[BONUS CHAPTER]

"Their Foolish Friendship"

Due to some changes with his parent's work, Jaehwan had to move to a new neighborhood with his family. He was quite upset about it at first because he had to leave behind all of his friends from his previous school and though he had no problems with making new friends, he still didn't really like the idea of it. It meant that he had to start all over again.

"Let's meet again once we graduate, at Moirae's Edge!" Jaehwan remembered the promise he made with his friends before he left his school.

Moirae's Edge.

A place where everyone was expected to enroll into eventually when they grow older. It was an honorable place to be accepted to and even Jaehwan knew that he would eventually be working there once he gets older. It's not like there are any other places to go to, aside from that facility anyways.

"Jaehwan-ah, can you help me sort out these boxes and tell me which ones are yours?" his mother shouted from the living room.

"Coming!" he dashed straight towards where the voice came from.

As he entered the living room, he saw mountains of cardboard boxes stacked on top of one another. He didn't think that his family would have so many things in general but then again, his family is a family of five. Not only did he have a lot of things to begin with but so does both of his brothers who were already working inside of Moirae's Edge. Except, neither of his brothers were home today to help with the unpacking.

"Where's dad?" Jaehwan asked.

"He went to city hall to finish up with the registrations for the address change. He'll be back after he's done," she answered.

As Jaehwan was moving the boxes to where they belong, Jaehwan noticed a uniform hanging above his door.

"Mom! What's this?" he shouted from upstairs. "Is this mine?"

"That's the uniform for your new school. Classes start next week and I just got the uniform delivered here this morning," she shouted back.

Oh... Jaehwan thought as he felt unmotivated about starting a life at a new school. He's going to have to make friends all over again.

He took the uniform and tried it on for fit. It was perfect and this uniform was a lot fancier than his old one. It was a dark navy blue blazer and dress pants, the collar and the cuffs were lined with a golden thread. All of the small details were rather intricate and expensive looking compared to his old school. Jaehwan didn't feel very comfortable about the uniform looking so fancy but this school was also famous for its connection with Moirae's Edge. It was the fastest way to enter the facility after graduation compared to the other schools around him.

I should show mom, he thought as he went downstairs.

"Mom, loo-" he wanted to say but just then, he noticed an unfamiliar face standing by the doorway.

"Good timing, Jaehwan-ah. This is our neighbor," his mom introduced the stranger. "What was your name again, dear?"

"My name is Kim Wonshik, ma'am. My mom made this cake to welcome you to our neighborhood," the boy said.

The boy, Kim Wonshik, seems to be the same age as Jaehwan but he looked rather intimidating especially when he noticed Jaehwan standing there on the stairs and blankly looking at him.

Jaehwan's mom noticed where the boy was looking at and grabbed Jaehwan down to introduce her son to him.

"Com'on," she nudged. "This is my son. Jaehwan-ah, introduce yourself."

"U-uh, my name is Jaehwan and I'm sixteen... n-nice to meet you?" Jaehwan tried to smile but it turned into an awkward one. He felt rather scared at the boy for some reason since Wonshik was just staring at him as if he was judging Jaehwan.

"Nice to meet you, my name is Kim Wonshik. I'm fifteen," he answered rather politely.

"Oh? Do you happen to go to the school down the street?" Mrs. Lee asked.

Wonshik nodded.

"That's fantastic! Actually, Jaehwan will be transferred there and starting classes next week. If you don't mind, can you watch my silly son for me a bit?" she asked.

"Yes ma'am," Wonshik said.

"Mom! I don't need help," Jaehwan's face began to grow red as he felt embarrassed since someone younger is going to look out for him instead.

"It's fine. I don't mind," Wonshik said and smiled a bit, which was rather surprising for Jaehwan.

"T-thanks."

~

As the week went by, Jaehwan finally started his classes. He was rather nervous as first because of all the new faces but eventually, he got used to it. He was just shy in the beginning but once Jaehwan got comfortable with those around him, he was making friends left and right.

On the other hand though, Jaehwan noticed how popular Wonshik was in his school. Whenever Wonshik was outside for physical education classes, other students would scream or fan over the younger. Wonshik was a very good student and his reputation was great in school. Both female and male students looked up to him but Wonshik on the other hand, didn't seem to like interacting with others as much except for common greetings.

"You're popular," Jaehwan commented as he saw Wonshik eating alone at the back of the school building.

"... not really," the younger said.

"Can I?" Jaehwan glanced at the spot next to Wonshik, hinting to ask if he could sit down as well.

Wonshik nodded.

"You're quieter than you seem," Jaehwan said.

"And you got really used to this school real fast," the younger noted. "Even my classmates have been talking about you..."

"Heh, I guess? It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be so I guess you can say I'm already used to it."

"Don't you miss your friends from before?"

"Mhmm! A lot but we made a promise to meet again in Moirae's Edge."

"Moirae's Edge... you plan on enrolling there?"

"Of course. Where else would I go if I don't go there?"

"... I guess you're right."

"What about you?" Jaehwan asked back. "Are you going to go there as well?"

Wonshik nodded.

"Which department?" Jaehwan asked.

"Guardians," the younger gave a short reply.

"Oh~ somehow it suits you. I'm thinking about the Coordinators department since it seems like it's the easiest," Jaehwan laughed.

"I see..."

"So why are you eating alone anyways? Where are your friends?"

"I don't have any."

"You liar. You have so many! Don't you hear the screams you get even when you're just walking down the hallways?" Jaehwan wrapped his arms around the younger's shoulders. Somehow, it felt like they were friends already.

"Those aren't my friends... they're just people who are... classmates..." Wonshik somehow felt bad for saying that but he couldn't help it.

"You're weird. I'm sure they'd all be really good friends if you just try. Anyways, let's be friends Kim Wonshik," Jaehwan smiled. "Nice to meet you again."

"Heh," Wonshik finally cracked his smile," you're weird."

Like that, the strange friendship between Jaehwan and Wonshik began. Wonshik wasn't as intimidating or scary as Jaehwan had originally thought he was but rather, the younger was just shy at first and acts strange around a large group of people. Though the two had nothing in common, they were still very used to the other's company. It wasn't so bad after all.

Friendship with Wonshik was more comfortable than Jaehwan thought it would be. Jaehwan enjoyed hanging out with the younger and they always got all the attention from people. But Jaehwan also noticed that Wonshik's mind always seem to be elsewhere at times.

What's he thinking about again? Jaehwan wondered as he stared at Wonshik taking a break from running the tracks.

Jaehwan always wondered what was on the younger's mind but he didn't dare ask since he didn't think he was in the position to do so in the first place. But he knew that Wonshik was thinking about something since he was always zoning out.

Just then, he noticed Wonshik turning his attention to a specific direction and ran towards it.

What's he doing? Jaehwan's eyes followed.

That's when he noticed another boy walking pass the campus. Though Wonshik was obviously running towards him with haste, the boy didn't seem to care and just continued on his way.

Who's he? A friend?

Jaehwan continued to observe Wonshik and the mysterious boy and it wasn't the first time ever in which Wonshik seemed like he cared about someone. But Jaehwan has never seen that boy around school before and he couldn't help but be curious of who that boy was. A friend of Wonshik's? But the younger said he didn't have any friends...

~

It wasn't Jaehwan's intention to put his nose around someone else's business but he couldn't help it. One day as he was returning from the grocery store, he saw Wonshik come out of someone's house.

"Dammit Lee Hongbin! How long do you plan to stay hidden!?" Wonshik shouted in anger. "You better come to school tomorrow!"

It was the first time ever since Jaehwan has seen Wonshik be so angry or raise his voice at anyone.

Lee Hongbin? Who's that? Jaehwan didn't know.

"Wonshik-ah?" Jaehwan approached the younger with caution.

"Huh? Hyung," Wonshik saw the older and finally decided to calm down, or at least try to.

"You look tired, who's house is this?" Jaehwan glanced.

"... a friend's," Wonshik admitted.

"What? I thought you said you don't have any friends."

"Well... neighbors... friends... " Wonshik sighed. "We've known each other since we were young but he's... "

"Does he go to our school?"

Wonshik nodded.

So this 'Hongbin' must have been the boy that Jaehwan saw the other day on campus. Since Wonshik didn't care much about anyone else in particular.

"He supposedly goes to our school but he's an exception... he doesn't need to attend classes as long as his marks are at the top," Wonshik said.

"Why doesn't he go to school? Is he sick or something?"

"No... he just doesn't want to."

"That's weird."

"I've been trying to get him to attend classes like everyone does but he refuses and always lock himself inside of his room. He should be doing so much more with his abilities yet he doesn't. What is he going to do about his future?" Wonshik questioned and worried.

"You sound like his mom," Jaehwan chuckled a bit.

"Even auntie has already given up on him," Wonshik said as he referred to Hongbin's mother. "Everyone has given up on him, even himself..."

"But you haven't."

"I... I don't know anymore," Wonshik sighed once more. "I don't know what to do with him anymore."

Jaehwan could tell how much this boy 'Hongbin' meant for Wonshik because he's never seen the younger look so distressed and worried about anyone before. Maybe it wasn't because Wonshik didn't have any friends but because he was already preoccupied with one who doesn't seem to get the hint.

So, Jaehwan decided to be his nosy self and see what he can do to help Wonshik out.

~

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Jaehwan swung straight up from his bed, turned off his alarm and dashed into the bathroom to take a shower. No one asked but he wanted to do something productive for the weekend.

He knew that it was probably a bad idea but he was curious about this 'Lee Hongbin'. After all, to see Wonshik look so stressed over someone who probably doesn't even see him as a friend, Jaehwan couldn't help but sympathize with the younger. So, he went over to Hongbin's place uninvited.

"Who is it?" a woman came out to greet the guest at her doorsteps.

"Hello ma'am. Sorry for the late introduction. My name is Lee Jaehwan and I recently moved into the neighborhood. These are some cookies I made with my mom, please have some," Jaehwan gleamed with a smile that the woman couldn't refuse.

"T-thank you. You're very sweet," she said.

"I am also Hongbin's classmate but he hasn't come to school so I was wondering how he is right now," Jaehwan finally got to the point.

"I see. That child... making others worry about him all the time. Come in," she offered. "He's upstairs in his room."

"Thank you ma'am."

Jaehwan took off his shoes and stepped into the small and cozy house of the boy named 'Hongbin'. His mother seems rather nice but also very lost, probably due to the fact that she doesn't know what to do with her son anymore. Poor lady.

He went upstairs as she instructed and stood in front of a stranger's door.

Gosh, this is nerve-wrecking. Maybe it was a bad idea after all? Should I head back? No, no I have to do this! Jaehwan kept talking to himself as he stood at the door. As nervous as he was, he was more curious than ever who this Hongbin is.

Knock. Knock.

"Um, hi! My name is Lee Jaehwan and I recently moved into the neighborhood. I'm also friends with Wonshik and would really like to meet you," Jaehwan finally gathered the courage to say something.

But there was no reply.

Is he asleep? he wondered.

"Uh, I know you don't really go to school but it'd be great if you could. Wonshik is really worried about you," Jaehwan continued. At least he's trying.

After a few more minutes and no answer, Jaehwan sighed and gave up for the time being.

He tried at least, right? But he was rather dejected as he went back downstairs.

"I'm so sorry about my son. He's just... " Hongbin's mother sighed, "I don't know what to do with him anymore."

The woman looked as if she was on the verge of tears but was holding back because she was in front of a guest. Jaehwan felt bad for her and he knows how much stress she must have been going through because of this 'Lee Hongbin'.

"Um! I won't give up ma'am! I'll come again tomorrow and the day after tomorrow until he opens the door to see me. I'm not great at anything but I'm the best at being persistent!" he smiled to reassure her.

"Thanks."

~

Somehow, Jaehwan grew interested in going over to Hongbin's place every few days. It could be because he was curious or it could be because he was bored, whatever the reason was, he couldn't leave the boy alone.

"Ya, I heard you went over to Hongbin's?" Wonshik surprised him from behind during lunch time.

"Ya? I'm still older than you, watch what you say," Jaehwan tried to calm himself down. "And yes, I did."

Wonshik stared at Jaehwan, seemingly displeased with the older's actions and grumbled a bit.

"This isn't a game, hyung," Wonshik said with a warning. "If you're bothering Hongbin just for fun, stop before I get angry."

"You're really protective of him aren't you?"

"That's because there's been so many people who comes and goes to his place, telling him they'd be his friend but in the end turning their backs on him. I don't want this to happen again," Wonshik was serious.

"Why is he like that anyways? Doesn't he feel lonely?"

"That's just how he is. Ever since he was born, he's been like that. Unmoved and disinterested in everything around him. Even if the world comes to an end suddenly, he could care less," the younger sighed.

"I see... and what about you?"

"Me? What about me?"

"Why are you still staying by his side and being so persistent about him getting out of his shell? You're the one who bothers him the most in my opinion."

"T-that's because I'm the only one left... I don't want him to just waste his life and doing nothing for himself. Everyone has a goal and it takes time to discover it but he doesn't even try or get out to do so. You only live once and I don't want to see him die of regrets or doing nothing at all."

"You sound really pessimistic right now, you know that? But I can tell you really care for him. Don't worry, I'm not doing this out of fun. I admit his character is rather interesting but I want to see it, the Lee Hongbin who's fallen deep into interest and caring about someone with all his heart. I wonder how much he'll change when he discovers something or someone he loves."

Though Wonshik was still wary of Jaehwan's actions, he still trusted the older to help him get Hongbin out of his shell. The two of them would constantly go to Hongbin's place and try to get the boy out or answer them at least. Even after weeks of attempt, Jaehwan have yet to see the boy face-to-face except he felt strangely connected already with the younger despite the fact that they've never talked or met yet.

"So~ today, Wonshik was running the tracks for the school race and tripped in the middle. That idiot had a cold and insisted running all the way, he's so stupid isn't he?" Jaehwan laughed as he told the story to Hongbin, who was on the other side of the door. "You should've been there to hear all his fans screaming and stuff, they looked as if it was the end of the world or something. But then again, he's too hard working, too nice for his own good and just a fool don't you think?"

"...Yeah," someone from the other side finally mumbled loud enough for Jaehwan to catch it.

Jaehwan shot up in surprise, it was the first time since he's heard from the boy and he couldn't help but feel rather excited that his persistence was making a small progress. So, he continued.

"You know, that Wonshikkie was really wary about me when I first came here to find you. He's like this overprotective mother, watching out for you and won't let anyone try to hurt you. You're lucky you know that Lee Hongbin? Even though I have considerably a lot of friends myself, none of them would be as persistent or foolish enough to bother me like Wonshik would for you."

Just then, the door creaked open from behind. Jaehwan fell backwards and right inside of the room since he was leaning on the door the entire time.

"Ow!" he said as he hit his head on the hard carpet flooring.

"I know. I know he cares and I know he's an idiot. No matter how much I turn him down, he just comes in to bother me without giving up," Hongbin said.

Jaehwan stared at the boy for the first time ever. They finally got to meet face-to-face, yet somehow, they felt rather familiar with one another already and there was not even an ounce of awkwardness between them.

"That Kim Wonshik really is a fool isn't he?" Jaehwan chuckled.

Hongbin nodded.

Jaehwan readjusted his clothes and stood up to face the younger finally.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Lee Hongbin. My name is Jaehwan," he said as he let out his hand," it might be a bit late but let's be friends."

Hongbin stared at the older for a second. It wasn't just Wonshik who was a fool, but so was Jaehwan. Without a word, he shook the older's hands. It was warm and friendly, as if they've known each other long enough that they didn't need to say much to each other to know what was going on.

Although Hongbin finally accepted Jaehwan as a part of his life, it didn't change the fact that his life or attitude remained the same. He was still the boy who didn't seem to care about anything in the world. But it wasn't so bad because even if he didn't care, he knew that there were two fools by his side who would do all the caring for him. He didn't want to admit it or say it aloud since it was embarrassing, but he appreciated it a lot - the persistence, the warmth and their foolish acts -, it was proof that he could trust them and believe that they are friends. After all, they never gave up on him no matter how he was. Even if the entire universe gave up on Lee Hongbin, both Lee Jaehwan and Kim Wonshik would never.

A/N: How do you imagine the universe of Moirae's Edge to be like? I played around with Photoshop (like always) and this is 'kinda' how I imagined that universe to be like. It's a mix of the galaxy and a bit of modern yet still a hint of Renaissance architecture-vibe. Hard to explain and I wish I could draw landscapes, but I can't so this is the closest I got after playing around with PSD for awhile.