What the... is there such a thing as a kid like this? Isn't this our first meeting? I should have refused, but I couldn't answer rashly. Choi Yeonjun, standing before me, still seemed to be waiting for my response, showing no sign of just passing by.
"Hey, congratulations on winning, but... why with me?"
"I know you, Kim Yeo-ju."
"No, that's not the point. Are we close?" I scratched my head and fiddled with the cane in my sleeve. My distracted behavior should have been absurd, but Choi Yeonjun remained calm.
"I've always wanted to be friends with you. Don't get me wrong."
"..it's not a misunderstanding-"
"Hey, Choi Yeonjun! Aren't you coming?" Choi Yeonjun's friends shouted from behind. I naturally shut my mouth. "Well, what's there to explain? There's no need to show embarrassment on our first meeting." Choi Yeonjun turned around and looked at me with a hint of regret.
"If you don't like it, then there's nothing I can do. I'll see you at the banquet hall later."
"Uh... okay, bye."
That was our first meeting.
***
They were always eating, reading, studying, and chatting in a bustling banquet hall. It's truly amazing that someone in this crowd recognized me.
Thanks to that, I completely skipped class today. I'm pretty sure we only exchanged a few words... but it was so strange how I kept thinking about it. I was just fiddling with my fork, staring blankly at my food when Choi Beom-gyu, who was standing next to me, tapped my arm.
"..Ah, uh why why"
"Did you fight with Slytherin?"
"No, I've never done that before... Why?"
"He keeps glaring at you."
"Him?" I turned around at Beomgyu's wink. "Who's glaring at me? What did I do wrong? I never would've clashed with Slytherin in the first place."
"..."
..It's Choi Yeonjun. As soon as our eyes met, Choi Yeonjun smiled and waved. I waved back, too, without realizing it.
Haha, okay, hello, Emma. Beomgyu, who was watching me waving my hand slightly, whispered in surprise.
"Are you crazy, Kim Yeo-ju? I'm scared of him."
"Hey, you think I'm not scary? I don't know, I'm just saying hello."
"You didn't call him, did you? He was walking this way?"
"What? I didn't call you."
Oh dear. Beomgyu glanced at me, then turned away from me in surprise. Choi Yeonjun, indeed, was walking towards me, and I was startled again. It seemed everyone was equally flustered by the sight of a Slytherin influencer(?) walking into a room full of Gryffindor students.
The commotion made my head spin. Why are they walking this way?
"Hey, Beomgyu, are you going to play a game at the dorm later?"
"Oh, of course, senior!"
"Then see you later. Are you eating? Enjoy your meal-"
Ah, today too, our senior Kai shines, shines.. Senior Kai, who can be called the representative of Gryffindor, is always kind, pretty, and shining. My favorite senior..
Where did Choi Yeonjun go?
I kept looking around, but Choi Yeonjun wasn't there. He hadn't been walking this way... I guess so. This time, I grabbed my fork and snatched the sausage Choi Beomgyu was eating.
***
"Are you going to ask senior Huening out on a date?"
"Why all of a sudden?"
"Why? There's a Quidditch match in a week."
"...Oh, I see."
"If Gryffindor wins, let's go out and watch a movie."
"..."
Movies... Movies... Go outside and watch a movie...
'Hey. Do you want to go see a movie with me?'
Again, I remembered what she had said. "Ao-san, why do I keep thinking about you? This isn't like unrequited love."
Hey, Kim Yeo-ju! Beomgyu called out to me, perhaps wondering why I was so quiet. I'd been walking absentmindedly, and I'd arrived at the Gryffindor dormitory. Beomgyu pulled his wand from his sleeve and casually swung it toward the door.
"Caput- Draconis..."
(Dragon's Head)
The dorm door opened. What the? Why didn't you tell me the password?
I looked at Beomgyu strangely, who was hesitating. Hey, what's wrong?
Beomgyu pointed behind him with an awkward expression. Why, what was there?
"..I'm sorry for coming without permission, but can I talk to you for a moment?"
Choi Yeonjun, who appeared in somewhat casual attire, seemed a bit innocent. Since Slytherin dormitory is in the basement, I figured he must have a reason for coming all the way to the seventh floor. He must have something important to say.
"Yeah. Beomgyu, you go in first." Yeonjun finally smiled, seemingly satisfied. I don't know why, but I found myself laughing along with him.
***
"Are you coming to watch the Quidditch tournament?"
"Yeah, I should go cheer for Gryffindor."
"...Wow, you're drawing the line so blatantly in front of the Slytherin players."
"I can't help it, I'm a Gryffindor."
"If I were a Gryffindor, I would have cheered you on so much?"
Yeonjun led me to a bench with a clear view of the river. I expected him to say something important, but all he said was, "Are you coming to watch the Quidditch tournament?"
"..Well, wouldn't that be the case? Because we're on the same team."
"We're friends now. Please support me too."
"uh?"
I let out a stupid noise without realizing it. "Yeah, I guess I can cheer you on, after all." I nodded slightly, and Choi Yeonjun twiddled his fingers and laughed quietly.
Then, Choi Yeonjun suddenly stood up and took off the hoodie he was wearing. Startled, I squeezed my eyes shut, but then a hand tapped me, and I opened them gently.
"It's cold, so wear this."
"...Huh? No, you don't have to give it to me."
"Still, wear it. I'd be worried if you caught a cold."
"Thank you.. I'll wash the clothes and return them to you."
Oh, my bad. I was wearing a basic tee under my hoodie, so thankfully the disaster I was expecting didn't happen. I wore the hoodie Yeonjun gave me over my school uniform, and without realizing it, I could smell that kid's scent.
Unlike the Slytherins I knew, Yeonjun was warm and affectionate.
________________
Not all Slytherins are bad and greedy👀