihyun finally restrained his thoughts about Haru's actions. Hence, he retracted his question, having realized this was something to ask individuals like Yoo Seowoo or Kang Haewoon later.
"...Yeah, I was..."
As Sihyun absentmindedly continued to pet Haru's head, Haru suddenly uttered softly. Sensing his cautious tone, Sihyun tilted his head inquisitively, prompting Haru, who had been gingerly scratching his cheek, to slowly open his mouth.
"Should I... cut your hair?"
"Huh?"
"Just a little, if that's okay..."
Sihyun had proposed it earlier. He glanced at Haru, who had been wearing his hair like a curtain over his face. Sihyun reached out towards Haru.
"Excuse me for a moment."
This time, seeking consent, Sihyun moved Haru's hair aside, revealing Haru's bare face. Sihyun, now seeing Haru's face properly for the first time instead of being absorbed in the mark, took in the features. The face with reddish eyes, scrutinizing Haru's face. His eyebrows flickered downwards, making Sihyun's expression somewhat solemn.
Even though the facial features were somewhat distant from those of a puppy due to the elongated, reddish eyes and the way they were slightly slanted, the thought of them turning round when surprised made the face somewhat akin to a puppy.
Despite the lack of double eyelids, the slanted eyes themselves were attractive, and the skin, a shade brighter than a salmon pink, was relatively clean. Sihyun thought it was a shame to keep such a face concealed. If he were an entertainment agency CEO, he would immediately hand out his business card.
Walking around with this face was a national loss.
It was similar to Baek Geonu wearing a mask and hat 24/7.
After making his assessment, Sihyun locked eyes with Haru.
"Just a little cut should be fine... this much."
Using his thumb, he indicated the area above Haru's eyebrows. As he said that, Haru's face flushed. Having always covered his forehead with the front of his hair, it seemed he was embarrassed to show his face to others. Sensing this, Sihyun withdrew a step and lowered his hand, and Haru nodded, using his large palm to cover his mouth, implying his agreement.
It meant he agreed to the cut.
Even though they had reconciled through various misunderstandings and learned a bit about each other's past, the decision to cut his hair felt like quite a lot in a short span of time.
As the bell ringing through the training room, they rose from their seats. The eighth period had ended, and it was time for dinner.
***
"What's this? The two of them came together?"
"I guess they made up! Amazing. Freedom at last, Mina!"
"Don't stick around too much, back off. So, did you solve it?"
"I guess it didn't get boring."
As soon as they entered the cafeteria with Haru, their presence caused a stir as people offered either congratulations or words that seemed like comfort. Seeing the chaos among the classmates in Class A, who were more flustered than relieved due to misunderstandings, Sihyun suddenly felt his attempt at comforting Haru had somewhat fallen short.
"...?"
Raising his head to the shadow of his comforting gesture, Sihyun halted the thought process that had been running continuously upon meeting a glance from Geonu.
"It worked out well."
That was the end of the statement. It seemed like his mouth twitched briefly.
When he looked at him again, the smile I had seen had disappeared as if it were an illusion, and Sihyun, with wide-open eyes, stuttered out a response.
I need to stop getting lost every time I look at him, but I still couldn't get used to it every time I looked.
"So, why did you guys fight?"
"Don't know."
"Is that for real?"
Firmly stating that he knew nothing, Hamin's expression crumpled in response. Seeing him like that, Haewoon nudged Sihyun, prompting him to confront Hamin. It had become a routine.
Turning his gaze away while eating, Sihyun suddenly spoke up.
"Anyone good at cutting hair?"
"I'm good at it."
"You?"
As Hamin answered bluntly, Sihyun looked at him with surprise. Hamin, holding a sword at his waist, smirked and raised an eyebrow.
"Why, you want me to cut yours too?"
"...."
Aside from the hair, what a crazy guy.
Despite knowing it was a joke, it lacked amusement and seemed pathetic. As Sihyun looked at him with pity, feeling sorry for someone who might fall for someone like Kang Haewoon, Hamin, noticing that, grimaced in embarrassment. Sihyun averted his gaze from the now-common scuffle.
"So, does anyone know how to style hair a bit?"
"Why all of a sudden?"
"Haru hyung wants a haircut."
"What?"
Everyone was shocked. Besides eating well, it seemed like they were surprised as if something significant had been announced in Class A. Haru felt embarrassed amidst the more passionate reactions and meekly lowered his head as if to disappear under the table.
"Why are you all so surprised?"
"You said you never thought about cutting it before!"
"People think about so many things in a day, you'd stumble over them."
Defending Haewoon's feeling of injustice, Sihyun countered. After repeatedly affirming the truth, Sihyun finally, quietly, raised his hand.
"I'm not good, but my sister works in a salon. If it's okay, I could try."
"Oh, me too! I can cut hair too!"
Although Haewoon claimed he could also cut, Sihyun didn't respond and just looked at Haru.
"Hyung, what about Jihye cutting it?"
"It's fine."
"That's a relief. Can I ask a favor?"
"Why are you ignoring me?"
Haewoon persistently ignored as Jihye offered to help. Alternating between Jihye and Haewoon, Sihyun watched, while the amused Jihye spoke up.
"Of course, I'll do my best. By the way, you guys are really close."
"...?"
As Sihyun expressed confusion at the straightforward statement, Haewoon, feeling light-hearted at the comment, exaggeratedly agreed. Even though he didn't care, it seemed to others as if he did.
"We're not that close."
As Na Jik contradicted, Haewoon further denied. Exhaling a sigh, Jihye chuckled once again. Seeing that denial might not work, Sihyun finished eating and got up.
The location for Haru's haircut was settled in his training room, and the eight of Class A headed there.
"Let's start."
"...."
Jihye, holding scissors and a comb, stood confidently in front of the mirror, speaking, and Haru, who had been looking at himself in the mirror, nodded.
Snip, snip.
The sound of cutting echoed, and black strands of hair fell to the ground. The hair that seemed to touch his shoulders was neatly trimmed. Though it wasn't shaved cleanly without a barber's help, it was a length that could be pushed slightly behind the ears. Sihyun reached out to do so but held back.
"I wish there were clippers," regretted Jihye as she touched Haru's bangs. The kids, who had been watching like an audience at an idol's performance, leaned forward as Jihye's hand moved towards the forehead.
The cutting sound echoed a few more times, and when revealed, Haru's features drew a short, impressed sound from Jihye. Feeling proud for no reason, Sihyun internally anticipated it would look even better, and Jihye, following Haru's request, used a tissue to clean around his eyes.
"You can open your eyes now!"
There was a peculiar anticipation in her voice. Haru slowly opened his eyes and looked at himself in the mirror. Upturned eyes and red pupils were revealed.
"Ah...."
Haru sighed briefly, and instantly, Haewoon dashed towards him.
"The cut looks much better, Haru hyung! Why did you hide it all this time? It looks so much better without those weird glasses too!"
"My glasses... got broken, so, even without them, I can see... well...."
Though feeling peculiar, Haru slowly responded, feeling embarrassed by Haewoon's astonishment. Sihyun, looking at the clearly visible expressions even when Haru lowered his head, gave a faint smile. Despite Haewoon's unusual behavior, the review itself couldn't be anything other than sincere.
"It suits you, hyung."
Approaching to say so, Haewoon's face turned red.
It seemed he still wasn't immune to compliments.
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