“I…” Hoseok hesitated and then faced the open air, they were out on the small rail balcony, with the fresh air blasting against his face, “I…”

“You are a good man,” Soo-hyuk finished.

But Hoseok didn’t hear him, “I…hyung…” the tears formed and then started to fall, “Let that girl go.”

“You did what you could…” Soo-hyuk felt his chest tighten at the pain. He pressed a hand to his chest and closed his eyes, “If there is sin then I did just as much as you did.”

“I…”

“No,” Gaelin appeared out of nowhere and Soo-hyuk stepped aside as she rushed up to Hoseok and wrapped her arms around his chest, “Don’t even say those things.”

“We could have done something…” Hoseok continued, “We were too selfish. Back then…”

“We were kids…”

“No,” Hoseok cried out, “we were not.”

Gaelin pressed her face into Hoseok’s back, “Don’t do this now. You need to be strong. We need you.”

“I am always the strong one. The one that doesn’t care. The one that is cold.” Hoseok laughed but he grabbed onto Gaelin’s hands and pulled her tighter against him, “no matter how much you hold me now, no matter how much you held me then – it will never be enough. I failed the test. I failed my estate, I failed that girl. I failed everyone. That is why my father…”

“Haji ma,” Yoongi said from behind them. “You know you are better than that.”

“I can’t do this anymore…” Hoseok pushed Gaelin back and Soo-hyuk caught her, “I can’t go back there. Don’t make me go back there.” He started to climb the railing.

“Jung Hoseok!” Gaelin screamed so loud that Soo-hyuk winced and Yoongi turned away. Minjae and the judges had approached and stood watching the scene silently. Gaelin fell to the floor and started crying, “Haji ma, haji ma.”

Soo-hyuk didn’t know what to do. It was all falling apart. He was no longer in control. He had to do something but nothing could be done. The past was too powerful.

Hoseok stopped and his shoulders shook, “Are you going to be selfish and make me choose?”

“Ani,” Gaelin shook her head, “but don’t leave us again. I can’t…” she beat her chest as the pain grew.

Hoseok turned and stared down at Gaelin, “You’re the worst kind of woman. You know that? Why are you crying like this? When you could have done something but you chose him.” He looked passed her and at Woo Minjae.

“Yah!” Soo-hyuk was shocked.

Ga