Sweet tooth-Woosan

Part 13

Chapter 13

Wooyoung woke up the morning after the funeral with a pounding headache. He didn't want to do anything—he just wanted to stay in bed, to forget everything, and let the world pass by. But a week later, his phone was constantly ringing with calls from school. He was considering asking to be homeschooled, but his mother insisted he continue with his life as normally as possible.

After losing his father, Wooyoung found himself showing more affection towards his mother. He didn't want to regret the things he hadn't done or said—he didn't want to waste any more time.

At school, his friends bombarded him with questions, asking if he was doing okay. Wooyoung plastered on a fake smile and replied, "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for asking."

Some believed his words, thinking he was starting to heal, while others could see the cracks beneath his mask. And San, of course, was one of them. He could tell Wooyoung wasn't really okay. San wanted to do something—anything—to make him feel better. So, he suggested they skip class together, but Wooyoung refused. "I need to study," he said, turning down the offer.

But during one of their classes, San came up with a new plan. He asked to go to the bathroom, and as he left, he set off the fire alarm. The chaos that followed was exactly what he'd hoped for. The entire school emptied out into the courtyard, and San quickly scanned the crowd for Wooyoung. When he spotted him, he seized the opportunity.

Wooyoung, following the flow of students to the exit, was suddenly grabbed by the arm. San was pulling him through the crowd, away from the school. They ran, their breaths heavy and frantic, until they finally reached a park far from the school. They stopped, both out of breath.

Wooyoung let out a breathless laugh. "God, what was that?" he gasped, his chest heaving.

"A perfect way to ditch class," San grinned, clearly proud of himself.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, trying to catch their breath. Then San broke the silence. "So, what's up?"

Wooyoung hesitated, avoiding San's eyes. "Well, I think you know the answer to that."

San tilted his head, sensing something was off but unsure what. He tried to lighten the mood. "Well, I know you saw me and I really want to clear up the misunderstanding... but the girl you saw just kissed me out of nowhere. I was so confused, but I don't even know who she is."

Wooyoung felt a strange sense of relief wash over him, but he didn't know why San had just said that. Was he trying to make him feel better? "Uh... okay?" Wooyoung's response might have seemed indifferent, but the truth was, he didn't know how to reply.

San's words stung, even if they were casual. He hoped—no, he wanted—Wooyoung to say something, anything that would give him a clue about how the younger felt about him. But Wooyoung remained silent.

"Sorry, I don't know why I just said that," San mumbled, his voice quieter now.

Wooyoung could feel the hurt in San's words. Maybe he understood why San said it, but at the same time, maybe he didn't.

The air between them grew heavy, filled with unspoken words, until a black car suddenly sped into the parking lot. Two men got out and walked straight toward them.

Wooyoung's heart skipped a beat as one of the men called his name. "Mr. Jung, we need you to come with us right now."

San looked at Wooyoung, questioning whether he should follow them. Wooyoung, still trying to make sense of the situation, asked, "Do I know you?"

The man didn't answer, but handed him a phone. "Check your messages."

Wooyoung pulled out his phone and read the message from his mother: 'Please go with them. I'll explain everything after.'

"I guess I have to," Wooyoung said, forcing a small smile. "I'll see you tomorrow, San. Get home safely."

"Okay. You too, Woo. Bye," San replied, his voice filled with uncertainty.

Wooyoung got into the back of the car, his mind swirling with questions. Where was he going? What was happening? As the car sped away, the sky turned dark, clouds gathering ominously.

When they arrived at home, Wooyoung rushed inside. His mother was sitting on the couch, a couple of suitcases beside her.

"Wooyoung, pack what you need and come downstairs. We're leaving Korea."

Wooyoung froze, trying to process her words. "What do you mean we're leaving?"

"Your cousin—" BANG!

The door burst open with a deafening crash, and a bullet tore through the wall. The men who had escorted Wooyoung immediately moved to shield him and his mother as they sprinted toward the back door. They rushed to a waiting car, climbing in as quickly as possible. The car took off at breakneck speed, and Wooyoung could see his mother's face pale with fear.

"What the hell is going on, Mom?" Wooyoung shouted, trying to keep his voice steady.

"I don't know much, but your cousin Hoseok called me. He said we weren't safe here anymore and that we had to leave immediately."

"Where are we going? We're coming back, right?!" Wooyoung asked, his voice trembling with panic.

"Darling, I just want you to be safe. I'm afraid I can't protect you here. We'll leave until things settle down," she explained, her voice breaking.

Wooyoung felt the crushing weight of everything. He was just starting to get back to normal—he had started to make peace with his grief, and even his feelings for San... But now, this.

His mind raced. He wanted a normal life again, but it seemed like the world had other plans.

He was tired, but life had to go on. A smile, even if it was forced, was all he could give. The show must go on, right?

A Week Later

San couldn't stop worrying. What the hell happened? he thought, pacing around his room. What could've possibly gone wrong?

He hadn't been able to contact Wooyoung since that day. A week passed. No news.

A month passed.

A year passed, and still, no word from Wooyoung. But San refused to lose hope, holding onto the one message he'd received: 'I'll see you tomorrow, San.'

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EDITED ✅