Chapter 21: Fighting beneath the cherry blossoms

Days passed and cherry blossoms swung into their full bloom in April, prompting the class to take a break from their studies in preparation for their midterm exams in May.

Kang Ji-eun stood before the class, her hands on the podium as she began to speak, "Guys, the class committee decided to hold some minor activities during the cherry blossoms viewing, and everyone who wants to participate is free to do so.

"Oh, this event won't be counted as an extracurricular in our school, just a small activity for us to enjoy the viewing. You can decide on the day itself since we're still brainstorming what kind of activities we are going to have.

"But we already secured a spot in the most blossomed park near the campus, so you don't have to worry about the crowd and just attend in your casual clothes. That's all. Thank you for listening."

Some students showed excitement and anticipation, but Song Yujin's mind was elsewhere. This strange behavior of him somewhat caught Lee Hyun's attention. He wondered why the troublesome and talkative transferred student was silent. But he didn't dwell on the reason any further and just ignored him.

The day of the cherry blossoms viewing arrived.

The cherry blossoms were in full bloom indeed, their delicate petals fluttering gently in the spring breeze. It was the kind of day that made even the most hectic life seem momentarily serene.

Song Yujin was surprised that the school management had allowed them to organize activities. It seemed that doing so was an annual tradition meant to give students a break from their busy schedules.

For Yujin, it was a welcome respite from the grueling track and field training that had consumed most of his time lately. Although the formal competitions begin in the last spring – May or June – the club had been training nonstop.

That is also the reason why Song Yujin couldn't find time to talk with Kim Hajun about the smell of cigarettes he smelled from him weeks ago.

He started going home late because of his training, and every time, Kim Hajun was already asleep. Even the hours they talk in a day decreased. It was alarming, knowing that the two of them used to be like conjoined twins before they changed school.

Yujin was grateful for the chance to unwind, but his mind was elsewhere. The distance between him and his brother had grown noticeably wider over just the past few weeks.

Hajun had retreated into the company of Lu Yuze, whose reputation in the school remained bad.

The once close-knit brothers now felt like strangers, and it was a wound Yujin felt keenly. He was missing their bickering and pranks.

Kang Ji-eun gathered the class and started listing the activities. The majority of the students wanted to participate after the class representative mentioned prizes, even though most of them could probably afford what the prizes were.

Scanning through the sea of students. Yujin's eyes landed on the vice president who already took his spot under one of the blooming cherry blossoms trees. He was leaning on the trunk while looking up, watching the petals move and fall.

Song Yujin was tempted to approach him, but at the corner of his eyes, he spotted Kim Hajun declining his group of friends to join the game. He then walked away from them and sat on the bench nearby.

Taking a deep breath, Yujin approached, determined to bridge the gap that had opened between them.

"Hajun," Yujin began, trying to his tone even and casual. He took the empty spot next to Hajun without asking for his permission. Then, he turned to the guy and flashed a foolish smile. "Wah, didn't think I'd miss calling your name."

Hajun looked away from him, sporting a simple smile. "You've been busy practicing we rarely see each other now. How's training, by the way?"

Yujin slouched on the bench as if that mere movement was an indication of his rebellion toward training. "Exhausting."

Hajun chuckled. "You chose it yourself. Of all the clubs you can join, you joined that one. Don't complain now."

"Right," Yujin answered, chuckling. He straightened his back and asked Hajun, "What club did you join?"

Hajun turned to him, pursing his lips as though he was choosing what to say. "I joined the Astronomy Club. They don't do that many activities and just sometimes visit observatories, and the most they do inside the club room is talk about astronomical events and recent discoveries."

"Woah, dude, didn't know you're interested in that!" Song Yujin exclaimed, genuinely surprised.

Hajun rolled his eyes, "Stupid, I don't. I'm just a filler so that the club won't be dissolved. You know if a club doesn't achieve a minimum number of members, it will be disbanded. It's the club Yuze introduces so…"

His words trailed off after mentioning that name as if he could feel that Song Yujin wouldn't take it well.

Song Yujin sighed. He looked up at the cherry blossoms and finally gathered the courage to ask what had been bothering him. "Hajun-ah, did you start smoking?"

Hajun froze. His eyes avoided Yujin's serious gaze as he forced a dismissive laugh. "I don't. What made you ask that?"

"I smelled cigarettes on you the day you guys surprised me—

"You probably smell the roasted chicken we had then. I don't smoke, Yujin," Hajun interrupted him.

Song Yujin frowned. "I know the difference between roasted chicken's smell and a cigarette, Kim Hajun. Don't treat me like a fool."

His chest tightened as he stared at his brother, the tension between them was growing evident by the second. Perhaps, it was due to the lively atmosphere of their rowdy classmates, that no one seemed to realize their situation.

Hajun's attempt at nonchalance was failing. His eyes darted away from the Yujin's probing gaze, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his jacket. "I really don't smoke, Song Yujin. You're imagining things," he insisted, his voice lacking conviction.

"I'm not imagining things," Yujin snapped, frustration rising in his voice. "I've been noticing other things too. You've been distant. Sure, I was busy with training, but every time I would approach you in class, you were always trying to avoid me. Why? Did I do something wrong? And noona also asked me about why you've been coming home late!"

Hajun's face flushed with guilt and anger. He spun his head to Yujin, "Why do you always have to make everything about you, Yujin? Just because you're busy with your track and field achievements doesn't mean you have the right to accuse me of things you don't understand! So, what if I smoke? What's it to you? Am I minding your business?! No, I'm f*cking letting you do whatever you want to do, so why are you minding mine?!"

Yujin's eyes widened, taken aback by the sharpness in Hajun's tone. "That's because I'm worried about you! What's happening with you, Hajun? I thought we were supposed to look out for each other, so you should tell me what's wrong!"

Hajun's jaw clenched, and his anger flared. He stood abruptly and looked down at Yujin. "You think you know everything, don't you? You're worried about me? The hell, Yujin, between us two, you're always the one making trouble and worrying the hell out of me and my family! And yet, just because you achieved something I did not, you're the star already! The golden boy, while I reduced to nothing but someone who hangs out late at night and does nothing for his future!"

Hajun's face was a mask of bitterness as he turned away without waiting for Yujin's response.

Yujin's breath caught in his throat as Hajun began to walk away, leaving him standing amidst the falling cherry blossoms. He wanted to follow him, but the eyes of some of the students were already noticing their weird behavior, so Yujin just settled into watching his brother's retreating figure with a worried and sad look.

Unbeknownst to them, two pairs of eyes had been watching them since the beginning. Each with a different purpose and expression.