"Renjun, eat up." Jeno nudged the person beside him. "You haven't eaten anything." He sighed and looked at the person who was looking at nowhere. "Is everything alright? You know, you can always talk to us if you have problems..."

Renjun sighed and shook his head, "It's nothing... I just kinda feel bothered about some things..."

"What things, hyung?" Jisung asked.

"Remember yz?" He asked and they all nodded. "I'm still wondering who she is... but it's kinda weird that she knows everything. I find her letters... weird." He sighed and picked up his chopsticks as he started eating.

"Weird in what sense?" Jaemin asked.

"She thanked me in a letter. Earlier, the letter I received was about her not getting to know me sooner..." He sighed. "I don't know..."

"Maybe she's someone you know, hyung..." Jisung shrugged. "I mean, who could write you those things if it isn't a person you know?" He said.

Renjun took a deep breath. "I don't want to think about it now. I've got a lot of things to think about." He said.

"Oh yeah, by the way. Congrats on the duet!" Donghyuck said.

Renjun glared at him. "Screw you all."

They laughed. "As if you didn't want to do it!" Jeno teased.

"I didn't!" Renjun looked away.

"Oh, what is this? Why are you looking away?" Donghyuck smirked. "Is there a certain someone you want to duet with?"

"Shut up, Haechan." Renjun glared at him.

💌

The bell rang.

Ningning lazily placed her books inside ber bag. She yawned, suddenly remembering that she had lots of things to do. Heck, she was even thinking about watching her favorite movies.

She sighed and swung her bag around.

"Ning, let's go." Herin patted her back.

Ningning nodded.

"Wait!" The two turned their heads towards the person who talked.

"Oh, Yuri-unnie." Ningning smiled. "What is it?"

There were only a few students who were born in 2002. That's why they got merged in the class higher than them. They could talk casually or informally to each other, but the case also depends on the people they talk to.

"Could I talk to Ningning for a while?" Yuri asked Herin and the girl just nodded.

The two sat on the chairs.

"What is it, unnie? Is everything alright?" Ningning asked when she noticed that Yuri was uneasy.

The older shook her head, "I'm sorry."

"Eh? Why are you apologizing?" She was completely puzzled when Yuri apologized.

"I know you want to do the duet with Renjun-oppa..." Ningning got silent. It was still about the duet. "Don't deny it!" Yuri said immediately when Ningning was about to say something. "We all know you like Renjun." The younger looked down.

"I have no intentions of getting Renjun away from you, I swear!" Yuri said. "I also have no intentions of winning, and I'm blaming Eunbi-unnie for everything." She sighed.

Ningning smiled, "It's alright, unnie. I'm already over that." But is she? "Besides, a lot of opportunities may come in the future." Will there be any?

Yuri sighed, "It's still a pity though... I really want you to be Renjun's partner." She held Ningning's hand. "Don't worry, I'll do something." She smiled.

Ningning laughed. "It's alright, it's fine." She smiled and stood up. "I have to go now, unnie. Herin is waiting for me." She did a light bow. "Bye bye~"

"What happened back there?" Herin asked once Ningning was outside.

"Hmmm... basically, she wants me to do the duet with Renjun. That's the sumamry. Oh, and she said she's sorry." She chuckled. "It's not like I'm mad at her though."

"Well, who doesn't ship NingRen?" Herin asked.

"'Ning what?" Ningning asked. Then, she suddenly realized what Herin said. "Yah! Only our classmates know about my feelings for him." She laughed.

"Fine, whatever." Herin rolled her eyes. "Go and place your letter, I'll be your lookout." She said, gesturig Ningning to go inside the locker room.

Ningning quickly went inside and slipped the paper inside.

Herin immediately ran inside, panting. "Renjun-oppa is there... he's with Mark-sunbae."

Ningning's eyes widened as she went towards her locker faster than light. She opened it and placed her books that was inside her bag earlier.

Herin was just standing beside her, not looking at the two guys who just entered.

Renjun immediately groaned upon seeing the folded piece of paper, and the girl who placed the letter heard it.

"Who is yz anyways?!" Renjun said and ripped the paper.

Herin's eyes widened and looked at her friend who looked like she was almost crying.

She could clearly see Ningning's hands that were shaking, and she was trying hard not to cry. She took a step forward but Ningning held her arm, stopping her in what she'll do. She knows that Herin will do something.

Herin looked at her friend with worry. The latter just smiled, while tears were streaming down her face.

🍨

"Eat up. You badly need it." Herin said, placing a bowl of chocolate ice cream in front of Ningning.

The other girl sighed and looked outside. She took the spoon that was resting on the table and started to eat it.

"Are you okay?" Herin asked.

She knew that Ningning wasn't, but she wasn't stupid enough to make sure she's okay.

Ningning slowly nodded. "He doesn't know it's me anyways."

"I doubt that he'll do that if he knows that it's from you." Herin said.

The bell that was attatched to the door of the ice cream parlor rang, signaling that there was a person, or maybe people, who entered the shop.

"It's Renjun-oppa." Herin whispered, since her direction was facing the door. "She's with Chenle-oppa and Jisung. Oh wait, Taeyong-oppa is with them, too." She said.

Ningning nodded and continued eating. "It's okay. Let them be." She smiled.

Renjun sighed while scanning the available ice cream flavors.

"Hyung, I'll just get chocolate." Renjun said, facing Taeyong.

The older nodded, "Alright, alright... find us seats then." He said, ordering Renjun.

Renjun nodded and turned his head around. He raised a brow when he saw a familiar figure seated on a table not far from where he was standing.

A smile immediately crept on his face when he realized who it was. "Ning...?" He approached.

Ningning wanted to he happy that Renjun is the first one who's approaching him nowadays, but he can't forget the fact that he was the same man who ripped her letter into two. She can't blame him, though. He doesn't know that it was from her.

And you can't blame her for not putting her name on the letters she's sending him. She's just scared.

Scared of the fact that he might not have the same feelings as hers. Scared of rejection.

She was satisfied with what they have now.

But really, what do they have?

Are they even friends?

Ningning slwoly turned her head towards Renjun and smiled, "Hi... Renjun-oppa."

The guy frowned upon hearing her formality.

"I told you to—" He stopped when he noticed that Ningning is with someone else.

Ningning looked down and continued eating, ignoring Renjun's presence.

Chenle and Jisung watched them from afar.

"Those two are hopeless..." Chenle whispered and Jisung just nodded, following the dejected Renjun.

—tbc

let's get this finally started