The next afternoon as BaekHyeon was playing I the Garden with Nari, JaeHwa's dog JaeHwa's car pulled up infront of the gate and he entered the main entrance of the mansion.
Once they spotted him the both ran up to him rejoicing, "uncle Jae!" He rejoiced as he hugged him. "Which one are you again?" He teased.
"Stop playing around, you know who I am." Hyeon said.
"Right, how have you been?" He asked rubbed his head.
"I've been doing great, where were you last night why weren't you here?" Hyeon asked.
JaeHwa grabbed the dog and they started walking towards the house, "I had business to handle," "Where's your other half, I've missed my little bookie." He asked.
"His been stuck in his room the whole day, he doesn't even want to come out." Hyeon replied.
"That's why I'm here, to take you guys out." He said as the entered the house. "You're parents just left you guys here to rot."
As they entered the house, the atmosphere shifted from the sunny cheer of the garden to the cool, polished elegance of the mansion's interior. JaeHwa, with Nari tucked under one arm and BaekHyeon by his side, glanced around the foyer, noting the quietness that hung in the air. The house was grand, no doubt, but today it felt too empty for his liking.
BaekHyeon looked up at his uncle with wide, curious eyes. "Really? Where are we going?"
JaeHwa smiled down at his nephew, ruffling his hair. "That's a surprise, kiddo. But first, let's go get your brother. Can't have one half of the dynamic duo missing, can we?"
BaekHyeon's face lit up with excitement, and he nodded eagerly. The two of them made their way up the grand staircase, the sound of their footsteps echoing lightly through the halls. As they approached Jihoon's room, JaeHwa noticed the door was slightly ajar. He could see Jihoon sitting on the edge of his bed, his head lowered as he stared at his phone.
"Jihoon-ah," JaeHwa called gently, pushing the door open a bit more.
Jihoon looked up, surprised to see his uncle standing there with BaekHyeon at his side. "Uncle Jae? What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to rescue you, of course," JaeHwa said with a grin. He set Nari down, and the little dog immediately trotted over to Jihoon, tail wagging furiously. "You've been cooped up in here all day. Thought it was about time to get you out of this room."
Jihoon hesitated, glancing back down at his phone. "I'm fine, really. I just… needed some time alone."
"Nonsense," JaeHwa said, walking over and sitting beside him. "You've had enough time alone. Now it's time for some fresh air, some good food, and a bit of fun. You can't stay in here forever, you know."
BaekHyeon chimed in, "Come on, Jihoon! Uncle Jae says he's taking us somewhere fun! You can't miss it!"
Jihoon looked at his brother's eager face, then at his uncle, who was watching him with a mixture of concern and encouragement. He knew they were just trying to help, and honestly, a part of him was tired of being stuck in his own head.
With a sigh, Jihoon nodded. "Alright, I'll come."
BaekHyeon cheered, and JaeHwa clapped him on the back. "That's the spirit! Now, let's get out of here before your parents realize we've made our escape."
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"Where else do you guys want to go, we have the whole day ahead of us." JaeHwa asked as they walked out of the Smoothie place.
"I want to get some new clothes, I left half of mines in Canada." Jihoon replied, "I want to buy something too, for me and Chris." Hyeon added.
"What's with you and Chris an-" he stopped as Jihoon exclaimed.
"you got to be fucking kidding me!" He exclaimed, looking down at his shirt that now had smoothie all over it.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry." The guy panicked as he tried to wipe the stain with his sleeves. "Don't fucking touch me!" He hissed slapping the guys hands away. "It's okay Hoon, let's just head to the car." Jaehwa said.
JaeHwa quickly stepped in between Jihoon and the stranger, holding up his hands in a calming gesture. "It's alright, no harm done. We'll just get cleaned up and be on our way," he said, his voice firm but reassuring. He could see the tension in Jihoon's eyes, the frustration bubbling just beneath the surface.
The guy who had spilled the smoothie looked mortified, his face flushed with embarrassment. "I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to—"
"I said don't touch me," Jihoon snapped, his voice sharp. He stepped back, his fists clenched at his sides. The irritation in his tone was more than just about the smoothie; it was a reflection of everything he'd been holding in since they arrived in Korea.
BaekHyeon, who had been quiet until now, tugged on Jihoon's sleeve, his voice small. "Hyung, let's go. It's not worth it."
Jihoon's anger faltered as he looked down at his little brother. BaekHyeon's wide eyes were filled with worry, and the sight of it made Jihoon realize he was overreacting. With a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down, letting some of the tension ease from his body.
"Yeah, you're right, Hyeon," Jihoon muttered, rubbing a hand over his face. He turned to JaeHwa. "Let's just get out of here."
JaeHwa nodded, gently guiding Jihoon and BaekHyeon towards the car. As they walked away, he shot a quick, apologetic glance at the guy who had caused the mess. "It's fine, really. Just be more careful next time."
The guy nodded rapidly, still looking flustered. "I will, I'm really sorry."
With that, JaeHwa led the boys out of the smoothie shop and towards the parking lot. The air outside was warm, but Jihoon's mood had cooled significantly. He walked in silence, his eyes fixed on the ground as they made their way to the car.
JaeHwa unlocked the car and opened the door for Jihoon, who slid into the passenger seat with a sigh. BaekHyeon climbed into the back, glancing between his brother and uncle, unsure of what to say.
Once they were all settled, JaeHwa started the car, but he didn't drive off immediately. Instead, he turned to Jihoon, his expression serious. "You okay, Hoon?."
Jihoon stared out the window quietly , his jaw tight.
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2 weeks later
Outside Daehan International School:
"We're here, first day of senior year in Korea." Mom asked.
"Take me home." Hyeon and Hoon said in unison.
Mom chuckled, "look at my two little twin boys reading each other's minds."
"Come on you two, it's not going to be bad. I went to school here until Highschool, so trust me your mother knows better." She added.
They looked at each other and then back at her, "definitely not." They both replied.
Mom sighed, shaking her head with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "You two are impossible," she muttered, adjusting her sunglasses. "Listen, I know it's a big change, but you'll adjust. You always do. Just give it a chance, okay?"
Jihoon and BaekHyeon exchanged skeptical glances. The towering gates of Daehan International School loomed ahead, the sleek, modern buildings beyond them standing in stark contrast to the schools they had known in Canada. The students milling about the entrance were a mix of nervous and excited, their chatter filling the air as they greeted each other and made their way inside.
"Seriously, Mom, it's like we're starting over from scratch," Jihoon said, running a hand through his hair. "New country, new school, new everything. What if we don't fit in?"
"You'll be fine, Jihoon. Both of you will. Just be yourselves," she said, giving them both a reassuring smile. "And remember, you have each other. That's more than most kids starting out here can say."
BaekHyeon frowned, kicking at the ground. "But it's not the same, Mom. We don't know anyone here."
Mom's expression softened, and she reached out to ruffle his hair. "I know, sweetheart. But you'll make friends. You're both smart, kind, and fun to be around. People will see that, just like they always have."
BaekHyeon didn't look convinced, but he nodded anyway. Jihoon, on the other hand, was already dreading the awkward introductions and the curious stares they were bound to get. He had always been more reserved than his brother, and the thought of navigating a new social scene filled him with a sense of unease.
Mom glanced at her watch. "Alright, boys, time to head in. You don't want to be late on your first day."
Jihoon and BaekHyeon took one last look at each other, then turned towards the school gates. The weight of the moment pressed down on them, the reality of their new life in Korea finally sinking in.
As they walked towards the entrance, Jihoon could feel his nerves building. He adjusted the strap of his backpack, trying to focus on anything other than the knot in his stomach. Beside him, BaekHyeon was uncharacteristically quiet, his usual enthusiasm dampened by the anxiety of the unknown.
"Hey," Jihoon said quietly as they approached the main doors. "We've got this, right?"
BaekHyeon looked up at him, a flicker of determination in his eyes. "Yeah, we do."
With that small boost of confidence, they pushed through the doors and stepped into the bustling hallway. The sights and sounds of their new school surrounded them—students chatting by their lockers, teachers hurrying to their classrooms, and the unmistakable scent of freshly polished floors.
This was it.
The beginning of their senior year in a new country, at a new school. There was no turning back now.
And despite the doubts swirling in his mind, Jihoon couldn't help but feel a small spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this place wouldn't be so bad after all.
TBC