The Rival's sister ||han jisung f.f.||

12.

Hyunjin was rushing down the hallway after receiving Jeongin's text that he needs his help. The boy left his clothes in the practice room a few floors up and asked his hyung to bring his clothes to the company's restroom to get changed.

"Heard the other day that Hyunjin got scolded badly by JYP"

It was voice that was very familiar for him. It's one of the other trainees he practiced rap with before. The guy expected Chan to choose him too, considering how he claims his skills to be better than someone.

"It's normal to be critical about hyung's skills. He's about to debut afterall."

That was Jeongin's voice.

"Yeah but to that extent?" The boy scoffed

"PD-nin called his rap inaudible, his words doesn't even come out right. He got this criticism ever since the first mission, still not having second thoughts on having him instead of someone more experienced?" He tried to make it sound like a joke, but Jeongin had other thoughts.

"You should really be more careful wih what you say."

"Or what? I'm only being honest, besides his looks are already enough for him to pass,
I'm sure he thinks no effort's needed for the rest. It's always been easier for them."

"You f- "

Hyunjin went inside and handed the clothes to Jeongin who was standing there. "Hyung..."

"Change if you need, I'll just wait outside" he said, smiling at the latter.

"Hey Hyunjin.." he turned, showing nothing but disinterest for whatever the man who kept badmouthing him has to say.

"Heard practice had been tough, but then again, it's not like you can't handle it?" The trainee said, even smiling playfully.

Hyunjin clenched his fist, he knows better than to cause trouble now. "Yeah nothing so tough, it's not like I bring others down just to make it seem like I'm better. Starting to think I'm getting used to other's envy for what I'm given which they obviously lack."

"You think you're so great-"

"Hyung let's go I'm done!!" Jeongin said, dragging Hyunjin along with him out there.

"Tch, no wonder he has problems with his members. He's even trashier to talk to, all face none of the talent." The left trainee said to no one in particular.

"At least he has better manners." Jisung suddenly spoke, after getting out of a cubicle and headed to the sink to wash his hands.

"What are you implying here Sung?"

"You really wanna know why you never got in the group? Might want to rethink your behavior. Chan hyung doesn't really like entitled talentless rappers."

"You might want to double check on entitlement there Sung" the latter smirked, "It's not like I'm talentless." Jisung deadpanned.

The other trainee was ready to pounce at him when Changbin went out of the other cubicle glaring at boy who spoke ill of both Hyunjin and Jisung, leaving together with Jisung.
_____

"What do you think you're doing?!"

Yeji looked back on the familiar figure behind her as she was pulled down. Sighing, she looked at the ground beneath her wondering why of all people it was him again?

"Are you crazy? How could you be so careless about your safety? What if I didn't make it in time then huh? Would you have jumped?!"

"I- I wasn't trying to jump, oppa." Still looking down, her brother continued speaking, "Really because it looked to me like you couldn't care less about falling!"

"I was just trying to get a better view, why are you making such a big deal out of it?"

"Because I've had enough to worry about with debut as it is! All I'm asking for is a little understanding here Yeji."

This time she stared at her brother without any trace of emotion in her eyes.

"I could only care less about anything really, I am ruined at this point anyway. But then again what would you know? You're on your glory road to debut after all!!" She lashed out, leaving her brother standing there.

It took Hyunjin a while to process what he said. He was mad at the wrong person. He wanted to go after her, but when he turned around she was no longer in sight. This made him sigh.

He messed up, big time.
_____
"Last one to get their bag has to clean the practice room!" Changbin shouted, running out of the room followed by Seungmin who chuckles at Jisung, not yet finished stuffing things in his bag.

"That rule screams nothing but unfairness!" Jisung shouted but the other two are already gone. He sighed as he starts to pick up the trash from snacks that they left in the room, accepting his fate as the designated last person to clean.

He was on the last of the mess when the door bursted open with a loud thud, causing him to drop the trash that was supposed to be thrown in the bin. "What's the deal? Yah the door would break at this rate-" he stopped when he noticed who it was.

"Yeji?"

"Sorry, I got in the wrong practice room." She was about to leave when a hand stopped her by the wrist.

"What's wrong?" Jisung asked, his brows creased in worry.

"Nothing, I just got in the wrong room Jisung. Sorry for the bother." She tried to break free from his grip but the boy was stubborn.

"Did something happen? Why are your eyes red? Do you want to-" he was then cut by her sudden outburst.

"I told you it's nothing! Why won't you stop? Can't you just finish what you're doing and let me be?!" She breathed heavily, trying to calm her anger as she finally removed Jisung's hand on her wrist.

"I-I'm sorry." Jisung said, stepping back now. Yeji realized what she's done. She hid her face by her hands and removed them before speaking again.

"No, I was being rude. I'm sorry if I took my anger out on you. Really, I apologize for it. You didn't deserve any of that."

They stood there quietly before Jisung spoke again. "Wanna sit here for a while? You look tired, come on let's just rest for a minute."

He sat on the floor and leaned against the mirror while Yeji followed suit. She sat beside him, hugging her knees close with her arms as she stared at the wall. She closed her eyes for a while, feeling the tiredness from all that's happened today.

Jisung noticed her head dangling later on, she was sleeping already. He carefully placed her head on his shoulder for a while, letting her sleep. He examined her, seeing the bags under her eyes, and the once tear-stained face looking quite pale.

He felt bad and wondered what made her this exhausted. So he let her rest, even if it means staying still for the next couple of hours. And he thought to himself,

Why do you have to look so fragile? Hurting you like this, makes me want to punch whoever did it.