Parallel Heart (High School Return of a Gangster fanfiction)

Chapter 4: The Burden of Memories

The summer sun was warm on Jaehyun's back as he sat on a bench in the school courtyard, his thoughts drifting back to the past. His fingers traced the edge of his notebook absently, a habit he had developed whenever he was lost in thought. He couldn't shake the image of Yoon from his mind, and seeing Hoon every day was like a constant reminder of what he had lost.

His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice. "Jaehyun? You look like you're a million miles away."

Jaehyun looked up to see Hoon standing in front of him, a concerned expression on his face. He offered a weak smile. "Just thinking about some old stuff. Care to join me?"

Hoon nodded and took a seat beside him. "Sure. What's on your mind?"

Jaehyun hesitated, unsure of how to start. But something about Hoon's presence gave him the courage to speak. "Do you ever feel like you're haunted by your past?"

Hoon frowned slightly, sensing the depth of Jaehyun's question. "Sometimes. What happened?"

Taking a deep breath, Jaehyun began to share his story. "There was this boy I knew in middle school, Yoon. He was shy, quiet, and he got bullied a lot... especially by Taesan. We were close friends, but one day... he just couldn't take it anymore. He... he took his own life."

Hoon's eyes softened with sympathy. "I'm so sorry, Jaehyun. That must have been incredibly hard."

Jaehyun nodded, his voice trembling slightly. "It was. And when I saw you, I was shocked. You look so much like him, but you're so different. Yoon was always so scared, and you're... you're so strong."

Hoon placed a comforting hand on Jaehyun's shoulder. "Thank you for telling me. I can't imagine how difficult that must have been for you. But Jaehyun, you have to know—I'm not Yoon. I can take care of myself, and I won't let Taesan or anyone else push me around."

A tear rolled down Jaehyun's cheek, and he quickly wiped it away. "I know, Hoon. It's just... I couldn't protect Yoon. I don't want to lose you too."

Hoon's grip on Jaehyun's shoulder tightened, his voice firm yet gentle. "You won't lose me, Jaehyun. And you don't have to protect me. We can face this together."

As Jaehyun looked into Hoon's eyes, he felt a sense of relief wash over him. He wasn't alone in this. "Thank you, Hoon. I really needed to hear that."

Just then, the courtyard door opened, and Taesan walked out, his eyes narrowing as he spotted the two boys. He approached them, his usual air of hostility evident in his stride.

"What are you two talking about?" Taesan sneered, standing a few feet away.

Hoon stood up, placing himself between Taesan and Jaehyun. "We're talking about things that don't concern you, Taesan."

Taesan's eyes flickered with annoyance. "Everything that happens in this school concerns me, Hoon. Especially when it involves Jaehyun."

Hoon didn't back down, his voice calm but resolute. "Maybe it's time you stopped acting like you own this place, Taesan. People are tired of your bullying."

Jaehyun watched the exchange, his heart pounding. He was grateful for Hoon's support, but he knew how dangerous Taesan could be.

Taesan took a step closer, his voice lowering to a dangerous tone. "You think you're so tough, don't you, Hoon? But you're just like everyone else. You can be broken."

Hoon's expression remained unfazed. "Maybe. But I'm not going to let you break anyone else."

There was a tense silence as the two boys stared each other down. Jaehyun could feel the intensity of their confrontation, but before it could escalate further, the school bell rang, signaling the end of the lunch break.