The classroom buzzed with the usual morning chaos—chairs scraping, whispers bouncing, the faint smell of marker ink clinging to the air.

Sunwoo sat near the window, chin propped on his palm, eyes fixed on the blue sky outside. If he focused hard enough, maybe he could pretend he wasn’t here at all—just a drifting cloud, far away from the noise and the one person who always seemed to zero in on him.

The door slammed open.

“Move,” Eric’s sharp voice cut through the chatter.

The tall boy strode in with his usual swagger, blazer hanging loose, tie untied. His presence filled the room instantly—half the class shrank back, the other half watched with a mix of awe and fear. Eric didn’t have to try to be the center of attention. He just was.

And, of course, his eyes landed right on Sunwoo.

“Morning, princess,” Eric drawled, tossing his bag on Sunwoo’s desk. “Did you miss me?”

Sunwoo sighed through his nose, refusing to look at him. “Wow. Guess the zoo forgot to lock its cages again.”

A snicker escaped from a nearby student, quickly stifled when Eric turned his head. His grin sharpened.

“Oh? What was that?” Eric leaned down, bracing one hand on Sunwoo’s desk, his face dangerously close. “Say it again. Louder this time.”

Sunwoo finally looked up, his dark eyes cool and defiant. For a second, the two of them just stared—Eric’s smirk, Sunwoo’s glare.

But when Eric’s hand closed over Sunwoo’s chair, tilting it slightly off the ground, Sunwoo’s heart skipped. He swallowed, his bravado faltering just a little.

“…I said, you’re exhausting,” Sunwoo muttered, his voice low now.

Eric chuckled, satisfied. “That’s better. Don’t forget your place, sassy boy.” He released the chair, letting it thud back down. Then, with infuriating ease, he plopped into the seat behind Sunwoo as if nothing had happened.

Sunwoo clenched his fists under the desk. He hated this—how his own words betrayed him, how Eric always had the last laugh. And yet… part of him was burning with something he couldn’t name.

As the teacher entered, Eric leaned forward, voice low near Sunwoo’s ear.

“Don’t get too comfortable, Sunwoo. I’m just getting started.”

Sunwoo shivered, refusing to turn around.

He hated Eric. Absolutely hated him.

…At least, that’s what he told himself.

The second period had barely begun when Sunwoo realized his life was doomed.

From the corner of his eye, he caught Eric leaning back in his chair, long legs sprawled, gaze fixed directly on him like a predator sizing up its prey.

Sunwoo gripped his pen tighter. If I ignore him, maybe he’ll get bored.

“Hey, Shorty,” Eric drawled under his breath, his voice a low rumble only Sunwoo could hear. “Forgot to bring your brain today too?”

Sunwoo’s pen snapped across the page. He didn’t look up. “Forgot to bring your manners again, I see. Oh wait—did you ever have any?”

The boy next to them stifled a laugh. Eric’s smirk widened.

Leaning forward, he plucked the pen right out of Sunwoo’s hand. “Hm. This one looks useful. I’ll borrow it.”

“That’s my only pen!” Sunwoo hissed, snatching at it, but Eric stretched his arm back with infuriating ease, holding it just out of reach.

“You should say please,” Eric teased.

“Please choke.”

A ripple of laughter passed through the nearby desks. Sunwoo’s ears burned, but he refused to back down. He crossed his arms and glared daggers at Eric.

Eric studied him for a beat, lips twitching—then he laughed. Actually laughed. It wasn’t his usual mocking snicker, but a genuine laugh that caught Sunwoo off guard.

Sunwoo blinked. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing,” Eric said quickly, slipping the pen back into Sunwoo’s hand. His smirk returned in full force. “You’re just entertaining when you’re mad.”

Sunwoo wanted to throw the pen at his face. Instead, he bent back over his notebook, determined not to give Eric the satisfaction.

But the torment didn’t stop there.

Every few minutes, Eric leaned closer, whispering things designed to drive Sunwoo insane.

“Your handwriting looks like a dying spider.”

“Are you actually taking notes, or just drawing weird hieroglyphics?”

“Bet you’ll fail even with my help.”

Sunwoo’s responses grew sharper each time.

“Better a dying spider than a brain-dead gorilla.”

“At least my hieroglyphics make sense.”

“And no thanks—I’d rather fail than owe you anything.”

The teacher’s voice cut through suddenly. “You two. Since you enjoy each other’s company so much, you’ll be partners for the history project.”

The class erupted in snickers.

Sunwoo froze. Eric leaned back in his chair with the calm satisfaction of a cat catching a mouse.

“Looks like fate wants us together, partner,” he said, drawing out the last word until it dripped with mockery.

Sunwoo groaned, burying his face in his hands. This can’t be happening.

“Out of all people…” Sunwoo muttered, dragging his feet down the hallway after class. The project paper crinkled in his grip. “…why did it have to be him?”

“Aw, don’t sound so disappointed,” came the deep voice at his shoulder.

Sunwoo jumped. Eric had matched his pace without a sound, his hands in his pockets, tall frame looming effortlessly.

Sunwoo scowled. “Stop following me.”

Eric leaned down just enough to smirk into his face. “Can’t. You’re my partner now.”

“I’d rather work alone.”

“Tough luck, Shorty. Teacher’s orders.”

Sunwoo quickened his steps, hoping to shake him off, but Eric simply lengthened his stride. It was infuriating how easily he kept up, like a shadow he couldn’t get rid of.

They reached the library, and Sunwoo ducked into a corner table. Before he could open his bag, Eric pulled out a chair and sprawled into it like he owned the place.

Sunwoo’s eye twitched. “You don’t even have your notebook.”

Eric smirked. “Why would I need it? You’ll do all the writing.”

“Oh no.” Sunwoo slapped the table. “We’re not doing this your way. You don’t get to slack off while I—”

“Relax,” Eric cut him off, leaning back lazily. “You’re the brain. I’m the muscle. It’s called teamwork.”

Sunwoo stared at him in disbelief. “What does muscle even do in a history project? Lift the textbook?”

Eric chuckled, low and dangerous. “Careful. Keep talking like that, and I’ll show you exactly what these muscles can do.”

Sunwoo’s face flamed, and he quickly shoved his nose into the open book. Why does he have to say things like that out loud?!

Minutes ticked by. Or rather, Sunwoo tried to study while Eric entertained himself.

He tapped his pen against the table. “So serious. Are you writing an essay or a love letter?”

“Shut up.”

He leaned over suddenly, close enough for Sunwoo to smell his cologne. “If you’re writing a love letter, at least spell my name right.”

Sunwoo snapped his head toward him, eyes blazing. “Do you ever shut up?”

Eric’s grin widened. “Not when you make faces like that. Seriously, you’re fun when you’re angry.”

“I’m not here for your entertainment!”

“Too late. You already are.”

Their bickering earned a sharp shh! from the librarian. Sunwoo wanted to sink into the floor. Eric, on the other hand, looked positively pleased with himself.

By the time they finally left, Sunwoo’s head was pounding, but Eric looked fresh, smug, and irritatingly satisfied.

As they parted ways outside, Eric gave him a mock salute. “See you tomorrow, partner.”

Sunwoo glared. “I’d rather die.”

Eric winked. “That can be arranged.”

Sunwoo stomped away, muttering every curse word he knew under his breath, while Eric’s quiet chuckle followed him down the hall.

The classroom buzzed with noise the next morning. Sunwoo slid into his seat, praying for a quiet day. Of course, that prayer was doomed the moment Eric strolled in, bag slung over one shoulder, all swagger and smug grin.

“Morning, partner.”

Sunwoo’s pencil nearly snapped in half. “Don’t call me that.”

Eric smirked, leaning against Sunwoo’s desk. “Why not? We’re closer than anyone else in this room.”

“Closer?” Sunwoo scoffed. “You didn’t even touch the project draft.”

“Correction—” Eric tapped Sunwoo’s notebook with one long finger. “I supervised.”

“You distracted me!”

“Exactly. Quality control.”

Sunwoo wanted to throw his pencil at him. Instead, he forced himself to focus on his notes. But Eric wasn’t done.

Halfway through the lecture, a crumpled note landed on his desk. Sunwoo opened it discreetly.

Your handwriting’s ugly.

He clenched his jaw. Scribbled back: At least I can write, unlike you.

Seconds later, the paper returned. Don’t need to. Got you for that.

Sunwoo’s nostrils flared. He scribbled furiously: I am NOT your servant.

Eric glanced at the paper, then smirked and wrote: You’re my partner. Big difference.

Sunwoo bit his lip, fighting the urge to slam his head into the desk. The teacher’s droning voice barely registered anymore. All he could think about was throttling Eric.

—

By lunchtime, things escalated. Sunwoo was balancing his tray when Eric slid beside him in line.

“Careful, don’t trip. Wouldn’t want you to embarrass yourself in front of everyone.”

Sunwoo shot him a glare. “Move before I spill soup on your head.”

“Bold. I like it.”

Eric followed him through the cafeteria like an oversized shadow. Sunwoo dropped into an empty seat, but Eric sat directly across from him, plucking a fry from his tray without permission.

“Hey!”

Eric popped it into his mouth, eyes glinting. “Mm. Tastes better when it’s yours.”

Sunwoo smacked his hand away from the tray. “You’re unbelievable.”

“Thank you. I try.”

They went back and forth like that until the bell rang—Sunwoo’s temper barely holding, Eric’s smirk never fading.

—

After school, when Sunwoo thought he was finally free, Eric blocked the gate with his arm.

“Move.”

“Nope.”

Sunwoo’s eyes narrowed. “What do you want now?”

Eric leaned closer, his shadow swallowing Sunwoo whole. “I want you to admit it.”

“Admit what?”

“That you’re having fun.”

Sunwoo froze, caught off guard. His mouth opened, then snapped shut.

Eric grinned, sharp and cocky. “Thought so.”

Before Sunwoo could reply, Eric turned and walked off, leaving Sunwoo fuming—heart pounding louder than he wanted to admit.

The day had been normal enough—meaning Eric had annoyed Sunwoo every possible chance he got. By the time evening study hours ended, Sunwoo was more than ready to go home.

But the streets outside the school were unusually dark. A group of older guys loitered near the alleyway, leaning against walls, cigarettes glowing faintly. Sunwoo tightened his grip on his bag and kept walking.

“Hey, kid.” One of them stepped forward, blocking his path. “Got some cash?”

Sunwoo’s throat tightened. He wasn’t helpless—he had his tongue and a mean glare—but these weren’t classmates he could sass and get away with.

He opened his mouth to say something sharp anyway—when a voice cut through the tension.

“Back off.”

Eric.

He strolled out of the shadows like he owned the place, hands shoved in his pockets, eyes dark.

The older guys sneered. “What’s this? Your boyfriend coming to save you?”

Sunwoo’s ears burned. “He’s not—!”

But Eric didn’t flinch. He stepped closer, his tone dropping. “Say that again.”

The air shifted. The easygoing smirk Sunwoo was used to wasn’t there. Eric’s jaw was tight, shoulders tense like he was seconds from throwing a punch.

The group hesitated, muttered curses, then scattered, not willing to test him.

Sunwoo exhaled shakily, knees weak. “You—what the hell are you doing here?”

Eric turned, his usual grin sliding back into place like a mask. “You’re welcome.”

“I didn’t ask you to save me.”

“You didn’t have to.” Eric’s eyes flicked over him, checking him up and down so quickly Sunwoo almost missed it. “You’d probably get yourself killed with that mouth of yours.”

Sunwoo bristled. “Excuse me?”

Eric leaned in close, voice low and taunting, but with an edge that wasn’t there before. “Don’t get the wrong idea. I just don’t like anyone else messing with you.”

Sunwoo froze, caught between outrage and… something else. His heart pounded, louder than it should.

Eric stepped back, shoving his hands into his pockets again. “C’mon, I’ll walk you home before you pick another fight.”

Sunwoo wanted to argue, to shake him off, but his legs moved anyway, following. The night air was sharp, and every step beside Eric felt heavier than it should.

Sunwoo’s cheek stung every time the wind touched it. He kept his head down, hoodie pulled up, wishing no one would notice. But bruises that dark weren’t easy to hide.

The thugs from before had cornered him again, furious that he’d slipped away last time. This time, Eric hadn’t been there.

Sunwoo clicked his tongue. “Tch. Figures. The so-called ‘hero’ only shows up once.”

He wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction of tears, but his lip throbbed with every word.

At school the next morning, Eric spotted him immediately. Sunwoo had thought the hoodie would cover enough—but Eric’s eyes narrowed the moment he saw the edge of purple peeking out from under it.

“What the hell happened to your face?” Eric’s voice was low, sharp.

“None of your business.” Sunwoo tried to push past him.

Eric grabbed his wrist, harder than usual. “Don’t play games. Who did it?”

Sunwoo yanked back, glaring. “Why do you care? This probably happened because of you.”

The words landed harder than Sunwoo expected. Eric’s hand dropped. His jaw clenched, but he didn’t say anything at first.

Finally, his voice came out rough. “…Those bastards from the alley?”

Sunwoo stayed silent, which was answer enough.

Eric let out a bitter laugh, running a hand through his hair. “Of course. Should’ve known. I scare them off once, and they take it out on you.” His voice rose, angry—not at Sunwoo, but at himself. “Damn it.”

Sunwoo blinked. Was Eric… blaming himself?

“Stop making that face,” Eric snapped suddenly, noticing his stare. He shoved his hands into his pockets, like he needed somewhere to put the frustration. “I’ll handle it.”

“Handle it? What are you, some kind of vigilante?” Sunwoo scoffed, but his voice was weaker than usual.

Eric stepped closer, eyes burning. “If anyone’s gonna mess with you, it’ll be me. Got that?”

Sunwoo’s chest tightened, heat rushing up his neck. He hated that his heart skipped at those words—that Eric could turn even something so twisted into… something else.

He forced a smirk. “Wow. What an honor. Should I thank you for being my exclusive bully?”

Eric rolled his eyes, but a corner of his mouth twitched, almost a smile. “Damn right.”

Sunwoo turned away quickly before Eric could see his ears turning red.