↱PINK↲ ⇾seongjoong⇽

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𖡼𖤣𖥧𖡼𓋼𖤣𖥧𓋼𓍊

It was a no-brainer when the Raven Claw announced Joong as the winner for the back to school showcase.

His surprise reappearance and electric performance rocked the entire crowd.

Hongjoong graciously accepted the $300, vowing to use it to get better sound production equipment.

August rolled into September fluidly.

The intense summer heat gradually died down into a more bearable warmth.

However, unfortunate things come with the month of September.

Unfortunate for Seonghwa, anyway.

Chuseok, an annual harvest festival that took place in mid-September, was supposed to be a joyous national holiday for Koreans.

Classes were canceled, and many people traveled back to their ancestral hometowns for three days to be with their immediate and extended families.

Together, they honored their ancestors and feasted on delicious food.

Seonghwa, however, had not participated in such festivities with his family ever since he left for college.

It's for the best.

Seonghwa always reasoned with himself.

My extended family is uncomfortable around me, and I'm uncomfortable around them.

Not going home is a win-win.

Yunho revealed that he wouldn't be going back home to Gwangju, but informed Seonghwa that his roommate Wooyoung and protector Mingi had invited him to go to their aunts hometown in Busan.

The twos families apparently lived somewhat close, but never met until they moved to Seoul.

"Wooyoung and Mingi are friends!" Yunho had gushed a few days before the holiday. "Mingi moved to Seoul when he was a freshman in high school, and Wooyoung was already enrolled at that school. They were friends until Wooyoung graduated just this year! Mingi's a senior now, so-"

Yunho cut himself off when he saw his hyung's wistful expression. "Seonghwa, what's wrong? You're going home to Jinju, right?"

Seonghwa took a deep breath.

He tried to avoid talking about his family.

He didn't really have much to say about them, so why bother?

"No, I'm not." He told the younger. "It wouldn't be a good idea for me to go back. It's complicated."

"Hyung..." Yunho bit his lip worriedly. "I don't want you to be here alone! Please, come to Busan with us! I'm sure Wooyoung won't mind! And I've already told Mingi about you, you'd finally be able to meet him, and-"

Seonghwa raised a hand. "It's fine, Yunho. I can meet them some other time. I think I need this time alone to reflect on some things anyways. I can use the time to update my blog, too. I haven't had time to do that for the last two weeks."