Hi guys!
Please do not hate Infinite! It hurts me to write their characters as the bully. But they're not like this in real life! T_T
You can listen to any sad music to get into the mood of the story. Enjoy~

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The wind was howling desperately as it carried the leaves away from its branches. The roar was almost deafening on that one gloomy day. Its whistle created a hiss to passersby who passed the towering hospital building.

 

Inside was nothing but silence. The outdoor ambient sound was obstructed by the clear window that hung on one side of the dim-lit room. Occasional rattles were heard whenever the lonely tree branch pounded against the window. Constant ticking of the wall clock filled the eerie silence. However, nothing was as disturbing as the beeping heart monitor – a sound that determined the life and death of a certain person.

 

Myung Soo stood there besides the bed, his eyes resting on the poor unconscious boy in bed. Seeing him in this state created an unbearable ache in his chest, as if he was waiting for the Earth to swallow him alive. He might not know what exactly happened, but the possibility of losing this person was agonizing.

 

He studied the boy’s face and noticed the drastic differences. The skin that once radiated in pure brightness was now dark and pale. The contagious liveliness dissolved into a sorrowful dejection. The wounds, scars, and bruises that once decorated his face only left a faint mark, chiseling the painful memories to whoever looked.

 

“What happened?” Myung Soo spoke with a soft voice. A voice that was so desperate to hear a reply, but never collected one from the receiving end.

 

He reminisced about the past; the moments when he had seen the boy for the first time. No, he had always known about him. But it was on that one day when he really started to notice him – the day when he was severely beaten by the campus’ bullies. Something about Lee Sung Jong stood out to him. And up to this day, he never figured out what it was.

---

 

Sung Jong started coughing as he gasped for some breath. His legs gave away as he painfully fell down on the ground, scraping his knees against the harsh trottoir. He was panting heavily as his shoulders moved up and down in rhythm with his breathing. The sweat droplets were starting to trace its way down his face, prickling his eyes with the saltiness. It hurt.

 

Even so, they did not stop.

 

“You’re strong,” Hoya spoke in pretentions amazement. He grabbed unto Sung Jong’s messy hair and tilted his head to face him. “Do you wanna go for another round?”

 

“We gotta KO him,” Dong Woo added as he cracked his knuckles. The small sound alone was intimidating.

 

Sung Jong did not answer as he continued to breath in desperation. His eyes were slightly squinted as his vision started to get blurry. He could not reply even if he wanted to.

 

“What, is he mute now?” Woo Hyun asked as he placed his hand against the poor boy’s jaws and harshly pinched them together. “We didn’t cut your tongue, you can speak.”

 

“Maybe he needs some help,” Hoya said as he used his other free hand to punch the abdomen of the boy.

 

“Ah!” Sung Jong yelled in pain as more blood was coughed up from his mouth.

 

“Ugh,” Hoya muttered as the blood splattered unto him. He released Sung Jong at once and threw him towards the ground similar to a person throwing away a broken toy.

 

“I guess it’s enough for today,” Sung Yeol said. “If he dies now, we won’t have a toy to play with.”

 

“We’ll see you tomorrow, Sung Jong ah,” Sung Gyu said with an overly friendly smile – a smile that was induced in pure evil.

 

Sung Jong’s entire body lied on the ground as he barely saw the gang of five people leave. He could only watch their feet in his limited vision as they trampled on whatever came their way. Everything about them screams disaster.

 

Myung Soo was hiding behind a big oak tree, watching the entire scene play off in front of his eyes. When the bullies left, he retracted himself back to his secluded spot. He had seen this Sung Jong person go off with the bullies every single break time in between classes. But he never realized he was being tortured in that short amount of periods. It made sense how Sung Jong always went to the clinic before he returned to class engulfed within the bandages.

 

He quickly shook the thoughts away from himself as he opened the big calculus book in front of him. Myung Soo was one of the top students, and he had to maintain his position as the highest-ranked prefect. This is why his rich parents send him off to study anyway – not to associate with the helpless, but to be the best. The big exam was approaching, and he had to focus on that instead. He had to memorize all the formulas. He had to remember all the calculations. He had to recite all the figures…

 

Out of curiosity, he peeked over the huge tree again, trying to spot the boy. He noticed how the boy had managed to sit down with difficulties. He was leaning against the wall and used it as his only support as if his life depended on it. Inside his hand, he was holding what seemed to be a notebook. With trembling hands, he tried to scribble something down.

 

Myung Soo scrunched his eyebrows as he returned to his peaceful position within the shades of the tree. He wondered if he should do anything about it. But a certain fear and hesitation held him back. He could not risk messing up his reputation for the sake of helping out this unknown stranger. What if the bullies targeted him instead?

 

He focused back on Sung Jong who was busy writing something down. Why would a victim write something right after the bullying incident? Why did he never fight back? Did he, perhaps, enjoy the abuse?

 

Myung Soo could not understand, but a curiosity started to brew inside him.

---

 

During break, Myung Soo sat down beneath his favorite oak tree – the sweet secluded spot that was free from the world’s distraction. As every other classmate went to get lunch together, Myung Soo preferred to be isolated in his own little world. He took out the lunch he had packed from his bag pack, ready to savor every taste of it.

 

However, the serene atmosphere was quickly broken when he heard a loud grunt coming from behind, followed by a pair of laughing hyenas. He did not have to look to know that something terrible was happening.

 

“Come on, Sung Jong ah, we’re very hungry,” Sung Gyu said with his arms stretched out. “Give us the money.”

 

Sung Jong was motionless as he gave them a vague look. For a moment, it seemed as if guilt was written on his face, even though there was nothing he should be guilty about.

 

“Ya, don’t you know you have to respect your elders? Didn’t your parents teach you that?” Woo Hyun asked as he gave a small kick against the young boy’s fragile body. The small push was enough to cause the boy to stumble against the ground. This earned some more scoffs from the rest.

 

“When a hyung is talking to you, you should answer,” Sung Yeol said as he approached with light sinister steps. He crouched down in front of the black haired guy and started pushing his head with a finger. “Do you hear me?”

 

“Search him,” Sung Gyu ordered.

 

At once, Hoya grabbed unto Sung Jong’s wrists and painfully clenched his nails into his skin. He smirked when Sung Jong flinched a little at the pain.

 

Dong Woo started to search the boy, digging into every single one of his pockets. “Found it!” he cheered as he managed to pull out a wallet. He opened the belonging to examine the amount of money inside. “Whoa! We can go to the internet café with this!”

 

Sung Jong’s face fell as he displayed some reluctance. Still, he did not show any resistance or struggles against the bullies.

 

“Wait, hold on guys,” Woo Hyun suddenly said as he gasped. “Is this money supposed to be our precious Sung Jong’s lunch money?”

 

The others gave him an appalled look, as if the realization just hit them.

 

“Well, seems he has to starve for an extra day,” Sung Gyu said with an evil smirk.

 

Hoya let go of Sung Jong’s hands and gave him one final push towards the floor. He then got up on his feet to follow the rest as they disappeared into the shadows with boisterous laughter.

 

Sung Jong stayed motionless on the ground for a few minutes. His mind was deep in thoughts as he slowly got up, feeling the pain in every muscle and bone he had. Like usual, he took out his dark brown notebook along with his pencil. His hand trembled again as he tried to write something down.

 

He noticed how his light source got blocked as an unfamiliar shadow consumed him. He flinched a little, thinking that the bullies had come back for him. His body stiffened as an automatic response, awaiting the harsh abuse that would follow. However, as seconds passed by, nothing happened.

 

Sung Jong slowly braved himself as he lifted his head, seeing the tall silhouette covering him. It was a guy whose face lit up despite the dark shadows. He watched in silence as the guy stretched out his arms and handed him a sandwich.

 

“You’re… Kim Myung Soo… Right?” Sung Jong asked, recognizing the model student.

 

Myung Soo kept quiet, seeing how the boy looked back at him with big curious eyes. It surprised him to hear the chirpy silvery voice coming from the boy. He quickly took the boy’s hand and forced the sandwich into it.

 

“You don’t have to help me,” Sung Jong said as he looked at the sandwich in his hand.

 

Myung Soo gave him one last glance, noticing how his eyes slightly glinted at the sight of some food. The words from his mouth contrasted the joyful look on his face.

 

“I know,” he replied coldly before walking away.

---

 

The following days when Myung Soo was back to his secluded spot, it was no longer a safe-haven for him to study in. It had become a secret hide-out where he could keep an eye at the assault going on. Sometimes he wondered why the instructors never realized these kinds of things happening. But perhaps, he was not in the position to meddle in this situation.

 

“Lee Sung Jong, are you good at studying?” Sung Yeol asked.

 

The boy timidly shook his head. He faced the ground the entire time and tried his best to avoid any eye contact.

 

“Well, neither are we,” Sung Yeol said and laughed as the young boy did not laugh along their blending scowls.

 

“We need your help to help us pass the upcoming calculus exam,” Dong Woo said.

 

Sung Jong finally looked up at them with his big eyes. Confusion was written all over it, asking “how” in silence.

 

“Haven’t you watched any movies? The teachers keep their question and answers in the office or computers or something. You have to go find it,” Woo Hyun answered with some annoyance.

 

“We need it by tomorrow. If you come back to us empty handed…” Sung Gyu began as he gave a signal to Hoya.

 

The muscular guy grabbed unto Sung Jong’s collars and pushed him against the wall. The sound resembled that of cracking bones as Sung Jong let out a cry of pain. He used his strength to lift the boy up until he was barely standing tiptoed.

 

“…You’re dead.”

 

Hoya released Sung Jong again as he fell down at once. He gave his head another playful push, not minding as he directed it against the wall instead. With a grin on his face, they all walked away.

 

Myung Soo could only sigh, wondering when this would ever stop. If this went on, there might be a time when Sung Jong would lose his life. He watched in a painful silence as Sung Jong took out the notebook and started writing. He had always been curious what he was writing about, but it inspired him to do something.

 

So he quickly got back to his huge calculus book and began to jot down some notes.

---

 

That night, Sung Jong stood in front of the empty faculty building. The lamps were all turned off as the moon became his only way to see in the darkness. He didn’t know what to do, and he wasn’t even sure how to retrieve those question and answers. He was so swallowed within his own thoughts that he did not hear the approaching footsteps.

 

“Here.”

 

Sung Jong jumped up in surprise as he quickly turned around. Once again, he came face to face with none other than Myung Soo. Sung Jong’s face resembled someone who had seen a ghost. He stared at the other, seeing a yellow colored folder in his hand.

 

“What’s that?” he faintly asked.

 

“A compilation of possible questions and answers that will appear in the exam,” Myung Soo answered.

 

Sung Jong’s eyes widened in shock. “How… Why….?” He wasn’t even sure what to ask in his current state of bewilderment.

 

“You need this, don’t you?”

 

Sung Jong hesitated as he stared at the folder again.

 

“You can trust me; I’m the highest rank student in the entire campus. I can predict the type of questions that will appear in the exam,” Myung Soo stated his credibility.

 

“That’s not what I’m confused about,” Sung Jong said as he slowly grabbed the folder from Myung Soo’s hand. “Why are you helping me?”

 

“I don’t know,” Myung Soo answered.

 

It was a very good question. Myung Soo could not recall the moment when he stopped being so curious about Sung Jong’s case and actually started caring. Even though they never conversed before, a certain protective instinct was awakened in him. Perhaps it was a sense of justice and his desire to keep the weak safe from harm. He just knew that he wanted to help the younger one out.

 

“You don’t have to help me,” Sung Jong repeated the same words as he did last time.

 

“I know.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Sung Jong flashed a small smile. It was perhaps the first time when Myung Soo had seen the boy smile – and nothing but pure brightness was radiating from it. It was a smile that made him want to smile along, though he did not know why. He let his defenses go as his lips curved up into a smile.

 

Without realizing, time had carried the two as they headed home. The walk through the darkness was filled with a comfortable silence as all sorts of emotions consumed them.

 

“So, how did you get so smart?” Sung Jong suddenly asked as he cocked his head in an adorable way. “Everyone at campus knows they can’t beat you.”

 

“I’m not smart; I work hard,” Myung Soo answered.

 

“Wow, that’s something a typical smart person would say,” Sung Jong said with admiration. “I wish I could be as hardworking as you.”

 

“Why don’t you?”

 

“Because, I have no future anyway,” Sung Jong answered grimly as he showed a pained smile. “I don’t think I have a purpose in life aside from being a punching bag to those hyungs.”

 

Myung Soo scrunched his eyebrows as millions of questions started roaming in his head.

 

“What are you talking about? Everyone has a purpose in their life,” he corrected the younger one.

 

“You really think so?” Sung Jong asked, his tone slightly cheery again. “What do you suppose my purpose is?”

 

Myung Soo gave him a conflicted look. “Anything but being someone’s punching bag,” he answered.

 

Sung Jong let out a small laugh. “You’re very positive, hyung.”

 

Myung Soo continued to walk in the starless night with Sung Jong by his side. This was perhaps the only time they actually conversed. In a sense, the more he got to know Sung Jong, the more he did not know him. This guy was very peculiar in his speech and his behavior.

 

He was a bright boy; that, Myung Soo was sure of. But he could not figure out what had happened to Sung Jong. Or how the young boy ended up becoming a bullying victim, and why he never fought back.

 

Millions of questions were left unanswered as Myung Soo decided to keep his silence.

---

 

“Did you bring it?” Sung Gyu asked as he and the four other boys cornered Sung Jong against the wall. The boy had no way to escape even if he tried. But like usual, he stayed obedient and welcomed their abuse.

 

“Whoa, he actually managed to get it,” Woo Hyun looked slightly impressed as he grabbed the folder from his hand.

 

“But is it credible though? Are we sure that he’s not fooling us?” Dong Woo asked.

 

“I’m sure he won’t fool us,” Hoya said as he landed a huge blow against Sung Jong’s stomach. The blood came flowing out again as the others laughed.

 

“He knows better than that,” Sung Yeol said.

 

“If we fail, we know whom to blame.” Sung Gyu’s vicious eyes landed on Sung Jong. “And if we get caught, we’ll just say you forced us into it.”

 

“You’re so brilliant, hyung!” Woo Hyun cheered as he grinned at Sung Gyu.

 

“We shouldn’t waste any more time,” Hoya said as he gave Sung Jong a kick against his knees. The sound of his yells and cries was like music to his ears. And he smiled as Sung Jong fell down in agony, clenching unto his legs with the unbearable pain.

 

“Did you overdo it?” Dong Woo asked.

 

“He’ll be fine. Our porcelain doll is not that easily broken,” Hoya spoke as they left.

 

As soon as they left, Myung Soo entered the scene in a panic. He knelt down besides the boy who kept crying in pain, though they were not pleas for help. For a second, he did not know what to do – this was a situation he had never encountered before in his elite household.

 

“Sung Jong, I think you need to go to the clinic,” Myung Soo said worriedly.

 

“No, I’m fine,” Sung Jong replied as his cries turned into small hisses. With Myung Soo’s help, he sat down against the wall and tried to maintain a steady breathing pattern.

 

Myung Soo cluelessly did what he thought was right. He helped Sung Jong stretch out his legs and took out some bandage from his bag. He tried to roll it up against the wound, but wondered if he had to clean up the blood first. He was good at studying mathematics and every other subject that required some theories, but he knew nothing about medics.

 

“Hyung, you don’t have to help me,” Sung Jong whispered.

 

“I know,” Myung Soo said. “That’s the third time you told me.”

 

“And it’s the third time you do it anyway,” Sung Jong said.

 

Myung Soo paused in his movement as he looked up to Sung Jong. “It won’t be the last time either,” he said.

 

Sung Jong flinched a little as he watched Myung Soo carry on and roll the bandage around the wound. He did his best to suppress the pain and not let out any shrieks in case if Myung Soo got more worried.

 

A few minutes passed by as Myung Soo had gotten so much into the art of bandaging a patient. After several trial and errors, he was finally satisfied.

 

“Done!” he exclaimed proudly.

 

Sung Jong glanced at his feet, seeing how it was too heavy to be moved now. The white bandage was rolled all over the place into random directions. Seeing that, he couldn’t help but let out a hysteric laughs. “Hyung, are you dressing me up for Halloween or something? I look like a mummy!”

 

“Really? It’s not that bad,” Myung Soo said as he studied his masterpiece.

 

“I’ll be honest with you; it’s terrible,” Sung Jong said and continued to laugh as Myung Soo shot him a glare.

 

“At least it doesn’t hurt, right?” Myung Soo asked him worriedly.

 

“They say laughter is the best medicine. Since you managed to make me laugh, I guess I’m healed,” Sung Jong said with a grin.

 

Myung Soo scoffed a little as he went to sit down besides Sung Jong and leaned his back against the wall.

 

“Why don’t you tell the teachers about it?” he asked.

 

Sung Jong gave him a surprised look. “I can’t,” he said.

 

“Why?” Myung Soo almost raised his voice.

 

“Their parents are all part of the school’s board of directors. If I say something, no one will believe me. I’d get more ridiculed by the classmates, become an outcast to the teacher, and… I don’t even know what the hyungs would do to me then,” Sung Jong explained as he exhaled deeply.

 

“That’s unfair,” Myung Soo clenched his fist. He wanted to help, but he did not know how. He watched how Sung Jong proceeded to take out the usual notebook and pencil.

 

“What’s that?” he couldn’t help but ask in curiosity.

 

“It’s a secret,” Sung Jong answered him in a whisper. “A secret diary.”

 

“Diary?” Myung Soo asked perplexed. He wondered why Sung Jong had to write a diary. Was he perhaps keeping a record of the abuses? Would he perhaps give them a payback someday?

 

“Today, I’m writing an entry about you,” Sung Jong announced.

 

Myung Soo gave him a surprised look, but couldn’t help but form a smile on his lips. “You don’t have to,” he imitated the usual words Sung Jong spoke to him.

 

“I know,” Sung Jong copied his usual reply with a grin. “But I want to. Cause you’re my favorite hyung.”

 

Myung Soo was unable to stop himself from grinning at his words. “You’re my favorite dongsaeng, too,” he declared.

 

“Aren’t I your only dongsaeng though?” Sung Jong asked him bluntly. “I never see you hang out with anyone else aside from me.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

“I must be your only friend,” Sung Jong laughed as he smiled at him meaningfully. “You’re my only friend as well.”

 

Myung Soo flinched as he let Sung Jong’s words sink in. He had always been the type of person who closed himself off towards the society. He grew up studying in mere silence – books were his friends and knowledge was his company. He had gotten used to being the loner in class. Everyone knew he was a bookworm and no one ever tried to get close to him. He never had any plans to get close to anyone else either.

 

But how was it possible that Lee Sung Jong managed to open that closed door and let himself enter into his life? When he was with Sung Jong, his icy exterior melted and he couldn’t help but warm up. For once, his company was an actual human being. This was perhaps the most he had ever talked to towards a person.

 

For once, he had a friend.

---

 

In the following weeks to come, Myung Soo tried his best to shield his friend from the abuse. He knew that he would be outnumbered and that strength wasn’t his forte, so he had to use his smart brains. He made sure Sung Jong would go somewhere else during break time. Sometimes he convinced the instructors to ask for Sung Jong’s assistance for something. Other times, he invited Sung Jong over to the library. He had to be anywhere but at that wretched spot behind the big oak tree.

 

Sung Jong had become a happier person and was more outspoken than the first time they met. He had an interesting sense of humor that always surprised Myung Soo from time to time. He rarely went to the clinic and stayed away from harm. Myung Soo felt relieved to know Sung Jong was safer now.

 

Sometimes, however, he took the notebook out again and wrote something down. Myung Soo couldn’t help but wonder what the entries were about. He was no longer abused, and yet, he had felt the need to keep writing. The curiosity appeared, but he respected Sung Jong’s privacy enough to keep silent.

 

“Sung Jong, I’m sorry, but the teacher asked me to stay behind today to help grade some papers,” Myung Soo said as the classes for the day had ended.

 

“You are a real teacher’s pet,” Sung Jong grinned.

 

“No, I’m the teacher’s assistant,” Myung Soo corrected him.

 

“Isn’t that a fancy term for a nerd?” Sung Jong teased.

 

Myung Soo slightly glared at him. But as usual, he could never manage to stay mad at his favorite dongsaeng. Especially as Sung Jong let out that heartfelt laughter. After seeing everything that Sung Jong had gone through, hearing him laugh sometimes felt like a miracle.

 

“I’ll see you tomorrow, then?” Sung Jong asked.

 

“You’ll see me every day,” Myung Soo said. “I’ll accompany you every single day.”

 

Sung Jong let out a laugh. “You don’t have to,” he said his favorite catchphrase.

 

“I know.”

---

 

Sung Jong let out a sigh when Myung Soo disappeared. It had been a while since he felt so lonely again. He did not know how their friendship managed to blossom so quickly. It was strange actually, but he just went along with it. Plus, Myung Soo was an interesting hyung.

 

“It’s about time we meet again.”

 

The familiar voice sent the shivers down his spine. Sung Jong looked up to come face to face with the five people he thought had disappeared from his life. The chilly wind felt colder against his skin, as if every single howl was able to send a cut through his skin.

 

“Come Sung Jong ah, it’s time to play again,” Woo Hyun said as he placed an arm around the younger one’s neck. He used slight force and smiled as Sung Jong made a small chocked sound.

 

“We’ve been waiting for you, but you suddenly disappeared from us. It broke our heart,” Sung Gyu said as they brought him back to the usual court.

 

At once, the timid person resurfaced again. The version of Sung Jong that was so used to their abuse was back, and he lost every ability to speak. He remained in stillness and could only utter a silent prayer that he’ll be safe.

 

“Why aren’t you talking? We clearly heard you talk to that Myung Soo?” Sung Yeol asked.

 

Sung Jong’s eyes slightly widened in shock.

 

“You two have been sticking to each other like peanut butter and jelly, like chopsticks and a spoon, like-”

 

“Woo Hyun,” Sung Gyu called, seeing how the other was getting carried away.

 

“Right,” Woo Hyun cleared his throat. “The point is, you two are inseparable, right?”

 

Sung Jong bit his lower lip, wondering what to do or say.

 

“In that case, since our Sung Jong seems to be getting lonely, should we add another toy?” Dong Woo asked eagerly.

 

“Let’s get Myung Soo to join!” Sung Yeol exclaimed with excitement.

 

“NO!” Sung Jong shouted.

 

The others were surprised as they gave Sung Jong a baffled look. This was the first time Sung Jong broke out from his submissive state, and spoke back to them.

 

“He can speak!” Woo Hyun uttered.

 

“Why are you getting so defensive?” Sung Yeol asked.

 

“Leave him out of this. I’ll play with you,” Sung Jong said as he lowered his head to the ground.

 

“Wow,” Sung Gyu said as he applauded his hand. “What a touching friendship you have. It almost makes me feel bad for treating you like this.”

 

As if on cue, Hoya went ahead and punched Sung Jong in the stomach – his favorite spot. It was the spot that pained the victim the most. With one hand, he held unto Sung Jong’s head, making sure the guy won’t fall down even though his legs gave up on him.

 

“You’re wrong,” Sung Jong muttered with heavy breathings in between. “I’m not doing it out of friendship.”

 

“Hm?” Sung Gyu slightly cocked his head sideways.

 

“His family is rich and he is the favorite of all instructors at campus. If you mess with him, they’re coming to get you for sure,” Sung Jong said.

 

“So?”

 

“Why do you think I hang out with him all the time?” Sung Jong asked as he squinted his eyes into a malicious glare. With the last bit of energy he had left in him, he formed his lips into a smirk. “I knew I could use him as a shield against you.”

 

The others responded with different expressions.

 

“So you were just using him?” Dong Woo questioned.

 

“Isn’t that obvious?” Sung Jong asked with a small scoff.

 

At that moment, he looked up towards the bullies standing in front of him. But, what surprised him the most was the additional person standing behind them – the one person who did not fit in the picture.  

 

“What are you talking about, Sung Jong?” Myung Soo’s voice asked. For a second, he forgot about the bullies presence as he crept closer towards Sung Jong. The expression on his face was unreadable and he himself did not know what to feel.

 

“I’m sorry I’ve been taking advantage of you,” Sung Jong spoke.

 

Myung Soo scrunched his eyes as he clenched his fist into a ball. His chest hurt by the words spoken by Sung Jong. But something in him refused to believe him.

 

“You’re lying. I saw you change. You laughed with me. We laughed together…”

 

“I’m sorry,” Sung Jong spoke again. “At a time when one’s life depends on it, I’d do anything to survive.”

 

Myung Soo gave him a look of disbelief. The voice was choked in his throat as he tried the hardest to fight his tears from coming out. Was Sung Jong, right? Was their friendship just a mere lie?

 

“No… No…” he heavily shook his head, refusing to accept the harsh possibility. “You showed all of your emotions with me. You weren’t afraid to show me when you were afraid, when you were sad, and when you were happy… That can’t possibly be an act.”

 

“Sometimes, the loudest sounds are silent emotions,” Sung Jong spoke. “There is another side of me I haven’t shown you.”

 

Myung Soo lips started to tremble as he looked at Sung Jong in confusion. The reality and the lie became a blurred line – he no longer knew what to believe. Sung Jong’s words were very convincing. And the way the young boy stared at him with such coldness in his eyes made him lose the faith in him.

 

“Tell me one thing,” he spoke with the last bit of hope left. “Did you ever consider me a friend?”

 

Sung Jong looked conflicted once again. He looked away from Myung Soo’s eyes and let out an annoyed grunt. “No,” he spoke as he slightly shook his head. “You were nothing but a human shield.”

 

Myung Soo clenched his fists tighter together as he couldn’t stand but let his tears flow out. Sung Jong did not have to see them. The one time he opened himself up to allow a person to become his friend; he met an enemy known as deceit. He had never felt so betrayed in his life before.

 

“That was mean,” Woo Hyun commented as he placed an arm on Myung Soo’s shoulder.

 

“It was way too far,” Sung Gyu added.

 

“Don’t touch me,” he said as he pushed their hand away.

 

“Tell you what, how about you join us and release all of your stress and anger? He makes a very good punching bag,” Sung Yeol suggested.

 

Myung Soo flinched at the word, remembering how Sung Jong had told him he believed he was meant to be a punching bag. At this point, he didn’t know whom to defend: himself, or Sung Jong? A part of him felt sorrow if Sung Jong was about to fall in the evil hands of these bullies. But another part of him was more hurt by the betrayal.

 

“You can go now,” Sung Jong told him. “No need to try and help out. I told you this is my sole purpose.”

 

Myung Soo let out a deep sigh, once again conflicted within himself. As he stared at Sung Jong for a final time, he saw the change in his expression. There was pain and desperation written on it. However, he could not read whether he was desperate to be helped, or to be left alone.

 

“GO! You don’t have to help!” Sung Jong finally yelled in frustration.

 

Myung Soo recognized those familiar words. However, it was different this time. His chest stung with every memory he held dear to his heart. The broken memory pieces that was nothing but a lie to the one person he thought was his friend. He turned to Sung Jong with misery written in his eyes. He parted his lips and allowed the cold reply to escape:

 

“I won’t.”

 

With those final words, he turned his back on Sung Jong, on their friendship, and on all of their memories. It meant nothing to Sung Jong, so it meant nothing to him either. He should’ve remained silent since the very start.

 

From now on, he’d let the silence consume him once again.



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Did anyone cry?? Or shed a tear? Shiny eyes maybe? :p
Please leave your comments, thoughts and feedback below. I love reading them!
I hope this lived up to your expectation. :)

Anyway, this story can go into any direction from this point onwards. So I allow you all to choose the ending~