➪The Man|| WINRINA

𝙵𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚢-𝚘𝚗𝚎

“We should really do something to help Minjeong.” Taehyun muttered to Soobin who slurped his noodles in response.

The two of them were in a convenience store across their school. Ning Convenience store was the name of the establishment and for some strange reason, a girl was in the signage doing finger hearts. Taehyun found it weird and oddly similar to the one of the Na establishments.

It was dismissal for the students of both academies. The convenience store was packed with both female and male students rushing to buy coffee, snacks, and energy drinks before their after-school tutorials offered by the academy.

Soobin and Taehyun were in their usualy spot by the front window. It was their after-school tradition. They would invite Minjeong but the male always bolted right out once they were dismissed or—because of unsaid reasons—being tormented by Jaemin and Jeno, mostly Jaemin.

Soobin raised the plastic cup of his instant noodles and took a sip of the soup. He placed it back down on the cluttered table full of opened packets of snacks. “I'm just confused what Minjeong did. I knew Jaemin was somewhat weird but I didn't think he would straight up harass him because of—”

“Something petty.” Taehyun sufficed, “Something petty such as lying. What is he? Five? Everyone lies once in a while. I mean, he lied that he was having family problems but last year he was seen acting all sweet with his mother.”

Soobin frowned, “Don't assume. You never know what's beyond what they show. You know Jaemin is careful about his image. It's the perfect family.”

Taehyun snorted, taking out a Piattos chip and shoving it inside his mouth. “ Are you defending him? Jaemin is perfect. Why do you think Jeno hangs out with him? That guy clings to anything perfect. ”

“That explains why he doesn't cling to his boyfriend.” Soobin snorted, albeit somewhat guilty for making fun of Jeno’s unnamed boyfriend. “But seriously. Don't say that. Jaemin might be going through something and we don't know that.”

“It's probably because of Jeno anyway.” Taehyun sighed. He may hate Jaemin but he did care for Jaemin as a classmate and a secret admirer—not romantically, platonically. “Jaemin wasn't always that haunty and mean. I mean, he helped me on my first day. He helped a lot of us. His personality kinda changed two years ago.”

“Two years ago?” Soobin raised a brow, curious.

Taehyun shook his head no. “Nothing. Probably irrelevant.”

“What changed?” Soobin asked, cheeks stuffed with bread.

Taehyun ignored his question, “What we need to think is how we can—”

“Welcome to Ning Convenience store.” The cashier greeted Yeji as she entered the small establishment. She was a usual in this placing, buying her regular energy drink and hotdog in a bun. If she had time (like today) she would sit by the windows and consume her food and drink.

She gave a nod to the cashier before heading to the refrigerators containing the drinks. She passed by two male students from Shang academy. The good thing about this place was it was located across their school, so the rule that the boys and girls cannot be together ceased to exist.