They fell silent again, and the only sound was Byulyi's steady breathing, and the rise and fall of her chest much to Jin's relief. Byulyi was still seated between his legs doodling shapes with her fingers on the space between her school skirt and thigh high socks.

Finally, after a few minutes passed he sighed and gathered up courage to start a conversation. In the closet, there were no other activities to occupy them. Talking was all they could do, other than...He is even not gonna go there.

"How...How's life?"

"I think Min-seonsangnim already told the story earlier...I'm just a basket case."

Her sarcastic tone made him ease up a bit, because it can be referred as a sign that she was getting better.

"Well you do tend to terrorize every teacher in class."

"Expressing my opinion is not a terrorist action."

Both of them laughed at what she said and it made him really happy.

Suddenly remembering something, he quickly grabbed her left arm and raised her school blazer a little bit. Fortunately, there were no bruise marks left from their teacher due to how much he was pulling her arm earlier.

"A bruise isn't going to kill me Jin, you of all people know that."

He gave her an amused smirk and tucked a hair behind her ear. His voice then shifted to a softer one, "Do you still live with your mom?"

Byulyi quickly looked away from him and focused her attention her hands, "Nah. My grandma took me in a year later after junior year. she heard what horrendous things her daughter has done to me...She wanted to make it up to me by not coming sooner."

A heavy silence situated between them and Byulyi was quick to dismiss it, "How about you Prince Jin? Pretty sure all is going swell for you."

She cocked her head, showing an obvious challenge just by the smirk on her face. Which he didn't take to any offense because now he can confirm that she was indeed feeling better.

He arched an eyebrow at her seemingly unfazed trying to sound cheeky, "Should I remind you that I am also stuck in detention for the next 3 Saturdays with you?"

"Yeah, because being with me is simply bad for your image." Her laugh was harsh as it cut through the dark, and suddenly, the mood seemed to shift playful to blunt and emotional. "You know that I'm not after your money or your fame or anything. I was just your friend."

Jin blinked at her before turning to look the other way, "It wasn't my decision Byulyi. My father made me—"

"I know."

There was another pregnant pause, this one twice as heavy as before. Then there was a slow sigh and a rustle of clothing. Jin caught her gaze, "I wasn't mad because your father ordered you to do it."

"Then why?"

"Because you did it."

He ran a hand through his hair and breathed in deeply. She was right. He did what his father told him to do just like the puppy he was raised to be. "I...I don't know what...to say."

He closed his eyes as he can't even face her anymore. He was just ashamed with himself. There are no words that could tell her how sorry he was by ditching her like that.

"I mean, how do you apologize for something like that? There's no way...it's all because of me and him! Oh God, I fucking hate him! He's like this...he's like this heartless monster that I can't even relate to anymore."

"You can't always blame your dad for everything Kim Seokjin. You, too, have to be responsible for every action that you make."

Extra emphasis was put on his family name, as well as a hint of disdain. She'd never liked rich socialites who lord over someone else, or anyone for that matter. Just because they were loaded, they were better; just because they're well liked they were better, and her daily high school life in Seoul High School hasn't changed that.

He bit his lip as he tried to form words that could explain his actions. His eyes drifted back to her steely gaze.

"You've always been complaining about your dad to me, Jin. I know what he makes you do and I get that you respect your father very much..." she licked her lips as she tried to explain to him that blind obedience isn't all good, "but sometimes you gotta know when to stand up for yourself. I mean you're a smart dude, you're not Seoul High's student president for nothing!"

Her gaze softened as his eyes didn't look at her anymore and was covered by his fringe. "I...I know. I should've known better. You despise people like me."

She scrunched her nose cutely and gave him a smirk. "Very much. Besides," she lightly punched him in the chest, "You were the one who so desperately wanted to be my friend."

"We-well that's because you...just looked so free and being with you felt like that. While me... I sometimes think that...am I just gonna be like my dad?"

He felt two hands cupping his face to meet her gaze, "You aren't; always remember, you are YOUR OWN person. But don't just recklessly punch people knowing the risks it may bring upon yourself, okay?"

"I guess?"

She chuckled at the dust of pink on his cheeks. "You're an idiot for doing that."

"I know I am, but he was just infuriating! Talking shit about you like that...when he's the actual shit."

"Jin- "

Jin grabbed her hands on his face and squeezed it gently, "I missed you...With you I can be just myself, I don't have to be someone because no matter who I am you'll accept it."

She squished his face in her hands swaying it side by side, "You're such a baby Jinnie. You better make it up to me, okay?"

Jin could only mutter a gibberish 'okay' that Byulyi could only laugh.

"Humm...What are you guys doing?"

The two of them looked at the source of sound were both surprised to see Eric's head popping out of the ceiling.

"Shouldn't we be the one asking that?!" Jin exclaimed.

"Shhhh keep your voice down! Min-seonsangnim doesn't know I'm here, I'm here to bust you guys out!"

Byulyi quickly stood to her feet and examined the ceiling hatch, "Uhmmm isn't it a bit tight there?"

The worry in her voice didn't slip the brunettes' ears, he gave her a reassuring smile and rolled around the vent. "Don't worry Moon-ssi, it's actually quite roomy in here. Besides you aren't alone!"

She looked back at Jin who was dusting off dirt on his pants, "Well it's better than being stuck here right?"