"Mark-hyung... when you accompanied Renjun-hyung at the locker room, did something happen?" Jisung asked while gulping the soda drink that he was holding.

Mark sat across the younger, "Locker room?" He raised a brow and looked at the two who were seated in front of him. "Ah, he saw the usual letter..." He said.

"And then?" Jisung asked. "What did he do? Did he read it?"

Mark shook his head, "Nah, he even tore the paper and threw it away."

"He what?!"

"Oh shoot."

Jisung and Chenle said at the same time. They looked at each other, already thinking what the other was thinking.

Taeyong raised a brow, "Why? Do you guys know something that we don't?"

"Taeyong-hyung, hyungs... noonas..." Chenle sighed and looked around. "We'll say this just because Renjun-hyung isn't here." He took a deep breath.

"Remember yz? The girl who leaves letters in Renjun-hyung's locker?" Chenle asked.

"Mhm..." Wendy nodded. "Why, what's with her?"

"It's Ningning." Chenle said.

Yeri raised a brow. "She's the other girl nominated to be Renjun's partner right?" She asked, and Chenle nodded. "How is she yz?"

"Yi-zhuo." Jisung answered.

"How did you two know about this?" Taeyong asked.

Chenle raised a brow and gave Taeyong an 'are-you-kidding-me' look. "Hyung, she's our classmate and friend. What would you expect?" He rolled his eyes.

"Then why are you guys telling this to us?" Yuta asked.

"Because we know that we can help Renjun-hyung admit that he likes Ningning." Chenle cheered.

"He likes Ningning?" Winwin asked.

Chenle nodded, "Well, that, I'm not sure, but we could clearly see that he likes her. Yesterday, Mark-hyung accompanied him at the locker room." He stared. "Mark-hyung told us that Renjun-hyung tore the letter."

"What does that have to do with Renjun liking Ningning?" Ten asked.

Chenle sighed, "Hyung, let me finish!" He stomped his foot. "Anyways, yesterday, Taeyong-hyung, Jisung, Renjun-hyung and I went to the ice cream parlor during dismissal."

Taeyong nodded, remembering that he did treat the three out.

"Taeyong-hyung told Renjun-hyung to look for a table for us and there we saw Ningning with Herin." He explained. "Renjun-hyung approached her, but she was gloomy. She was giving him a cold shoulder." Chenle sighed.

"Jisung and I saw the way Renjun-hyung walk away. He looked dejected, and while eating, he didn't talk at all." Chenle explained.

Irene sighed, "Let's just observe the two of them for a while... until Renjun opens up." She said. "You two should look after Ningning since you're both her classmates." She said, looking at Chenle and Jisung.

"No need to tell us, noona." Jisung said.

"So apparently, Ningning likes Renjun?" Doyoung asked.

Jisung nodded, "Yeah..."

"But they just knew each other last week, right?" Joy asked.

Jisung nodded, "Yeah, but Ningning has been liking hyung for a long time now. It was just then when she had the guts to actually write a letter for him. She's still a coward for not putting her name though, and Renjun-hyung's an idiot for not realizing that yz is Ningning's initials."

"Donghyuck, Jaemin and Jeno has to know this too." Taeil said.

Jisung snorted, "Hyung, of course they know."

📚

Renjun sighed and threw the folded piece of paper that was resting on top of his books.

Jaemin raised a brow, "What's that?"

"Dude, why do you have to throw it away? The person who wrote that put a lot of efforts just to give it to you." Jeno said.

"Well, I don't—" Renjun's eyes widened when he saw Ningning standing by the locker room's entrance.

She walked past them and went towards her own locker, not minding Renjun's existence. She was close to crying, but she won't. Especially not in front of Renjun.

For the second time, she clearly saw how Renjun disregarded her letters for him.

Renjun looked at the girl who looked bothered. She looked stressed and depressed at the same time. He couldn't see the cheerful girl he once knew.

Jeno, Jaemin and Donghyuck looked at their friend who was looking at the girl who just entered the locker room.

Donghyuck nudged Jaemin, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" He whispered.

"Probably." Jaemin whispered back.

Renjun took a deep breath before approaching the girl.

"Ning, let's talk..." He started.

The girl closed her locker and pondered the strength left in her body. She looked at Renjun and forced a smile, "Hmm? What is it gege?"

Renjun's ears twitched when he heard her call him formally. "I told you to—" She was smiling, yet he couldn't see the sparkles in her eyes.

"Ge, you better say it quickly. I've got a lot of things to do."

The three who were watching them from afar could feel the tension between the two who were talking.

"I... I just want to ask if you're okay?" Renjun asked.

She quickly nodded, "Yeah, why?" She asked and looked away.

"Ning, I want to do the duet with you." Renjun said straightforwardly which made the three widen their eyes.

Ningning looked at him and raised a brow, "Ge, what? I'm already over that. Besides, Yuri-unnie won already." She laughed, but Renjun could clearly tell that it was forced.

She got her things and looked at Renjun. "Is that everything you want to tell me? Ge, I'm running out of time." She said. She took a bow and left the room, not even giving Renjun another glance.

The three approached Renjun who was still in his place. "Dude, what... what was that?" Donghyuck asked.

Ningning rushed outside just to go to their usual hang out spot at the cafeteria. She saw her friends laughing while eating.

She ran and ran, until tears were covering her eyes.

Koeun heard some heavy footsteps that were growing near. She saw Ningning crying whil carrying her things.

Her eyes widened as she imemdiately stood up and went towards the younger. "Ning!" She called out and engulfed her in a hug.

Their other friends looked at the girl who's crying.

"U-Unnie... it already h-happened twice..." She sobbed, holding onto Koeun really tight.

"What? What happened?" Koeun asked, while wiping her tears away.

"I-I... I... I saw h-him... and... h-he threw th-the letter... twice... I-I... saw him do that.. with... m-my own eyes..." She said.

Lami handed her a watter bottle which she gladly took and sat down beside Koeun.

Jungyeon used one of her notebooks to fan Ningning, so that she could breathe properly.

They all looked at the girl with worry. Her eyes were swollen, and his nose was already red. It also looked like she couldn't breathe properly.

"Ning, it's okay... everything will be okay.." Hina patted her back.

—tbc.
i've got a little something for you, my lovelees, on my first and last's one year anniversary! watch out~