first snowfall | sunki

20: a fool for you

"Riki, my son! What took you so long, hmm?" Ni-ki's mother welcomed him with a smile as soon as he entered the office. "Did you eat already?"

Ni-ki just shook his head as he hung it low, being used to his Mom's fake attitude in public. "I'll eat later after we talk with my coach."

"Yes, yes! I'm glad to meet you, Mrs. Nishimura! It's my first time to see you because you attend Riki's competitions." Ni-ki's dance coach laughed. "I bet you've been busy these days."

"Of course, I am. I'm sorry, Riki~! Mom's too busy to even take care of you." His mom patted his head, rolling her eyes after. "Anyway, since you know I am a busy person, why don't we get straight to the point?"

The coach then took the files from his table, handing them to her. "I don't know if Riki already told you about how well he's been doing in class, but he's impressive! From his fluidity to his other skills, he's such a superb dancer!"

Ni-ki stayed silent as he tried reading the files his mom was holding.

"Mhm, I see. So, what's the point here?" She then flipped the pages, seeing the coach's intentions for this meeting. "Huh? National team...?"

"Yes! I would like Riki to be part of the National Dance Team~! There is no one else in this world that could be as good as he is." The coach glanced at Ni-ki with a huge smile, giving him a thumbs up. "You told me you want to join the National team, right? You got it now!"

"Haha, yes." Ni-ki was happy about this news but he couldn't show his enthusiasm, knowing that his mother will decline the offer. "Mom, please consider this."

Ni-ki's mother just scoffed, rolling her eyes as she slammed the files on the table. "I'm sorry, but Riki has no time for this. What national team? No way. In the first place, I never allowed Riki to be under this department."

"Mom..." Ni-ki held his mom's hand, trying to calm her down. "Since the semester is about to finish, I think this is a splendid opportunity for me because I won't be busy."

"Oh, the semester's ending soon?" She brought out her pouch and smacked the table with a transferee letter. "Starting the next semester, Riki will study medicine."

The coach took the letter, reading it with disbelief. "Ma'am, if you don't want Ni-ki to join the National team, then I won't do it. You don't have to pull him out of our department!"

"Mom, why are you being like this?" Ni-ki tried caressing his mother's face but she dodged his hands. "I think you're stressed. I'll cook you something when we get home—"

"I'll be talking to the Principal so that your transfer will be smooth." His mother gathered her things, ready to leave, but Ni-ki kneeled in front of her with tears in his eyes. "What are you doing?"

Ni-ki looked at his coach and his mother while pleading with his hands clasped together. "Mom, I already told you. I don't want to study medicine! Dancing is the only way I can be free—"

His mother slapped him on the face, right in front of his coach, who tried to shield Ni-ki before something worse happens. "A child like you doesn't deserve freedom. Or should I say... you don't deserve to live?" She then rolled her eyes after scoffing, thus leaving the office.

Sunoo gasped as soon as Ni-ki's mother slapped him. He went to the office with Ni-ki and waited for him behind the door, even if the younger already told him to leave. "Riki! Oh, gosh—"

"Shush." Jungwon pulled Sunoo down with his mouth covered. As Sunoo was watching Ni-ki, Jungwon was watching Sunoo. "Now's not the time. You can't save him."

"But he..." Sunoo sighed sadly, pushing Jungwon's hand away from his mouth. "Is Riki transferring to the Med Department? Their classroom is so far from here!"