Step forward: Prelude

Pureum notices one of his friends near his house „Shou!"

Said boy opens his eyes and lifts his head, looking at Pureum „Hello, Pureum!"

He waves at his friend and the other waves back.

„Up so early already?" Shou wonders when Pureum opens the door and bids him in.

„Yeah, I have to get used to the school times. School will start soon again, after all" Pureum sighs tired „School can be such a hassle"

Shou laughs good-natured „Especially math!"

Pureum agrees with a small, albeit tired smile „Yeah, though it's not the worst"

„That's true" Shou looks around „Where's your sister? Isn't she here?"

The other boy perks up „She is. I left her sleeping. She's younger than me and needs her sleep"

„Yeah..." Shou agrees and then he smiles brightly „That Hyung needed sleep as well!"

„Which Hyung?" Pureum wonders confused.

Shou stops aprubtly. Pureum hasn't heard Shou call someone Hyung so far. To him it was weird.

Shou is visibly startled „I-It's not that important" He replies nervous.

Seeing the other being like this was weird, too. However, Pureum decides not to ask. Who knew what Shou was thinking would be a miracle worker. It's not like he was suddenly changing personality or dropped one topic in a matter of seconds to another and such, it's only that Shou's not always really... there? Not only Pureum, many others found him weird.

Shou can be completely into a conversation but if you leave him out for a second, he's already staring holes into the air. It's always been like this as far as Pureum knew the other and he's grateful that those times, where Shou wouldn't be off who knows where with his mind, were getting less and less. It rarely happens nowadays but from time to time you still find him spacing out...

Like now.

Pureum sighs tired. It was too early for this. It definitly was.

„Shou!" He yells, careful not to wake his sister up.

The brown-haired male jolts at the sudden noise „W-what?" He asks shocked.

Pureum shakes his head „You were spacing out again"

Realization hits the boy „Oh, sorry" He scratches his cheek and smiles at Pureum „Say, do you want want to go to the beach with me and some friends in a few weeks? You can take your sister with you, I think it wouldn't hurt you and her to have a bit fun"

„Sure" Pureum nods with a smile „Wait" He stops himself and looks totally surprised „You have friends?"

A vein pops on Shou's head and the corners of his mouth twitch „Obviously"

Pureum puts his hands up in front of him protectively „It was a joke, don't let everything get to you so easily"

Shou sighs languid „I know, but those two made a similar joke as well"

„The ones from our school that often drag you with them?" Pureum wonders curious.

„Yeah, them" He confirms „Well, now I know you will accompany us. Do you want to come with me tomorrow, just going around the city and such before school starts again? Together with your sister and one friend of mine"

Pureum raises and eyebrow „Are you sure you aren't overdoing it? But sure, I will come"

„I don't think I'm overdoing it" Shou laughs „But things are going to get bumpy soon"

„Why?" The other wonders clueless.

Shou closes his eyes and smiles „Because of a certain 'King'"