Chapter Text
Zhang Hao’s surroundings encompassed the youthful atmosphere of firsthand infatuation. Classmates relentlessly conversing about the intricacies of physical interactions from lightheartedly brushing shoulders, intertwining hands in corridors and indescribable rendezvous occurring at midnight to the scandalous occasions of privatised cheating, falsely professing attraction and abandoning partners to validate an unnamed individual. Hao witnessed the crevices splintering at the foundation of the overly-complicated relationships however relished the ecstasy of joyousness of the initial confession, an inkling to the beginning of adventurous romance ambiguously complimented by an unforeseeable future.
Each camouflaged expression of disappointment to a potential misunderstanding, each ounce of enchantment from unanticipated surprises, each level of anxiousness exerted from tremendous yearning - Hao observed it all. Desperately providing specific advice to the students enthusiastically clambering to foretell the problematical situations of friction between their partners, despite the detailed instructions delivered, the recipient managed to understandably coerce the words to a foreshadowed corner and continuously ignite the puzzlement with obliviousness.
Hao’s acknowledgement of assisting perplexed individuals astronomically skyrocketed the invisible line of personal boundaries. The countless circumstances of peers carelessly interrupting the concept of solitude from the noiselessness of moonstruck hours accompanied by the predictable vibrations of a cellphone to unforgettable experiences heightened by closest companions to disintegrate within nanoseconds at the unbearably thunderous yelping of another. The unreasonably blurred expectation of finalising fragmented relationships concluded to Hao’s imagery, a recognisably unqualified pupil unfavourably destined to perfectionise malfunctioning romantic connections.
Painstakingly sugarcoating the tragedies complimenting the blessed-cursed magnetism, internally the giddiness of reuniting star-crossed individuals sparked an undeniable hopefulness in Hao’s decreasing loveless heart. Overall realising, the fake professionalism provided an undiscovered sense of newness to the brokenhearted, despairingly confused and uncontainably adoring citizens, yearning for childish stimulation - an aspect Hao hasn’t conjured, an aspect Hao’s pessimistically convinced he’ll never understand, an aspect Hao subconsciously wishes for, similarly to every wonderless soul.
Originally, the romance epidemic exerted from the confinements of Hao’s friendship group. Predominately, Quanrui unexpectedly snatched a specimen titled ‘Gyuvin’, an overly-extroverted individual who resonated a complimentary atmosphere in comparison, imaginatively the pairing portrayed the essence of blinding temperatures of the sun battling the spine-chilling depths of the moon: indescribably juxtaposing however eternally strengthening the fundamentals of the relationship. The couple attended different educational facilities within the area, concluding to Gyuvin unquestionably waiting outside of the school gates every day occasionally accompanied by his companions, moreso, if the unfortunate predications of the weather resulted in torrential downpour; Gyuvin would still be there, each time, without fail.
Secondly, the infectiousness of infatuation puppeteered Shuhua. Overriddled by unfathomable lightheadedness from passings at the long-lasting vinyl shop situated amongst the highstreets consumerism. The stores manager was called ‘Yuqi’, a noticeably older woman with bleached-blonde locks complimented by thousands of accessories adhering to the astoundingly constructed outfit, Shuhua managed to delve the surroundings to curate a pitiful excuse to enter the infrastructure for meaningful minutes of admiring as Hao intriguingly inspected the newcomers of classical instrumental CD’s; desiring for observation at his companions trepidation into the realm of romance. Unsurprisingly, as Yuqi anticipatedly recognised the overly-jittery individual trek into the organisation a sense of urgency inflamed as the destined pairing continuously sparked conversation with each meeting and before Hao could manage to decide the album to purchase, the love-stricken couple harmonised.
Summarising the overexcitedment, the remaining member of the congregation to be contaminated with adoration resided in Kuanjui. The beginnings of his romanticism originated in a completely unpremeditated area, mindlessly bumping an overexhausted trainee called Wumuti, amongst the secrecies of midnight as the lonesome lamppost delivered perplexing comfortability. The star-destined individuals unpredictable meetings occurred frequently, from astonishingly early morning coffee errands to slothfulness evenings while consuming convenience-store meals; their presences managed to cross paths. Succumbing to the universe's wishes, Kuanjui eventually mustered the newfounded confidence to honourably pick Wumuti up from his shockingly elongated dancing sessions as the pairing undisturbingly wandered the quietened streets of Korea. Despite the rules of Wumuti’s contract, their relationship blossomed underneath the shadows of society.
Ultimately, in between the crevices of devotedness, where did Hao reside? Lingering unescorted, tormentingly persuaded to observe the effectiveness from afar or teetering dangerously close to everlastingly disregarding romance overall? The answer is unreadable, Hao’s conscious mind is overcome with uncertainty at the possibility, Hao’s heart is the imperishable voice projecting ounces of faithfulness but Hao agonisingly acknowledges what he truly desires. He just wants to know what it’s like to be in love, he just wants to experience what everyone else does, he just wants to know someone can love him… all of him, without limitations and without apprehension.
Summarising to the inevitably unfolding events situating within the educational infrastructure as Quanrui foretells the potential occurrences of his unanticipatedly planned outing with Gyuvin after-school as Kuanjui, Shuhua and Hao attentively listen to the continuous rambling from their companion.
“So is it just you and your lover boy this afternoon, Rui?” Shuhua genuinely inquired whilst comfortably resting on Kuanjui’s shoulder as Hao’s eyebrows teasingly wriggled at the collectively appointed nickname for Gyuvin.
“I don’t think so… I think Gyuvin mentioned something to me about wanting me to try and be more involved with his friendgroup but you know me, the only people I’m myself around are you all.” Quanrui defeatedly exasperated at the acknowledgement of interacting with unnamed members, specifically in Gyuvin’s foretold boisterous classmates. In noiseless commiseration, Hao towered his right-hand on Quanrui for an essence of reassurance.
“Why don’t you set a time to leave? You know, spend two hours or so with them so you don’t completely drain yourself?!” Kuanjui creatively suggested, synchronising an unanimous agreement from the melodic realisations from Hao and Shuhua’s mouth as Quanrui intriguingly nodded to the potential idea.
“Good idea… or wait… or could any of you come with me? Please, it’ll only be for a few hours and I’d feel more comfortable with one of you there? You don’t have to talk to any of the others, promise.”
Quanrui remorselessly insisted, purposefully targeting the emotional plea in Hao’s eyeline, understanding the percentages of refusing resulted in microscopic chances. But if Hao’s presence enkindled liveliness in Quanrui’s conversational requirements, further solidifying the connection of their relationship, then why should Hao profusely disagree to the offer? The underlying expectation of delivering reassurance, constantly, without failure, subconsciously lingered within the depths of Hao’s compacted mind yet the outing is for Quanrui, for his closest companion, for his personal satisfaction and hypothetically, Hao could be introduced to someone new, right? So ultimately, Hao’s decision finalised as ounces of anxiousness boiled in the pits of his stomach, unsure of what to come.
“I’ll join you, I mean it’s not like I have anything on after school as my parents work late anyways. I’ve got you, and don’t worry you two! I’ll update as soon as something happens…” Hao’s finishing statement concluded to cheerful roars from Kuanjui and Shuhua as imaginatively curated kisses twirled in Hao’s direction, amusingly infecting laughter amongst the ensemble.
“Thank you Hao, you’re my life saviour. So after the last period, come collect me from maths class and we can walk out together, sound good?” Quanrui exerted an unbelievable thankful smile to Hao’s succumbance, reciprocating the genuineity plastered on his companion's enlightened face.
Coincidentally, the ear-deafening vibrations of class revitalising collectively harmonised disappointment as Hao lightheartedly patted Kuanjui’s shoulder in amusement whilst instantaneously interlinking arms with Shuhua as the pairing offered the riddances to Kuanjui and Quanui waltzing in opposing directions. The unfortunately shortened journey to Hao’s combined lesson of English Literature with Shuhua erupted with childish atmosphere as heaps of questions piled on questions on the undiscovered candidates Hao’s fated to meet in less than an hour from Shuhua’s instinctively skeptical thinking; listening to the ideals and internally pondering if any of them might come true, if any one of them might perceive Hao differently, if any of them were mutually desiring for romance as well.
Promptly halting the intensifying conversation as Hao and Shuhua temporarily departed from platonic intertwining to mindlessly concentrate on the intricacies of the structural lesson ahead, Hao’s overthinking possessed the supposed attentiveness to the overly-monotone projection of the teacher. Throughout the confinement of the class session, Hao soullessly drifted in the puzzlement of his mind to the inquiries mentioned previously, as to the individuals consisting of Gyuvin’s group: will they be accepting to not just Hao but Quanrui? Will they be jovial or will they be secluded? Will they even notice Hao was present? Overbearing moments of undesiring doubtfulness consumed Hao’s being. How long can he continue to believe in love if it wasn’t there for him, how long will he have to observe the infatuation from miniscule miles away? How long until his turn?
Startlingly, the indication of commencement echoed fearfulness in Hao’s ears as his classmates energetically packaged their belongings with joyousness to depart the mandatory facility. Rapidly reawakening the sleep-fulfilled state, Hao relentlessly shoved the unused textbook in his vacant backpack, hurriedly waving in Shuhua’s direction before exiting the classroom to immediately weave throughout thousands of hunger-deprived pupils carelessly barging one another for unbeknownst freedom.
“Hao! Hao! I’m here…” Quanrui resoundingly projected, sandwiched remorsefullessly in-between students as Hao haphazardly wriggled his freeing left-hand above the tsunami’s head to indicate acknowledgement of Quanrui’s whereabouts.
Successfully, Hao and Quanrui unknowingly reached the tauntingly heightened gates as the partnership reconnected, internally appreciative of the cleanliness of atmosphere in horrifying comparison to the ungodly combination of perfume, body odour and cologne formulated narrowingly. Without warning, the energeticness of an outsider's cheery voice worrisomely beelined for the pairing as Hao and Quanrui desperately reawakened their breathing.
“Quanrui! Hao! Are you both okay? Are you hurt? Did you-” The overwhelminess of Gyuvin’s concern promptly halted as Quanrui noiselessly quietened the individual by a motion of his hand, externally signalling the general stabilisation of their ‘condition’.
“Gyuvin, me and Hao are fine. We just got caught up in the rush. But thank you…”
Quanrui unnoticeably smiled at his boyfriend’s bothersome personality as Hao lightly bowed at Gyvuin for the straightforwardness of their safety, ultimately realising the intensifying observation from the onlooking orchestra of unnamed individuals, watching, witnessing and analysing Hao before a proper introduction curated from his increasingly cracked lips; the nervousness teasingly infected the illumination of Hao’s cheeks, portraying a flustered shade of pink accompanied by uncomfortably avoidant eye contact.
“Everyone! As you know, my handsome boyfriend Quanrui and his best friend, Zhang Hao! Be nice, don’t be assholes.”
Gentlemanly introducing the accompaniment, Hao politely waved complimented with an award-winning smile and as his eyes locked onto each member, nonjudgementally scrutinising the external appearances to intellectually connect the pending personalities; a similarly amplifying pair of eyes emotionally intertwined with Hao. An individual who located the distinctive moment when Hao lowered his facade, the pinpointed timeframe when Hao lovingly reverted his attentiveness onto the next, the selective scene where Hao was convinced the remainder of observers noiselessly vanished, ultimately abandoning the lonesome hearts in destined proximity.