Memories (Reworked)

"As of now, the meeting is over." Eunseong finally announced. 

Everyone began to leave. 

"Phew, at least I didn't nee-" Dowan sighed in relief, but suddenly stopped, his eyes widening as his vision blurred. 'Shit, my stamina.' The beating he took from Eunseong, coupled with the skills he'd used, had drained him completely. Damn it, he thought as his vision went dark. His body collapsed forward, but before he hit the ground, someone caught him, placing an arm across his chest. 

"Sehun, take Dowan back to his place and get him healed if you can." Eunseong instructed, holding the unconscious Dowan. 

'Damn it.' Sehun thought as he nodded reluctantly, walking toward Eunseong. He stopped just in front of him, picking up Dowan and slinging him over his shoulder. 

"But I don't know where he lives." Sehun said with confusion.

"His address is on the back of his phone." Si-Yeon said as she looked at Sehun who sighed in response.

'I can't believe this guy became the representative.' He fumed as he made his way towards the exit, with Dowan on his shoulder, frustrated that someone as weak as Dowan had taken that position. But there was nothing he could do as even Eunseong was the one who personally appointed Dowan.

After a minute, the room was empty, except for Eunseong, who stayed behind. 

"Phew." He sighed, sitting in a chair and leaning forward, resting his elbows on his legs. "Why didn't you leave yet?" he asked suddenly, sensing someone approaching from behind. 

"I wanted to ask you something." It was Si-Yeon, making her way to the front and sitting next to Eunseong. "Why did you take it that far?" 

Eunseong remained silent for a moment but chose to answer. 

"It's because of that bastard's words." Eunseong said calmly. "Even though I hate him for what he did back then, he still taught me a lot." He sighed, frustrated. "I tested Dowan based on that guy's perspective, and he turned out to be right." 

"Do you hate him that much?" Si-Yeon asked, knowing exactly who Eunseong was talking about. 

"Hate him?" Eunseong repeated, as if asking himself.

"Yeah, I do." He clenched his fists in frustration. "He didn't even give me a clear reason for what he did, he just did it and left." Leaning back, he tilted his head to look at the ceiling. "His explanation didn't make any sense." 

His thoughts drifted back to that moment. 

*Flashback One year ago* 

"What the hell are you doing?" 

A shout echoed through the scene, where numerous people lay unconscious, surrounded by deep pits and craters. Four figures stood out among the fallen, one was a large, chubby man with a bloodied face, his mouth bleeding. Another had blue hair, his arms and legs broken, yet a smile remained on his unconscious face. The third, a muscular figure with tattoos and shoulder-length black hair, was a mess, his body mostly broken. The last one, with blond hair, was unconscious, bleeding only from his mouth. 

Eunseong's shout was directed at a person standing at the center of the destruction, his back turned. The man was tall, with striking red and black hair and black eyes. He wore a light brown uniform jacket over a white blazer, paired with brown pants and boots. A lollipop hung from his mouth, held lazily in his right hand, while his left rested casually in his pocket.

"Answer me, damn it!" Eunseong shouted again, furious at the lack of response. "Why are you doing this, James?" 

"Eunseong, it's nothing personal." James replied, turning around to face him with a smile, still sucking on his lollipop. "This is for your own good." 

"For my own good?" Eunseong yelled, confused. "What do you mean by that? Explain yourself, you bastard! What's going through your head?" How is this any good, James just suddenly went on a rampage and demolished almost the whole gang without any reason.

"I already told you. It's for your own good." James replied calmly, his eyes didn't flinch from Eunseong's angry gaze. 

"Don't give me that crap!" Eunseong waved his hand in anger, refusing to believe James. "Is this because of what happened back then? When Boramae-Dong got wiped out by one person, and you had to step in to take care of him? Is that it? You think we're too weak to follow you?" 

"You're overthinking it." James said, shaking his head. "It's for your own good. How? That's for you to figure out."

"You-!" Eunseong had heard enough of the same answer. He rushed at James, he knows that he won't be able to do anything against him but he couldn't take it anymore. He aimed a punch at his face, but to his shock, he missed. 

'Where-?' Eunseong's eyes widened as James seemed to vanish before him. Then, a sharp sting hit his chin, and his head vibrated. His vision blurred as he fell to his knees, arms bracing against the ground, struggling to stay conscious. 

"You're only making it harder on yourself." James' voice sounded from behind. He was now standing with his back to Eunseong. "I explained everything, you just have to find the answer yourself." His voice still reached Eunseong, who was fading fast. "As of now, Boramae-Dong is officially disbanded." James said, walking toward the exit, his last words echoing in Eunseong's mind as he finally lost consciousness. 

*Flashback End* 

"Damn it." Eunseong muttered, sinking further into the chair, exhausted. It had been a year since James left, causing Boramae-Dong to collapse. Most of the gang had left after that incident. 

'The Boramae-Dong officially disbanded?' The words still haunted him. 'As if I'm accepting that, you bastard.' Eunseong had been the leader for almost two years now, and he'd worked hard to rebuild the group. He wasn't about to let James' words be the end of it. He was determined to make Boramae-Dong flourish again. 

Si-Yeon watched Eunseong, seeing the frustration, anger, and exhaustion on his face. She knew how far Boramae-Dong had come under his leadership. 'It seems James was right, it really was for his own good.' James had told her not to say anything the reason to Eunseong at the time, fearing it might hinder his growth. 

*Flashback One year ago* 

"Coming all the way out here, what is it, Si-Yeon?" 

Under the bright sky, the landscape offered a far-reaching view. James was leaning against his motorcycle, slowly unwrapping a lollipop. His voice was directed at Si-Yeon, who stood a few feet behind him, dressed in a jacket, jean shorts, and sports shoes. 

"Is it true?" Si-Yeon asked, her voice soft and tinged with sadness. 

"What is?" James replied. 

"About disbanding the Boramae-Dong gang." Her tone was heavy with the sadness she felt after hearing from Eunseong what James had done. 

"Yes, it's true." James confirmed, and Si-Yeon's face darkened. "But I don't think it's really over. After all, Eunseong is still there." He chuckled, surprising Si-Yeon. 

"Give it a week, and you'll see." James said, smiling knowingly as if he already knew what Eunseong would do. "Even though Boramae-Dong will lose a lot of people, I'm sure Eunseong will make it rise again." 

"I really don't understand you, James." Si-Yeon said, frustration creeping into her voice. His actions were a mystery to her. There seemed to be no clear reason for him to do what he did, but she felt he had reasons she just couldn't grasp. "Can you at least tell me why you did it?" she asked, needing to know what was going through his mind. 

James sighed, straightening up from his leaning position. "I guess it won't hurt to tell you." Si-Yeon perked up, eager for his explanation. "I wasn't lying when I said I did it for Eunseong's own good." James began. He took a few steps forward, gazing at the scenery ahead. "He's too dependent on me right now, and that's a problem. He needs to learn how to handle tough situations on his own. And there were people in Boramae-Dong who were dangerous for you guys, so I had to step in. The gang needed to be rebuilt from the ground up." He paused, hands in his pockets, the lollipop in his mouth as the wind blew through his hair. "And I'm going to be leaving for a bit."

A heavy silence filled the air between them. James heard Si-Yeon's footsteps approaching from behind before feeling something rest against his back.

"Si-Yeon... Why are you crying?" James sighed, sensing her tears even without turning around.

"You're leaving?" Si-Yeon asked, her voice breaking as her head pressed against his back, tears falling to the ground.

"Yeah, I'm leaving." James confirmed, still looking off into the distance.

Si-Yeon understood why he had done what he did. It was for Boramae-Dong's future, for their sake, but the news of his sudden departure hit her hard. She was reluctant to accept it.

"But..." James added, turning around to face her. Her head was bowed, her tears hidden. He placed a soft hand on top of her head. "Don't worry, I won't be gone for long. I promise."

Si-Yeon felt a little calmer, the warmth of his hand soothing her. Slowly, she looked up, meeting his eyes. His smile was gentle.

"And..." James used his hand to wipe away her tears, catching Si-Yeon off guard with the intimate gesture. "Seeing you cry makes me feel bad, you know?" He continued softly. "So... don't resent me too much, okay?"

"You idiot... Why would I resent you?" Si-Yeon chuckled, her face flushed at his touch. There was no way she could ever hate him, especially after all he had done for them.

"Thanks, Si-Yeon. I appreciate that." James chuckled too. "Well, I'll be going now." He added as he started to walk toward his motorcycle, leaving Si-Yeon behind.

"Wait, James." Just as he was about to get on his bike, Si-Yeon's voice stopped him.

He turned around just in time to feel her crash into him with a sudden embrace. Her head pressed against his chest as she whispered. "Thank you."

James blinked in surprise. "Thank you for everything." Si-Yeon continued, her voice filled with sincerity. She remembered all the times he had taken care of her and the rest, always stepping up when they needed him.

"You don't have to thank me at all." James said softly, smiling as he rested his hand behind her head, the other gently on her back. "After all, it was my duty as the leader."

For a brief moment, they stood quietly, both finding comfort in the embrace before they finally parted.

"It's time for me to go." James said, hopping onto his bike. Si-Yeon smiled and nodded.

"By the way, Si-Yeon," James added, turning to face her one last time. "Don't tell Eunseong why I did all this. It'll only slow down his growth."

Si-Yeon nodded in understanding.

"Take care, Si-Yeon." James smiled as he revved the engine and drove off.

"You too." she whispered, watching him disappear into the distance. A swirl of emotions filled her. Relief from their talk, and sadness from his departure. But she knew she'd wait for his return.

*Flashback End*

'He'll be back soon, right?' Si-Yeon thought to herself, her heart heavy with anticipation. James had promised to return, but worry still gnawed at her. She didn't doubt him, but her own thoughts were in turmoil, as they often were. She'd just have to wait for now.

"I'm heading out, Eunseong," Si-Yeon said, standing up to leave, making her way towards the exit.

Eunseong nodded, staying seated for a few more moments before leaving as well.

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Note: Synopsis updated if anyone didn't notice.