Chapter Text
👥 Park Sunghoon has sent you a friend request. See now. 👥
Sunoo raised his eyebrow at the notification that popped on his screen.
He quickly tapped on it and poked around the Facebook profile of this Park Sunghoon guy. The name didn't strike a chord, but Sunoo was a curious guy.
He was supposed to be “studying” for study period right now, so he had to smother the gasp that slipped out as he went through the guy's profile pictures. He was sporting the Decelis Academy soccer team uniform in one of them, and he spied the Decelis soccer field behind him.
Sunoo would recognize their uniform and soccer field anywhere since Decelis happened to be Sunshine Beach Academy's (Sunoo's alma mater) bitter rivals – their rivalry was legendary in their school district – and Sunoo always got roped into assisting his school's soccer team during the season.
He was a glorified errand boy for Coach Seo and a glorified waterboy for the team. Putting away equipment, keeping tabs on drills and players' times, carrying bandages and cold packs with him, all that jazz. He figured it wasn't too bad of a deal since the time helping out the team went towards the mandatory community hours he had to complete in order to graduate, and he got to leave school with the team whenever they had away games.
The sight of athletic, sweaty guys on the regular was not too bad, either.
Looking back at the profile on his screen, he was positive he had never seen the guy in the picture when visiting Decelis. The guy was sporting the varsity jersey, and Sunoo knew all the varsity Decelis guys by name since Coach Seo had asked him to gather intel on them last year.
He must be a transfer, Sunoo thought to himself, scrolling through the pictures mindlessly.
Something was nagging at him on the back of his head, though. Although he was positive that he didn't know a Park Sunghoon, his face appeared extremely familiar. No way Sunoo would forget such a handsome guy.
His thumb hovers indecisive over the Confirm button. The bad blood between schools really was no joke, and Sunoo could not think of a single reason as to why a Decelis guy would add him as a friend on SNS. Maybe to gather intel like Sunoo had?
If any of his classmates caught wind that he was "fraternizing" with the enemy like this, they would give him hell for it. Even Coach Seo would be pissed off. He'd be deemed a traitor and shunned socially. It sounded like a very bad decision to accept the friend request.
Sunoo clicked on Confirm anyways.
His mom had not raised a quitter.
Frankly, he would not have been able to carry on with his life peacefully until he learned where exactly he knew this guy from, because Sunoo can swear on his sister’s life that he has seen him somewhere before.
He sort of expected the guy to maybe message him after he’d accepted the friend request to state his intentions, but nothing happened over the next following days.
The guy didn't have a lot on his SNS page compared to Sunoo's. Sunoo had memorized all the content to be found about the guy already with how many times he had gone through the profile trying to collect clues as to his motives to befriend Sunoo on SNS.
It was occupying so much of Sunoo's mind that even Jungwon, Sunoo's best friend, called him out on it.
"What's up with you?" Jungwon asked, intercepting him one day at the cafeteria's lunch line. "You've been all shifty this entire week."
"I have not!" Sunoo denied hotly, shoving his phone deeper into his pocket. "I've just been busy with schoolwork and projects, that’s all. "
Like HELL he'd tell him.
Jungwon begrudgingly accepted his explanation, but Sunoo got even more paranoid after that. He thought about unfriending the Decelis guy a number of times to save himself the trouble. He wasn't even closer to figuring out where he had seen him before, either!
Sunoo didn't have to wait too long for his answer, thankfully. The next morning, he was leaning back on the bus stop bench with his earphones' volume cranked up as he waited for the bus that would take him to school when he spotted him, that Park Sunghoon guy.
There was no mistaking him.
Doning the preppy Decelis gray slacks and blazer, Park Sunghoon walked right in front of him and continued walking past until Sunoo lost sight of him when the guy took a turn on the corner. He had seen him clearly, though, like in slow-motion. The guy hadn't looked at Sunoo once, but that was alright.
Sunoo now knew where he had seen him before.
Not every morning, but some mornings when Sunoo headed out earlier to school, he would get to see the Decelis student walk by on his way to the next bus stop a couple of blocks away.
Sunoo knew it was taboo, but he had working eyes, dammit. The guy was way too handsome to fly under Sunoo's radar even if he was from Decelis Academy.
The question now was: How in the world had the guy even noticed him in the first place, and then later found him on SNS when they’ve never exchanged words? Or even looks, now that Sunoo thought about it a little more. No matter how much he tried to remember he couldn't think of a single instance of shared eye contact.
He agonized about what to do.
Usually he would run to Jungwon and brainstorm together his way out of his problems, but he really feared he would deliver Sunoo to the hands of his classmates as a traitor so he kept mum about it for the time being.
He didn't know why he was making such a big deal out of this, to be honest. It wasn't even the first time Sunoo had accepted friend requests from strangers! So, why wouldn't this friend request in particular leave his mind? The question was, of course, simple. And embarrassing.
Park Sunghoon was hot. Very hot. And he had sent a friend request to Sunoo, no matter the reason as to why, and not the other way around. It kind of really made him feel good about himself to be noticed by such a guy. Sunoo couldn't help the fleeting romantic scenarios that formed in his head.
Their inevitable but totally accidental first meeting in real life.
Maybe they wouldn't bring up the fact that they're SNS friends.
Their awkward but heart-fluttering coincidental following meetings.
The Romeo-and-Juliet tumultuous relationship that would follow due to their schools' rivalry.
Maybe Sunoo would discover that the guy had been using him in the beginning to get intel on the Sunshine Beach team, but then he'd fallen for Sunoo and didn't care about doing that anymore.
Sunoo had plenty of time to think about these things during Calculus. And English class. And Biology.
The start of soccer season was not too far off now, which meant Sunoo could potentially see the guy up close during games. The thought birthed butterflies in his stomach.
Sunoo was dying to confide in Jungwon about all this. The younger boy always indulged Sunoo's ramblings but would urge Sunoo to keep his feet on the ground, which he appreciated. Jungwon knew something was up anyways, since he had raised his eyebrow at Sunoo's recent romantic playlists.
When Sunoo changed his profile picture and got a like from the Decelis guy almost right after posting, he couldn't hold it in any longer. He asked Jungwon if he wanted to hang out at the mall after school; the younger boy agreed easily enough.
"So, what is it that you wanted to tell me, hyung?" Jungwon asked as they walked around the mall later that afternoon.
Sunoo played dumb.
"How do you know I want to tell you something?" he asked, pretending to be absorbed in checking out the price of the shoes in front of him.
"Because you're checking out the price for a pair of LOAFERS," Jungwon rolled his eyes. "You hate loafers."
Sunoo sighed, dragging his eyes to Jungwon.
"Loafers are freaking ugly," he agreed.
Jungwon beamed at him with that toothy smile of his. It helped settle Sunoo's nerves.
"Promise you won't get mad," he whined anyways, holding up his pinky.
Jungwon solemnly promised. Sunoo began spilling everything, whipping out his phone to show him pictures of the guy. Sunoo saw Jungwon's eyebrow and mouth twitch here and there, but he didn't interrupt once.
"And that's all," Sunoo concluded lamely.
There wasn't actually much to tell if one took out Sunoo's delusions from the equation.
“You accepted a friend request from a stranger?!” was the first thing that came out of Jungwon's mouth.
Sunoo smiled nervously.
"Uh, technically not a stranger," he mumbled in his defense.
Jungwon ignored him.
"More importantly, you accepted a friend request from a Decelis guy? Do you have a death wish, hyung?" he asked incredulously.
Sunoo winced.
"It sounds bad when you put it that way," he said.
Jungwon dropped the serious act and giggled, smacking Sunoo in the arm.
"I can condone talking to strangers on the internet but I draw the line at fraternizing with Decelis students on the internet OR in real life," he tutted jokingly.
Sunoo bursted out laughing, relieved.
"Well, it's certainly suspicious how he even found you on SNS," Jungwon hummed thoughtfully, "but he just probably thought you were hot and didn't think twice about adding you."
"Yang Jungwon, are you crazy?" Sunoo hissed, shy but secretly flattered.
Jungwon rolled his eyes.
"Please, hyung, I have working eyes. Anyway, you just had to go and get a crush on a Decelis guy and make it difficult on yourself, huh? You couldn't just return Heeseung hyung's feelings instead?"
Sunoo choked on nothing at that.
"H-Hee-Heeseung hyung's WHAT?" he strangled out.
"Heeseung hyung's feelings," Jungwon repeated slowly. "Which he has. For you."
"That is the most insane thing you have ever said to me," Sunoo shot back, head reeling. "Heeseung hyung is so above us simple mortals that the only reason he knows who I am is because of soccer."
"The amount of times he lifts his shirt to wipe the sweat off his face in your direction during practice would be pathetic if it was anyone but Heeseung hyung," Jungwon assured him. "As it is, the only pathetic thing is how oblivious you are."
Sunoo shoved at his best friend.
"Heeseung hyung, valedictorian of the Senior class and captain of the varsity soccer team, is not interested in silly little me. End of discussion." Sunoo scolded.
Jungwon shrugged.
"Suit yourself," he said. "Do you want me to gather info on this Decelis guy for you?"
Sunoo looked at his friend strangely.
"How would you do that?"
"Do you remember Jay hyung?" Jungwon asked, getting in line at the ice cream parlor.
Sunoo hurried to stand next to him.
"Your childhood friend?" Sunoo wondered.
Jungwon nodded.
"Yep! He's a junior at Decelis, y'know."
"WHAT!" Sunoo exclaimed.
Jungwon shushed him, urging him to keep his volume down. He put a hand over his mouth and nodded at Jungwon to continue.
"Yeah, he's the yearbook editor this year," Jungwon added. "Which means he must know a lot of people. He can probably tell us more."
Sunoo bit his lip, considering.
Jungwon silently handed him a mintchoco cone. Sunoo thought about it seriously. He had already come this far to satisfy his curiosity about Decelis' Park Sunghoon. He couldn't just stop now.
"I'll leave it in your care, Jungwonnie," he answered timidly after a long pause.
Jungwon laughed.
"I already texted Jay hyung. I've got you."
"Yang Jungwon!"
"I'm efficient like that, hyung!"
Sunoo felt warm all over. He was glad to have someone like his friend in his life.
New transfer student, Jungwon's friend reported. Doesn't talk much during class. Had shown up a month and a half into the school semester, tried out for the soccer team that very same day and gotten into the varsity's first string. He had been that good.
Sorry I don't have anything else to say at this point in time, he apologized. If I learn anything else, I'll let you know.
"Mysterious," Jungwon commented after sharing this information with Sunoo. "And hot."
Sunoo laughed, hitting his friend.
The days seemed to rush by, and then the beginning of soccer season came upon Sunshine Beach Academy and upon Sunoo. He forgot about his SNS friend as he ran from class to the field every day, early for morning practice and until late in the afternoon for after school practice.
This year Coach Seo seemed to heap more responsibilities upon him than ever.
"You're a sophomore now, Sunoo," he said, patting him in the head. "You've got this more than handled."
Sunoo sighed the next morning when he showed up bright and early and there was no Coach in sight.
"Sun," someone called out to him brightly.
Sunoo turned to see Lee Heeseung, team captain, run up to him to help carry the giant bag of soccer balls that Sunoo had been dragging behind him from the storage.
Sunoo smiled at him in gratefulness.
"Captain, good morning. Thank you."
"Where's Coach?" Heeseung asked, carrying the bag as if it weighed nothing.
"He's not here," Sunoo grumbled. "And I don't think he's showing up for morning practice."
Heeseung smothered a laugh.
"Coach does love his beauty sleep. Well, it seems like you and I are in charge today."
They arrived at the field, where most of the guys were already warming up. The returning players all greeted Sunoo enthusiastically, the new additions a little more shy. Seeing them this animated injected Sunoo with a burst of energy, like a shot of caffeine. He'd missed this.
"Ready to whip the kids into shape, Mom?" Heeseung teased, flashing him a toothy smile.
Coach Seo had dubbed Heeseung "Dad" and Sunoo "Mom" of the "kids" since last year and the nickname had stuck. Sunoo took it with good humor.
"You bet, Dad." He blew the whistle sharply. "Everyone, let's start with some laps!"
Heeseung took the lead and morning practice commenced. Sunoo snapped a picture with the sun climbing up the sky and posted it, heart full with crisp morning air. He then hurried to get everything ready for the drills.
It was once again during study period when Sunoo saw the notification on his phone.
👥 Park Sunghoon has liked your picture. See now. 👥
Sunoo's heart got close to skipping a beat. He remembered now that the very real chance of meeting Park Sunghoon could happen any day now.
Since Sunoo had to be extra early at school these days, he got to see Park Sunghoon walk by every day right in front of his bus stop. Sunoo could probably draw the guy's profile from memory. He was always walking briskly, backpack and training bag slung on his wide shoulders.
Sunoo had yet to exchange even a small nod in lieu of a greeting with the guy, but, if he for some reason didn't get to see him breeze by in the morning, his day would feel off.
The other kept faithfully liking all of Sunoo's posts and pictures without exception. Sunoo checked.
"Our first scheduled game is next Thursday," Coach Seo greeted them with the news the following morning, showing up for morning practice for a change.
Sunoo's tummy fell in a swoop with excitement and nerves. The guys cheered, pumping themselves up. Coach Seo quieted them down.
"It's going to be a friendly match," he announced, followed by a suspenseful silence where he looked at all of them from under his bushy eyebrows, "against Decelis Academy."
Chaos ensued after that bomb. The excited and fiery exclamations from the guys would not quiet down.
Coach Seo let them go at it for a bit, smirking. Sunoo smiled at the competitiveness in this current team.
"Alright! We know what to do! We're gonna do what we do and win games, friendly or not. If any of you fail a quiz or get suspended in the next two weeks, I'll end you."
"Coach, where are we playing?" shouted one of the guys.
Coach Seo smirked again and affected a laugh.
Sunoo rolled his eyes at the theatrics.
"Gentlemen, we are hosting Decelis Academy here on our lovely campus!"
Practice that day was INSANE. The guys wouldn't settle down.
The rest of the week and the next one were exhausting. Sunoo would go blue with how hard he had to blow the whistle during practice. Coach Seo did not miss a single practice. In fact, he upped the intensity of practice, the guys going home at the end of the day with Jell-O legs.
Sunoo did his best to keep up the guys' morale, running around making sure they had everything they needed while keeping Coach Seo in check with a can of diet coke and gum at the ready for him. Two days before the match, he and his mom baked them all chocolate chip cookies.
The Coach allowed the guys to break their strict dietary restrictions and eat them the next day.
"Great work, Mom," Heeseung told him, wiping his mouth. "The kids look happy."
Sunoo hummed, watching Coach Seo shove three cookies into his mouth.
"Maybe too happy," he joked.
Heeseung smiled then cleared his throat.
"Have I told you how I'm gonna miss your baking the most next year?" he poked Sunoo's cheek.
He remembered Jungwon's words from before but internally shook his head. No way.
"You're gonna be in college, hyung. There's better cookies there."
"But they're not Kim Sunoo cookies," he argued. "They're not the same."
Sunoo blushed, pleased at the obvious praise.
"Listen up!" the Coach called for everybody's attention, interrupting them. "Go home early today. Tomorrow's game day. Sleep well. Don't overeat."
“There's no morning practice tomorrow, either! Please, before you leave, come pick up your jerseys with me!" Sunoo announced, cupping his hands around his mouth.
By the time he was done handing out uniforms and locking up for the day, it was already way later than usual.
He had to wait a long time for the right bus, and when it finally rolled up at the stop by the school, he rushed inside and collapsed on one of the window seats close to the front. He didn't mean to fall asleep, but his eyes closed on their own accord almost instantly.
The bus must've fallen on a pothole or something, because Sunoo's head hit the window so hard that he woke up with a wince.
He discreetly wiped his chin for spit and got his bearings back. He was still a good ten minutes away from his stop, but he fought his heavy eyelids.
When his stop finally came up, he stood up and made his way to the back of the bus carefully. He almost lost his footing anyways when he accidentally made eye contact with a guy sitting on the high seats at the very back of the bus.
A very familiar looking guy who happened to be wearing a Decelis Academy uniform.
He quickly darted his eyes away as chants of "WHAT THE HELL" filled his head. He pressed the button for his stop hastily and stared woodenly at the bus door, refusing to acknowledge the heavy gaze he could still feel fixed on him. He panicked when he spied the other student stand up as well out of the corner of his eye.
What was Decelis Academy's Park Sunghoon doing in his bus?!
Why did it look like he was getting off at his same stop?!
Why was the bus even taking this long to make a stop, damn it?!
Oh my god, was he really standing right behind him?!
Sunoo's brain was on emergency lockdown.
Sunoo was holding on to the side railings in front of the door with his two hands, when all of a sudden he felt rather than saw a presence right behind him. Two hands snaked in from behind him to hold on to the same railings scant centimeters above his. Large, pale hands with elegant, long nails.
Sunoo basically jumped out of the bus before the doors had even finished opening when it finally rolled to a stop. Though he kept repeating in his head to not be embarrassing, he was truthfully shitting his pants.
Sunoo mimicked the brisk walk the Decelis student did every morning and sped away as fast as he could, though he could sense the guy walking about two meters behind him. He tampered down the urge to look back and check to see where he was.
He was shamefully short of breath.
Sunoo didn't know at what point on his walk home the Decelis student took a turn and went on a different direction, but he didn't let his feet stop for one second until he was safely tucked away in his room and gasping for air. He felt ridiculous at having handled that so poorly.
Right before bed, he posted a selca to try and see something. Mere minutes later, he reached for his bedside lamp to turn it off when his phone pinged with a notification.
👥 Park Sunghoon has liked your picture. See now. 👥
Sunoo screamed into his pillow until his sister banged on the wall demanding he pipe down.