CHAPTER 22

"Oppa, you study and work too hard," So-Jin whined playfully as they walked outside going back to dorm after class, her tone light yet laced with genuine concern as she notice that Ji-Won is quite the entire class and seems in a deep thoughts. She tilted her head slightly, her playful pout aimed at brightening his mood.

Ji-Won, his expression calm but distant, kept his gaze focused ahead, each step deliberates. The events of last night with Hye-Rin loomed heavily in his mind, pulling him away from the present. "I'm aiming for a scholarship next semester," he replied, his voice steady but hollow, the determination masking an inner turmoil that pressed against him like an invisible weight.

So-Jin's playful demeanor faltered momentarily, her brow furrowing with worry. "Hmm... okay, okay," she muttered, the eagerness in her voice dimming. She tried to match his pace, stepping close, hoping to lift his spirits as they walked.

"Ouch!" So-Jin suddenly winced, rubbing her forehead after bumping into him. "Oppa, why did you suddenly stop?" she exclaimed.

Startled by her voice, Ji-Won turned around, his hand instinctively reaching out to pat her head gently, a flicker of warmth in his otherwise distant demeanor. "Sorry, So-Jin. But can you go ahead first? I'll follow soon," he said softly, his voice sincere but tinged with an underlying sorrow that was hard to ignore. His eyes, however, remained unfocused, the weight of his thoughts pushing him further into isolation.

"Alright," So-Jin replied, her nod hesitant. She cast a lingering glance at the man standing in front of Ji-Won, curiosity piqued. Something was off about Ji-Won; his usually composed demeanor felt frayed, and she could sense the unspoken tension hanging in the air. Yet, she respected his need for space and headed up the stairs, casting one last worried look back before disappearing inside.

"Won…" Youn-Jae's voice cracked slightly, trembling with a mix of excitement and anxiety. "No, Ji-Won," he corrected himself, as if merely uttering Ji-Won's name demanded every ounce of his strength.

Ji-Won stood rigid, gripping the strap of his backpack tightly, his posture betraying none of the turmoil churning within him. He didn't meet Youn-Jae's eyes, choosing instead to bow slightly, a formal acknowledgment that felt more like a barrier. "Sir Kyle," he said, his voice cold, the formality erecting an invisible wall between them. Without waiting for a response, Ji-Won turned sharply and began walking toward the dorm, each step heavy with the weight of unexpressed emotions. The strap of his bag dug painfully into his shoulder, grounding him amidst the chaos of his thoughts.

Behind him, Youn-Jae stood frozen, his heart racing as he watched Ji-Won's retreating figure. A desperate urge to reach out surged within him, but the words died in his throat. He stood there, hands clenched at his sides, feeling the moment slipping away like sand through his fingers.

As Ji-Won continued to walk away, Youn-Jae's breath hitched, panic tightening in his chest. "Ji-Won, wait!" he called out, his voice shaky, filled with a frantic need to stop him. But Ji-Won's steps remained steady, unyielding, as if he hadn't heard him. Each stride felt like a door slamming shut, a door Youn-Jae feared might never open again.

"It's me—your Hyung!" Youn-Jae finally blurted out, desperation spilling from his lips, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. The admission hung in the air, heavy with unspoken years of pain and longing.

Ji-Won paused, though he didn't turn around. He stood rigid, absorbing the words that felt like a jolt to his very core. Doubt clouded his mind; was this another manipulation? Another layer to the lies that had once torn them apart?

"Ji-Won, it's me… your Hyung," Youn-Jae repeated, softer now, stepping closer, filled with longing and hope. He moved forward and wrapped his arms around Ji-Won from behind, holding him tightly as if afraid he'd disappear forever if he let go.

Ji-Won swallowed hard, confusion flooding his senses. This was the man who had hurt him, who left without explanation. The warmth of Youn-Jae's embrace felt suffocating, overwhelming him. He instinctively tried to pry Youn-Jae's arms away, each tug a reminder of their fractured past.

"Sir Kyle," Ji-Won said, voice tight with restraint, laced with pain. "You're holding me too tightly… I'm hurt."

Youn-Jae immediately loosened his grip, guilt flashing across his face, yet he couldn't bring himself to let go completely. Instead, he turned Ji-Won around to face him, gripping his shoulders with trembling hands, his gaze searching for any trace of the boy he once knew.

"I've been waiting for this moment for so long," Youn-Jae whispered, his voice breaking with affection and sorrow. He held Ji-Won, trying to bridge the gap that had formed between them over the years. But Ji-Won remained stiff, unyielding, his arms hanging limply at his sides, unwilling to reciprocate.

"Do you know how long I've been looking for you? You hid from your Hyung so well…" Youn-Jae's voice cracked, and when he finally pulled away, he searched Ji-Won's face desperately, yearning for a glimmer of recognition.

Ji-Won's eyes, however, were devoid of warmth. He met Youn-Jae's gaze, his expression hardening as he fought to keep his emotions in check. The confusion and hurt lingered just beneath the surface, but he buried them deep.

"Sir," Ji-Won said, voice cold and purposeful. "Are you drunk? You shouldn't act like this here." He gripped Youn-Jae's wrists, trying to remove his hands from his shoulders.

"No! I've been searching for you! I'm your Hyung!" Youn-Jae's desperation bled into his words, raw and unfiltered.

"Please, stop it." Ji-Won's voice trembled slightly but remained steady. "You're confusing me again. I don't know how you know about my Hyung, but don't use him against me. I won't deal with your conditions anymore." His shoulders tensed, holding back the storm of emotions threatening to break free.

Youn-Jae fumbled with his coat, pulling out a small, crumpled drawing. "The drawing… here," he stammered, holding it out, his hands shaking. "It's the one you made. I tore the missing half eighteen years ago, and I made a promise."

Ji-Won's heart raced as he took a cautious step closer, their eyes locking in a moment of silent recognition. Without warning, Ji-Won wrapped his arms around Youn-Jae tightly, his voice barely a whisper. "Sir… no, Hyung…"

"Yes, it's me, Ji-Won," Youn-Jae replied, hope surging within him, his heart lifting for a moment.

But Ji-Won's voice broke, barely audible. "Please… stop here. Whether you are my Hyung or not… just stop here."

Youn-Jae froze, his grip tightening around Ji-Won as tears welled up in his eyes. "Why? Didn't you miss me? I'm sorry… okay? Please, don't push me away," he pleaded, his voice choking with emotion. The tears he had been holding back fell, dripping onto Ji-Won's shoulder as he clung to him, desperate for forgiveness, for a chance to make things right. "I promise to make up for all my mistakes."

Ji-Won's heart ached at the sound of Youn-Jae's broken voice, but his resolve held firm. He gently pushed Youn-Jae away, his eyes clouded with pain but unwavering. "Sir… if you say you're my Hyung… there's too much space between us now. So much that I can barely recognize you anymore. The distance is too great…"

He turned away, voice low and hollow as he spoke over his shoulder. "Let's just leave the past behind and forget everything. Didn't you say to me before that sometimes you have to let go? So I'm letting you go now, and I'll live mine… without you, Hyung, because I cannot stand this different version of you."

With that, Ji-Won walked away, his steps heavy with the weight of his decision. Each stride felt like a final nail in the coffin of their shared past, leaving Youn-Jae standing there, tears streaming down his face, his heart shattered. He had waited so long for this moment, and now it was slipping away.

The story doesn't end here...