ʙᴇʜɪɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴜʀᴛᴀɪɴꜱ| ateez

✭𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐓𝐖𝐎 ✭

✭𝐖𝐎𝐎𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐆✭

The sun, by the time of our meeting, was a gentle golden hue, casting long shadows across the streets of Gangnam. The serene spot Jihoon spoke of was a quaint café, tucked away from the bustling main roads, adorned with a canopy of fairy lights and soft jazz music floating in the background.

I arrived a little earlier, choosing a spot on the balcony overlooking a small garden. The tranquility of the setting was a stark contrast to the turbulent emotions inside of me. Taking a deep breath, I tried to steady my nerves. The anticipation of meeting Jihoon, coupled with the recent revelations with San, made my heart race.

As I sipped on my drink, lost in thought, a familiar voice called out, "You always did have a thing for balconies and views."

Turning around, I saw Jihoon walking towards me. His tall frame, the familiar tousled hair, and the soft smile that always reached his eyes. Time might have added a few lines to his face, but the essence of the man I once knew so well remained unchanged.

"Jihoon," I greeted, my voice tinged with emotion.

He pulled me into a gentle embrace, holding me for a moment longer than a casual hug would warrant. "It's good to see you," he whispered.

As I sat across from Jihoon in the dimly lit café, the atmosphere thick with anticipation, I whispered, "Been such a long time, I'm sorry for keeping quiet."

Jihoon's gaze met mine immediately. "Life happens," he responded, his tone light yet understanding. "The important thing is we're here now."

I fiddled with my cup, feeling the weight of years passed. "I missed you," I admitted.

A hint of a smile played on his lips. "Likewise. Thought of reaching out, but wasn't sure if you'd like."

The waiter placed two teas on our table, breaking the brief silence. I took a sip, gathering my thoughts.

Jihoon's gaze was gentle yet probing. "You were with San's brother before his passing, then grew close to San? That's a lot," he remarked, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze.

"It's... complicated," I admitted, avoiding his eyes. "After the tragedy, San and I found comfort in each other."

Jihoon nodded. "Emotions are complex. Just ensure you're taking care of yourself in all this."

Jihoon's eyes narrowed, sensing there was a deeper layer to what I was saying. "There's more, isn't there?"

Taking a deep breath, the weight of the revelation pressing heavily on my chest, I admitted, "San had a role in the accident. And all those letters I believed were from his brother? He wrote them."

Jihoon's eyebrows knit together in confusion and concern. "He did what?" He looked at me, searching my eyes for clarity.

"I was fooled," I continued, my voice thick with emotion. "Every letter, every word I thought was a memory of his brother was just San's creation. It's like I've been living a lie."

Jihoon's face softened, his thumb caressing the back of my hand. "I can't even begin to imagine how you feel. The betrayal, the confusion..."

I nodded, grateful for Jihoon's understanding. "It's a mess, Jihoon. I don't know how to navigate through this."

He leaned in, offering a comforting presence amidst the storm. "We'll figure it out, together."

Jihoon's eyes widened in astonishment. "His brother is alive? After all this time?"

Taking a deep breath, I responded, "Yes. He reached out to me. And he made it clear that he only ever sent me two letters. The rest? That was all San."

Jihoon's expression was a mix of concern and disbelief. "That's a deep betrayal," he muttered, raking a hand through his hair. "It means San manipulated everything... for what purpose?"