"Welcome back to college, students!" the professor beamed in an uncharacteristic zeal, "With the beginning of this semester, I should tell you that we are going to be starting with practical therapy sessions." 

"How am I gonna give therapy if I'm the one who needs it?" Jisung whispered nonchalantly, and Ahyoung snickered. 

The professor thankfully didn't hear any of that, "I obviously know that the entirety of this batch wouldn't be interested in pursuing psychology further; therefore, all those who want to apply for applicational therapy practicals should submit their names to me by the end of today." 

Chan looked at his group, "I know for a fact that Ahyoungie is going for it. Are you guys?" 

"Nah, I'm just here because I accidentally applied for this course and got in. Sometimes, having a big brain is terrifying," Jisung stated with wide eyes. 

"...Ignoring that," Seungmin blinked, "I will be applying for this. Would you, Chan?" 

"Ah... I don't think so," Chan said, "I think I'll be pursuing music further, so I don't think doing this would be fruitful." 

"Then Minnie is going with me, right?" Ahyoung asked for confirmation, and he nodded like a puppy. 

"Perfect!" 

---

"I didn't understand shit in today's class," Jisung ranted as the four exited the classroom, "I bet he wasn't even speaking Korean." 

"Yes, Han, he was speaking in English," Seungmin narrowed his eyes at him. 

"Ahhh, understandable." 

Ahyoung giggled, "But I find it interesting." 

"Not everyone is smart," Seungmin spoke, and then turned to Jisung, "Right, Jisung?" 

"A hundred percent- wait." 

The group laughed, and that's when they saw Hyunjin approaching them, "Hey!" 

"Hello," Chan spoke. After the trip, Ahyoung and Chan were beginning to take a liking to Hyunjin, because he genuinely seemed like he was apologetic for treating her that way. Plus, now that Seungmin and Hyunjin were a thing, it was a basic agreement of their friendship to accept the newcomer. In fact, for reasons unbeknownst to them, Jisung had also stopped simping for Hyunjin. 

"Mind if I borrow Kim Seungmin for a while?" he cheekily asked. 

Ahyoung looked at Seungmin, and noticing how comfortable he had gotten with Hyunjin, she grinned and agreed, "Go on, no issues." 

Hyunjin hooked his arm with Seungmin and dragged him away, with Seungmin turning around to glare at the group as he went. 

"Actually," Jisung spoke, "I feel like a third-wheel now." 

"That's because you are!" Seungmin yelled from afar, somehow having heard him. 

Chan chuckled, and Ahyoung spoke, "Don't feel that way, Sungie. We're just your friends." 

"Yeah..." 

"You seem down. Is everything alright?" 

"I..." Jisung was reminded of Lee Minho from the trip again, and even though he knew that he had no chance of meeting him again, he still recalled how ethereal that man was, how velvety his voice sounded, how piercing his gaze was, "I met a guy in Jeju." 

"Oh?" Chan widened his eyes. 

"Yeah, and he was..." Jisung sighed dreamily, "He was like a prince. And I hate that I can never meet him again." 

"Did you guys not exchange numbers?"

"No. He just came and went so easily," he frowned. 

"Aww," Ahyoung rubbed his shoulder comfortingly, "I hope you meet him again, soon." 

"That's not possible, to be honest," Jisung sulked, "Although he did say that he lives in Seoul, it'd be hard to find him again." 

"We'll help you find him, yeah?" Chan offered, and Jisung smiled, 

"Thanks, guys." 

---

"Welcome, future psychologists," the Head of the Psychology department welcomed the new set of students, "I am glad that you all opted for applicational psychology practicals. Here on, I am excited to see how you all grow into helpful, successful psychologists." 

Ahyoung and Seungmin, along with other recruits from their batch, clapped, and she whispered to him, "I'm so excited!" 

He smiled at her, patting her head. 

The Head went on to distribute files amongst the students, "We will be dividing you all into groups of four. Each group will be assigned an experienced psychologist. Your first and foremost assignment will be the assessment of one client per group." 

Ahyoung received her first empty file, and she listened further, "The psychologist will be interrogating the client, and according to your observations, one person per group will be assigned that client." 

As the groups were divided, Ahyoung and Seungmin were segregated into separate groups. As Ahyoung wordlessly walked into the room with the other three students, their psychologist walked in, introducing herself as Choi Umji. 

"Pleased to be working with you," Umji bowed before them, and the group bowed back. 

After a brief explanation of their job as observers for the initial time, Umji sat everyone down, and then walked in their first client. Ahyoung braced herself as the young man sat before the group, his black hair almost ruffled. And she penned his name as he began, 

"I'm Lee Minho." 

(a/n: hahahaha did we see that cominggggg? 

let me also inform you all that you've been deprived from a little ahyoungie in this chapter -- i was initially going to make this a littlespace chap, but we also needed to proceed with the storyline hehe 

HOW WAS THIS?? 

thanks for reading! i love you!)