Chapter 16: Hajun's strange behavior

Song Yujin's eyes followed Lee Hyun's retreating figure until it disappeared around the corner. He remained still for a moment, lost in contemplation.

Was Lee Hyun right? Could Lu Yuze really be as dangerous as the rumors suggested? They had only met briefly, yes, but there was something about Lu Yuze's demeanor that didn't quite align with the image of a troublemaker.

He seemed genuine, his laughter too easy and his eyes were honest.

Song Yujin isn't a person who will avoid someone just because of rumors.

He always preferred looking at the good side of people and giving them the benefit of the doubt. Unless he was wronged and harmed by someone, and he knew the reason behind it, then his stance wouldn't change.

Strangely, he thinks like that, like humans are…good in nature, and that they only turn evil because of their circumstances in life. He believed that people are born with an innate sense of compassion and morality, and they change when society corrupts their natural goodness.

With a deep breath, he decided he needed to know more before making any judgments. He glanced at the clock on the wall, dusk was settling outside, casting long shadows through the library windows.

Song Yujin pulled out his phone as he walked out of the library. He dialed his brother's number, but his call did not connect, it only rang a few times before he was sent to voicemail.

He frowned, thinking, what is he doing that he can't answer the phone? Oh, right. Lu Yuze and he went to hang out together again. I wonder what's making them busy.

He stared at his phone after putting it down, realizing that he hadn't got Lu Yuze's contact details yet. He scratched his head and returned to his classroom to get his bag.

The hallways were already deserted and silent and the light coming from the setting sun cast a soft glow on his path, passing through the glass windows.

He stayed still for a moment, staring outside the windows.

Why do sunsets always make him feel an extreme sense of longing? It was as though the golden glow and the lavender hues of the sky made him feel sad.

"Here."

Song Yujin jolted from the voice. His shoulders almost jumped, and his heart beat faster from surprise. He spun his head in that direction and paused upon meeting those light-colored eyes brighter than before.

The glow of the setting sun made Lee Hyun's eyes more golden and mesmerizing. Song Yujin felt himself losing on those expensive orbs.

If Lee Hyun hadn't nudged his hand forward, holding an ID, Song Yujin wouldn't snapped from that trance. "Your punishment is complete."

From Lee Hyun's face, Song Yujin's eyes moved to his hand. His face beamed upon seeing his ID. He immediately took it back, fearing that the vice president would change his mind. "Thanks."

Lee Hyun left after that. Song Yujin was tempted to ask if he wanted to walk out of the school together, but he restrained himself, letting the guy off his blabbering mouth and giving him peace after all that happened in the library.

He ended up following the vice president instead, since they were both going home.

At the exit, an expensive car was parked and Song Yujin was in awe admiring the vehicle, until a man in a black suit stepped out of the driver seat, opened the backseat door, and Lee Hyun came into the picture, slipping into the opened car.

Song Yujin's jaw fell as he watched the car roll away.

He knew that the majority of the students in their school came from rich families, but wasn't having his own driver in complete formal attire, politely opening the car's door for him, a different kind of rich?!

He shook his head in disbelief and went home.

"Noona, is Hajun not home yet?" Song Yujin asked Kim Hajin, who was sitting on the couch facing the television, watching a TV series.

Kim Jonghyun, their father, walked in from the garden, wiping his hands with a towel. He was the one who answered, "He hasn't. You didn't go home together…why? Did you fight?"

Song Yujin shook his head, "Nope. I stayed late in school doing some tasks. Hajun left with a friend."

"Then, he's probably out still playing with that friend," Kim Jonghyun replied, walking to the kitchen, unbothered by the idea that his teenage son was still not home at seven in the evening.

"What time is it already?" Seo Hari asked with a frown. She was in the kitchen making her vegetable salad. She glanced up at the wall clock, before glancing back at Song Yujin, "Go and change your clothes. Come down soon, dinner will be served."

"Okay," Song Yujin answered and went upstairs.

It wasn't long before Kim Hajun arrived home. Instead of joining them at the dining table, he just shouted 'I'm home', and went upstairs, telling them he already ate dinner somewhere before going home.

Song Yujin washed the dishes after their meal. His thoughts went back to what Lee Hyun told him, and since he couldn't spend time with Lu Yuze, he decided to ask Kim Hajun about him instead.

He knocked on his brother's door before opening it without permission. Kim Hajun was changing his clothes when Song Yujin entered.

"Dude, knock before you enter!" Hajun exclaimed after noticing his presence.

Song Yujin defended, "I did, twice. You didn't hear?" He walked inside and occupied Hajun's study chair. Folding his arms above his abdomen and crossing his legs, he asked again, "Where have you been? I called you but you weren't answering."

Kim Hajun, "You're nagging me more than my mom, dude. Did you get your ID back?"

Song Yujin's fingers twitched. His brother was obviously changing the subject. He replied, "I did."

Kim Hajun, "Good for you." He flipped the cover and slid himself under it, then he turned on the lamp on the bedside table. "We went on an arcade and did karaoke. Ugh, I'm so tired I'm going to sleep now. Turn off the light when you get out."

Song Yujin stood and kicked the blanket away from Hajun.

"Hey!" Kim Hajun yelled, annoyed at his foster brother's actions.

Song Yujin ignored him and said, "I still have questions for you, don't sleep yet."

Hajun turned his back on Yujin and pulled the cover up to his head, as he shouted back, "Ask it tomorrow! I'm going to sleep now!"

Song Yujin, "You…!"

"Tone down your voices it's night already!"

Their mother's angry voice reached their ears from downstairs. Song Yujin sighed, having no choice but to give up. He went back to his room and decided to confront Lu Yuze and Kim Hajun tomorrow.

However, Song Yujin's plan to do so was interrupted when as soon as the school break hit, he was summoned by their PE teacher to the school faculty, unaware of what the reason could be.