Viridescence | Yunho

༻ 47 ༺

"The beauty of jade is the most precious."
- Jade by Lay Zhang

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Trigger warning: Blood

A loud gasp escapes both Seonghwa and Jihyun simultaneously. Yunho blinks a few times before it registers with him.

Hongjoong falls to his knees and clutches his shoulder tightly, but the blood still pours out. Both Seonghwa and Jihyun dash to his side.

"J-Joong! I didn't actually mean to do that, I'm so sorry! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Seonghwa blurts in one breath, unable to control his rapid breathing. Hongjoong bites his lip. "I-I can't believe you really betrayed me and shot me," he gasps.

"I really wasn't thinking, I'm so so-" Seonghwa frantically breathes.

"You're the only person who's allowed to shoot me so consider yourself lucky. What's done is done, enough crying," Hongjoong giggles sadly. Seonghwa hurriedly wipes his tears but still hangs his head in shame.

"I'll get Yeosang," he mutters before running away. Hongjoong scoffs. "He's always been a big baby no matter what. I guess he was bound to go against my foolish orders one day after all, right?" he smiles endearingly while they watch Seonghwa sprint away. He finally drops his gun in defeat, understanding how hopeless it is to fight back at last. The sharp pain in his chest from the sudden betrayal disperses gradually. This was going to happen eventually. Thinking of it in this way is the only way he can accept the situation.

Surprisingly enough, he feels more at peace now than ever before. Getting shot from the person he trusted the most has affected him in a strange way.

Hongjoong's attention returns to Jihyun. "Now that I'll rot in jail, could you at least tell me where Jangmi is? How is she doing? Is she happy? Is she safe?" he asks Jihyun. Her bottom lip wobbles as she watches her brother desperately ask about her while he winces in pain every few seconds. Watching his face like this up close breaks down her barrier. She can't hold it in any longer.

She finally bursts out crying and wails loudly. Hongjoong's eyes widen. "She's alright, isn't she?" he panics. He breathes so quickly it seems like he'll get a heart attack.

"I-I am Jangmi," she stutters. She leans forward and places a hand on Hongjoong's cheek. "Why have you become like this, brother?" she sobs. His mouth drops open. "But you're Jihyun?" he questions, mind still processing her words.

She laughs in between the tears. "Dad legally changed my name as soon as you killed mommy," she explains while her heart scrunches.

At last, Hongjoong realises. His eyes widen while he stares at her face. He finally notices the familiarity in her features. "Jangmi," he whispers as he grabs her hand with his free hand. His face grows pale and it looks like his soul just left his body. "I'm sorry," he squeaks, now joining his sister with his tears. He can't believe it. He's found his sister, but at what cost? He feels like his heart is beginning to crumble quickly. The pain in his shoulder can't even compare to the agony in his chest right now.

What has he done? 

She jumps in and hugs his side that isn't shot and cries into his shoulder. "I missed you so much but you've become such a horrible person," she complains. He pats her back with his free hand. "Jangmi- I mean Jihyun, I've always been a horrible person since birth. There's a reason why mom and dad hated me," he sadly admits.

She pulls back and punches his uninjured arm. "Shut up! You were such a nice brother, but now you hurt me and the people I love for no good reason," she slumps. Hongjoong now feels guilt poke at his consciousness for the first time as he watches his sister. She's right, he's hurt her so much even though all he wanted was to be a good brother to his one and only sister. He nearly pushed her to death all while hoping that his sister is alive and well.