Chapter Text
A soft wind blew in through the open doors of the café, spreading the smell of the freshly brewed coffee and toasted sandwiches all around. It was a quiet day, only an old lady nursing a cup of tea and a pastry and a couple sitting opposite each other and holding each other's hands, smiling as the guy brushed his thumb over his girlfriend’s knuckles. The guy behind the counter sighed as he watched people walk past not even stopping to look at the small establishment.
He was forced out of his musings when a hand tapped him on the shoulder and he jumped, spinning around to face who had scared him, only to see the face of his co-worker. “For god’s sake Gongchan you can’t scare me like that,” the guy said grabbing his chest.
“Aw poor little Binnie, did I scare you?” the other boy said laughing and ducking out of the way as Hongbin tried to slap him. He walked around the counter and leaned forward facing Hongbin. “whatcha thinking about?” Gongchan said as he rests his chin in his hands.
“Not much” replied Hongbin “just bored in all honesty”.
“I know what you mean, Tuesdays are always so boring after the morning rush, no one even orders from the kitchen until 12” Gongchan complained pouting.
At that moment, a man walked in and when Gongchan saw him he jumped up and all but ran back into the kitchen. “Good morning sir would you lie to eat in or take away today?” Hongbin said with his professional voice, making sure to smile.
“I’ll eat in thanks,” the guy said and proceeded to walk over to a table in the very back. Hongbin just shrugged and got a menu and some water for the table and followed placing the menu and a cup in front of the man. As he poured the water he said to the newcomer “can I get you any coffee to start with?” The guy just looked at him for a few seconds, making Hongbin feel uncomfortable, before asking for a cappuccino and smiling. He didn’t know why but the smile gave Hongbin the creeps.
Hongbin went back to the coffee machine and started to make the coffee when he got goosebumps on the back of his neck he turned around and saw a figure in a dark cloak walk in. the room instantly went cold and the lights flickered. Hongbin turned to look at the other customers but they kept going on as if nothing strange was happening. He went to check on the creepy man when he heard a soft voice coming from the hooded figure that practically pulled him towards it. His legs started to move towards the figure even without Hongbin wanting to. The figure held out is arm and Hongbin saw a gray claw-like hand extended, he tried to run away but the voice pulled him closer, forcing him to stretch out his hand. When suddenly, the kitchen door opened and a ball of fire hit the figure and the singing was replaced by a high-pitched scream. Hongbin was finally snapped out of the trance and turned to see Gongchan standing there with a ball of fire resting in his hand and a look of pure rage on his face. There was movement from the comer and the creepy guy had jumped over the table and kicked the hooded figure causing it to crumple up and disappear, leaving behind the smallest of scorch marks. Hongbin looked up from the floor where the creature had been to Gongchan then to the creepy man and back to the floor trying to process what was happening. The ball of fire had turned into a tiny spark that he threw at one of the fire alarms causing it to ring loudly and making the other patrons finally look p from what they were doing.
“It seems the fire alarm is going off,” Gongchan said addressing the customers “please exit in an orderly fashion whilst we get this sorted out”. He smiled at the people as the left hurriedly, grabbing their coats that had been left by the door. Gongchan went to turn the alarm off whilst Hongbin slowly slid to the ground trying to comprehend what had just happened. When the alarm had stopped Gongchan came back out and walked up to the guy who had come in. “Was that what think it was Professor?” Gongchan had asked looking at the marks left from his fire.
“Yes, it was a drained, but I have no idea what it was doing all the way out here,” the man said, watching the door suspiciously as if waiting for another one to come.
“Then how come Hongbin could see it? How come Hongbin could be entranced by its song?” Gongchan said, this time looking at Hongbin worriedly. Hongbin was still sitting on the floor, hugging his knees and trying to make sense of what just happened.
“That is another thing that I am not too sure about,” the man said, looking to Hongbin as well. “But what I am sure of is that it is not safe for any of us to stay here, so I’m taking you both to the school.”
“Is that safe for him?”
“It can’t be worse than leaving him here.”
"Wait a minute, what the hell is going on? and what makes you think that I'm going anywhere with you?" Hongbin said looking up at the two guys standing before him.
"Look Hongbin, I know you're a little freaked out right now but this is for the best," Gongchan said as he knelt in front of his friend. Hongbin tried to back away but was stopped by the wall.
"What are you?" Hongbin whispered, the guy in front of him still looked like his old friend but after seeing him with the fire in his hand, Hongbin wasn't sure he knew Gongchan at all.
"We can explain all this later but for now, we have to go," the man said as he started walking toward the door. Gongchan grabbed Hongbin's arm, causing the latter to flinch, and pulled him up before going and locking the doors and turning the sign on the front windows to closed. he came back and held Hongbin's arm again as he led him through the front door and locked it behind him. when they had come out Hongbin turned to find the man only to see a guy similar in age to them standing there.
"Where did that man go?" Hongbin asked looking around.
"I thought it would look far less conspicuous if it was three friends hanging out than a man accompanying a couple of boys around," the guy said as Hongbin's jaw dropped. "The name is Seo In Guk by the way, you can just call me Seo though" and with that Seo started walking off followed by Gongchan who was still holding Hongbin's arm, which Hongbin was a little thankful for because he didn't think he'd be able to walk by himself. After a little bit of walking, they came to a giant building that looked like an old university.
"What are we doing here?" Hongbin asked looking up at the building.
"You'll see Seo said as he pressed on the old plaque that sat next to the large iron gate. The ground shook and then suddenly and the gates swung open to reveal the same university but it was in pristine condition and looked nothing like it did before. Hongbin stared in awe, looking all around before finally looking back to Gongchan and Seo, who had changed back to the way he looked before, only this time his smile didn't feel creepy at all. "Welcome," he said, stretching out his arms "to Mutant University."