WARM HUGS [SOOLIA]

Chapter 009

[This photo is not mine; credits to the owner 🥺]

>>>Lecture<<<

"Care to explain yourself? Because of you, an innocent girl ran out of the cafe crying." Beomgyu glared at his older brother pointily as he folded his arms, staring him down.

Soobin buried his face in his hands as he released a long sigh. He didn't mean to be the bad guy, it just instinctively came out of his mouth, though it shouldn't have.

Beomgyu's eyes softened seeing Soobin grip his hair tightly, leaning back on his chair as he muttered a string of curses directed at himself. He sat down across from Soobin silently, waiting patiently for the man to explain himself.

The sibling's dynamic was hard to understand but heartwarming. In all the weeks that Soobin was grieving over his unrequited love, Beomgyu sat next to him and listened to his rantings without butting in.

Beomgyu honestly hated seeing Soobin like that. There were days on end he'd refuse to come out of his room or even eat anything. Any other sibling would've taunted the other, saying they were being difficult but Beomgyu was different.

He had never seen Soobin as hurt as he was now, not even when he broke up with Eun Seong. Both of them were just testing the waters of love and even if it hurt them when they broke up, they managed to move on quickly.

Soobin's eyes fluttered closed as he took a deep breath before spilling the beans. Everything, from the beginning. How he met Jisu, how he started viewing her as Yeji after the incident and the nightmare.

Soobin glanced at Beomgyu timidly to check for his reaction on the matter. He lowered his head slightly seeing Beomgyu looking at him in disbelief, a mad look etched on his face.

"Soobin, I know you're hurt about the past, but this has gone way too far. I mean, you screamed at a girl who had nothing to do with your past just because you viewed her as your past love." Soobin winced slightly as Beomgyu scolded him.

Beomgyu never meant ill when he shouted or scolded his siblings. He just gets worked up when they do the wrong thing. Although some of his scoldings have left Yun-jae in tears, they know he means well and therefore never resent him if he raises their voice at them. He's just doing their father's job since he's busy working to support the family.

Soobin glanced at Beomgyu when he heard him release a deep sigh, rubbing his temples as he tried to control his temper. Soobin's eyes flickered down to his lap, ashamed that his younger brother had to lecture him about stuff like this.

"You have to understand that Jisu is a different person. She has different needs and a different personality from Yeji. If you're not ready to accept that, are you sure you're ready to start to form a bond with Jisu? Women are just as fragile as us, Soobin. But the only difference is they don't show it."

Soobin stared at Beomgyu in awe as he got up from the table, ready to leave. Beomgyu was great at giving advice, even if it was in an unfamiliar field called love.

"I admit what I've done was the most idiotic thing ever. But I'm certain." Beomgyu turned around to face Soobin slowly, gesturing him to continue to hear the very words he wanted to hear.

"I want Yeji. But I want Jisu more. I'll work on forgetting Yeji before starting to pursue Jisu." Soobin huffed in determination, locking eyes with Beomgyu as he stood up, fired with enthusiasm.

Beomgyu smirked slightly before turning around to walk out of the kitchen. Before he pushed open the door, he turned his face to the side before he spoke again.

"The fact that you're aware that you want Jisu is a good start. Work on that." Soobin furrowed his eyebrows as he watched Beomgyu push open the door and exit in a charismatic way.

Soobin fell back onto his chair, running a hand through his hair as he let their whole conversation sink in. He played with his fingers, enjoying the silence as he began thinking about what he could do to get Jisu to forgive him.

"Come on, Soobin. How would Beomgyu do this?" Soobin pressed his fingers onto his temples as he shut his eyes tight, using up all the brain power he could muster to think up a plan.

"Ugh, if I was Beomgyu, I wouldn't have done something so stupid." Soobin huffed in annoyance at how perfect his brother could be sometimes. He grumbled under his breath as he bit on his fingernails.

His eyes faltered in realization as he lowered his hand, his lips slowly forming a delighted grin as his brain finally managed to get pumping and thought of an idea.

"If I was Beomgyu, I wouldn't have done something so stupid!" Soobin chuckled as he dug his hands into his pockets, taking out his phone as he unlocked it, eyes gleaming with excitement.

>>>

Jisu stared at her hands that rested on her lap blankly, her eyes swollen and red from crying. She sat on the bench that was put next to the pathway in the park.

"Aigo, it's been a long time since I've seen a pretty girl like you." Jisu's head snapped upwards hearing an unfamiliar voice disrupt her train of thoughts. She turned her head to the side to lock eyes with an old woman.

Jisu immediately jumped out of her seat, bowing endlessly to the elder in embarrassment having not noticed her earlier. The old woman laughed heartily at Jisu before assuring her it was okay and instructed her to take a seat.

Jisu offered a shy smile before sitting back down, stealing glances at the old woman. The woman had greying hair and rosy cheeks, wrinkles near her eye area which showed she smiles a lot.

"So? What's a pretty girl like you crying here all alone?" Jisu looked at the old woman in embarrassment, rubbing her eyes in hopes of covering up the fact she's been crying.

"A boy I really like hurt my feelings." Jisu pouted as she let her eyes stray away, unfortunately recalling the mean words Soobin had hurled at her, which made her eyes tear up again.

"Aigo, don't cry anymore." Jisu chuckled shyly as she took in a shaky breath and wiped her tears away, willing herself to put up a strong front. The duo enjoyed the calm silence among the two before the woman spoke up again.

" I don't think I'm capable of giving advice about this. But I'll root for you." Jisu glanced at the old woman, bowing thankfully as she offered her appreciation, which the old woman waved off, embarrassed.

"You should go home and freshen yourself up. My heart hurts seeing such a young girl like you crying just because of a man." Jisu's smile faltered hearing the old woman's words before she forced a smile to remain polite.

After bidding her goodbye, Jisu got up from the bench and walked back home. Instead of trudging back home, she wiped her tears away and willed herself to be strong, walking with purpose.

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~Viky
☕🎶🌸