Roots of Friendship

"F*ck you, Joo In Guk!" Hyuk yelled as he panted. His legs were trembling like crazy thanks to overexertion.

Three guys were lying on the grass, each of them panting heavily and drenched in sweat.

The 'game' had finally ended after Hyuk's legs collapsed. He couldn't run anymore so the other two naturally stopped as well.

Laughter bubbled within In Guk, and after recalling how ridiculous their situation was, he laughed out loud. "What the hell?" He said between laughs. "Oi, Lee Hyuk, aren't you too fierce?" He actually chased them for three hours straight!

"F*ck, my body hurts!" Jin Goo complained. Although he was not into sports, he could be considered to be pretty athletic. Even so, he was no match for Hyuk's stamina. Even when he was tired, the guy was like a raging bull. It took him all his strength to run away.

"Go f*ck yourselves!" Hyuk yelled in futility.

"F*ck you, too!" In Guk replied jovially. He was amused yet annoyed at Hyuk. How the hell was he so strong? It was like trying to outrun a hyena. "Yo, Lee Hyuk, you should try out for the track team. A guy like you can probably enter the Olympics, haha."

Jin Goo snorted. In Guk didn't learn his lesson yet? "Oi, stop poking fun at him. He'll beat you up for real, you know? Tomorrow's a school day so good f*cking luck, my friend. Godspeed," Jin Goo said, snickering.

"Oh, sh*t." In Guk paled. He had forgotten that they were in the same class. If Hyuk was really bearing a grudge, he'd probably end up in the hospital again soon.

In Guk glanced at the devil-like rascal.

He was asleep!

It seemed like all the running had tired him out and knocked him unconscious. With the threat neutralised, Jin Goo and In Guk took the time to rest leisurely.

...

..

.

Hyuk woke up with a groan. The midday sun was shining brightly. It had probably been a few hours since he was knocked out.

"Yo, you're finally awake?" In Guk commented the moment he got up.

In Guk and Jin Goo was sitting near him, a bunch of snacks and drinks lying around them. It looked as if they were having a picnic.

"Want a riceball? They're from the convenience store, though," Jin Goo said as he casually handed him a triangular riceball.

Hyuk looked at the offered food blankly, still bleary from lassitude.

"...Thanks." After draining all of his energy, Hyuk no longer had the will to fight with them. He was too tired to think about anything. For the first time in a long while, he didn't feel like he hated himself.

Hyuk absentmindedly accepted the food and popped it into his mouth. Only when he was chewing it did he realise how hungry he had been. He had not eaten a meal ever since he woke up the day before.

Without waiting for an invitation, Hyuk took another riceball and devoured it. Neither of the two other guys complained about it; In Guk himself even personally uncapped a bottle of water for the famished guy.

Once all the food had been finished, someone finally spoke up.

"Hey, wasn't that a lot of fun? Let's do it again in the future," In Guk said, lightening the mood.

"Are you crazy?"

"Crazy b*stard."

Jin Goo and Hyuk replied simultaneously.

In Guk frowned at the two unenthusiastic guys. "Why not?"

"Only a crazy person like you would want to do that again. Just stick to playing basketball like a normal teen, why don't you?" Jin Goo scowled. He'd be d*mned if he had to go through that kind of hellish situation again.

"Are we close? Why are you talking casually, dipsh*t?" Hyuk asked with an irritated glance.

In Guk shot a look at Hyuk with his chin slightly turned up, "So what if I speak casually? We're classmates and I'm your class rep. I outrank you."

Hyuk simply raised his fist in retort, "You wanna say that again?"

"..." You d*mn gangster!

"Forget it. Can you stand up—" In Guk who was instantly humbled changed the subject, "—sir?"

Hyuk made a disgusted face at his sudden and obviously forced politeness. "F*ck, just speak however you want. I got goosebumps, yuck."

"F*ck you!"

Jin Goo chuckled at their interaction.

"Sh*t, my legs are f*ckin' jelly right now," Hyuk muttered as he tried to stand up by himself. "It's all you two sh*theads' fault." He glared at them accusingly.

Jin Goo and In Guk ignored his look, "Here, we'll help you up."

"I don't need your help," Hyuk stubbornly said. However, judging by the way he was struggling to stand up, it was obvious that he was lying. He did need help.

The two guys didn't take his words to heart and silently supported him from both sides. Hyuk tried to shake them off, but he was much too weak. He could only mutedly accept their help.

"C'mon, we'll take you home. Which way?" In Guk asked, eagerness hidden in his tone. Clearly, he had a hidden agenda. Hyuk and Yeo Ri were siblings so naturally, they lived together. It'd be great if he could memorise the directions... for, er, reference. He swatted away his thoughts, saying to himself, 'no, no, I'm here to help Lee Hyuk get home safely, that's all.'

And with that, a friendship unknowingly budded between the trio.