Chapter Text
Mingyu makes paper balls with the class notes he's supposed to be completing for next week's exam. He throws them like bullets in various directions across the classroom. One lands in Soonyoung's ear, failing to wake him up despite its chewy texture. Another is shot out of the window, disappearing into the sunlight and disturbing a flock of starlings as they flutter away. The third paper ball narrowly misses Professor Bang's cheek as he remains focused on the equations on the blackboard, unaware that no one but Hansol is following his lesson. Fifteen minutes pass, and they still can't decipher the impossible exercise that has raised doubts for Chwe.
"Was it so difficult to stay quiet?" Mingyu complains, having run out of paper balls to throw. He's annoyed because, if it weren't for Hansol's suggestion, they could have left school ten minutes ago.
Mingyu is right, at least for the rest of my classmates who yawn and stretch in their seats, their school supplies put away, eager to go home. For me, those ten lost minutes are a free ticket to dream without restraint. Mingyu realizes this when I nod absentmindedly in response to his comment, completely unaware of what he said, as I'm more focused on the pristine strands of Minghao's golden hair. In the sapphire streaks that peek out amidst his straight hair, like a cascade of freshly cut lupines, fresh and ready to be arranged into a bouquet.
Minghao fixes a mischievous strand of hair and sighs, reclining in his seat with crossed arms. He appears attentive to Hansol's contributions until a wet paper ball hits his neck, and my heart skips a beat as he touches the spot.
He turns to smile at Mingyu, who doesn't respond to his friendly gesture. From that moment on, the world never returns to its course.