When Sihyun, who had spent the whole day lying in bed, finally shook off the remnants of his cold, it was time for the first-year students' camping trip to end and for them to wrap up their rest. Thanks to the kids who had nursed him like knights by his side, Sihyun had been able to live comfortably without any discomfort. On the morning of the first day back to school after the camping trip, he quietly gazed at the boys from Class A waiting for him at the stairs.
Despite having fully recovered from his cold, they didn't mention 'that day'. It was frustrating, but they seemed to have no intention of asking until later, postponing the time to inquire, judging by their attitude so far. It was considerate of them.
As Sihyun realized that the guilt was growing inside him with each act of kindness and affection they showed him, reminding him of past nightmares, he clenched his fists.
Even if he pretended otherwise, he felt like he was silently stressed, and he needed to vent the negative emotions that had taken root within him to at least one person. If there were no one around, he would have endured it alone, but with so many people around him, there was a risk of making a mistake if he held back until he could bear it no longer.
So, even if it wasn't the right time, he knew he had to speak up when the opportunity arose someday.
They weren't people who had a close relationship with the original Kang Sihyun like Daun, and their relationship with him was a tower he had built himself.
He could trust them.
At least as much as the five boys in front of him. No, he felt like he could trust them as much as the people in Class A. With a sense of urgency, Sihyun moved his steps at Hamin's urging to hurry up. Although the one he needed to be wary of was him, who had watched over him during his illness, he was now wearing a calm expression again.
"Are you feeling better?"
"I'm fine."
"Hamin was the saddest when Sihyun was sick!"
"Maybe that's because you're the one who usually bothers Hamin. When you're not feeling well and can't bother him like usual, he feels miserable."
At Seowoo's explanation, Sihyun harbored resentment towards Hamin. The previous evening, he had looked particularly irritated, probably because of Haeun's pestering. Haeun, with a pouty expression, complained that since Sihyun couldn't reciprocate because he was sick, Hamin was acting even more annoyingly. When Seowoo confirmed his refusal with a gentle smile, Sihyun looked at Hamin, who had unexpectedly put his hand on his head, with a puzzled expression.
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"Nothing really happened."
"Are you sure?"
"From the beginning, I was worried about you being sick...."
With a vague expression, he answered and withdrew his hand. Haeun, who had been walking beside him, said that Hamin had been extremely worried about him when he was sick and told him not to get sick again. Only then did Sihyun chew over what Hamin had said.
He said he took care of me without a break by my side.
Come to think of it, the person who comforted me when I had a nightmare was also Haeun.
In light of these newly recollected facts, Sihyun looked at Hamin. The boy, who usually seemed vulnerable, now seemed to fit his size for the first time. The eyes that met his were no longer as naive as before. The crimson gaze made him reflect on his memories.
When he recalled it, recently, he seemed to have received more help from Hamin. With a small sigh, Sihyun looked at the boy who had been grabbed by him when he entered school and quietly opened his mouth.
"...You've really grown up."
"…Huh?"
"Just. You seem reliable."
His mouth twitched slightly as if he thought his failed parenting had turned out successful. Then, Geonu, who had turned around, suggested that they talk like parents.
"Isn't it true that Kang Sihyun raised Ban Haru?"
"I really took care of him! But I had a share too!"
"Oh, come on. What did you do?"
"How much have I done!"
The quarrel between Haewoon and Hamin couldn't be contained any longer. Turning their heated attention toward Sihyun, they approached him with angry strides. Just as one would wonder what they were about to say, Haewoon, with a decisive grip on Haru's shoulder, spoke up boldly.
"Hyung, try being Dad!"
"...."
Is this for real?
The bustling hallway fell silent in an instant. Hamin, looking just as shocked, gazed at the pale-haired boy with a lost expression. Even amid the collective gaze of disdain, Haewoon, undeterred, shook Haru. An exasperated Hamin intervened.
"Sihyun took the medicine, so why do you seem crazy? Tone it down, will you?"
"Why! If Sihyun is Mom, then I'm Dad!"
"...."
Where should one even begin to address this? Sihyun, perplexed by the confusion and realizing he was being dragged into Haewoon's antics, grabbed Haru's arm and distanced himself from them.
As he moved towards Geonu and Seowoo, who were waiting for them, Haewoon and Hamin, realizing their folly belatedly, rushed after them. Sighs escaped involuntarily. When Hamin hesitated, asking if Haewoon wanted to be called Mom, even his mind felt bewildered.
"It's okay. Just call me whatever you're comfortable with."
"Okay."
"It doesn't seem so bad."
"...Really?"
As Seowoo, who had been jesting with a smile, intervened in the situation with a disappointed tone, Haewoon, feeling rebuked, turned away from them. Seowoo chuckled at the ongoing quarrel, then shrugged as he glanced back at them.
"Should we just ignore them?"
"Yeah."
"Sounds fun. Hey, want to try being the wife and husband with me?"
"What?"
Sihyun, who had responded absentmindedly, was surprised by the question. Seowoo, who initially looked serious, burst into laughter at the puzzled look on Sihyun's face, saying it was a joke. As Sihyun looked at Seowoo, who was smiling mischievously, he sighed deeply.
"Let's go, hyung. Seems like there's no one sane here but us."
"I'm here too."
"Yeah, come along."
Hurrying away with Geonu and Seowoo as if escaping, Sihyun increased his pace. The distinct laughter of Seowoo trailing behind made Sihyun, who had observed the tense chase between Haewoon and Hamin, lower his head.
"There's never a quiet day."
Muttering as if lamenting, Sihyun looked up to see Seowoo, who had taken a seat at the desk opposite his, cheerfully asking if the chaos wasn't entertaining.
"During the camping, when the school was quiet, didn't it seem boring? It's not so bad seeing everyone lively, right?"
"It feels a bit too noisy now that it's quiet."
"It could feel that way."
"Now that the camping is over, what's next?"
Glancing at the school schedule posted on the classroom bulletin board and muttering, Sihyun's confusion was interrupted by Haewoon's arrival at his side, taking a seat and propping his foot on a chair.
"Now that the camping is over, what's next?"
As Sihyun pondered, Hamin arrived, joining Haewoon and resting an arm on Haewoon's shoulder.
"Who knows. We have the end-of-month assessment."
"And you got caught by me."
With a chuckle at Haewoon's antics, Hamin, who had tolerated them, laughed and gave Haewoon a playful headlock. Haewoon, declaring surrender after yelling in pain and striking the desk three times, watched Sihyun with a mischievous grin, leading to a sigh from Sihyun.
As they continued their chaotic and bewildering daily lives, just as they always did. The next scheduled event, as they said, was the end-of-month assessment, announced a week later.
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