157 Roots of Friendship (1/2)

”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 samgak-jumeokbap? 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.