Chapter 3. Cat chores and professor's everyday life
January 23, 2024 at 11:24 PM
After the buffet, Jisung never managed to find Minho again. Every day he ran his eyes around the university, the campus and the sacred dining hall, but he did not see the coolest sunbae or his friend. Until one day he was saved by an unforgettable laugh – a tall senior was sitting on the windowsill not far from him and chatting casually with Minho and two other guys. Finally, Jisung decided to start by walking by and saying hello. If he was going to call attention to himself, then not too brazenly. The second impression was no less important.
"You have a beautiful laugh."
He began with a compliment to a tall senior.
"I no longer associate you with the university, but the university is associated with you. So unusual. Sorry to interrupt. I'm Han Jisung. I just saw Minho and wanted to say hello. Lee Know, uh, hi."
At the end, Jisung was already embarrassed. He approached people, and now they have to react to him.
"Ohh, thanks. It usually annoys many people because of its volume. Almost everyone except my friends. Since you already know Minho, you probably know Changbin, too. My name is Hyunjin and I can become your new friend. Don't look at the fact that we are older than you and feel free to contact us. This, by the way, is Seungmo."
"Seungmin. And let Minho help you subscribe to my blog. I guarantee it will come in handy," Seungmin smiled amiably.
Jisung was worried in vain – they accepted him with joy. Everyone trusted Minho's choice. But Seungmin noticed more. Jisung looked at Hyunjin, while paying compliments, and Minho listened to it, hiding the tension in his hands. At the end of the pleasant words, he tilted his head, and his eyes almost sparkled. "Curious," Seungmin thought.
"The freshman with paired names! You also called him your cat!" For Changbin, the recognition was too slow.
"So, everyone is very pleased, and we will leave you all with Sungie."
Minho was not ready to explain himself and be embarrassed in front of everyone right now, so he decided to talk in private. He will thank Seungmo later. Just asking for a number from Sungie would be boring. He beckoned him with the finger like his cats, out of habit. He even wanted to add "Ch-ch-ch", but that would be too much, at least for now.
Getting away from the crowd was good. Remembering Changbin and the talk about the fourth cat, Jisung decided to clarify one thing.
"Uh, Lee Know? And about cats – is it something like a role-play? Don't think about it, I'm not judging. Just not really on the topic, only at the level of jokes."
"Are you a fool or what?"
Minho was shocked by such “accusations”. No one has ever attributed to him such addictions that are not related to dancing. Funny.
"Please avoid insulting my cats, or you're going to feed them. I'll forgive you for the first time. But no jokes like that any more, I'm really serious about it."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Well, I didn't know. There are different hints around here, and it's awkward to ask. Am I allowed to see your cats?"
Jisung noticed that the elder relaxed, but he wanted to return to getting positive emotions during the conversation. He was interested in Minho, so he would have to find out more about the cats. It was necessary to get the senior's number and at the same time ask for the photos with all the names. To remember them better.
"Sure!" Minho beamed at this, unlocked the phone and started showing the photos. "This is Soonie and Doongie, and this is Dori. I took him last."
"Wait-wait, slow down, Soonie, Doongie, Dori… Sungie!" Jisung's eyes widened in understanding.
Minho, looking up from the screen and hearing the finished sequence, almost dropped his phone.
Minho didn't know how to continue.
"Changbin picked it up. You saw him at the buffet with me. That's right, Seungmin said about his blog. Let me throw it to you with a link. At the same time, we will save our numbers."
Without meeting any resistance, Minho took his phone and did everything himself. He called himself "Lee Know" and showed Sungie. Jisung, showing disagreement, added three cat emoticons after the nickname and smiled. Now it was just perfect.
***
11.40 Sungie🐿🍰 Lee Know, did I understand correctly that this demonic content with a discussion of the personal lives of others is the work of Seungmin? I like your cats more 🐈11.41 Lee Know🐈🐈🐈
So much that they are more interesting than your lectures? 😏
*Photo*
*Photo*
*Photo*
You are welcome
11.41 Sungie🐿🍰 🤩🤩🤩 They're so cute!! Don't you take pictures of yourself with them? A selfie together, for example?11.45 Lee Know🐈🐈🐈
Well, since you're asking
*Photo*
* Photo*
😉
11.55 Sungie🐿🍰 Oh myyyy!!!!👀 Looks like a photo after a workout Are you doing some kind of sport?11.45 Lee Know🐈🐈🐈
I am pro-dancer
Just finished for today
I was going to eat with Changbin before lectures
You could come with us
11.46 Sungie🐿🍰 With pleasure☺️ After a lecture Are we going to the dining room?11.46 Lee Know🐈🐈🐈
Coffee house
Changbin carries a bento with him
And we buy coffee near the campus
11.55 Sungie🐿🍰 Great! I love Americano at any time of the day!11.55 Lee Know🐈🐈🐈
I’ll keep that in mind
***
Seungmin was surrounded by perfectionists. Minho with his choreography, and Hyunjin with the new event. Despite the fact that some professors were skeptical about his candidacy and Bang Chan's consent to it, Seungmin has already seen how overly responsible his friend approaches the preparation of literally everything. He went and took Seungmin with him around the university to inspect the classrooms and in general the premises in which they could arrange rehearsals. He made up and agreed with all the participants on the schedule of these rehearsals so that everyone had enough space and time. Which brought Seungmin to this point, where he had been listening for half an hour to Hyunjin reciting his report to the professor, hoping for his approval. Seungmin, for his part, also tried to support and relax the enthusiastic friend a little, so that he would not forget about himself and that there was something besides this optional project. Judging by the voices he heard, they coped without him. Seungmin moved away from them to refrain from commenting and to give Bang Chan a chance to appreciate his friend's efforts. If he misses this chance and upsets Jinnie, then it's worth intervening. He's really trying. A familiar voice distracted Seungmin from the careful planning of not even deserved punishment yet. "There's only one lecture left! But I'm not sure whether I'll finish it. I'm so tired! I want cheesecake and Americano. Should I go to a coffee shop later? For the sake of this, I could sit out, they have discounts in the evening... Oh! Sunbae!" Jisung noticed that he almost walked past Seungmin and bowed. "Seungmin!" Simultaneously with Jisung, Hyunjin, who had finally finished, called out to him. Seungmin quickly greeted Han in response, wished not to overwork at school, and turned to the team of event organizers to help them finish for today. It turned out that Bang Chan only wanted to clarify whether he needed rehearsals and how much in advance the list of participants in the order of their performance should be prepared. After all, Seungmin had experience, so such questions were just for him. After everything was settled at this stage, the professor thanked both again and released them until the next report. Finally, Bang Chan reminded them that the most important thing is not even their organization by 1000%, but the impressions of first-year students during the process and their performance. Which reminded Seungmin of one particular person. He looked at the time – the lecture was running out in 20 minutes, so it was necessary to act quickly. Seungmin took out his phone. So, the status "online" is already good. He begins a call. "Minho? Where are you now? In the library? Yes, it's urgent. I came up with a wish for you. Yes, now. No, there will be no other wish. You just finish it for now and continue your work later. Well, you need to just go and get a coffee from the campus. And cheesecake. Whole. When I say “whole”, it means all that will be on a shop display. No, I'm not kidding. Okay, just a little. But it's your mission to take the entire cheesecake. And coffee. You have to send me a photo from the coffee shop. Then you'll figure out what to do with it. Bye-bye." "For real? He doesn't have any money today." Hyunjin finds a reason to worry here too. Fortunately, it's in time now. "This is bad. Can he borrow some from Changbin?" "Changbin is not here today. Is it important?" Seungmin nodded. And then again. "Greatly. Extremely important." "Write to him that I will transfer. Just hurry up so he doesn't change his mind about going there." "Hwang Hyunjin, you have no idea how much you've helped right now. The hero of my day!" "Go post your gratitude in your blog." Hyunjin was pleasantly embarrassed and laughed. "No, I was joking!" At the same time, Minho, who ran to the coffee shop, saw the last piece of the cake ordered by Seungmin in the shop window. Until the last he hoped that by the end of the day it had already been sold out and he wouldn't have to spend money. Although one piece was certainly better than eight, of which the whole cake consisted. Hyunjin helped him out a lot, but Minho didn't like to remain in debt. Tomorrow he will definitely return the money to Hwang and add coffee, which he also likes. Years go by, but the tastes remain the same. “Cheesecake and one Americano for me, please,” the queue came up, and Minho took out a card. "By card, thank you." He took his plate and sat down with it at the table waiting for the coffee. He was offered cheesecake with an unusual spoon with a cat's paw on the end. Apparently, there are new dessert spoons in the cafe. Minho liked it here because he was constantly observing something new in this place. Students were allowed to play their music here, hang drawings and photographs. Some left books on a shelf in the back of the cafe to create an atmosphere and to come to read during the break themselves. Dishes and furniture were also sometimes updated when students from creative faculties needed advertising. Or they left their creations specially for the eternal use of the cafe. This spoon was most likely the only one and was one of such small projects. Minho suddenly wanted her for himself. To get rid of the obsessive thought, he tapped her on the saucer. Perhaps this could have affected the nerves of the barista, but he acted before he thought. "Excuse me!" A hurricane of disheveled hair burst into the coffee shop. "Do you have any cheesecake left?" Minho stared at Jisung in front of him and couldn't believe his eyes. Oh, wow. The first thing he remembered was Seungmin's strange message at the end. And the second was how he stands at home in his kitchen, puts food on plates, raps on them with a spoon and waits for his cats to come running and pounce on food at the same moment. His fourth cat came.***
Lately, Jisung's thoughts have been increasingly occupied by Lee Know. He remembers their acquaintance, fleeting meetings at the university, chatting. It seems to be somewhere nearby. Constantly with him in his everyday life, where he sees stray cats on the street and remembers the elder's home photos, which he often demands from him. On campus, where he already knows where he can meet him and where there is a dance class, which he can walk past once a week in order to get to the lecture theater the longest way. He's around when Jisung buys himself a coffee. Whether it's a supermarket, a university dining hall or a coffee shop of which he now also has a pleasant memory of how he was accidentally (or not) fed after a hard day. He also knows Minho's friends, but it seems that these little things that Minho does are just for him. Maybe he's just imagining it? Only that won't change the fact that Minho is chasing him in his mirage. Next to him is his soft-looking hair, a smirk and half-closed eyes. The voice jokes in his head and reads his own messages. Jisung is crazy about a man with whom he can't name a relationship in any way. Because the process of getting to know each other is not over yet, and he doesn't know what Minho will say to him in response. Not yet fully realized, the words themselves come to mind. And for lack of courage to send them to the person they are intended for, Jisung writes them on paper. Maybe if it's too much for Jisung, Han can do everything for him if he gets the chance. Jisung takes out his guitar and sits down next to the table. A phone mic is added to a lonely piece of paper with some of the words already written, which will soon sit down, but in the meantime it can record how his fingers are uncertainty plucking the strings. Also in an attempt to express something that cannot be touched.***
"Hannie, are you going to bed?" "Just a moment! I'll set the alarm for tomorrow." 02.14 Sungie🐿🍰 Hyung! Thanks again! To you and Changbin-hyung for the treat!😋 He is so good at cooking!02.15 Lee Know🐈🐈🐈
I will tell him
Why aren't you sleeping?
02.14 Sungie🐿🍰 We just finished watching a movie with a friend Wanted to write before I forgot Sorry if it's late! I didn't wake you up, did I?02.20 Lee Know🐈🐈🐈
Mmm
No.
Just go to bed already
02.20 Sungie🐿🍰 Okay, you too, hyung! ☺️ Lee Know, will we meet tomorrow?02.25 Lee Know🐈🐈🐈
Busy tomorrow.
Hyunjin asked me for help
He needs a studio, and I won't leave the room unattended
02.26 Sungie🐿🍰 Ohh, got it… I won't interfere I wish you good luck)02.25 Lee Know🐈🐈🐈
Yeah, good night
02.26 Sungie🐿🍰 Good night!😴 The next day, when Seungmin comes to the studio to support Hyunjin, he sees an annoyed Minho. Questions about what happened in just one night remain hanging in the air. Minho is clearly out of sorts, and it affects everyone. Hyunjin, the timid guys who seem to be dancing, but for the first time were in this kind studio, even Seungmin. After a while, Minho asks his friends to get out before they get into a hot hand and leave him to guide the freshmen. Apparently, he needs to switch to something. Well, Minho is a good mentor. And even in this mood, it's not scary to leave the dancers on him. Moreover, among the first–year elders there is Hyunjin's younger sister, Hwang Yeji, with whom a friend is already familiar. He will not cross borders with her. After an organizational announcement and a short conversation with his sister, Hyunjin is finally ready to leave the studio with him. They confidently open the door, accidentally pushing someone at the same time. Seungmin blinks, and Jisung is lying on the floor in front of him. Probably, all this time he was spying on them and did not have time to move away from the door in time. Seungmin smiled. "Give me your hand." "Jisung, hi. Do you have some business with Minho?" Hyunjin decided to warn him right away and prevent the murder that his friend can definitely commit now if he can not calm down. "He's a little out of his mind right now. And, how should I put it... it's better not to touch him. At all. Do you have something urgent?" "I just wanted to say hello. Hyung said you needed help. And with what?" "We will have a talent show at the university," Hyunjin found a way to distract Jisung from the idea of entering the studio and was inspired. "Especially for freshmen. You can perform with anything." "Does Lee Know prepare something?" "Some guys dance, so I asked him for a small gap in his studio schedule so that they could at least rehearse properly at least somewhere. Rehearsals haven't started yet. While we're looking at whether the studio is suitable. We can say that he keeps things in order here." "So, does that mean everyone can participate? Anyone and anything?" "With anything within the bounds of decency. We have already approved some of the freshmen, the preparation work is underway..." "Be sure to come and see," added Seungmin. "If you want to perform, please let me know as soon as possible. So Jinnie wouldn't worry." "Yeah, good. I definitely want to, but first I have something to clarify."***
Hyunjin really wanted to be helpful in preparing the event and show his best side. Well, at least because he was really responsible, and as a maximum – to attract the attention of a young professor. Only the other side of his character – the alarmist and Drama Queen – did not contribute to this at all. Hyunjin and Seungmin's lectures ended earlier, so they could safely do their homework before meeting with the freshmen. But this plan went up in smoke, because Hyunjin once again began to wail to Seungmin that he could not organize the newbies, that they were flooding in the chat and were generally unmanageable. Seungmin steadfastly endured these snivels, which were partly out of the blue and did not pose a particular threat. "It would be necessary to work on his self-esteem... and find him a better listener for these dramas," he thought and continued to cheer his friend, who had almost calmed down. In fact, it was necessary for Hyunjin to speak out, because often during the discussion of the issue, a decision came to him, and he, as if nothing had happened, began to smile and enjoy his life again. It was good that everything was decided before the arrival of the freshmen. After all, he wanted to look like sunbae in front of them, and not like kids on the playground. After the end of the lectures, Felix informed Jisung and Jeongin that the elders would be waiting for them in the dining room for a cup of coffee. It didn't take long to look for them because Hyunjin's laughter indicated their location. "Hi there! Hyunjin, I can hear you everywhere again!" Felix commented. "Probably, Seungmin did his best as always?" "Hello, Felix! Oh, and Han is here! Hyunjin waved his hands cheerfully." Seungmin and Jisung also greeted everyone. And Jeongin continued to watch and wonder when his friends managed to get in touch with the elders. Felix was no less surprised to learn that Han was also known. He wondered, how and when? did he go to them so often? "Guys," Seungmin turned to the sociable comrades. "And who is this with you? Is your question just related to him? You could introduce us or something." "This is our classmate I.N./Ninnie!" Han and Lix said at the same time, looked at each other and laughed! So called I.N./Ninnie didn't know where to go from such an acquaintance and had to just join the dialogue. "My name is Jeongin, nice to meet you!" "So that's a cute classmate “Ninnie” Felix buzzed our ears about!" Hyunjin gasped and clapped his hands. "I didn't say that much ... I just said a few times how cool Ninnie sings..." Lix tried to justify himself. He really didn't notice how often he mentioned the name of his classmate in conversations with others. From such information, Jeongin was slightly embarrassed, cast a timid glance at Jisung in search of support and smiled modestly when he put his arm around his shoulders and said. "All in all, guys, the situation is like this: Jeongin decided to sing one of his songs solo..." "I helped him to choose!" Lix interjected with satisfaction. Almost without paying attention to this, Han continued. "I also want to perform a song that I am currently composing, and I just need I.N to sing with me. Would you allow him to participate in two perfomances?" Seungmin thought about it. He didn't remember if there were such cases last year. And Hyunjin was busy preparing his dance at that time and didn't pay much attention to others. Hearing the question, Hyunjin twitched. His eyes opened wide from the "shock" he received. It seemed that another "panic" had overtaken him, and he had just moved away from the previous one. "Guys, I understand your question," Seungmin noticed the condition of his friend and decided to hush up the situation. "We have not encountered this yet, so I think we will need to consult with professor Ban first off. If he gives us his permission, we will allow you to perform."***
Seungmin's psychological help sessions worked, and Hyunjin, as a responsible adult, went to solve the problems of his new wards. He was lucky that Bang Chan was at the university today. As Hyunjin walked towards the teacher's office, his confidence decreased in direct proportion to the approach to the door. He was used to having a conversation with him only in the presence of Seungmin. This time, Hyunjin was going to have a one-on-one conversation, and partly he was embarrassed that he wasn't serious in class... and partly because he couldn't look Bang Chan in the eye. In fact, it was his MUSE! He won't talk about it directly. However, nothing happened to ask during the break, the teacher was surrounded by students until the last minute. In the end, the professor still noticed and asked, if possible, to transfer the discussion of the problem to messages. Bang Chan was an understanding teacher and did not want to detain the student even more. Hyunjin nodded and, as soon as he left the room, began scribbling his message. When he had almost finished it and was about to leave because he did not type on the move, just in case, he was knocked down by Minho's voice. "Hyunjin? Aren't you done yet? And where did you lose Seungmin?" "We'll meet right now, we need to write and send one message. I wanted to discuss the problem, but I came at the wrong time. We need to make an appointment. Or discuss everything here and not meet…" "Everything will be fine now," Changbin picks up his phone and deletes absolutely all of Hyunjin's huge canvas. "We'll meet in the evening and discuss everything, OK?" He writes and sends it before they have time to stop him. "Seo Changbin!" Hyunjin looks at Read and wonders if he wants to kill his friend more than fall through the ground. Minho decides to help and immediately comes up with a decent punishment – Changbin will have to spend one day with Seungmin. But first, to help solve everything that he has done here. Hyunjin thinks that he has already helped and it can always be worse. Minho suddenly agrees, so when he sees that all the students who have apparently finished the consultation for today are leaving the audience, he recommends solving everything on the spot and wishes good luck. He leaves Hyunjin to deal with the consequences and takes Changbin away to carry out the punishment immediately. Having not received an answer to the unfortunate message, Hyunjin squeezed his eyes shut and entered the audience with a bow and an apology: "Professor Bang, please forgive me! I accidentally clicked the wrong one…" Bang Chan didn't let him finish, patted him on the shoulder and said calmly. "I was just about to read your message, Hyunjin, but you can explain everything to me in person, since you're here." Hyunjin guessed from the reaction - it seemed that his (Changbin's) message was not actually read, so he decided to go with the flow and not remember it at all. He got right to the point. "Our friends Han and Jeongin, freshmen, want to perform, and we are ready to add them to the list of participants. Both will be with the songs. But they want to make one more number joint. May Jeongin come out twice? With his own song and with Han together?" "So… And what will happen if your Jeongin does not perform well?" "Ninnie will prepare well. And in general, anyone can do a bad job. You said it yourself, it is their participation that is important!" "I'm talking about the fact that he may not want to perform a second time after the failed first one. Then who will go and perform instead of him? Maybe you will dance yourself? Or will you sing? Since it's a song." "How did you...? Wait, did you see my performance last year? And you remember me?" This was not the reaction Bang Chan wanted. In an attempt to let go of sarcasm, he managed to embarrass himself more than Hyunjin. After all, he had something to remember. Last year, Bang Chan actually went to a Talent Show. It was planned that he and several other students were to be awarded for special services to the university. According to the idea of the teaching staff, this was supposed to motivate the newcomers to "challenges", and for the older ones to serve as encouragement for their efforts. Not that he was trying for the reward, but it was nice. So, in high spirits, he decided to watch the performances at the same time. He had not been to this show for several years and that's why he plunged into memories with special warmth. [In general, he was still a jerk. More precisely, he tore off his legs for very long distances and jumped over everything he saw in front of him. That's why he was nicknamed Changaroo (Chan + Kangaroo) from the very first day at the university. This nickname played into his hands when the teachers heard about him. Ignoring any non–academic activity of students and knowing only the responsible first-year student, they naively thought that it meant something else - he knows more than others. So he got to conferences, and with them to the show, because, having promised his classmates to jump there at least once, he kept his word. The administration didn't let him on the show anymore. He continued to jump at serious competitions, defended the honor of the university and forgot about what it means to have fun. Yes, he was a carefree freshman who subsequently jumped to the level of a professor.] At the award ceremony, there was already an adult, serious and responsible person. To some extent, he regretted that during his student life he was so absorbed by the life of the university that his youth (personal life) quietly cried keeping everything bottled up. On this thought, his attention was attracted to an obscenely frank dance: long slender legs and hands plastic to the tips of the fingers literally captured the space, showing the mastery of the amplitude of movement. A facial expression with a devilishly attractive smile on plump lips complemented the image. And from the detailed wave, Chan's body was carried away on the waves of new feelings for him. It's good that the names of the performers were announced again at the end. Hwang Hyunjin, this name has remained in Bang Chan's memory for a long time. It seemed that he was noticeably so immersed in last year's flashbacks that there was an awkward pause, only in his opinion. "Like all the performances that were last year, student Hwang..." Chan is trying to rehabilitate himself. Only his attempt goes in vain, because he is not the only one mired in memories. Bang Chan sees an enthusiastic Hyunjin humming softly to himself. His hands tremble slightly, imitating dance moves. And this sight, despite its short version, is fascinating until Hyunjin is imprinted on the professor's desk. "Hyunjin, are you all right?" "Yes, yes, I'm sorry, I was just thinking. You know, you're right," Hyunjin tries not to die of embarrassment. And although his thoughts are confused due to anxiety and shame for his awkwardness, most of them are occupied by the fact that he attracted Chan's attention. Bang Chan remembered his performance. From the way he said it, it's clear he doesn't mind seeing the dance again. He wants to go back to the studio with Minho and ask him to at least partially bring back the old days with training. Self-confidence increases, and Hyunjin, surprised by a new burst of inspiration, smiles to himself. "As a last resort, I will go out to replace Jeongin. It's not a problem, I just need to think a little about the dance. Please have no worries, I won't let you down and I will try to do everything as soon as possible!" He smiles at Bang Chan. Perhaps he should smile more, because luck is on his side, and the professor agrees to such a compromise. Hyunjin asks Bang Chan to ignore the message, apologizing once again. At the exit of the auditorium he meets Seungmin: his best friend was waiting for him downstairs for too long and decided to check if everything was okay. Hyunjin feels relieved and tells him everything. At this time, Bang Chan finally remembers the long-suffering message. Surprisingly, he isn't too offended. Many students do not know how to communicate normally and if they correct themselves, everything is forgivable. His attention was attracted not by the manner of address, but by two separate words – "We'll meet in the evening." Such an offer to the professor is unacceptable, which Bang Chan wanted to remind his student about, but something had stopped him. Maybe Hyunjin's sincere apologies, or maybe… Not allowing himself to finish this thought, he locked the screen.***
Jisung looks at the video that his classmate Chaeryeong added to the general chat of the first-year participants of the show. A compilation from Lee Know's past performances, which she compiled from individual clips. Most likely, she begged them from Hyunjin for training in order to focus on strong performances before her. Jisung hopes that it wasn't one particular sunbae who sent it to her. Of course, the video is just for practice, for motivation. Along with comments about how cool sunbae is, he sees how the girls sort out the movements piece by piece, discussing the technique. But something inside him doesn't want to admit the thought that Minho is communicating with them. It's not normal, but he wants Minho to be his Lee Know and communicate only with him. Jisung watches the video one more time and along with admiration feels how longing fills him. Lee Know shines on the stage. Alone or among people, he keeps the viewer's attention on himself. He tells his stories in the dance. His skill is obvious. Jisung, who does not understand dancing, cannot tear himself away from graceful movements and looks. From the breathing rate during and after the performance, which each of the cameras manages to catch and capture. He looks at the words with which he describes his feelings, and finally understands what he was missing. That night he finished his song.
