Jihoon's Pov:
"I said I'm fine ma, can you stop looking at me now." Hyeon said as mom looked at the mark's around her neck. "You're not leaving here until you tell me who did this to you!" Mom exclaimed.
Hyeon just stood there quiet looking nervous, "Do you know who did this to your brother?" She turned to me, "if who it is who I'm thinking about then yes." I replied.
I clenched my fists, trying to keep my voice steady. "I didn't want to believe it was him, but there's no doubt now."
Mom's eyes narrowed as she processed what I was saying. "I'm going to the school tomorrow," she said with a determined tone, "this has gone too far. No one hurts my children and gets away with it."
Hyeon looked at me, his eyes pleading. I could tell he didn't want this to escalate, but it was too late. I wasn't going to let that jerk get away with what he did. Not this time.
——————
Later the next day at school as the boys were playing in the field Jihoon walked up to UJin and one second later a punch lands on his face.
"WHAT THE FUCK!" UJin shouted as he also returned a punch, suddenly Jihoon pushes him to the floor and continues punching him.
"HOW DARE YOU LAY HANDS ON MY BROTHER!" Jihoon added and he just continues punching him.
As Jihoon continued to pummel UJin, the chaotic sounds of the field faded into a blur. Students who had been playing just moments before were now gathering around, their shouts and gasps blending into a cacophony of shock and alarm. Jihoon's eyes were wild with fury, each punch fueled by the rage that had been simmering beneath the surface for weeks.
UJin struggled beneath him, trying to block the punches and push Jihoon off, but Jihoon's strength, driven by raw emotion, made it difficult. "Jihoon, stop!" someone from the crowd shouted, but Jihoon seemed deaf to their pleas.
Suddenly, strong arms grabbed Jihoon from behind, pulling him off UJin with force. Jihoon fought against the restraint, still trying to lunge at UJin, but the grip was firm. It was one of the coaches, his face stern as he held Jihoon back.
"That's enough!" the coach barked, his voice cutting through the noise. UJin was on the ground, clutching his face, blood trickling from his nose and a split lip.
"Get off me!" Jihoon snapped as he released himself from the couches grip and walked away into the building.
...
Inside the nurses office Jihoon sits trying to nurse his wound until Minji walks in looking a little bit worried, he nervously walked up to Jihoon and stood there quietly for a good 1 minute.
"Are you just going to stand there, what the heck do you want?" Jihoon broke the silence and he looked at him through the mirror.
"I just wanted to check if you're okay." Minji replied, "why are you always in my business, can't you just stay away from me. I don't need your help so please leave." Jihoon added.
"Why do you hate me so much?" Minji asked.
"I hate everyone in this school so you're not special." He replied.
"Well then if that's the case, let me help you. Wheater you like it or not I'm going to sit here and help, it obvious you're struggling." Minji stated as he sat down in the chair next to him.
Jihoon glared at Minji, his frustration boiling over. "What part of 'leave me alone' do you not understand?" he snapped, his voice dripping with irritation. He grabbed the gauze a little too roughly, hissing in pain as he pressed it against his split knuckles.
Minji didn't flinch, his expression calm as he watched Jihoon struggle. "You're hurt," Minji said simply, his tone soft but firm. "You don't have to deal with everything alone, you know."
Jihoon scoffed, rolling his eyes. "You think I need you to tell me that? You don't know anything about me."
"Maybe I don't," Minji admitted, leaning back in his chair, "but that doesn't mean I'm going to sit back and do nothing. You don't have to like me, Jihoon. But I'm still going to help."
Jihoon went silent, the words hanging in the air. For a moment, he didn't know how to respond. He was used to people either being scared of him or giving up on him entirely. But Minji's persistence was throwing him off. Jihoon looked at Minji through the mirror, seeing the determination in his eyes.
"Fine," Jihoon finally muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Do whatever you want. I don't care." He turned his gaze back to his hands, focusing on wrapping his knuckles more carefully.
Minji let out a small sigh of relief, taking that as a sign of acceptance, however small. "You're really bad at this, you know," Minji said, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Jihoon shot him a glare, but there was no real heat behind it. "Just shut up and make yourself useful," he grumbled.
Minji nodded and reached for the first aid kit, gently taking Jihoon's hand. For a moment, they both sat in silence as Minji worked, the tension between them easing just slightly.
———————
In the principal office:
"This is unacceptable Mrs. Kim, we can't have your son beat up another student like that. The other student could've seriously been injured." The principal said to Hana Jihoon's mom.
"So you're saying it's okay for other kids to hit on my kids but my kids can't fight back?!" She stated.
"What i me-"
"There's nothing more to say principal, the kids got into a fight so what. All I know is that Jihoon did not do much harm to the kid, he should've broken his ribs." JaeHwa cut him off.
"This is re-"
"Ah, just let the kids parents know that they would pay for what their son did to my nephew." He added cutting him off again.
"If that's all we will be taking our leave, and I expect you to do the right thing." He said
The principal sat back in his chair, clearly taken aback by JaeHwa's boldness. He glanced at Mrs. Kim, who stood with a firm expression, clearly backing her brother's words. It was obvious they weren't going to back down easily.
"Mr. JaeHwa, Mrs. Kim," the principal began, trying to regain some control over the conversation, "I understand you're upset, but we must maintain discipline and fairness within the school. Fighting, regardless of the reason, is against our policies."
Hana's eyes narrowed. "Principal Park, my son was defending his brother. If this school had done its job in ensuring the safety of all students, Jihoon wouldn't have had to resort to such measures."
JaeHwa smirked, leaning forward. "Let's be clear, Principal. We expect this to be handled quietly and efficiently. My nephew won't be punished for protecting his family. If there are any consequences for Jihoon, we'll make sure the school board hears about how this institution allows bullying to go unchecked."
The principal's expression shifted, realizing the threat behind JaeHwa's words. The Kim family wasn't just any family; they had connections and influence that could make things very difficult for him.
"Of course, Mr. JaeHwa," Principal Park said, choosing his words carefully. "I assure you, we will look into the matter thoroughly and handle it appropriately. I'll make sure that all parties involved understand the seriousness of their actions."
JaeHwa stood up, nodding in satisfaction. "Good. And as I said, ensure the other boy's parents know that they are responsible for their son's behavior. If anything happens to my nephew again, there will be more severe consequences."
——————————
At Kim Mansion:
As they pulled up in the garage Mrs. Kim walked out the car shouting, "this is absolutely ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous!" She exclaimed.
"I told you I was going to come to the school and talk to them myself, why would you go on and start beating up the kid." She stated as she turned to look at Jihoon.
"I saw him and I just wanted to punch him so I did, knowing what he did to Hyeon I couldn't just sit around and pretend like everything was fine." Hyeon replied.
"Regardless, you should let the adults handle it, violence is not the answer for everything." She added.
"Well it was for this one." He said as he walked away.
"You are unbelievable!" She snapped.
Jihoon didn't stop walking, his back to his mother as he headed toward the stairs leading to his room. The weight of the day hung heavy on him, but he kept his expression blank, refusing to let anything show.
Mrs. Kim shook her head in frustration, rubbing her temples. "JaeHwa, you've got to talk some sense into him. He's getting out of control."
JaeHwa, who had been silently watching the exchange, stepped closer to his sister. "Hana, the boy is hurting. We all know it's more than just what happened to Hyeon. He's angry, and he doesn't know how to deal with it."
"And what am I supposed to do?" she asked, her voice softer now, tinged with worry. "He barely talks to me anymore. He's shutting everyone out."
JaeHwa sighed, glancing up the stairs where Jihoon had disappeared. "Give him some space, but don't let him isolate himself completely. He's got to know we're here for him, even if he doesn't want to admit it."
Mrs. Kim nodded, though her expression was still troubled. "I just want my boys to be okay, Jae. I want them to feel safe and loved, not like they have to fight the world all the time."
——————————
Jihoon room:
As Jihoon stood in his bathroom looking in mirror at his injury Hyeon walked in chummy until he saw Jihoon's face.
"What the heck happened to you?!" He asked worry and concern filled in his voice.
"I got into a fight with Ujin." Jihoon replied.
"What! Why would you fight him?!" "Look at you!" He exclaimed.
"You see him, I fucked him up." He smirked.
"Not funny Hoon, I told you I didn't want escalate the situation." He added.
"Well sorry that I care to much about you." He said.
"Promise me you won't do this again." Hyeon said, Jihoon turned to him and shook his head. "Sorry, I can't make a promise that u know I'm not going to keep." He added.
"Come on, you can't be doing anytime you're angry. Promise me you will not do this again." Hyeon remarked.
Jihoon let out a sigh of defeat, "okay, just for you."
Hyeon smiled, relieved but still worried. "Thank you, Hoon."
TBC