"learning about someone isn't going to hurt."

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introduction?

Renjun froze as soon as the words came out of Professor Dong's mouth. It was not that he couldn't speak, it is just that he was not sure what was he suppose to share. Should he say that all he does for a hobby is dance to different types of rhythm when his parents are not at home? Or the fact that he has friends who make fun of his hobby? He should share both, that is what Renjun wants.

There was also another reason why he was nervous. He wanted to impress the class and his professor. Wanting to have a good first impression is something he usually does every time he enters a new school. But as the relay starts, people didn't really expose themselves. They just simply said their name, age, and their likes. It relaxed Renjun knowing he doesn't have to say more than the obvious, but then again, he wants to impress Professor Dong.

"Huang Renjun," the said man called out.

It was his turn now, and his mind is not that straight with his thoughts yet. Renjun gulped, and proceeded to stand up in his seat. He knows how will Mark and Jaemin react as soon as he mentions aliens and space, but what other choice does he have? He can't just tell people that there are cheaters in this class, now does he.

He fixed his posture, and started to speak.

"Hello, I am Huang Renjun, 16. I am from China, not that interesting, and yes I am a foreigner. I like to believe my shoulders are as wide as the pacific, and that aliens are real. No, I have no friends at all," he introduced himself.

As expected, Mark and Jaemin started to give loud remarks on them being watermelons and coffee to Renjun then, and the fact that he just simply said something about his shoulders and space. Renjun did not mind their remarks though, it just gives people the idea why he does not want to let them know they are friends.

When it came to Mark's introduction, he shared about watermelons and how seagulls are his friends. When it came to Jaemin's introduction though, he almost called himself Jeno in front of the whole class, and then proceeded to talk about health. Renjun did not react like how the two of them react to his, his mind was wandering off somewhere. He wondered if he ever impressed Professor Dong.

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Sicheng was at shock at the mention of China. At first, he was clearly not paying attention to his students' introductions, and yet suggested the whole thing. But when a certain brunette mentioned China, his ears became open. He found himself staring in a daze. He found some other Chinese students in this school, one of them is his senior, but having a Chinese student somewhat made him relief.

When the said student was done, Sicheng was surprised at the commotion his friends was making, and yet the boy said he had no friends. 

After Huang Renjun, Sicheng had his thoughts back on train. It was tiring to listen to the same things every time. Girls even added side remarks on his looks, which he neither listened or responded to. Not that he was gay, cause he was definitely not.

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It was lunch time, Renjun had to wait for Mark so they could go to the cafeteria together, and have lunch with the others. It is not that Renjun does not want to be alone, he's just afraid he may get lost and run into their professor.  Mark was taking a long time in the restroom that it is making the Chinese boy impatient.

As Renjun was about to open the door, Mark stepped out and smiled at him. It was obvious that Mark had try to make himself neat, you could also see that he had just wash his face and that he had properly comb his hair. No, Mark was not trying to impress somebody just yet.

"Let's go," the oldest of the two said. 

And with that, they made their way to the cafeteria. They had small conversations here and there, trying to catch up on what they have been doing before school started. Trying to know the gossips that is roaming around the school. It was just a normal conversation between two friends.

They were nearby the doors of the cafeteria when Mark asked about a rather, sensitive topic.

"Injun," he started, are you gay?"

This made Renjun choke. It was a fact that the Chinese was not gay, and now one of his best friends question his sexuality? Who is this and what has he done to Mark.

"No, why?"

"Not to burst your bubble Huang, but you kind of spaced out every time Professor Dong does something. Like your eyes stare at him, and him alone. Jaemin noticed it too, but said not to worry about it, cause you are as straight as a circle, but I do not think it's true though. But thanks for saying that you are not gay."

Renjun was at a loss of words at what Mark has just said. Did he really space out on Professor Dong? No, Mark must be out of his mind. He would never space out on a professor, that is being disrespectful. After that, they continue on talking about old memories, and Mark ranting on how Renjun said such awful things during his introduction.

When they arrived at their table, both noticed a new face. To Renjun, he was somewhat familiar, but to Mark, he was definitely new.

The 6 boys who were seated, noticed the two and gave off bright smiles. They all said "hey" in unison, when the one boy was not even speaking, but still noticed the two.

Renjun took a seat beside Jaemin, and Mark with the new kid.

"So," Chenle spoke, hyungs that is Huang Xuxi or Wong Yukhei, but please call him Lucas. He is a classmate of me and Jeno."

"Hello Lucas," Renjun extended his hand for Lucas to shake and the other gladly shook it. In Mark's case, he was sweating.

"H-hello I am Mark," the boy waved at the other, and the other did the same.

They all started to stand up and get some food, except for Lucas and Renjun. Despite the silence between them, they did not feel uncomfortable. It is like they knew each other from the beginning.

"So are you Chinese?" the taller boy said in Mandarin.

Renjun was shock at the sudden mothertongue, but responded in the same language. It was nice to know another person who speaks in Mandarin, and is Chinese.

"Yes, my name's Huang Renjun by the way."

"Oh so you are Huang Renjun, do you remember me by any chance?"

Renjun looked at Lucas weirdly, as if he had say something offensive about aliens and that they are all just his fantasies and were never true in the beginning.

"No?" Lucas questioned, I am that one guy who you threw a ball at back in a family reunion."

Oh so we are cousins, Renjun thought.

"I am sorry, I have bad memory, but if we are cousins, how come we are not that close?"

"You see, I do not live in China proper, I am from Hongkong. We only met once so no need to worry. But did you know, Professor Dong is a family friend of ours?"

Now the last line of what Lucas said, Renjun looked at him as if he said something wrong.

"Are you being honest right now?"

Lucas nodded and now, Renjun was giggling hysterically that people were already looking at their direction. He then, apologized to them and composed himself. When the 6 boys arrived, they placed the tray of food down the table, and started eating.

In the midst of eating, Renjun thought deeply about his first few hours here in university. It was so good to be true, having to meet a cousin, knowing that you have a Chinese teacher as a professor, and having to know that he and Chenle were not the only Chinese freaks in school.

Did Renjun mention that he actually met other people besides the one in his homeroom? Yeah, he met another Chinese professor while waiting for Mark earlier in the restroom. As far as he can remember, his name was Professor Qian, but he is still not sure.

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i am so sorry for keeping you guys waiting, this month was packed with contests so i could not find time to update, so here is the long awaited chapter!