xxiii

another day, another win. this is what a leo’s dream is made of, limelight and praises. it was a team effort to win, of course, but junseo’s pick me attitude and extroverted personality always pushed him to be the center of attention. after suffering from a wave of pats and head-ruffles, junseo escapes from the group. it doesn’t seem like it but he has a social battery, and it’s running out.

usually, he’d be on his way to celebrate the win but today’s not the day. hands in his pockets and a sour expression on his face, his mood dampens and he has no idea why. maybe it’s the looming missed call from his father that he got mid-game. a heavy sigh escapes his lips, for whatever reason his dad called, he’s not looking forward to it.

out of the corner of his eye, he spots one of his targets for daily annoyance. hyunjin. something to boost his mood would be nice, and hyunjin can do that.

“hyuuunjinn.” he drawls out her name as he walks toward her with bouncy steps, “whatcha up to? wanna hang?” beaming his mischievous smile, he’s confident she’s going to say yes. not like he’d take no for an answer anyway.

hyunjin wouldn’t pin herself as someone with particularly fragile sensibilities, but it’s quite telling that she spends the better part of the quidditch game experiencing some mild heart palpitations– and she keeps having to check herself to make sure she doesn’t give it away. this is supposed to be entertaining.

it’s important to show support, especially for her. even if there aren’t any kids from haengju on the pitch today, she doesn’t want to seem disinterested. matters of school pride are quite near to her heart even if it wears her out by the end.

when everyone else celebrates, hyunjin just sighs. she’s more relieved than happy. but that doesn’t last long either, of course. she’s still weighing the options of joining the celebration vs. heading home to catch up on her essay when she hears her name being called. without looking, she knows just who it is and how it’s going to go. another sigh.

for @dambiyn​.

3am just hits different. there’s something chaotic about finding yourself there, heading home or to the next place, in the middle or at the end of it. for their part, it’s an early night. hyunjin has things to do tomorrow, so staying up until sunrise isn’t an option. 

which isn’t to say that the nights grow dark anymore– they don’t, really. walking home, she can almost trick herself into thinking it’s a late evening. early spring just goes well with anything. maybe they could’ve stayed a little longer too, but what’s done is done. later, she’ll be grateful for having been so steadfast. 

and besides, there are more pressing concerns right now. mainly the fact that she doesn’t really feel like going to bed, and some general late night anxiety to go with that restlessness. the idea of sneaking though the hallways with one rather rowdy song dambi isn’t exactly thrilling either.

she mulls over their options for a few minutes, zoned out while keeping pace with dambi. 

“you wanna cool off for a few minutes before we go in?” just like old times. sitting out on the haengju lawn on summer nights, comfortably nestled in the shade of the sunflowers, for a breather after or in-between parties is a tried and true method for the two of them. 

it’s a little colder now, but not much. and it has been a while, but does that really matter?  

for @ynboyeon​.

a feature interview in the yeongji herald isn’t exactly something to write home about, but hyunjin can’t help but to feel a little proud. 

boyeon is only vaguely familiar to her: in passing, and never much beyond a cursory greeting and acknowledgement of each other’s present. there are a few rumblings here and there about his eccentric streak, but she takes it all in stride. it’ll be fine. 

the haengju common room isn’t strictly neutral ground for an interview, but it is bright and welcoming. and empty too, in the middle of the day. she hasn’t made a reservation, but she’s positive they won’t be interrupted.

he arrives, they exchange pleasantries, and she shows him back to the table she’s prepared for them– invites him to make use of the mundane espresso machine if he feels like it.

before she was haengju’s domestic goddess, hyunjin was a bit of a #mess but we don’t talk about that these days! coming back at 4am after a night out who? showing up to a morning lecture in last night’s dress who?

used to be in debate team, but she left when she was elected house rep. still an avid quidditch watcher, gardencore and indie music hoe, etc etc. 

the sheer amount of mitski in her playlists.. staggering 

in typical haengju fashion, she’s an overall cheerful and friendly person. serious and stubborn on the low, but she tries to be amicable in any situation

not a total narc, believe it or not. she keeps an eye on her own housemates, but she’s not one to run to the school board over the slightest thing. prefers to deal with any issues in private 

half-blood and proud! she embraces both sides, so even if you don’t see her on the pitch during muggle baseball, you’ll find her on the bleachers, drink in hand 🍹