Parallel Heart (High School Return of a Gangster fanfiction)

Episode 3: Hidden Truth

The school library was a place of quiet refuge, a stark contrast to the bustling hallways of Oakwood High. Jaehyun often retreated here to study and gather his thoughts. Today, however, he was not alone. As he rounded a corner, he spotted Hoon sitting at a table, deeply engrossed in a book.

Jaehyun hesitated before approaching. "Hey, Hoon. Mind if I join you?"

Hoon looked up, a smile tugging at his lips. "Sure, go ahead."

Jaehyun sat down, pulling out his own books. After a few moments of silence, he couldn't help but ask, "What are you reading?"

Hoon glanced at the cover before showing it to Jaehyun. "It's a book on psychology. I've always been interested in understanding how people think."

"Interesting choice," Jaehyun remarked, genuinely intrigued. "Any particular reason why?"

Hoon's expression turned contemplative. "I guess I've always been fascinated by what drives people's actions. Sometimes, it's not what it seems on the surface."

Jaehyun nodded, feeling a connection forming. "I get that. People can be pretty complicated."

Their conversation continued, touching on various topics, each word bringing them closer and deepening Jaehyun's curiosity about Hoon.

---

After their study session, Jaehyun suggested they take a break on the school rooftop, a place he often visited to clear his mind. The view from the top was breathtaking, offering a serene panorama of the town below.

Jaehyun leaned against the railing, looking out over the city. "I used to come up here a lot with Yoon," he said softly.

Hoon stood beside him, his expression unreadable. "What was he like?"

Jaehyun took a deep breath, memories flooding back. "Yoon was... quiet, kind-hearted. He never stood up for himself, though. Always let people push him around."

Hoon's eyes softened. "It sounds like you cared about him a lot."

"I did," Jaehyun admitted. "I still do. Losing him was... hard."

There was a moment of silence, heavy with unspoken emotions.

"Do you think about him often?" Hoon asked gently.

"Every day," Jaehyun replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "Meeting you... it brought back a lot of those memories."

Hoon reached out, placing a comforting hand on Jaehyun's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Jaehyun. I wish I could have met him."

Jaehyun looked at Hoon, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. "Maybe, in a way, you have."

---

Physical education class was always a hotbed of energy and competition. Today was no different, with the students divided into teams for a game of basketball. Jaehyun and Hoon found themselves on opposing teams, which added a new layer of tension to the game.

As the game progressed, it became clear that Taesan was playing aggressively, targeting Hoon at every opportunity. Jaehyun watched with growing concern as Taesan's tactics became more blatant.

At one point, Taesan shoved Hoon hard, sending him sprawling to the ground. Jaehyun rushed over, his anger bubbling to the surface. "What the hell, Taesan? That was a dirty move!"

Taesan smirked, unrepentant. "Just playing the game, Jaehyun. If he can't handle it, he shouldn't be on the court."

Hoon got up, dusting himself off. "I'm fine, Jaehyun. Let's just finish the game."

But Jaehyun could see the hurt in Hoon's eyes, and it fueled his determination to stand up to Taesan.

Jaehyun's Thoughts."I won't let you bully him, Taesan. Not again.

---

The day ended with Jaehyun feeling unsettled by the events in the gym. He knew he needed to talk to Hoon, to understand more about what was happening. He found Hoon at his locker, packing up for the day.

"Hoon, can we talk?" Jaehyun asked, trying to keep his tone steady.

Hoon nodded, closing his locker. "Sure, what's up?"

Jaehyun took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "I know we've talked a bit about Yoon, but I need to know more about you. Why did you really transfer here? And why do you look so much like him?"

Hoon looked down, a conflicted expression crossing his face. "It's complicated, Jaehyun. My family... we've moved around a lot. And as for the resemblance, I don't know. Maybe it's just a coincidence."

Jaehyun felt a pang of frustration. "It just doesn't make sense, Hoon. There's got to be more to it."

Hoon sighed, clearly struggling with his emotions. "Look, I can't explain everything right now. But I promise, I'm not hiding anything from you. You just have to trust me."

Jaehyun wanted to believe him, but the doubts lingered. "Alright, Hoon. I'll trust you. But I hope you'll trust me enough to tell me the truth someday."

Hoon nodded, a grateful smile breaking through. "I will, Jaehyun. I promise."

---

That night, Jaehyun lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. His mind raced with everything that had happened. The day's events had brought him closer to Hoon, but also deepened the mysteries surrounding him. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something significant yet to be uncovered.

"Who are you, Hoon?" Jaehyun whispered into the darkness. "Why do you feel so familiar?"

Meanwhile, Hoon sat by his bedroom window, gazing out at the stars. The weight of his secrets pressed heavily on his shoulders. He wanted to be honest with Jaehyun, but the past was a tangled web of pain and loss. Could he really open up about everything?

"I wish I could tell you, Jaehyun," Hoon murmured to himself. "But some things are too difficult to explain."

In another part of town, Taesan lay awake in his room, his mind replaying the confrontation in the gym. The anger he felt was mixed with something else—an emotion he couldn't quite name. Why did Hoon get under his skin so much?

"Damn it," Taesan muttered, clenching his fists. "What is it about you, Hoon?"