Chapter 2: community service

Joon-oh's frantic banging on the door broke the spell of Soo Hyun's misery. He opened the door to find his roommates' nervous faces, their eyes darting back and forth like trapped animals.

"What's going on?" Soo Hyun asked, but before anyone could answer, Joon-oh dragged him out of the room, nearly pulling his arm out of its socket.

In the common area, their homeroom teacher, Professor Lee, stood with a stern expression, arms crossed and eyes blazing. "Gentlemen, we need to talk."

Soo Hyun's heart sank. He knew they were in trouble. The "Operation: Mi Kyung Misfire" had clearly gone too far.

"Your... creative expression of devotion caused quite a disturbance during lectures," Professor Lee began, her voice dripping with disapproval. "Not to mention the damage to school property. I'm afraid I have no choice but to give you a warning... and community service."

Sung-min groaned, flopping onto the couch like a defeated rag doll. Yoon-ah looked like she was about to apologize profusely, her hands clasped together in a pleading gesture. Joon-oh just shrugged, as if to say "worth it."

Soo Hyun felt his face heat up with embarrassment. This was not how he wanted to start the semester.

But then, Professor Lee dropped a bombshell: "And, Soo Hyun, I've received a complaint from your father. It seems he's not happy with your... extracurricular activities."

The next morning, Soo Hyun woke up feeling a bit more refreshed. He joined his roommates in the common area, where they were busy making breakfast.

Yoon-ah was attempting to cook pancakes, while Sung-min was trying to "help" by tasting the batter. Joon-oh was sitting at the table, sipping on a cup of coffee and looking like he owned the place.

After breakfast, they headed to their first class of the day. Soo Hyun was relieved to find that Mi Kyung wasn't in the same class, so he didn't have to face her just yet.

But, as he was walking out of class, he ran into Hye-min, who was always looking like a tom-boy

"Hey, Soo Hyun! What's up?" she asked, smiling brightly.

Soo Hyun smiled back at her. "Not much, Hye-min. Just trying to survive."

Hye-min laughed. "I know the feeling. Hey, want to grab lunch together? I heard the new cafeteria menu is actually edible."

Soo Hyun agreed, and they made plans to meet up later.

As he walked to his next class, Soo Hyun couldn't help but feel a bit more optimistic. Maybe this semester wouldn't be so bad after all.

But, as he was walking out of his last class, he received a text from his dad: "We need to talk. Now."

Soo Hyun's heart sank. It had been a long time since he actually spoke face to face with his father. Meeting him now after receiving his texts yesterday night made his heart pump louder. But he had to be brave. He can't let his dad make him weak.

He decided to meet his dad at the student union building, feeling a sense of dread.

But, as they sat down, Soo Hyun's dad surprised him by asking about his classes and how he was adjusting to college life. Soo Hyun was taken aback - his dad never showed interest in his personal life.

Just as Soo Hyun was starting to relax, his dad dropped the bombshell: "I heard about the incident. I'm disappointed, Soo Hyun. You know better than to cause trouble."

Soo Hyun's anger flared. "You're one to talk," he spat. "You've been leeching off me for years, using my scholarship money to fund your own failed business ventures."

His dad's face reddened. "How dare you! I'm your father, and you'll respect me!"

Soo Hyun stood up, his chair scraping against the floor. "I don't have to respect you. You've never been there for me."

With that, Soo Hyun stormed out of the room, leaving his dad's angry shouts behind.

He arrived late to his architecture class, still fuming. Professor Lee greeted him with a stern expression.

"Late again, Soo Hyun. And now, I'm assigning a group project. You'll be working with Mi Kyung, Joon-oh, and Yoon-ah to design a sustainable community center. I expect great things."

Soo Hyun's heart sank. A group project with Mi Kyung? This was not what he needed right now.

But as he looked around the room, he saw Mi Kyung's concerned expression, and something inside him shifted. He had liked Mi Kyung since fresher years.

Even though she never showed romantic interests in him, she had been a good friend.

He was also honest with his feelings towards her and he was thankful that it didn't ruin their friendship. He didn't intend to stop pursuing her.

He was going to do anything to make sure that she ended up his. He was ready to eliminate any competitions if it involved her. That was how much he liked her.

After the class, Soo Hyun and his group members headed to the community service meeting, still discussing their project ideas.

As they arrived at the meeting point, they saw Professor Lee and a few other students already there.

"Ah, right on time," Professor Lee said, nodding in approval. "Today, you'll be cleaning up the local park. Let's get to work!"

Soo Hyun groaned inwardly. Cleaning up a park? This was not his idea of fun.

But as they started working, he noticed Mi Kyung struggling to carry a heavy trash bag. Without thinking, he rushed over to help her.

"Thanks," she said, smiling up at him. "I guess I'm not as strong as I thought."

Soo Hyun smiled back, feeling a flutter in his chest. "I think you're stronger than you think"

His friends coughed loudly interrupting his moment. Mi Kyung excused herself but Soo Hyun still remained rooted to the same spot smiling like a fool.

They finished for the day and they all left the park one by one

"Hey Min Soo Hyun, you aren't coming?" Yoon-ah shouted from the gate. "I'll meet you with you guys later" he said and they all left.

Lee mi Kyung finished packing her stuffs and also set to leave as she spotted Soo Hyun jogging near her.

"You didn't follow your friends?" She asked surprisingly. "No, I wanted to talk to you" he said as he walked beside her

"About?"

"I wanted to thank you for tagging along with me to community service. Even though we were the one's who caused trouble" he said shyly. He actually didn't expect her to come

"It was nothing. Joon-oh invited me" she said with a smile.

"J-joon oh? Why would Joon oh invite you to work out here in the sun?" He said almost irritated

"It was really nothing, we were able to talk about the project too"

"Hm, alright then"

They continued walking until mi Kyung suddenly stopped walking and faced him

"Min Soo Hyun, cheer up" she said and walked off

His heart fluttered like crazy.

Soo Hyun day dreamed for a while before he also exited the park