Work hard, play hard.

After studying, the group of friends declared that they would go to karaoke. Stumbling out of the study café, Sua led them to the usual place. The moon and stars glowed with strength in the vast midnight blue. A soft breeze tickled Hanbyeol in her school uniform, rippling waves through her long hair. She hung at the back of the group with Suho and Soojin while the others carried the noise.

When they got to the wider street filled with illuminated shops, more people came into view and the bustling energy grew. They headed upstairs to the karaoke room with Suho gesturing for Hanbyeol to go up first. As soon as she entered the room, she lit up with excitement. It had been ages since she'd gone to karaoke.

The long room celebrated with flashy lights, and microphones and maracas waited excitedly on the table. Sua immediately ran to claim the couches directly facing the TV screen, pulling her boyfriend with her. Hanbyeol cracked a grin as she took a seat on the side, where she preferred to be. Following the girl, Suho sat next to her, straightening his navy jacket while he stared ahead.

It was quite warm and only getting warmer as they closed the door and started the party. In no time, everyone was dancing around with sore voices – everyone but Suho, who remained glued to the couch as if he was a babysitter watching his kids. He was content though; he liked seeing the way Hanbyeol's eyes were full of passion and how radiant her smile was. It was actually the same place where they first saw each other.

Hanbyeol's grey skirt swung from side to side like the other girls. Eventually, from all the singing and jumping, she needed to take a rest. She returned to her spot next to Suho and drank some water from her bottle. The music and bass rebounded to every inch of the room, making her heart thump with it.

"You're not gonna sing?" Hanbyeol asked him, glancing at the stoic boy who had his arms crossed over his chest.

"I'm fine watching you all have fun singing," Suho replied, his eyes flicking up to Sua dancing around with her boyfriend as she belted the latest k-pop jam.

Hanbyeol played with the plastic bottle in her hands as she threw him a small smile. "I think it'd be more fun watching you sing and dance."

"Doesn't sound fun to me."

"Then... let's do something fun," she thought for a moment before saying the first thing that popped into her head. "Rock paper scissors?"

"Rock paper scissors?" he echoed with a tinge of disbelief.

Hanbyeol nodded and held out her hands, ready to beat him. "Rock paper scissors."

That was how the couple spent the next few minutes tucked in their little corner on the red couches. While everyone partied and sung their hearts out, they played 'rock paper scissors'. Hanbyeol wanted to cure his boredom, since it didn't seem like he wanted to be there, and it seemed to work.

Colourful lights still sprung around the warm room as if the rainbow had run loose from home, and the list of songs were endless. The group also ordered a platter of chips and fried snacks, which now lay half-empty in the middle of the shiny table.

Suho won some rounds of 'rock paper scissors', but Hanbyeol took the lead by five. Yes, she counted with glee and celebrated every time. It felt good to win against Suho, even if it was just a childish game. Despite the simpleness, he found himself enjoying it too.

"Wow, I can't believe I'm beating the school's number one student at something," Hanbyeol exclaimed in humorous shock.

"I was going easy on you," Suho just replied, though she could easily tell he didn't mean it.

She chuckled, leaning back on the soft couch. "Don't go easy on me."

"Fine."

They played a few more rounds, and again, Hanbyeol won the majority. Her joyful grin was contagious as Suho tried to stop his smile. Cheering with a fist, she leaned closer and teased him like a child winning a game, not realising the way her legs brushed his pants.

"Were you still going easy on me?" she playfully asked.

"Alright, you beat me," Suho gave in.

Hanbyeol couldn't help but stick out her tongue at him in victory before she picked up her water bottle and took a long sip, finding it hard to believe that she was playing 'rock paper scissors' with the Lee Suho.

In the vibrant room, the party carried on as their friends sang hit songs from their elementary school years. They made the area their own dance floor and laughter pranced around. When Soojin's gaze noticed Suho and Hanbyeol still sitting in the corner, she headed over and pulled her up.

"Come on, Hanbyeol," the pretty girl smiled at her. "Your turn to choose a song."

With a sigh, Hanbyeol surrendered and picked up the karaoke remote control that was the size of a book, thinking of a song. Soojin lightly cheered in success as she returned to the other girls, who were bouncing around joyfully.

God knows that you wouldn't be able to convince Suho to get up and sing.

"Suho, rock paper scissors," Hanbyeol turned to the boy with a cheeky grin. "If I win, you have to sing."

He shook his head immediately. "No."

"Yes, please," she begged with a pout.

She didn't know why she was doing this, but perhaps all this time she spent with him has made her braver and more comfortable around guys. Her heart skipping along, she felt like she was up in the clouds. And no, she didn't drink alcohol, but the warm mood would've been perfect for it if they were older.

"Rock, paper, scissors," Hanbyeol attacked out of nowhere, her eyebrows jumping up as she put out her fist for rock.

Suho had reacted with quick reflexes and barely a twitch of his straight face, but his hand shot out in scissors. The wavy-haired girl fist-bumped the air and celebrated loudly, though not as loud as the music that reverberated the room. Luck was on her side today. Wincing lightly, Suho cursed in his head. If only he was better at that basic game. After Hanbyeol's fit of teasing and dancing on the spot, she tugged him up by his arm.

"Time to choose your song," she rejoiced in a cheerful tone as she passed Suho the large device like it was a sponge and his turn to wash the dishes.

Reluctantly, he accepted it and punched in the numbers of his go-to karaoke song, which soon started playing through the speakers. He didn't do karaoke often, but he always had one song if needed. It was a slow and chill melody that resembled his calm personality. Suho left the comfort of the couches and got closer to the others standing in front of the screen, encouraged by Hanbyeol who shooed him forwards by his side.

Jugyeong's jaw dropped, and they were all surprised that he was actually singing. Swallowing nervously from all the eyes on him, he kept his usual composure and sang softly with his sweet tone. He wasn't used to doing things like this in front of lots of people, but he felt fine after a while, especially when his eyes met Hanbyeol's smiling ones. His tensed shoulders relaxed as he held a microphone to his lips.

With lights and music circling the room, the students got over their shock and swayed to the rhythm. Hanbyeol hugged Soojin's arm as they secretly giggled at Suho together. She thought about filming it but decided not to while enjoying the moment. When the song slowed to an end, Suho returned to his spot in the corner and Hanbyeol excused herself for some fresh air.

Stepping out of the room, she let out a breath and welcomed the cool temperature as opposed to the stuffiness before. Hanbyeol took her time in walking down the corridor. She didn't notice, but she passed by a room that was occupied by Seojun, and she appreciated his emotional tone. He was singing a ballad by himself, enjoying the peace and quiet.

* * * *

The moment Hanbyeol opened the door to outside, the sound of traffic and people grew louder as if entering a new world. Seoul really did have a night life that fuelled your adrenaline. She went down the small steps and her feet found home on the concrete foot path. Wrapping her arms around herself to combat the cold breeze, she started off to the right.

Hanbyeol paused.

Parked in front of the karaoke place was a black motorbike, a very familiar motorbike. She investigated every inch and angle of it before standing back to take it in.

"No way," she thought aloud. "Is this Seojun's motorcycle? Did he come to karaoke or something?"

When she admired the shiny bike closer, a boy exited the steps to the karaoke. Hanbyeol's eyes immediately travelled to the figure that was getting closer, and she was surprised to see it was Seojun in the flesh. Her heart did a hiccup.

The boy's gaze landed on Hanbyeol as he saw how close she was to his property. He flew down the steps, his silver necklace bouncing on his striped top. His black jacket and pants aided his tall build, and his dark brown hair was styled roughly as usual.

"What are you doing?" Seojun questioned her with a hint of panic. "Did you do something to my motorcycle?"

"I didn't even touch it," Hanbyeol replied earnestly.

He quickly inspected his bike, but luckily, he couldn't find any scratches or dents.

Hanbyeol rolled her eyes. Slowly looking up, she spotted Suho in the large window of the karaoke building. Her body froze. If the two boys saw each other, they might get angry and fight one another again. Hanbyeol didn't want that cafeteria scene to repeat. Thinking fast, she grabbed Seojun's wrist.

"Wait, come here for a bit," she pulled him around the corner.

"Why?" he protested but he couldn't help but follow her.

Hanbyeol let go of him when they were hidden by the corner. On the bumpy pavement, they rested next to a white wall that displayed ads for upcoming shopping events.

"What's going on?" Seojun asked, deeply confused as he smoothed out his jacket.

"Let's talk here, here," she stumbled.

"Is it a conversation that needs to be private?"

Hanbyeol nodded automatically while face-palming in her mind. "Yeah."

Suddenly, a group of boys called out from behind her. "Hey, Han Seojun!"

She turned around to see four boys about the same age emerging from the shadows of the dead end and stalking towards them. Where did they come from, Hanbyeol wondered. And usually, when someone calls your name like that, it means something bad. From their hunched postures and leery expressions, Hanbyeol could tell they were high school bullies. They all wore sports clothes, and the boy at the front had a short haircut that she found rather ugly.

Hanbyeol's eyes swam with worry as she subconsciously took a step closer to Seojun, and he blocked her protectively. He cursed his luck that they had to appear at this moment.

"Why are you coming out from there?" Seojun asked them with intimidation.

"What do you mean?" their leader teased. "Oh, what is this? Why did you bring a girl to this inconspicuous place?"

"Hey, you should hurry and go," warned Seojun, hoping they'd back off.

Unfortunately, it didn't help as the boys inched closer in the narrow alleyway. Hanbyeol bit her lip, her eyes flitting around as she tried to think of a way out. The only way would be to run or fight, and she didn't exactly have fighting on her resume.

Hanbyeol clutched her grey skirt for a second before letting go. Taking in a breath, she grabbed Seojun's forearm and pulled him to run away from the bullies, heading back the way they came. His eyes widened but he regained his footing and sprinted with Hanbyeol.

"Grab them!" "Are you not going to stop!"

She could hear them yelling behind her, but it passed through her ears like the wind. The sound of city life was echoing from behind a bubble as she was in her own world, her hair whipping around gracefully. With the streetlights guiding them, the night sky shadowed above with specs of silver.

As they passed the karaoke place, Suho was still standing by the window. His eyebrows raised with shock when he saw Hanbyeol and Seojun flying past. Earlier, he noticed their fleeting escape, but it was hard to decipher who they were. After registering what was happening, he headed for the door.

While the young pair continued dashing through the street, they switched with Seojun taking the lead and pulling a struggling Hanbyeol. The gang of bullies were close behind. Suddenly, Suho appeared, right on the tail of the four boys. He gritted his teeth as he chased after them with determination.

Whizzing past store-front lights, Hanbyeol huffed, and her legs moved heavy like an automatic robot. She was so focused on running that she didn't have time to think about how romantic it was to have her crush take her through the city. Weaving into alleyways, the darkness grew.

With fast reflexes at an intersection, Seojun pushed boxes down on the left to make it look like they went that way. Then he ran to the right, slipping behind stacks of plastic chairs and tugging Hanbyeol close to him as they crouched down. Her eyes widened at their new position. There was almost no gap between them as her shoulder felt his jacket's rough leather through her shirt. He smelled like cologne and a touch of motorcycle oil. It was like her dreams, but it seemed too perfect.

As he glanced down at her, he noticed that he was still holding her wrist. Seojun quickly let go like she was poisonous. He cleared his throat, embarrassed with himself.

Hanbyeol blinked, and her cheeks burned with awkwardness. She didn't know what to do now as he wasn't moving either. Peeking out, she noticed that the group of boys disappeared the other way. She habitually gave out a small smile in relief. When she turned back to Seojun, her brain faltered, and time seemed to slow.

The cocky boy's handsome face adorned with its sharp jawline was right there and so clear in front of her. His chocolate brown eyes flickered down to her lips. Gradually, he leaned closer to her, and Hanbyeol had to grip onto the red chair near her to keep balance. Her feet dug into the ground to remain crouched.

Seojun's pink lips were approaching hers, and they weren't stopping. 

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Happy New Year!!! I'm back from overseas, and I hope you all had an awesome Christmas and New Year!!!

What are you guys looking forward to this year? For me, I can't wait for Study Group (ahh Cha Woomin!) and Weak Hero Class 2 (pleaseee release this year).

Thanks for reading! Please vote and comment :)