Riki couldn't tear his eyes away from his phone screen. He knew he should be in class, but he had been missing for almost 2 weeks. Failing was not an option for him.

Riki exited his dorm room and was met by Hong Eunchae.

Shit.

Eunchae was furious as she confronted Riki, "Where thr fuck have you been, oppa!?"

Riki looked sheepish, "I'm really sorry, chae..."

"You better be!" Eunchae scolded, "You've been ignoring my messages and calls!"

Riki tried to apologize again, "I'm sorry, chae..."

Eunchae let out a frustrated sigh before taking hold of his wrist.

"You should be, oppa!" She declared as she pulled him out of the dormitory.

"We saw you the other day and you just walked past us!" Eunchae complained as she dragged Riki towards the cafeteria.

"Chae, I have a class..." Riki protested weakly as she continued to pull him along.

"That's not important right now!" She exclaimed, tugging him towards the cafeteria before forcing him to take a seat.

"You've got some explaining to do, Ki-oppa!" Eunchae declared, crossing her arms as she settled in front of him.

Riki glanced at the person she had sat next to.

Sunoo.

He then glanced at the rest of their friends.

They didn't seem angry, which was a relief.

But their expressions clearly showed that they were expecting some answers...

Shit.

"H-Hi?" Riki stammered, tilting his head slightly. His hair, now a mix of black and blonde, peeked out from under his beanie.

"Hi?" Heeseung repeated, his voice filled with anger. "You have the audacity to say hi after ghosting us and then running away when we finally find you??" 

Okay...they were definitely angry...nevermind.

"Where the fuck have you been and what the fuck have you been up to?!" Jay exclaimed, gesturing at Riki's head. 

EJ approached and removed Riki's beanie, revealing his much longer hair with blonde highlights cascading down.

Riki's hair fell over his eyes, obstructing his vision. With a swift motion, he reached out and tied his hair back. 

"Riki, where have you been?" Ta-ki inquired, and truth be told, Riki felt guilty for neglecting two people in his friend group: Eunchae and Ta-ki.

They were his best friends.

The others were still friends, but he couldn't comprehend why they acted the way they did.

They were so caring...?

"Japan," Riki replied.

Was he being truthful?

No.

But he genuinely didn't have an explanation.

Why did he cut off communication with his friends for nearly two weeks?

He didn't know.

Why did he and Jake decide to distance themselves from their relationship?

He knew the answer to that.

But he didn't need to be aware of it.

Riki glanced at Jake, noticing the tiredness and concern laced on his face. Yet, he also appeared sort of scared?

He looked like he wanted to talk.

Right.

To everyone in the friend group.

Him and Jake were still together...

Because it was all just a act..

Riki and Jake were no longer together.

No.

They were together in a relationship.

However, it was evident to both of them that things had changed.

Previously, they would embrace, kiss, cuddle, and genuinely love and care for each other.

But now?

Now they were growing apart...

But why?

Because Sunoo just had to reappear in his life again...