High Teen Society

Chapter 24: The Word Of The Wind (Valentine Special)

"Is there anything else you would like to share?" Ms. Hong asked.

"No. I don't think so." Riki answered rather curtly.

The Japanese teen's right leg bounced anxiously as he scanned the entire room, looking everywhere but the therapist's eyes. He felt bad about telling so little to Ms. Hong. She's just doing her job, Riki reminded himself. Then again, it was only his first day seeking psychiatric help. He could certainly cut himself some slack on not warming up to her immediately.

"You seem quite distracted." She noted, glancing over to her right. "Is there something wrong with my wall clock?"

"Your wall clock is lovely. I was just thinking hard and making sure that I in fact do not have anything else to share." Riki told her.

"How about the friend you said you were in captivity with. Do you think he's holding up alright?"

More than you know.

Riki found himself smirking. "The thing about that guy is... nothing seems to faze him. Not for long, anyway. He's like this huge ball of positivity."

"Is that why you're so drawn to him?"

"Yea—No. Wait, I mean, yeah I'm drawn to him. But when did I say that?" Riki stammered.

"You didn't have to." Ms. Hong looked up from her clipboard. "The way your face lit up and you voice went up an octave as soon as I mentioned him gave it away."

It was a good thing he didn't have a physical reaction to being embarrassed like Sunoo did. Riki gave the therapist a scoff and tried to act indifferent. "Yeah, I'm drawn to him. He, his brother, and his entire family have been very nice to me. As it happens, I'm currently living with them temporarily."

"Nothing seems to faze him. Interesting expression. Seems. But you wouldn't know that for sure, would you?" The woman leaned forward on her chair. "You mentioned having trouble making friends a few months back. When people thought of you as nothing but a violent delinquent, do you think they used to say the same thing about you?"

"What point are you making here?"

"That you should still check up on him. He is a ball of positivity for a reason." Ms. Hong smiled. "Just like you were a violent delinquent for a reason."

Riki stepped out of the clinic shortly, shuddering from head to toe. He didn't like the feeling of being psychoanalyzed to his face. He wished Ms. Hong wasn't so straightforward about it too.

A pale, slender boy with an elegant figure was waiting for him, leaning against a blue Rolls-Royce with his arms crossed.

"That was quick." Park Sunghoon remarked, following the younger with his eyes.

Riki wordlessly pulled the passenger door open and made himself comfortable on the car seat, careful not to bump his cast anywhere.

As soon as Sunghoon climbed inside and started the engine, he made a second attempt to ask about what happened. "Well? How was it?"

"I'm not gonna lie." Riki began. "It was pretty fucking stupid is how it was."

Sunghoon burst out laughing, his canine fangs in full display. "That's what I said at first. But give it a few weeks. You'll start to find it pleasant to have someone to talk to."

"I already have someone to talk to."

"Someone you don't want to burden with your darkness." Sunghoon said gratingly, suddenly serious. "Someone you wouldn't feel bad talking to about all the fucked up things that have happened in your life and all the even more fucked up things you've thought of doing, because you know it's their job to listen. I know you know what I'm talking about."