The prince stayed rather close to him for a while, trying to learn to trust him while looking for better friends.
In literature, class was just starting.
"Good morning students. Let's get started," Professor Hayes said, coming to the front. "Today we are starting a new unit - poetry." There were equal parts groans and excited whispers, making him smirk. "The first assignment will be to find three poems to write an analysis on. You may choose these from historical books or anything from the library. I'll start passing out the more detailed instructions now."
Jeong-wu pulled a book out of his bag, and Minato looked over. "What's that?"
He showed him the cover, and his eyes widened. "Classic Japanese poems. I uh, went through a phase last year of being interested in poetry."
Minato smiled and held out a hand. "May I?" He handed him the book and watched him flip through the pages. He stopped at a page that had pressed blossoms tucked into it. Gently moving the dried flowers, he read the poem beneath.
The Korean prince couldn't help but blush as he read a love poem that he had once considered giving to him.
"This is lovely," Minato said.
He smiled shyly. "Ai no yuiitsu no jakuten sono saidai no tsuyomi demo arimasu: Sore wa riyū ni hansuru. Love's greatest weakness is its greatest strength: It defies reason."
He put the flowers carefully back between the pages and turned to another page. "I don't suppose I could borrow this for the assignment, could I?"
He nodded. "Of course. I think I already know which ones I'll use."
As the professor handed them each a copy of the instructions, Jeong-wu handed him his quill for taking notes. Their fingers brushed, and neither noticed the red tint that came to both of their cheeks.