19 | minsung

41

"hello, innie?"

"hyung! did you see the pictures i sent you? my scores are soaring! do you think i could get into law with my grades?"

"yes, innie, i've seen them. good job! i'm sure you'll get into law. you're my little brother, after all."

"thank you, hyung! i'm actually so happy right now, i'm tearing up."

"i'm proud of you. say... are you busy tonight?"

"no, hyung. why?"

"i'm thinking maybe we should celebrate your success with dinner."

"i'd love that! will it just be the two of us?"

"mhm, the others are busy, so it'll just be us. why, don't you want to be with hyungie anymore?"

"not that, hyung! i thought maybe you'd bring lixie hyung along, since you bring him with you every time you come here."

"lix... lixie's busy with his schoolwork, innie."

"ah, that's okay! but how about you, hyung? aren't you busy? and i'm a little far..."

"i've finished everything due, and i have a car. innie, why are you worrying about the distance? besides, i also need to grab something at home. are mom and dad there?"

"nope, it's just me and auntie right now."

"okay, good. i'll see you later, innie. i love you."

"i love you too, hyung!"

-----

"did you enjoy today's dinner?"

"yes, hyung. thank you, really. we didn't have to celebrate just because of this."

"it's nothing, and besides, it needed to be celebrated."

"..."

"jeongin..."

"hyung?"

"will you... be able to take care of yourself just in case i disappear?"

"huh? why are you saying things like that, hyung? it's scaring me a bit..."

"haha, i'm sorry. but it's just that, in the future, i won't always be beside you."

"are you getting tired of me always relying on you...?"

"that's not it. i'm older, so it's normal for you to rely on me. don't think of yourself as a burden."

"...if you're gone, then i won't have a choice but to take care of myself... but i won't be able to handle the pain that comes with you disappearing."

"so don't ever talk about things like that, hyung!"

"haha, alright, alright, no need to hit me. i'll stop."

"will you drop me off at home?"

"mhm, i also need to grab something there."

"are you going back to your dorm tonight? can't you stay the night here? it's already late..."

"i have to, innie. i have classes tomorrow."

"okay... stay safe driving."

jeongin entered his dorm room, the weight of the night's events pressing down on him. turning the knob that led to his room, he sank onto the bed, the gravity of the past few days finally settling in.