May 7

9:30 pm

Kevin was bored out of his mind. He didn't know why people need to take culinary hygiene as a course. He had always helped his father in the kitchen, and hygiene was a common sense there.

The day was bright outside, but the dull grey walls of the classroom and ardent scent of the crowd dulled his lively mood. The professor had just begun his lecture and he was already fighting a losing battle with his drowsy eyelids. Kevin was not particularly interested in completing his degree if this was how they taught things.

Yook<3: Kev are you busy now?

Kevin's eyes immediately lit up when he saw the sender ID. He crunched under the table to block the professor's view.

No, why?

He slid across the room on his knees, silently praying the packed room would give him enough cover to get out the back door without being noticed.

Yook <3: Meet me at my dept courtyard.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

Yook <3: Now!

On my way.

Kevin easily slipped out of the door which was opposite to his bench without being noticed. His classmates were wary of him because of his introverted nature and didn't question his actions. Those were the moments Kevin was grateful for.

He didn't need to give excuses, he didn't need to communicate with people, and he got to meet his favourite person without any hurdles.

Kevin was beyond happy now.

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July 21

12:40 pm

"But there are so many, how would you keep track of it?" Jinxi asked, taking out a piece of neatly folded paper from his Jacket.

The rocky surface of the mountain created a shallow crater that was like an emperor's seat to the view in front of them. The stars that were hung up on the sky created a blanket over the buzzing city down below where light and dark danced to the sound of the wind, pacing in and out of the concrete trees in a rhythm only nature knew.

"That's the beauty of it," Minyook said with a smile and made an act of grabbing at one of the little stars, "You never run out of hope to pluck from."

Jinxi looked at Kevin's sketch. The paper fluttered in the wind as if the intricate scene etched into the sheet with suppressed passion didn't weigh a million tons. Every stroke exuded raw talent and love, yet, it seemed to be restrained. He could see Kevin's self-doubt as clear as he could see the stars in that sky.

"Then, maybe I could borrow some hope for someone else," Jinxi passed the drawing to Minyook for him to see.

Minyook smiled when he saw the sketch. He always knew Kevin was an artist at heart but was scared to make the move.

After Kevin's mom died, he was deeply invested in helping his dad and making sure he was alright. Minyook didn't want to burden him further with his nagging.

Minyook felt like Kevin was a fragile being, and this somehow chained Minyook from doing the right thing for him. He was disappointed in himself for being blind to Kevin's talent.

He was so set on helping Kevin feel comfortable, that he missed seeing that Kevin was a little too comfortable.

"Help me convince Kevin," Jinxi said, he knew Kevin would be against it. The boy was too shy to step forward. So his only bet was Minyook.

Kevin adored Minyook, so maybe, he would listen to him.

"Of course," Minyook nodded, he suddenly wanted to see Kevin, embracing his own uniqueness in its full glory.