Unnecessary Enchantment || 2ho

1. Begining of the End

Why is the goal of life always to live?

Jongho had a nightmare again.

"You fucking bitch." He pushed his little sister to the ground.

"Leave. me. alone." He was in the woods, then the grocery store.

"I hate you all." He screamed to his siblings.

The siblings he always thought he wanted to protect and be a good example for.

But that was just a dream.

In his waking hours, he was good to them.

But back to the first question. In works of fiction, the characters always want to live - just don't die - even if they have a horrible life, even if they're on the run, even if they're discontent, they must stay alive.

He understands why they don't outright kill themselves, but why put so much effort into continuing life?

Simply, primitive survival instinct?

That seems like a waste of energy.

Jongho doesn't feel this way because 'there are too many people in the world' or because of pollution or corruption or anything of that humanistic sort; but simply because if certain people cannot be helped, either by the government, or a doctor, or their family and friends, etc. why can't they just be... let go?

Jongho looks in the bathroom mirror, inches away, his face sinking closer... and closer... His hands fisted the sink's edge.

But it was just a dream, he says again.

Wash your face. Do your work. Just don't become like the man in the dream.

"Unnie!" He hears Eunmin screech, running after their sister.

"Noonaaaa!" There goes Kyungmin, as Jongho walks into the living room.

Jongho can hear the news from the TV before he sees it. "The Mabeobian people continue their archaic way of life as local settlement expands. For your safety, citizens of Korea are advised to stay clear of any mountain ranges."

A crash from the kitchen soon diverts his attention. As Jongho rounds the corner, "Ya! Don't come in here barefoot; I broke a bowl..."

"Wooyoung, again?" Jongho asks.

"Ya, it's a small price to pay for the amazing food I make you all."

Sighing, Jongho slips on his shoes before taking out the broom.

As the glass is swept, it clinks and shimmers under the artificial light. The shards thud as they're dumped into the trash, and the dustpan clicks as it is snapped back onto the broom's handle.

The closet door closes without a sound, and everything is as it was. (Minus the bowl.)

"Continuing with local news, 500 million won was stolen from Woori Bank. The four suspects have been apprehended and charged with federal offenses of: aggravated assault, grand theft, and unlicensed carry of weapons. They await sentencing without bail."

"Oppa?" Woohyeon calls out, and both brothers look up. "Oh, good morning, Jongho. Have either of you seen my phone? Kyungmin ran off with it and I think gave it to Eunmin..."

"Ugh," Wooyoung sighs. "Okay, I'll go get it. Jong-ah can you please just put these eggs and rice on the plates? I'll be right back."

Jongho's eyes widen a little. "You want me to help with the food?"