"That tree leans! It's rotting!" Jiho hisses in a horrified whisper.
"So am I. Emotionally." Si Kyo shrugs.
"Someone could've seen you!"
"Bold of you to assume I care."
"You're gonna get me expelled!"
"Worth it."
Si Kyo pulls out a lollipop from his pocket.
"Do you ever wonder... what it would feel like to scream mid-lecture?"
"What is wrong with you?!"
"That's... a loaded question."
"Look — just go before the professor—"
"Eyes forward!" the professor barks off-screen.
Jiho jerks upright. Si Kyo casually spins the lollipop in his mouth.
Jiho sweats visibly. Si Kyo smirks and leans closer.
"Tell me something deep and existential... or I start beatboxing."
"Oh my god."
"Eh, Wrong answer."
Si Kyo clears his throat — Jiho slaps a hand over his mouth, eyes wide.
"Stop. Just— please. Please!"
Si Kyo peels Jiho's hand off like it's dirty.
"No I won't."
"That's why I blocked you on four apps."
"Five. I checked. Rude."
"Do you have no shame?"
"Shame is a tax poor people pay." He grins.
Jiho almost screams.
Si Kyo grabs a paper from Jiho's desk and flicks a paper airplane toward the front of class. It narrowly misses the professor's head.
Jiho ducks. Prays.
"This is my villain origin story." he mutters.
"You're welcome." Si Kyo stretches smugly.
The professor at the front straightens a thick stack of papers, glasses slipping down his nose.
"Now then— you'll be receiving your project results. Grades are final. Don't beg."
"Yes! Time to finally see the fruits of my excruciating labor—"
"You probably cheated." Si Kyo cuts in, deadpan.
"Shut up!" Jiho hisses.
The professor adjusts his collar, then clears his throat dramatically.
"I'll call your names. If you hear yours, come up and retrieve your graded project. Try not to trip on your way down. We've had enough casualties this semester."
"Min Jae... Soojin... Daehyun..."
Each student shuffles to the front as their name is called. Some hopeful, some walking like they're heading to their execution.
"Jiho."
"Finally!"
He stands, but pauses mid-step to eye Si Kyo with warning.
"Do not do anything funny."
(mock halo gesture)"I won't."
Jiho walks down the center aisle, nerves kicking in as eyes follow him. The professor hands him the folder.
(smiling genuinely)"Excellent work, Jiho. Well done."
Jiho cautiously opens the folder.
SHIMMERING ANGELIC CHOIR.An A+. His eyes sparkle with stars in his eyes.
"Oh my god... I did it."
He returns to his seat, clutching the paper to his chest like it's holy scripture. Outside the window—
"So... what'd you get?"
"A plus."
"Tch. Could've been an A plus plus, but whatever. Congratulations."
Jiho frowns at the jab— until the last word sinks in.
"...Thank you." he says with a soft smile.
"Should I clap?"
"No. Did you forget your unspeakable supernatural power? You could literally blow this whole building up. You're not allowed to clap."
"Right... but what if I only use... five percent?"
"What?"
Too late.
"Congratulations!!!!"
He brings his fingertips together and taps— just a polite little clap.
BOOM.
The air splits open. A gust— a sonic hurricane explodes from the window like Si Kyo has just summoned a storm god. Desks flip. Windows crack. Walls shudder. Papers erupt like academic confetti. One student flies backwards across the classroom.
"What the actual hell—?! Is this a nightmare?!" Soojin screams.
A girl's skirt flips upward— Soojin's smirk twitches into a visible red blush.
"No comment!" he shouts.
"MY LAPTOP!" one student screams.
"MY EYES!" yells another.
The professor stands frozen like a deer before thunder, shielding the graded folders.
"EVERYONE UNDER THE DESKS! NOW! DUCK AND COVER!"
Students dive under, some dragging others with them. Everyone obeys. Except Jiho— who simply stands, unblinking, paled, still holding his A+ like a talisman.