the thing about being stuck in school is that the thought of that isn’t actually too bad. it isn’t that hyojin has any particular incredible fondness for his classes and his peers other than the norm, but neither does he have many such relations on the outside, and thus it’s a matter of one or the other being pretty alike if you were to ask him. no. that’s not the reason he is sitting on the floor in the laundry room with the lights turned off and a blanket over his head.
he wants to think of everything as some elaborate joke gone too far, but somewhere deep in his mind, he cannot help but wonder the same thing over and over again: what if? what if someone actually takes it seriously? unfortunately his moment of loneliness and self reflection is broken when the door is opened and some random kid steps in. hyojin knows him by name and face, but not much beyond that, having nothing much to do with the high school section. and he can’t help but feel miserable over how pathetic he must look in front of this kid right now.
fingers giving mademoiselle a squeeze, he moves the doll to face the intruder rather than try to catch his gaze himself, and with unmoving lips and a higher pitch than he would usually speak in, he breaks the silence. “you’re yoo kangmin, aren’t you? please forgive hyojin ah, he’s having a bit of a moment. what did you come here for? can i help you with anything?”