The Choi Brothers

🍵Chapter 12🍵

As the day wound down at the university, Yeonjun stood by his locker, absorbed in a flurry of activity-stashing some items away while retrieving others. His friends gathered around him, trying to convince him to join their usual post-class activities- PCA. The group was in high spirits, their energy a stark contrast to Yeonjun's evident fatigue.

"Come on, Jun, are you sure you're not coming with us for the usual post-class activities?" Chan asked, leaning against the locker next to him.

Yeonjun shook his head, his movements slow and deliberate as he continued to sort through his locker. "Nah, you guys go ahead. I'm just not up for it today."

Changbin, noting Yeonjun's fatigue but still hopeful, added, "Are you sure? It might actually help you feel better if you come along. A bit of fun might shake off some of that exhaustion."

Yeonjun forced a tired smile, his eyes showing the exhaustion he tried to hide. "I'm really wiped out. Barely keeping my eyes open. Only sleep can help me now."

His friends, seeing how serious he was, nodded understandingly. "Alright, if you're sure," Wooyoung said, patting him. "We'll catch up with you later. Get some rest!"

They waved goodbye, heading in the opposite direction as Yeonjun watched them walk away, his shoulders slumped.

Standing alone by his locker, Yeonjun's mind drifted back to Yeji. The day had been far worse than he'd imagined. He had come to the university despite his fatigue, hoping to sort out the misunderstanding with Yeji, but she hadn't come. Yeonjun now regretted not staying in bed, where he could have at least rested.

The lectures had been a blur of drowsiness, and he had been scolded repeatedly by his professors for not paying attention. His group meeting had been canceled due to several members not showing up, adding another layer of frustration to his already rough day.

To top it all off, the canteen served oysters-a food he particularly disliked. In a moment of frustration, he had snapped at a piece of pea that had stubbornly refused to lift with his chopsticks. His friends had looked on with concern, unsure of how to help.

Everything seemed to spiral out of control, each small inconvenience piling onto his frustration. The lack of sleep and mounting exhaustion only intensified his feelings of annoyance and helplessness.

Yeonjun sighed deeply, rubbing his temples in a vain attempt to ease the pounding headache that accompanied his sleep deprivation. The combination of fatigue, mounting frustration, and the nagging thoughts about Yeji had left him feeling utterly drained. He wished for nothing more than to reset the day, crawl into bed, and catch up on the sleep he so desperately needed.

As he closed his locker door with a forceful shove, he flinched sharply at the unexpected presence beside him. "Oh fuck!" he cursed, startled by seeing his brother leaning casually against the locker beside him.

"Damn it, Soobin! You scared me," Yeonjun muttered, the frustration evident in his voice. His fatigue had made him jumpy and irritable. It had left him so lost in thought that he hadn't noticed his younger brother approaching.

Soobin, equally worn out, and unfazed by Yeonjun's curse and the accompanying expletive, didn't flinch. Instead, he merely raised his eyebrows. His own exhaustion was palpable, but he maintained a calm demeanor. "Rough day?" Soobin asked, his voice barely above a whisper, yet carrying a note of empathy.

Yeonjun shot him a weary glance, rubbing his eyes. "You have no idea. Everything seems to be going wrong today. I'm just... so tired."

Soobin nodded, pushing off the locker and stretching slightly. "I can tell. I had a long day too. But it looks like you've been through a lot more than I have."