grow

Walking down the school building's hallway, San couldn't help but think once again. What weird feeling surrounds him whenever he thinks of Wooyoung or his memories of Wooyoung? Could it be the feeling of having a close friend? Someone very close to your heart? He wonders and is determined to find out what he truly feels for the other.

"Hey, San!" Mingi called, running from behind. The black-haired man looked back and saw a tall figure running towards him, smiling from ear to ear. San smiled back, his eyes disappearing as he does.

San waited for the blonde to reach him, and he stopped in his tracks and watched as Mingi ran to him. The black-haired wanted to laugh, the younger looked like a chick who's running to his mama.

Mingi stopped and caught his breath, "It's been weeks since I saw you. How are you, Mingi?" San questioned, earning a lighthearted giggle from the younger, who's still catching his breath. The latter sighed, "I'm okay, hyung! It's just that I was so busy and everything!" The younger exclaimed, and San nods in acknowledgement.

The younger frowned, "Our organization went downhill three days ago, so I needed to find a way to fix it. Our organization's leader left the school and took all of our funds!" He shared, feeling frustrated and stressed.

The elder couldn't help but frown, too. "Well, have you fixed the problem?" San asked, his tone gentle and genuine, not trying to pressure Mingi. The younger sighed heavily this time, "We haven't, though we have an event to raise funds." He responded, his voice laced with melancholy and bitterness.

Before San could ask what event it is, Mingi spoke, "Hey, San! Say, could you join this event? It's very easy! All you have to do is either plant 15 trees or collect bottles on the campus." He informs. The younger looks at San with full anticipation, wanting him to join.

San sighed, but on the other hand, he realized that maybe this could help him distract his mind for a bit; luckily, he had no classes from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

"Okay! How do I start?" San asked, face full of seriousness.

Wooyoung was walking down the school's ground when he noticed a familiar figure across him. He just finished his Modern Physics class, and he was damned exhausted, but that doesn't mean that he does not recognize San.

"What is he doing?" He asked himself, squinting his eyes and walking closer to watch and observe San. He realized that the man was busy planting trees. It looked easy for San, Wooyoung thought.

As he was about to approach the elder, another figure had already approached San. Wooyoung wasn't familiar with him, though he sees him in his Theoretical Mechanics I classes. "Who is that? Do they know each other?" The younger thought, his eyes squinting, and raises one of his eyebrows.

Instead of probing to the man's identity, Wooyoung sat on the nearby bench to observe San and his skills in planting. He didn't know that San is great at handling tools, he looked like a man that is only fitting in office scenarios. Also, Wooyoung thinks that San's hands are too soft to hold such sturdy tool. Why is planting trees anyways? As far as he remembers, there's no subject that requires them to do this, unless San is part of a club or an organization.

Deep in his thoughts, he snapped back in reality when he saw the unfamiliar man being clingy and touchy to San. This pissed Wooyoung. He knew how the elder values his personal space, why can't this man see that San is uncomfortable?

Wooyoung cannot stand it, he stood up and dashed towards the two men's direction. It was clear as light that San hates being clung on to. As he reached the place, Wooyoung pushed the man harshly, causing him to stumble down the soil that was supposed to use for planting.

"Watch it! He's not comfortable!" The younger scowled, which made San taken aback. Since when Wooyoung was there? How long was he watching him?

The unfamiliar man stood up, "Shut up! I'm just helping him!" He shouted, which triggered the younger's fight skills. Wooyoung clenched his fists, readying himself to punch the shit out of the guy.

San noticed this and quickly stood up, pulling Wooyoung behind him, "Ah! I can take care of myself, Minho! Don't worry about me," He apologized, gently holding Wooyoung's wrist. If the younger could hear his heartbeat right now, he'd be shocked.

The man named Minho scoffed. He picked up his tools and left, annoyed.

San looked at Wooyoung who seems watching Minho leave the place. The elder sighed, "What was that for, Woo?" He questioned softly, looking at the younger. "He was bothering you, San. I just can't stand there and watch." The latter answered, his voice almost inaudible, but it was still enough for San to hear. 

Hearing his name from Wooyoung, instead of his given nickname, felt a slight pang on his chest. Why San and not Sannie? Did he upset him that much?

"Okay, but why were you watching me? Don't you have classes?" The elder asked once again, "I just happened to pass by, also I just finished my Modern Physics class." Wooyoung's voice was full of nonchalance, which scares San. Why is talking like this?

Feeling scared, San still manage to form a response, "Alright. You should go to your next class, and I'll finish this first." Wooyoung was confused, so he asked, "What are you doing? Did you join a club?" San laughed, his fear suddenly disappearing. The younger's face looked like a kid who's discovering new things in life.

"Well, I'm helping Mingi. Their organization went bankrupt since their organization leader left and took all the organization's money with him." San shared, he huffs and continued, "So, they launched this event to raise money. However, the students participating wasn't enough, so he called me and asked me if I can do it." Wooyoung nods in acknowledgement, he forgets that San is sometimes a people pleaser.

San picked up his tool and breathes out, "Anyways! I've done the first 15 trees assigned to me!" He smiled proudly, earning a chuckle from the younger.

The younger sighed, "I'll go to my Electromagnetic Theory I class now. Let's meet at the canteen?" He questioned, smiling at San who seemed to be very proud of himself.

"Yes. That'll do. 12:30 PM is your lunch, right?" San questioned, organizing the tools in his basket. He, then, looked at Wooyoung for confirmation. The younger nodded and smiled. Then, he sprinted away to his Biochemistry class.

Right now, San's heart beats like crazy. Remembering how Wooyoung protected him earlier made his heart thump crazily, which then he needed to slap himself. What is happening with him?

-

a/n: hiii, guys! what are your guesses for the end of this story? lmk! :)❤️