# Chapter 9
A face as handsome as the Four Kings instantly drew everyone’s attention like a black hole. I could even hear faint exclamations of “Wow…”
But my gaze immediately bounced away when I noticed the piercings dangling from his ears.
‘Those ear piercings!’
Anyone could tell he was a delinquent. The kind of visual you should spot from 200 meters away and immediately turn around to avoid. I didn’t want to get into any trouble!
He was just as bad as the Four Kings. I absolutely didn’t want to get involved.
“Been a while?”
In response to the greeting, Lee Beom let out a short snort, showing his teeth. His pitch-black hair swayed. Students watching from around us screamed, “Kyaaa!” and went wild.
“I don’t know. I think I saw you yesterday.”
“For me, even a day feels long. I won’t let you off today, are you scared, Beom?”
“Pfft, when have you ever let me off and won? Do. Yun. Hyuk of Jeseong High?”
“You cause trouble even when I do let you off.”
Wait, Do Yunhyuk?
Amidst the cringeworthy dialogue, I heard the name I had been desperately trying to avoid. I quickly turned my head to double-check his face.
‘That’s… Do Yunhyuk?’
No wonder he had such a detestable appearance! I got goosebumps from the repulsion.
Among all the characters in this novel, Do Yunhyuk was the character most opposite to my personality and values.
He had zero interest in studying, lacked any sense of justice to the point where even I, who prioritized self-preservation, would frown, made immoral choices beyond common sense, and prioritized his emotions over logic…
The list was endless.
Yeon Suhwan, who was standing beside me like a shadow, let out a crooked snort. His frozen face was observing the standoff at the school gate.
At that moment, Seong Haemin rushed forward.
“Which bastard was it? Which bastard… touched our Haejun?”
Seong Haemin glared at the Jeseong High group, grinding his teeth. The last words were almost spat through his teeth. The Jeseong High group flinched at his fierce gaze, while I put my hand to my forehead.
‘Why bring up my name!’
I wanted to ask if he was crazy. I should just go home—what an embarrassment. My sense of self-loathing doubled at the fact that I was watching this situation while being practically cradled by Yeon Suhwan.
“S-S-Seong Haemin! Y-You think, a-anyone’s s-s-scared of you!”
A large student stepped forward hesitantly. When I saw his face, I realized it was that big guy from before. I admired his courage to respond while trembling. In response, Seong Haemin coldly smiled, lifting just one corner of his mouth.
My eyes widened at this unfamiliar sight. I thought he was someone who always went around with a smile that could rival a (^-^) emoticon, but here he was making such an expression. Seeing my reaction, Yeon Suhwan chuckled and whispered in my ear.
“You should know that Seong Haemin is only serious when it comes to matters concerning you.”
“Ah. Yes.”
I responded with a vague “yes, yes” while making a face like I’d just eaten an unripe persimmon, then looked back at Seong Haemin. Yeon Suhwan chuckled. I had no idea how long this person had known me to give me such intense looks.
“You’re really cute. You really remind me of…”
“What?”
“Nothing. Kook.”
Arm, shoulder, armpit—goosebumps rose wherever Yeon Suhwan’s arm touched. I struggled a bit, wanting to shake off his support, but this person was as stable as a bed that doesn’t wobble.
“Ha… it was you?”
At that moment, Seong Haemin, who had been smiling coldly, rushed at the big guy faster than light and punched him in the face.
“Huh…?”
I couldn’t believe it even though I saw it with my own eyes. Was this an internet romance novel or a modern fantasy novel? Can a person move that fast? Seong Haemin was mercilessly beating the big guy.
‘Is this okay? Shouldn’t he stop?’
Feeling like I should intervene, my hand involuntarily twitched. The excessive violence made me frown.
Some people around us took out their flip phones (…) to capture the scene, but Jeon Jehyeong, who had approached without anyone noticing, casually took those phones and deleted all the photos.
Seong Haemin finished his one-sided beating and lightly shook his head. His face was impeccably clean, as if his sweat glands were blocked, without a single drop of sweat. The big guy, who was covering his head, fortunately managed to protect his face. He was clearly on the verge of tears.
“Just try touching our Haejun. I’ll kill you.”
“Calm down, Seong Haemin.”
Lee Beom restrained the growling Seong Haemin. There was a reason he was the leader. Seong Haemin caught his breath while glaring at the Jeseong High group. His eyes were still fierce.
I could hear the students behind us squealing, “Oh my! Even when fighting, he’s so cool!” but I pretended not to hear.
“Whoa. I haven’t done anything yet? I just came to see his twin brother, that’s all.”
Do Yunhyuk, who raised both hands lightly as if surrendering, stayed true to his vile character by maintaining a relaxed smile even though one of his lackeys had been taken down.
“Don’t mess around.”
“It’s true! I heard my junior made a mistake without realizing. Right, Haejun?”
Do Yunhyuk suddenly addressed me. Thanks to him, everyone’s gaze fixed on me, who was in a very embarrassing position, being cradled by Yeon Suhwan.
It was a public execution! I swallowed my curse.
‘As expected, he’s truly despicable!’
My eyes met Do Yunhyuk’s. A boy with wine-colored hair, handsome enough to put celebrities to shame, looked at me with curved eyes. Then he tilted his head askew, as if waiting for my answer.
Right, what was important now wasn’t that bastard Do Yunhyuk. It was that I was receiving the attention of countless people gathered here. I felt suffocated.
“Um…”
As soon as I opened my mouth, all those sparkling gazes fixed on my face. I continued speaking like someone on their deathbed.
“Everyone, calm down… let’s just go home… this is a school, a place for studying…”
I’d rather faint.
My voice grew increasingly quieter. I was so exhausted that I mumbled without even being aware of what I was saying, and immediately a cold silence swept over the school gate.
“……”
“……?”
“……”
“…Kook.”
“Uhahaha! That’s our Jooni!”
The one who broke the silence with laughter was Yeon Suhwan, who was supporting me. Min Sihu joined in the laughter. He even gave a thumbs up and started laughing, bending over at the waist. My face flushed bright red as everyone’s attention focused on me. Even my ears felt red.
Damn… I could only curse.
I desperately wanted to escape this situation, nothing else mattered. Extreme stress made my stomach throb with pain, and my head felt the same. Stomachache and headache. I wanted to flee to a comfortable place and sleep. I was so tired that my vision was spinning. Cold sweat broke out.
“Okay! Haejun looks tired, so we’ll go back.”
After a brief silence, Do Yunhyuk smiled and waved his hand. His elongated almond-shaped eyes stared directly at me.
“See you again, Haejun.”
Having said goodbye, Do Yunhyuk led the Jeseong High group away in a leisurely manner. I stood there blankly, taking in the sight of those awful people who had thrown a huge mess at me and then coolly exited as if nothing had happened.
As soon as the Jeseong High group disappeared, Seong Haemin, who had relaxed his rigid expression, rushed straight to me.
“Well done, Seong Haemin.”
“Thank you, sunbae.”
“Here’s your brother. I’ve been taking precious care of him so he wouldn’t wear out.”
“Are you okay, Haejun?”
Yeon Suhwan carefully handed me over to Seong Haemin, and my supposed twin grabbed my shoulders and examined my face thoroughly.
“Hah… Haemin, let’s just go home…”
“Haejun, Haejun!”
And after leaving those words for Seong Haemin, I fainted on the spot.
***
When I opened my eyes, I was at home. My forehead felt damp, and when I touched it, I found a wet towel placed on it. What inconsiderate jerk puts a wet towel on someone who doesn’t even have a fever? I sat up and irritably picked up the wet towel.
Drip, drip—water droplets flowed from my forehead down my cheek.
Just then, there was a knock at the door, and Seong Haemin entered the room. Seeing me sitting up, he was surprised and rushed over.
“Haejun! Are you okay?”
It felt like I’d been asked if I was okay a hundred times in one day. I nodded. As I awkwardly wiped away the water droplets that had flowed from my forehead, my overly dramatic twin Haemin made a fuss, saying look at the sweat, asking how sick I was.
“This isn’t sweat.”
“Haejun. You don’t have to pretend to be okay…”
“It really isn’t.”
But Seong Haemin, misunderstanding something, looked at me with tearful, sorrowful eyes and gently placed his hand on top of mine.
“Haejun.”
“Yeah?”
“I’ll always be by your side. I’ll never leave you. I’ll always protect you.”
“Huh?”
Seong Haemin poured his heart out, and I sat there like someone watching a makjang romance film who couldn’t keep up with the plot developments and was bewildered.
I knew he was normally over the top, but why is he suddenly like this?
“Is Jooni awake?!”
Following Seong Haemin, the rest of the Four Kings and Yeon Suhwan entered one after another. I looked around the space I was in again. It was indeed our house.
‘But why are these guys here?’
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
