A sharp sound cut through the silence.
Ding.
Woojin's phone lit up on the desk.
He had been standing near the window, staring at nothing, when the notification came. The screen reflected faintly against the glass. He didn't move right away. His fingers stayed still at his side.
Another ding followed.
He turned slowly and picked up the phone.
A map appeared.
Red dots blinked.
Jungtae.
Woojin tapped the screen.
Amusement park.
His lips parted slightly.
"…An amusement park?"
The word tasted wrong.
He exhaled through his nose and tossed the phone onto the bed. It landed face-down. The mattress dipped and settled.
"They're really enjoying themselves."
His voice was low. Flat.
Woojin turned toward the far corner of his room. There was a door there, painted black. No decorations. No handle on the outside. Just a clean, dark surface.
It was the one Jungtae was about to enter last time.
He unlocked it.
The room inside was big, wide and silent. The curtains were always closed. One light hung over a black piano, its surface polished to a mirror shine. Two large cabinets, one long table, and some posters were inside.
Woojin sat down on the red chair.
His fingers hovered above the keys for half a second.
Then he played.
The first notes were slow and deep. Each sound pressed into the air like weight. His shoulders stayed stiff. His eyes focused.
The melody twisted, sharp and heavy. His fingers moved faster, striking harder. The piano echoed with uneven rhythm, rising and falling like breath pulled too tight.
One wrong note slipped out.
He didn't stop.
Another followed.
The sound grew harsher, filling the room until it felt crowded. He was expressing his feelings through it.
After ten minutes, he slammed the last key.
The sound rang, then died.
Woojin sat there, breathing steady now.
"He chose him. Bad decision, Tae."
He stood up, and left the room without looking back.
ৎ────
The Kwon estate was quiet.
Owen pushed open the door without knocking. The heavy atmosphere pressed down on him as soon as he entered.
The living room lights were on. His father stood near the table, sleeves rolled up, phone pressed to his ear.
When Owen entered, Daeho ended the call.
"Where were you?" Mr. Kwon snapped the moment he saw him. "You skipped the meeting. Didn't Haneul remind you?"
Owen took off his jacket and tossed it aside. "I was busy."
"Busy?" Mr. Kwon laughed sharply. "You think that's the answer? Busy of what, exactly?"
"I don't care what you think. I shouldn't have come here." Owen snapped.
The phone hit the table.
"You are the heir," his father said coldly. "And you disappear to play around?"
Owen smiled. "You mean date?"
That did it.
Mr. Kwon crossed the room in three steps and grabbed Owen by the collar.
"Are you insane?" he shouted. "Running around with boys? Ruining the family name?"
Owen's smile widened. "So that's what this is about."
A punch landed.
Owen's head snapped to the side. Blood bloomed at the corner of his mouth.
He laughed.
"I told you to leave me alone if you don't want to be embarrassed in your damn company!"
That only made it worse.
"You don't understand!" Daeho pulled Owen again.
Another punch landed. Then another.
"Stop it!"
Jin-ah rushed in, grabbing their father's arm. "You're going to kill him!"
Daeho shoved Owen away. That Owen hit the floor so hard.
"Huff. I'll give you one last chance to fix yourself. If you don't, you will face the biggest consequences, Owen."
"Now get out of my sight." He added.
Owen wiped his mouth with his thumb, eyes shining. Jin-ah rushed to him, examining Owen's bruises with a worried look.
"Gladly." He brushed off his sister's hands and stood up.
He grabbed his jacket and walked out, laughing softly even as blood dripped down his chin.
ৎ────
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
Jungtae lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
The watch on his wrist felt heavy.
He turned his arm, watching the light catch on the glass.
Woojin's face flashed in his mind. Their friendship.
His phone buzzed.
A message from his mother.
"Can you come watch your Grandpa for a bit?"
Jungtae hurriedly headed to the hospital.
ৎ────
The hospital smelled the same as always.
Jungtae sat by his grandpa's bed, fingers clasped tightly. He leaned forward.
"Wake up, grandpa." he whispered. "Please."
Suddenly, the door opened.
"Jungtae."
He turned.
Woojin stood at the door frame with a fruit basket in his hands.
"W-Woojin?"
"I came to visit," Woojin said, stepping inside. "And check on you."
He sat beside Jungtae.
"We haven't talked much together lately, Tae."
Jungtae blinked. "Yeah, you're right…"
"How's the watch?" Woojin asked.
Jungtae lifted his wrist. "I like it. Thank you."
Woojin nodded. "Good."
A pause. Jungtae felt awkward, and looked down.
"Owen is still paying, right?" Woojin asked.
"Yes."
Woojin smiled faintly. "If he does something strange… tell me."
Jungtae nodded.
The close bond that they had before is no longer the same. They both knew it, after Jungtae got closer with Owen.
ৎ────
It was late when Jungtae left the hospital.
His phone buzzed again.
Owen: "Come to the park."
Jungtae hesitated because it was already late at night, but went anyway.
When he reached the park, Owen sat slumped on a bench, wearing a cap, empty beer cans scattered nearby.
"What's up now?" Jungtae said while approaching him.
Owen raised his head, bandaids and bruises covered his face.
Jungtae jolted back. "W-What happened to you?"
"Just some stupid family problem." Owen said.
"Isn't that too much?"
"I'm used to it…" Owen replied. "Sit." He taps beside him.
"..."
Jungtae stayed silent.
Owen leaned on him.
"H-Hey!"
"Shh," Owen murmured. "Just stay."
"Go to the pharmacy." Jungtae said.
"Nah…"
Jungtae felt deja vu, Owen's playful teasing and energy didn't reach him tonight. Just like that time in the convenience store.
"..."
Minutes later, Owen was asleep. Jungtae tried to shake him awake, but it didn't work. His gaze landed on the empty beer cans.
"Sigh."
Jungtae struggled to carry him into a cab.
At the apartment building…
"Owen!"
Haneul's eyes snapped to Jungtae.
"What did you do to him?"
"He's drunk."
They carried Owen inside.
Haneul turned to Jungtae. "Leave."
The door closed loudly.
Jungtae stood there alone.
The watch ticked softly on his wrist.
"Woah, why is he mad at me…" He turned around and left.