if there’s anything to be known about iseul, it’s that he’s a stickler for rules. it’s in his nature to be obedient. although, there have been several cases where he’s been willing to bend them. those occasions usually ( if not always ) involve jiyi, and they revolved around three topics: sneaking out with her friends ( she had asked for the prefects’ routine so that they could time it perfectly ), sneaking him out of the house so that they could go crash at their older brother’s apartment, and basically anything she asked him to do. he’s always been a good little brother.
and now, he’s pretty sure serin is going to make him break a couple of rules for her, too.
iseul hums absentmindedly, watching as the older girl darts her eyes around and barely catches the end of his question. his eyes narrow in suspicion, but he replies pleasantly nevertheless, “i just finished. i was heading back to the common room so i could do some homework.”
“your pet…” iseul repeats slowly, eyebrows knitting in confusion before he realizes exactly what pet she’s talking about. he had caught a glimpse of her billywig when she was in the process of sneaking it into her room, and she had sworn him to utter secrecy to never breathe a word about the ( possibly ) illegal insect she was harboring. it’s how they started talking in the first place, serin cajoling him into joining the magical creatures club because he had been fascinated by the ones she had come across while in australia. including the sapphire insect they were currently talking about. the one that would be nearly impossible to track down. “sorry noona, i don’t think i saw it anywhere.”
he frowns a bit, raising a hand to rub at the back of his neck in worry. subconsciously, his voice drops to a whisper ( as if his normal speaking voice wasn’t quiet already ), and he shuffles closer to serin. “um… isn’t it dangerous for it- your pet- to be out in the world? if it’s not a native species, won’t it mess up the ecosystem?”
she wears chaos too well. though not entirely intended to be of her nature or objective, ryu serin seems to (almost always and without fail) find herself in the eye of the storm. one conscious step (that she’ll inevitably take) away from pandemonium—and taking the rest of the world with her as well. when her world started to involve so many people, however, totally different question. not one that serin supposes she need answered. life works, mysteriously. fate, unyielding to her wants and needs.
similarly, even the likes of iseul, failed to escape it.
(poor thing. to be drawn under her path of mayhem.)
“oh, homework. you’re so diligent, seul.” compliments easily, perfectly disarming smile armed to boot. showcasing (to what serin believes) a case of innocence the best she can. but she’s almost certain iseul doesn’t buy it. she’s as intuitive as he is sharp, at least.
she figured he wouldn’t. asked on a whim and yet, appropriately felt disappointment seep in regardless despite knowing the wing speed of this particular creature. almost too quick to see in motion till it stilled. “it’s okay, don’t worry about it, i’ll find it.” serin has the decency to sound (what was it?) confident, lips pulled into a sheepish grin. that’s the goal here right? to act like the competent older one between the two. even if all things line up to be otherwise. well, fake it till you make it.
serin simply watches when he leans in, brows raised in slight surprise and quiet anticipation for what iseul had to say. hopefully not something like that’s detention or whatever. can first year prefects even give detention? there’s gotta be an age limit or something. ‘—mess up the ecosystem...’ wait. “huh?” the older of the two replies dumbly, expression equivalent to a sheet of blank till the mind buffers, pieces two and two together.
“oh! no, no. you don’t have to worry about that. my pet’s very tame, doesn’t make a mess or eat anything out of the ordinary. though i guess the only thing is if it bite.........s.” serin trails off, lips parted to show rows of ivory, clenched in realization. “butihighlydoubtthat’llhappen!” she continues in a rush, datives pushing against each other while she reaches out, ruffling his hair assuringly.
“don’t worry, noona will handle it. so you just focus on school work okay?” she smiles, taking a large (obvious) step to the side (and away from him), well in preparation for her escape. “i’ll see you later, iseul!”