My Way || Hongjoong (A Treasure Tale)

Social Graces

It became clear very quickly that the problem was not Hongjoong's stealth skill.

For some reason, he didn't care to disguise himself from the Song family's younger son. He seemed to be around his age, and selfishly Hongjoong crafted this fantasy, wishing they could be brothers, that he could become part of this new family and fit right back in to his old home, escaping the Hall and all its pressures.

And then one day the boy yelled at him and told him to leave.

Hongjoong's objective shifted from investigating the imposters to rescuing Mother's diary once he'd gone home and had a good cry.

If the boy hated him that much, he wouldn't have to see him again. As soon as Hongjoong retrieved the book, he'd be out of the newcomer's hair.

It had been too much to hope for anyway.

It was technically Aunt Sohee's fault that Hongjoong was caught in his old bedroom with the diary, mid-escape. She had forced him to practice for even longer than usual during the daily piano lesson, and he hadn't been able to make off with the book before the boy returned from school.

During the chase that ensued, Hongjoong's mind went blank. Again, he was conflicted about the stranger. Why was he chasing him all the way back into town? Why did he care enough to read the diary and try to reconcile things?

Hesitantly and against his better judgment, Hongjoong allowed the boy Mingi to befriend him while they sat and looked out at the ocean. There was a simple genuineness in the way he expressed his concern that didn't annoy Hongjoong the way his cousins did.

He seemed a little absorbed in his own thoughts, but at least he was unattached to this town and all the memories it trapped. He wouldn't try to talk about Hongjoong's parents or plan his future for him.

Spending time with Mingi after that first real conversation was always a chance to live in the moment. It was just them, the cliffs, and the beach. They could talk about whatever they wanted, they could be whatever they wanted.

It was more uncomfortable when Bosung joined them, neither certain how to proceed with their frayed friendship, but Mingi sensed it and stopped arranging picnics for three.

Playing with Mingi was an escape.

But it was an escape Hongjoong rarely managed to indulge in thanks to the oppressive schedule of Jangwon Hall.

Mining, farming, even teaching the younger boys all while acting the part of a gentleman but never being treated as one behind closed doors.

Hongjoong was actually quite good at it, smiling graciously and showcasing all his charming talents, but it wasn't anything he particularly enjoyed. His eyes were completely empty, and no one was the wiser.

Day after day, week after week, he cycled between his different selves. He blinked and somehow it was the day before his thirteenth birthday. He'd gone months without his parents, and he'd practically become a different person.

The Jangwon staff didn't go easy on him. They saw their opportunity and took advantage of his situation, so instead of spending time with Mingi and enjoying the precious moments when he could just be himself, Hongjoong was fulfilling a litany of tasks, the last of which being a trip to the market, shopping for the cook.

The Song family's stall used to be the fish stall where Hongjoong's parents sold their catches, but they didn't know about him and Hongjoong preferred to keep it that way, so he skipped over them quietly and went to a neighbouring food vendor to purchase what he needed.

At least the cook had given him money to buy the ingredients.

"Ah, the youngest son of the youngest son doing what he can to live up to his family name," the shop owner chuckled on seeing him. "Working odd jobs for spare change?"