Stubborn little one

The lecture hall emptied out as Jihoon lingered, distracted by his thoughts. Just as he was about to leave, his lecturer called out, "Jihoon, someone's waiting for you outside the building. Red-dyed hair—hard to miss."

Jihoon froze. His chest tightened. That description could only mean one person: Kangwon.

"Thank you, professor," Jihoon mumbled before hastily leaving.

As he stepped outside, his fears were confirmed. Kangwon leaned against a sleek black motorcycle, his red hair catching the afternoon light like a warning flare. He looked every bit as intimidating as Jihoon remembered, his sharp gaze and smirk exuding a dangerous energy.

"Well, there's the Minjae's favourite I was looking for," Kangwon said, straightening up. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket and sauntered over.

Jihoon's stomach churned. He tightened his grip on the strap of his bag and forced himself to stand his ground. "What do you want?"

"Relax, Jihoon. I'm not here to hurt you," Kangwon said with a mocking grin. "I just thought we should talk. About Minjae."

Jihoon's heart skipped a beat at the mention of his stepbrother's name. "What about him?"

Kangwon's smirk faded slightly, replaced by a calculating look. "You seem close to him. So let me give you a piece of advice: don't trust him."

Jihoon frowned, his unease growing. "What are you talking about?"

"You don't know him like I do," Kangwon said, his voice lowering. "Minjae may seem like he's got his act together now, but that man has done unforgivable things—things he ran away from instead of facing."

Jihoon's breath hitched. "What things?"

Kangwon stepped closer, his expression dark and serious. "You think Minjae's just some ex-thug who turned over a new leaf? Think again. Back when we worked together, Minjae wasn't just part of the gang—he thrived in it. He did things that would make your blood run cold. He was ruthless, calculated, and dangerous."

Jihoon shook his head, refusing to believe it. "Minjae's changed. He's different now."

Kangwon let out a bitter laugh. "People like Minjae don't change. He might look like he's moved on, but he's still the same at his core. And let me tell you something—whatever guilt he's carrying, it won't stay buried forever. Sooner or later, it'll come back to haunt him. And when it does, you'd better hope you're not caught in the crossfire."

Jihoon's mind raced. He wanted to defend Minjae, but Kangwon's words planted seeds of doubt. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I don't want to see an innocent kid like you get hurt," Kangwon said, his tone unusually sincere. Then his smirk returned. "And maybe, just maybe, I enjoy stirring the pot."

Jihoon glared at him. "Minjae's my brother. I won't turn on him because of your words."

Kangwon shrugged, unfazed. "Suit yourself. But don't say I didn't warn you."

With that, Kangwon swung a leg over his motorcycle and revved the engine. "Take care, Jihoon. And remember: some monsters wear masks that look like family."

The motorcycle roared as Kangwon sped off, leaving Jihoon standing in the courtyard, his thoughts a tangled mess.

Was Kangwon just trying to manipulate him, or was there truth to his words? Jihoon clenched his fists, determined to find out for himself.

Jihoon stood in the courtyard, his thoughts heavy, when a sleek black car pulled up. The tinted windows rolled down, revealing Minjae behind the wheel. His sharp suit and calm demeanor contrasted with the storm brewing inside Jihoon.

"How's my sweet little brother?" Minjae said with his usual composed tone, but his eyes scanned Jihoon's face carefully.

Jihoon slid into the passenger seat, closing the door with a soft thud. As Minjae drove off, the hum of the engine filled the tense silence between them.

"Bad day at campus?" Minjae asked, glancing sideways at Jihoon.

Jihoon's expression remained cold as he stared out of the window. After a moment, he said flatly, "Kangwon approached me."

Minjae's hands tightened on the steering wheel, his jaw clenching. "What did he want?why didn't you call me?"

"He said I shouldn't trust you," Jihoon replied, his voice laced with hesitation and frustration.

Minjae's anger flared, though he tried to keep his tone steady. "Did he hurt you? Did he say anything else?"

Jihoon shook his head, his gaze still fixed outside. "He just warned me about you. He said…you've done unforgivable things."

Minjae exhaled sharply, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the wheel. For a moment, he didn't respond, the tension in the car thick enough to cut.

Finally, he said, "Jihoon, I'll explain everything. But not here. Let's get back to my place."

Jihoon turned to face him, searching for any sign of dishonesty in Minjae's expression. But all he saw was a mix of anger and something else—regret?

"Fine" Jihoon said softly, leaning back in his seat.

The rest of the drive was silent, the atmosphere charged with unspoken words. Jihoon's mind swirled with conflicting emotions: loyalty to the brother who had always protected him and doubt planted by Kangwon's ominous warning.

Minjae, meanwhile, wrestled with his own thoughts, his jaw tightening with every passing second. Kangwon had crossed a line by approaching Jihoon. It was time to lay everything bare—before the past destroyed the fragile bond they were rebuilding.

The aroma of sizzling meat and spices filled the kitchen as Minjae moved gracefully between the stove and the counter, preparing dinner. Jihoon sat at the dining table, staring blankly at the polished surface, his mind racing.

Soon, Minjae placed two plates on the table. The dishes looked impeccable—steaming rice, perfectly grilled bulgogi, and a side of fresh vegetables. He sat across from Jihoon, his expression calm, though his eyes betrayed his concern.

"Eat,please." Minjae said softly, nudging Jihoon's plate closer.

Jihoon picked up his chopsticks hesitantly, the knot in his stomach making it hard to even take a bite. He glanced up at Minjae, who was eating steadily, as if trying to set an example.

"I can't..."Jihoon said finally, putting his chopsticks down. "Not like this."

Minjae leaned back slightly, folding his arms. "You're worrying too much. There's no need for it."

"How can I not?" Jihoon shot back, his voice trembling. "Kangwon isn't just a thug, Minjae. He's dangerous, and it seems like he's after you. He wants revenge."

Minjae's expression darkened, but he forced himself to stay composed. "Let him try. I've dealt with worse."

"That's not the point!" Jihoon blurted, his frustration spilling over. "You might die, Minjae. Don't you get that? You're not invincible!"

Minjae's jaw tightened, but his tone remained steady. "Jihoon, I've handled people like Kangwon my whole life. I know how to deal with him."

Jihoon shook his head, his voice dropping to a softer, more vulnerable tone. "I don't care about what you did in the past. That's not what matters to me. But if something happens to you because of it... I couldn't bear that."

Minjae's gaze softened, and he reached across the table, placing a hand on Jihoon's. The gesture was both firm and reassuring. "Nothing's going to happen to me. I promise."

"But how can you be so sure?" Jihoon whispered, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"Because I have something worth staying alive for now-" Minjae said, his voice low but filled with conviction. "And I'm not about to let Kangwon—or anyone else—take that away from me."

Jihoon blinked, taken aback by the weight of Minjae's words. He looked down at their hands, Minjae's warmth grounding him in the moment.

"Now, eat," Minjae said with a faint smile, his tone gentler this time. "You'll need your strength."

Jihoon hesitated but finally picked up his chopsticks again. Though his appetite hadn't returned, the sincerity in Minjae's voice made him want to try. As they ate in silence, Jihoon couldn't shake the feeling that their fragile peace was teetering on the edge of something much bigger.

The quiet clinking of chopsticks against porcelain filled the air as they finished their meal. Jihoon's thoughts were a whirlwind, and he could no longer hold them back. Setting his chopsticks down, he cleared his throat, breaking the silence.

"Minjae-" Jihoon began, his voice steady but determined.

Minjae looked up, raising a brow. "Hmm?"

"I want you to teach me how to fight-" Jihoon said, locking eyes with him. "And... how to use a gun."

The room went silent, the weight of Jihoon's words sinking in. Minjae blinked, visibly stunned, before a wide grin broke across his face. Then he laughed—a deep, genuine laugh that echoed through the room.

Minjae had worked tirelessly to crawl out of the darkness of his past, and the last thing he wanted was to see Jihoon consumed by it. A life of violence, danger, and betrayal was no life for someone like Jihoon.