first snowfall | sunki

14: it's the world's fault

"What did you and Kim do for both of you to end up in our dorm?" Jake asked, drinking tea as he watched Sunoo and Ni-ki change their clothes. "Good thing you brought your clothes, Hee didn't do the laundry today so I can't lend anything."

"Both of you should've gone to Sunoo's dorm after playing under the snowfall," Heeseung remarked as he sat on the couch with his arm stretched around. "Ni-ki's been here a million times lately, how's it at home?"

Sunoo raised an eyebrow as he looked at the three with curiosity. "Is something up with Ni-ki's house?"

"Kim, you didn't know? I thought both of you are dating." Jake laughed, wrapping his arm around Sunoo's shoulders. "Ni-ki's got mommy issues—"

Ni-ki gave Jake a signal to stop talking by shrugging his shoulders. Although he isn't dating Sunoo for real, he didn't want anyone to worry about him. Dealing with his problems by himself isn't something new and he'd like it to stay that way.

"Ah, never mind." Jake patted Sunoo's shoulder, leaving his question open. He then hopped into the couch with Heeseung as he turned on the TV. "Since both of you are here, would you like to watch a movie with us?"

Sunoo turned to Ni-ki as he pulled him into the couch to sit with them. "You must've been called because we played earlier. Haha, sorry! Let's watch a movie with them since Won didn't call me yet."

Ni-ki rolled his eyes. "You finally realized it, you loser!" He then pouted as he avoided Sunoo's gaze. "Walking under the snowfall isn't even fun."

"Huh?" Sunoo frowned, hitting Ni-ki's arm. "I thought you had fun..." He muttered as he hugged his knees, watching the movie. "You even played a snowball fight with me and you're saying that it was no fun?"

"I— what am I supposed to say? It was really fun except for the part where you won the snowball fight." Ni-ki replied as he locked eyes with Sunoo.

Sunoo laughed, nudging Ni-ki with his elbow playfully. "You're just jealous because I won. I'm glad to hear you found it fun."

"Hey, lovebirds." Heeseung glared at the two after hearing their conversation. "I know you're having fun recalling all the mushy shit you did but please, we're watching a movie here. You aren't the protagonists right now, okay? Be quiet, please."

"Exactly! Don't you know we're in the sad scene of this movie?" Jake exclaimed with a frown. "I didn't get to feel the emotions because of both of you... hmph!"

Sunoo awkwardly laughed as he stopped talking to Ni-ki. "Oops, I'm very sorry. Ni-ki and I will be quiet from now on."

"Oh yeah, where's Jay? Did he leave or something?" Ni-ki asked as soon as he noticed that Jay isn't there. "I haven't seen him lately. I didn't know psychology students have to prepare for the winter festival too."

"He's not preparing for the winter fest, he's flirting for sure. He went out earlier saying he needs to attend someone but yeah, I don't care about his love life. He'll fail anyway." Heeseung burst out laughing just at the thought of Jay's miserable love life.

Ni-ki stayed quiet as he watched Sunoo become too mesmerized by the movie. He then pushed the elder's shoulders back to ensure that his eyes aren't too glued into the screen. "You'll break your eyes if you do that."

Sunoo scoffed, resuming to watch the movie. "Then I should be blind by now, right? I watch kdramas until I fall asleep every day."

"Is that supposed to be a flex? It's not nice." Ni-ki stopped teasing Sunoo after the latter didn't give a response. He was starting to get fascinated by the movie too not until he received a call from his mother.

The ringtone was so loud, everyone in the room had to pause the movie just to comprehend what was happening.

"Ey, Riki! Turn it off, who is it anyway?" Jake asked as he turned the lights on. "We'll pause the movie if it's important. But if it's just one of your shawties, forget it! You can come back to them later."

"You guys can continue the movie. It's my mom. I'll answer this in the other room." Ni-ki then left everyone in the living room, moving to the next room so he can talk to his mother.

As soon as he was alone, Ni-ki answered the call. He expected to be welcomed with screaming but he was stunned that his mom spoke in a soft tone. "Mom...?"

"I said don't call me your mom! My boyfriend will hear you. Where are you? You better be studying right now. That's the least you can do for me." His mom remarked. "Anyways, I called because I'm going to go on a trip with him tomorrow. You must be so happy right now because you won't see me, huh? The same goes with me, asshole."

Ni-ki shut his eyes close, trying to process the information he just received. "Which boyfriend is this? Mom, you know I love you, right? I don't want you running around with different men I'm not familiar with."

"Ugh, shut up about that. This is my 18th boyfriend. He's better than your entire existence." His mother raised an eyebrow after hearing noises in Ni-ki's background. "Where are you right now? Didn't I tell you that you should be studying? Are you dancing again?"

"No, I'm in Jake and Hee's dorm... I'll have to stay here since you don't want me to be in there," Ni-ki replied as he made a distance from his ear and his phone, aware that his mother will be screaming soon. "Also mom, please don't go anywhere. Tomorrow's going to be my pre-recording for the winter fest. I want you to be there to watch me."

His mom threw a champagne glass across the room, completely annoyed with his son. "You're testing my patience, huh? Good thing my boyfriend went out to get more champagne. I'm so annoyed with you! What? Dance performance? I am not going!"

"Mom, please!" Ni-ki pleaded with a gulp. He's been trying his best to hold his tears because he's good at that, but for this one, it seems like he's going to give in. "You're the only one who can support me there. All my friends will be busy preparing—"

"So, what? You don't deserve support! Might as well just kill yourself and leave me alone! You're always giving me a headache." His mom took a deep breath before screaming for the last time. "As long as you exist, the world will never become a better place for me." She then ended the call, leaving Ni-ki hanging on a line.

Ni-ki sobbed as he fell on his knees, wiping his tears. The winter festival's performance means a lot to him and he's afraid he'll have no one to cheer for him. "Is it the world's fault for being such a bad thing or is it my fault that I'm not doing enough?" He muttered as he gasped for air after crying too much.

Sunoo was stunned. Good thing he snuck up in the corner to listen to their call. If he didn't eavesdrop on His Mom and Ni-ki's conversation, he wouldn't have noticed that Ni-ki is being treated like this at home. "It's the world's fault." He mumbled to himself.

—⛄—
hmm idk how to feel abt this one :( it's my first time writing something like this huhu ><