Unfortunately, Hyun and Min couldn’t stay in the moment forever.

As Hyun and Min were lost in their passionate moment, their tranquility was shattered by the sound of approaching footsteps. Reacting swiftly, Hyun pushed Min away, inadvertently hitting him on the forehead with his gold-plated ring. Min winced in pain, cradling his forehead with both hands.

With their hearts approaching high speed, they overheard voices outside the classroom, signaling the need to hide. Acting on instinct, Min scrambled under a nearby table, seeking refuge in its dusty shadows. Meanwhile, Hyun’s mind raced with thoughts of defending Min, his fists clenched as he prepared to unleash his years of martial arts training on anyone who threatened them. The tension in the room was palpable as they braced themselves for what lay ahead.

A moment later, the door swung open, and two figures entered—Manu and Ishi. Manu appeared sheepish, his hands fidgeting behind his back, while Ishi exuded an air of determination, standing by his side like a protective guardian. Sensing their presence, Hyun and Min let their guards down, but still held their breath, unsure of their intentions.

Ishi leaned in, whispering encouragingly to Manu, urging him to ask the burning question as she showed a teacherly look. Timidly, Manu began, stumbling over his words as he addressed Hyun, his voice laced with both regret and innocence.

“So, um, the chocolates you gave me...” Manu paused, his eyes darting nervously. “Ah, um, are you okay, tall man?”

Hyun’s anxiety melted away as he realized the nature of Manu’s inquiry. He let out a sigh of relief, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. With a gentle nod, he reassured Manu that everything was fine, granting him permission to continue.

Emerging from his hiding spot, Min cautiously crawled out, bidding farewell to his temporary friend, the wall gecko, who had offered some companionship in the darkness. A mixture of relief and warmth surged through him as he observed the interaction between Hyun and Manu.

Manu, his voice now oozing innocence, explained that he had shared the chocolates with his friends, leaving him empty-handed. At that moment, Hyun couldn’t resist the charm of Manu’s plea, his heart swelling with affection. He couldn’t help but express his fondness by playfully squeezing Manu’s cheeks, promising to shower him and Ishi with an abundance of candy the following day.

Aware of the precariousness of their situation, Hyun swiftly sent Manu and Ishi on their way, ensuring their departure would attract minimal attention. With the interruption momentarily diffused, Hyun and Min were left with a blend of emotions—relief for evading discovery and a touch of sweetness brought by the kids’ innocent request for more sweets.

In that brief encounter, the unexpected intrusion had become a catalyst for tenderness, strengthening the bond between Hyun and Min, and leaving them longing for a time when they could once again indulge in their shared secret.

An awkward silence soon fell over the boys.

Hyun broke the silence with a rhetorical question, expressing his frustration. “How long do we have to stay in here? I mean, we could go out and act normal, but what if those idiots figure us out? Maybe I’m giving them too much credit, but... I don’t know. Even if they don’t catch us, I don’t want to stay in this suffocating atmosphere. It’s draining.”

Min offered a solution, suggesting they escape to his nearby house, just a few blocks away from the school. Hyun squinted his eyes, perplexed by the unexpected suggestion.

“Wait, what?”

Min maintained a serious expression as he clarified, “My house is close by. We can get away from all of this. They won’t even notice.”

A cheeky smile took over Hyun’s lips as he teased, “Min’s being a bad boy, huh?”

“You know, this is quite unusual for you,” Hyun remarked, his voice breathy. “But I like it.”

Min’s heart slowly ascended, his cheeks warming with a flush. As they contemplated the plan, one major concern lingered in Hyun’s mind.

“What about the guard? He won’t just let us stroll out, you know.”

“That guy is probably taking his afternoon nap,” Min assured, his grip tightening as he grasped Hyun’s hand.

“Are you sure? If we get caught, it’s game over for both of us,” Hyun cautioned, his voice filled with both trust and worry.

Min’s firm squeeze conveyed his determination as he pleaded, “Trust me. Please.”

Hyun’s voice softened with each word as he reassured, “I trust you. I trust you, alright.” Leaning in, he gently kissed Min’s forehead, his finger lingering on the spot where the ring had accidentally caused pain.

“Does it still hurt?” Hyun asked, his touch delicate and caring.

Min smiled, the pain momentarily forgotten. “I forgot about it until you mentioned it.”

Hyun’s hand caressed Min’s cheek, his gaze fixed on his eyes, savoring the connection between them. With a shared understanding, they set their escape plan into motion.

Hyun peered through the window, observing the crowd that showed no signs of dispersing. A new argument had erupted, providing a welcomed distraction. Their path to freedom involved navigating a mostly linear route from the abandoned classroom to a nearby gate. The task seemed simple enough, but any suspicion from Kai, Ron, or a curious onlooker could jeopardize their escape.

Escaping had always been a skill Hyun had honed over the years, having ditched countless classes in the past. However, the consequences back then were trivial compared to the risks they faced now. With Min’s suggestion and Hyun’s experience, the roles shifted, and Hyun took the lead.

Carefully, Hyun stepped one foot out of the room, scanning the surroundings for any potential threats. The corridor lay deserted except for a janitor cleaning up a pitiful puddle of vomit in the far corner. Up ahead, the commotion of the crowd echoed through the open ground.

Satisfied with his quick assessment, Hyun returned to Min, assuring him that there was little cause for concern. They simply had to blend in as naturally as possible during the initial part of their journey.

In what Hyun uniquely called the “first course,” they needed to exit the room and turn left. Suppressing his instinct to hold Min’s hand, Hyun gestured for Min to follow behind at a distance that wouldn’t arouse suspicion. Their connection had to be disguised to avoid raising eyebrows. With his senses heightened, Hyun led the way, keeping a vigilant watch as they embarked on the riskiest leg of their escape, walking alongside a sea of people not too far away.

Emerging from the filthy dark into the open, the lovers experienced a stark contrast in their demeanor. Hyun’s face showed no trace of fear as his acting chops took over. He strolled casually, wearing a subtle smile while maintaining a neutral expression overall. A warm, humid breeze caressed his face, and the breaking sunlight bathed his entire body. His eyes sparkled with vitality and exuberance.

In contrast, a dark cloud seemed to hover over Min’s head. His wide eyes held a look of terror, as if he had just witnessed a gruesome murder. Unlike Hyun, Min’s gaze lacked the same zest for life.

The two lovers proceeded along the straight path at a steady pace, careful not to attract undue attention. Min struggled to resist the urge to look at the chaotic scene surrounding them, but he managed to keep his head still. The air reverberated with thunderous barks and roars, as if a crowd had gathered to witness a brutal cage fight between aggressive animals.

After what felt like an eternity, the ceiling above them opened up, revealing the sky. They passed by several classrooms, stopping at one to retrieve their bags, before continuing towards the gate that marked the second leg of their journey. As they approached, they shed their disguises, quickening their pace toward their destination. This gate, primarily used by teachers and leading to a staff-only parking compound, was their exit point. Despite the main gate being closer and having a pathetic watchman, they decided against taking the risk due to the hubbub beside it. Some students even speculated that the guard stationed there was dead, and the principal hadn’t found a replacement yet. Whispers circulated about a “funky odor” emanating from the guard’s room during the sweltering heat.

Hand in hand, the two boys arrived at the gate, their steps muffled as they drew nearer. Apart from a focused janitor, a drowsy guard different from the man at the main gate, and themselves, no other humans were present.

Hyun remarked, “Looks like this guard is dead too.”

Min innocently asked, “So... do we jump over the gate?”

Hyun chuckled and playfully tousled Min’s hair, replying, “Ah, you cutie. We can just walk right through. He won’t even notice.”

Just as they were about to taste freedom, a loud, hoarse voice called out from behind.

“Hey! Min and Hyun! Where are you guys going?!”

Startled, Min climbed over the gate, while Hyun swiftly kicked it open and sprinted at full speed.

“Come on! Run!”

Despite his previous leg injury, Hyun dashed forward like a cheetah chasing after its prey. The parking lot, relatively empty, allowed them to run without much hindrance. At first, Min struggled to keep up, but adrenaline flowed through his veins, propelling him forward until he matched Hyun’s speed.

Breathlessly, Min asked, “Who was that?! I hope we didn’t get caught.”

“Don’t know. I really don’t. But if things take a turn for the worse, we’ll find a way!” Hyun assured him.

Suddenly, a loud bang echoed behind them, followed by cries of distress. The voice sounded familiar, rough, and boisterous. Min brushed off the thought, focusing on the present moment.

Unbeknownst to them, their pursuer was indeed Akio. Spotting the two boys from a distance, he called out to them, intending to ask about their peculiar companionship and movement. As they dashed away in response, Akio gave chase, only to slip on the liquid that the janitor had been cleaning and emit a cry, not due to the pain but the putrid stench that now clung to him.

Finally, the two lovers reached the street, and an electrifying current streamed through Hyun’s entire being. Though the surroundings appeared dull and lifeless, with silent homes, scattered trash, thin vegetation, and a slumbering cat, Hyun radiated an unmatched liveliness. This vibrant energy grew as he stepped on dried leaves that crackled beneath his feet, releasing packets of positive energy into the air. Glancing behind, he noticed Min, adorably excited, struggling to carry his hefty bag. Despite running aimlessly, Hyun couldn’t contain his laughter and overwhelming happiness. Min, too, shyly joined in the giggles as he caught up with Hyun. Driven by sheer exhilaration, Hyun thrust his hands toward the sky and propelled himself forward with unbounded enthusiasm.