𝑸𝑼𝑬𝑹𝑬𝑵𝑪𝑰𝑨 || 𝐉𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐇𝐨𝐨𝐧

19

The announcement of the heir of Soonyang echoed through the hall. Ni-ki immediately recognized the name. His heart raced, knowing how nervous Sunghoon must be feeling. Without a second thought, he began to rush back towards the main hall to be by his side.

But just as he was about to re-enter the hall, a hand grabbed his arm, pulling him back. He turned to see Sunoo, standing there with a determined look on his face.

"Ni-ki, wait," Sunoo said, his grip firm.

Ni-ki frowned, trying to gently pull his arm away. "Sunoo, I really can't do this right now. I need to be with hyung. He needs me."

Sunoo didn't let go. "Ni-ki, please. Just hear me out. I'll apologize to Jungwon if that's what you want. I know I messed up, but I want to make things right. I want us to get back together."

Ni-ki's eyes widened in frustration. "Sunoo, this isn't the time. I can't talk about this right now. Sunghoon hyung is up there, probably feeling overwhelmed and alone."

Sunoo's eyes softened, but he didn't release his hold. "I understand, but I need you to know how I feel. I miss you, Ni-ki. I can't stop thinking about you, and I want to make things right between us."

Ni-ki sighed, feeling torn between his past and his present responsibilities. "Sunoo, I need space right now. I can't give you an answer. There's too much going on. Please, just let me go."

Sunoo's grip loosened, and he looked down, a mixture of sadness and hope in his eyes. "Okay, Ni-ki. I'll give you space. But please, think about what I said."

Ni-ki nodded, his mind already back on Sunghoon. "I wil," the younger paused a bit. "But Sunoo, I think you should move on."

Sunoo stepped back, his eyes widening a bit but he finally let Ni-ki go. "I understand. Go to him. We'll talk later."

Ni-ki reached the main hall and saw Sunghoon standing on the stage, looking pale and tense. Following Sunghoon's line of sight, Ni-ki spotted three familiar faces at the end of the hall.

 He recognized them as the guys he had seen at McDonald's—one of them was Jake, whom Sunghoon had mentioned before. It dawned on Ni-ki why Sunghoon looked so terrified. He hadn't told them anything about being the heir of Soonyang.

As Sunghoon came down from the stage he was immediately attended to by his mom so Ni-ki went back to his friends eyeing Sunghoon from time to time.

He saw one of the three guys rushing towards his hyung as his mom waved here hands to call him their. wait, this guy. . . .shit.

Ni-ki just prayed, his hyung makes it through.

---------------

As Jay came near, His mom smiled warmly at him but Jay's eyes were locked on Sunghoon, his gaze ice cold.

Jay and Sunghoon's mom, who had been observing the scene, stepped forward, trying to ease the tension. "Jay, I'd like you to meet your brother." she said gently, hoping to ease the situation.

Jay's eyes flickered with anger and disbelief as he stared at Sunghoon. "Brother?" he spat out, his voice dripping with venom. "You mean this poor, lying nobody is supposed to be my brother?"

Sunghoon stood frozen, his mind reeling from the harsh confrontation with Jay. His heart pounded in his chest, and his breath came in shallow gasps. He couldn't believe Jay had mentioned his poverty. That was something only Jake knew, and Jake had promised to keep it a secret.

He felt a mix of betrayal and confusion as he tried to process Jay's words. How could Jay have known? Did Jake tell him? Sunghoon's mind raced with questions, but there was no time to dwell on them now. He had to face the reality of the situation.