Away From Home

Min-jun released a heavy sigh, the sound mingling with the gentle rustle of leaves as he fixed his gaze upon the tranquil surface of the small lake. The university grounds felt eerily empty, and the still, azure water mirrored the vast expanse of the sky above. As he settled on the shore, absorbing the serene sight, a piercing yearning tugged at Min-jun's heart.

It was early summer, and though the weather was still too chilly to linger outside for long, Min-jun found himself wandering aimlessly. The cold only heightened his longing, reminding him of the two blissful summer days he had spent with Seung-joon at the ocean resort. Despite knowing deep down that the person he sought wouldn't be there, he couldn't shake the urge to look for him, clinging to a fragile hope. Countless times, he had chased after fleeting shapes and shadows, betrayed by his longing heart.

It had been two and a half years since Min-jun parted ways with Seung-joon, and for him, time felt as though it had come to a standstill. Days slipped by without him truly noticing what happened around him. He often wondered how he had managed to survive this long without losing his sanity. The thought that Seung-joon never wanted to see him again nearly shattered his heart, yet in a way, it made their separation feel somewhat easier. Min-jun left quietly and unceremoniously without a word to any of his friends, avoiding anyone who might remind him of Seung-joon. Even after all this time, whenever Min-jun closed his eyes, the memory of Seung-joon's kiss lingered as if it had happened just yesterday.

***

"Joon-ah…." Min-jun opened his eyes slowly, only to find Seung-joon gone. For a few moments, he stood there, grappling with the reality of what had just happened.

Suddenly, he collapsed to the ground, cradling his throbbing head and murmuring, "Joon-ah…". He could hear Chang-min's hurried footsteps approaching. Looking up at Seung-joon's room, he noticed the light was on, yet the white curtain revealed no movement within.

Min-jun knew it was a goodbye. Whether Seung-joon kissed him out of genuine feelings or simply in response to Min-jun's request no longer mattered. Deep down, Min-jun sensed that he would never see Seung-joon again. Just as he felt himself starting to faint, he felt Chang-min catch him, preventing his head from hitting the ground.

Physically, it took him a month to recover, but the profound emptiness inside him remained unfilled. Min-jun spent his days staring out the window, gazing in the direction of Seung-joon's house. He considered visiting Seung-joon several times, but each moment of resolve crumbled at the last instant, leaving him unable to summon the courage.

Min-jun had lost weight, and the motivation to care for himself as he once did. He knew Chang-min worried about him deeply; witnessing his usually happy, energetic brother remain silent was something Chang-min had never experienced. Yet, Min-jun couldn't summon the energy to feign happiness. He spent most of his time locked away in his room with Chang-min, both focused on preparing for their university entrance exams.

By the time they enrolled, Min-jun had transformed into a different person—exactly the opposite of his former self. He had become silent and almost invisible. Once vibrant, Min-jun now retreated into a reserved and introverted shell, spending most of his free time studying in the library or sitting alone by the lake, far from the lively social scene that thrived among other university students.

Even though he was popular for his intelligence and charming looks, Min-jun seemed indifferent to the idea of making friends. His yearning for solitude and a desire to be forgotten by others was painfully clear. Ironically, this very trait endeared him to his professors, much to the dismay of classmates who sought preferential treatment.

Won Dong-hyun harbored a grudge against Minjun from the very beginning. He viewed Min-jun as a rival, resenting the fact that Minjun's family owned the best hospital chain in the country, while theirs always ranked second despite their greater wealth. As the academic staff showered attention on Min-jun, Dong-hyun felt a rising loathing, his envy intensifying with every praise Min-jun received. Minjun's cool, calm demeanor only deepened Dong-hyun's frustration, making it all the more difficult for him to bear.

"Eh... Ya... Han Min-jun! Come here!"

Min-jun flinched at the sharpness in Won Dong-hyun's voice, his heart sinking as he recognized the source. He cringed inwardly when he saw Dong-hyun standing in the corridor, flanked by his lackeys, blocking his path.

With a resigned sigh, Min-jun walked toward him, wishing Chang-min were there for support, but his brother was busy with classes. As he approached, Dong-hyun stepped closer, invading Min-jun's space, and poked him in the shoulder with a mocking grin.

"Ya... Han Min-jun... Do you think you're a big shot just because your father is a minister?"

Min-jun knew that no matter how he responded, it wouldn't change anything. With weary eyes, he met Dong-hyun's gaze, a mix of indifference and exhaustion filling his expression. Just as Dong-hyun raised his arm to shove Min-jun aside, a booming voice echoed from behind him—the voice was oddly familiar yet strange.

"Won Dong-hyun!!!"

He suddenly felt a firm grip on his shoulder, yanking him back.

"Han-ah, get out of the way," came the commanding voice.

Two figures surged forward, positioning themselves on either side of him, creating a protective barrier. Min-jun glanced up in surprise, his heart swelling with a mixture of gratitude and relief as he recognized the twins, their expressions resolute and unwavering.

But it was the figure standing directly in front of him that sent his heart racing uncontrollably. The familiar silhouette radiated a protective energy that made Min-jun feel both safe and vulnerable at once.

"Put one finger on his body, and I'll bury you alive." Seung-joon's voice sliced through the air, dangerously low and simmering with barely contained rage. Min-jun felt an electric current run down his spine at the sound of Seung-joon's deep, protective voice.

"Sorry, I borrowed your line," Seung-joon murmured to Tae-min, his gaze fixed on Dong-hyun, who was still processing what had just unfolded. Dong-hyun's eyes narrowed, suspicion and contempt swirling within them as he sized up Seung-joon.

"No problem," Tae-min replied, a confident smirk playing on his lips, his posture unwavering.

"Joon-ah," Min-jun murmured softly, tugging weakly at Seung-joon's shirt. He glanced up at Tae-min and Tae-jon, confusion etched on his face. Why hadn't they intervened to stop Seung-joon? His surprise deepened when he noticed the fierce determination in both their eyes as they fixed their stares on Dong-hyun.

"Did you just call him Han-ah?" Dong-hyun asked, a sly grin stretching across his face, relishing the opportunity to create tension. Min-jun's heart raced, darting between anxiety and hope as he searched for a way to defuse the situation before anyone caught on to the brewing storm.

"What if I did?" Seung-joon retorted, nonchalant yet fierce, stepping closer, his stance defiant.

"Looks like the spotlight's gotten to your head, huh? You must be going insane with all the attention. Remember, no one stays popular forever."

Seung-joon took another step forward, his unwavering gaze fixed on Dong-hyun, who towered over him both in height and bulk. "Do you really want to know how insane I am?"

"Joon-ah," Min-jun pleaded weakly, but Seung-joon ignored it.

"You bastards are crazy," Dong-hyun breathed, his rage evident.

"Well, now you know," Tae-min replied, his tone laced with satisfaction as Dong-hyun and his lackeys retreated, casting threatening glares as a group of students approached down the corridor.

Min-jun's jaw nearly dropped again as he heard Tae-jon chuckle, "Well, that was fun." A playful smile danced across his face, accompanied by a dangerous glint in his eyes. For a brief moment, Min-jun could only stare at the three brothers, his mouth agape, as he processed the surreal turn of events.