Past Me was a Fool (2min)

Father Not

Seungmin hears ringing in his ears. He watched Hyunjin's mouth moved but the words did not register in his mind. What he could only focus on is the unveiled presence right outside his door just from the voice alone. There is no need for him to see who it is– he might not be able to take it.

But the loud bang on the wooden door forced him back to the present, made him flinch as if he got splashed with piping hot water.

"Insolent brat. You dare disregard your father?"

His eyes widened. No– he did not mean to be disrespectful. He–

"Seungmin. Listen to me," Hyunjin grabbed him by his shoulders. "Wait inside your room. Wear your headphones. Don't come out. I'll make him go away–"

"You think?" the younger shook his head and let out a weak, disbelief scoff. "He came here for me. You know he won't give a fuck about you."

Before Hyunjin can voice out his argument, Seungmin cut him off, "Go. Please.."

Just by a weak push, Hyunjin stepped back and dragged himself into the guest room that might as well be his own by how frequent he used it. He is torn. Of course he knows Seungmin is being ridiculous by facing his father on his own in this situation, but he is also aware of how true Seungmin's words are.

Bang Hyuk In would get rid of him if it meant he could talk with Seungmin without a pest bothering them. Besides, Hyunjin is on the old man's black list so there would be little to no hesitation for Seungmin's father to take action.

Seungmin braced himself and opened the door once he steeled himself. Expectedly, he was greeted with a glower before his father stride past him, "You have the audacity to make your father wait."

"I will be blunt. If you fail to meet my expectations of you, I will teach you a lesson personally. I have been lenient towards you, Seungmin. Do not challenge me."

A piece of paper was thrown at his direction. Seungmin did not have to squint to read what was written on it. However, he should have expected this. When does his family ever leave him alone without 'supervision' anyway.

KIM SEUNGMIN REPORT XXIV

The blatant revelation almost made him scoff out a laugh but the suffocation his father is causing him prevented him to do so. He could only force out an obedient reply, "...Yes, father."

"Are you still associating yourself with that shameful excuse of a boy?" His father adjusted the sleeve of his suit.

Seungmin clenched his fists at his sides, holding eye contact with the last of his will to hold back from lashing out, "We have agreed to a compromise father. Hyunjin is to be left unharmed as an exchange of me, living on my own."

The way his heart threatened to crumble with how painful the ache is spreading in his chest made the back of his eyes stings. But this is not worth his tears, it never is, it should never have. He was the one leaving that place behind, not them making him leave. Hyunjin took a lot of time to convince him about that fact, he should not let his best friend's effort be disregarded just because he is facing his father again.

"And devoting your life to glorify the reputation of the family. The compromise would be breached with your current performance, would it not? Shall you be more like Channie, I would have been more merciful," the sneer on his father's face is the last thing Seungmin had to be subjected to before the old man finally take his leave.

And when Hyunjin came out of the room, with the intention of checking on his best friend, Seungmin was too overwhelmed. There are so many emotions and feelings swirling inside of him that he pushed Hyunjin away. He literally pushed his best friend away by his shoulders when Hyunjin wanted to embrace him.

"Seungmin..."

"Leave," heaved the younger, feeling truly exhausted and he just wants to lie down and close his eyes. "You heard him. You heard everything that came out of his mouth. He's monitoring us inside that damn university, and fuck– I can't have a repeat of the past, Hyunjin."

Turning around, he shut his eyes closed, "I don't want to do things I will regret if you don't leave me alone right now. So please, give me some time."

He shut the door to his bedroom, he shut the jazz music that meant to ease his nerves courtesy of Hyunjin, he shut the blinders, he shut his phone, and ultimately, he inevitably shut himself in.

••••••••
A/N

I will become insanely busier so here's an update on Channie's Day!!