Unexpected Journey || Hoonsuk AU

Chapter 16: A 'little' fight

Sun started to set, and the sky turned orangish. Hyunsuk, in his casual fit,  standing on the restaurant porch located on top of the hotel roof. He stared out at the darkening horizon, a gentle breeze ruffling through his hair. The last rays of daylight hit his skin, turning him into a halo of warm color.

"Oppa," he turn his head as he heard his sister's voice, a soft smile adorning her face when she see him. She looks very pretty with her hair tied up in half, in her yellow flowery midi dress, white handbag hangs she just bought on her shoulder. She slipped her hair behind her ear as the wind ruffle her hair, walking up next to her brother. She throws her glances at the same sunset view Hyunsuk looking at.

"Woah, it's so beautiful," she said as her eyes close slightly when she smiles. She took her phone out of her handbag and starts recording them for her social media feeds also as material for her novel.

Hyunsuk just hummed in reply. He turns around to look back at her and she gives him an excited nod. Hyuna then put her phone back into her handbag and continue adoring the sunset. They stayed like that, both admiring the view in silence with their thoughts until the sun finally go down.

"Let's head inside," Hyunsuk said as he entered the restaurant, followed by Hyuna.

"Oh, where's Jihoon?" Hyuna asks when she noticed Jihoon isn't with them.

"He said he got some job to do and tell us to head for dinner without him. He will be here once he's done."
Hyuna nods and starts walking to their seat as Hyunsuk goes and orders their meal. The restaurant was mostly silent during the day, but at night it becomes lively. Despite the lively atmosphere, it doesn't bother other customers who have dinner there. It is filled with the restaurant music background, the chattering sounds of customers, some clattering utensils that collide with each other, and the sound of the waiters who move back and forth serving the guests.

As their food arrived, Hyuna started speaking. "How do you think about Jihoon?"

Hyunsuk looks up from his food at his sister and he gives her a confused look before he answers. "...What kind of question is that?" and continued to munch on his food.

Hyuna stays silent. She is afraid to speak more about it if her brother doesn't seem to want to talk about it. Instead of asking for anything else, she takes a bite of her food.

"Do you like him?"  Hyunsuk suddenly asked his sister, causing Hyuna to choke a bit on her food. After a few coughs, Hyuna answered.

"What? Me? Yeah. I like him but not in that way. After all, I am pretty sure he's into you, Oppa" Hyuna says after she finished coughing.

Hyunsuk frowned as he heard Hyuna. "What do you mean?" he asks her. Hyuna looks at her older brother and sighed. She put her cutlery down.

"Oppa, it's been 8 years since Jae oppa's death. I know you love him so much, but why don't you try to start a new relationship? Well, I know both of you just know each other and are still basically strangers but the way Jihoon treats you is special. It's obvious," she explains to him while looking straight into his eyes. There's a hint of worry in her gaze. She knows, this talk will trigger her brother's wound. The pain was still fresh in his mind, it hurt her to hear it.

Hyunsuk stayed quiet. He admits he doesn't feel any discomfort while being with Jihoon. Suddenly, the thought of Jihoon hugging him when they're in the tuk-tuk and the floating market comes across his mind. He pushed that thought away. It was just Jihoon being nice the first time they met when he insisted to pay Hyunsuk back after helping him with pickpocketing in London.

"You know my answer,"  Hyunsuk says, taking his spoon and starting eating again. Hyuna looks dejected. It was painful looking at her brother when he acting all strong while deep down there he's need someone by his side. 

"Oppa, I love you so much. I want you to be happy always. We're getting older, mom and dad too. Right now, I am still here with you but what if I am getting married in the future? I can't forever keep you accompany, Oppa." Hyuna tells him, in a soft voice hoping what she tries to convey reaches her brother's heart.

Hyunsuk didn't give her any reply, instead, he continues to eat, leaving Hyuna to sit in silence.

"I don't need anyone to be happy. Without Jae hyung here, what use of me to be happy? Why should I be happy alone when he's not here, by my side?" he continues, "Since the day he leaves me, he brings everything I have with him. My strength, my smile, my memory. He is the source of my happiness. I am blessed because of him. Just the thought of me being happy without him hurt me so much. And I'm fine with staying like this. Being alone is better than being happy with someone who isn't Jae hyung,"  he finishes his statement, in a stern voice.

Hyuna gritted her teeth together. Her heart is hurting from listening to her brother talking like this as if his life is unimportant. The memory of 8 years ago when Hyunsuk tries to kill himself has been haunting her. Day by day, she try to chase the memory away but nothing she could do. How much is she afraid of losing her brother but he doesn't even consider her feeling? Her heart beating in anger. She clenches her hand into a fist.

"Oppa, you know that he's died right?" It suddenly comes out of her mouth. She can't contain herself anymore. She continued, "He isn't here anymore. No matter how much you waited for him, he will never be here. He's dead, Oppa!"  Hyuna said with fire in her eyes. Her lips tremble as she mutters those words. She too, can't accept Jae's death, she loved him so much, everyone does but can someone's death be stopped when it's their time? Can anyone stop the angel of death from taking his life?

Hearing him talking about not needing anyone to be happy, makes her want to punch the living hell out of something. As if she's invisible all of the time. As if she didn't there when he's at his worst.

Hyuna could feel tears forming in her eyes, threatening to fall on her cheek. Before any hot tears ran down her cheek, she could feel a quick slap across her face.

"Say that one more time, I am sending you back to Korea," Hyunsuk said in a cold harsh tone. His voice was shaking, his hands are trembling and anger radiating off from his body, causing Hyuna to step back a little. She bites her bottom lip. Everyone's eyes are on them, yet none dare to involve with them since no one could understand what are they talking about. It's up to them to make speculation based on what they see.

"You dare to hit me. I said it once again. Kim Jae was already dead 8 years ago. The person you loved, adore, look at for, has been dead! Do you think he's happy seeing you like this? Every day, every night, you crying your eyes to sleep! You make his death a miserable journey for yourself, Oppa! You heard it himself before he took his last breath, he WANTS YOU TO BE HAPPY AND KEEP LIVING!" Hyuna yelled at her brother as she wipe away the tear stains from her cheeks. She raised from her seat, takes her bag, throw it over her shoulder and leave the restaurant.

Hyuna ran, moving away far from the hotel restaurant.  Her feet drag along the ground as she runs to nowhere. She stops when she reaches a corner, leaning against the wall for support. A few cars passed by, only causing Hyuna to cry harder, hiding her face behind her palms, trying her best to contain the sobs that escaped her mouth.

Hyunsuk just sat there, in complete silence, letting everyone whisper about them. He felt guilty for what he does, but he can't help it. Hearing those words out of her mouth hurts. Hearing those words coming from his sister made him angry. If only she knew how much he misses Jae. None of them understand what he feels.

"If it was that easy, no widow existed in this world."