No one believed him.
Not when he cried to his parents.
Not when he screamed it at the police.
They called him a liar.
An attention-seeker.
A child with too much imagination.
So he stopped talking.
But the truth didn't disappear - it ju...
palace loomed—a monstrous silhouette of black marble and gilded spikes, its shadow swallowing Leeknow whole as his fingers grazed the bell
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"You're welcome, Mr. Lee Minho" The servant bowed deeply, his crisp uniform rustling as he held the door open.
"Only Leeknow please, without 'Mr'." The young man adjusted his jacket collar, his voice firm but polite.
"Where have you been so far?" Yeji's voice floated down from the grand staircase as she descended, her dress swishing with each step.
"I was at home."He kept his eyes lowered
"Okay, okay, let's go upstairs."She reached the bottom step and gestured impatiently toward the upper floors.
"Welcome my son, I'm so glad." Yeji's mother rose from her chair, her arms open in warm greeting.
"We are so happy welcome."Her father remained seated but nodded with genuine pleasure.
"Thank you very much." Leeknow bowed slightly to both parents.
"Sorry for that Yeji will always be a burden to you because of math" The mother chuckled while giving her daughter an affectionate look.
"No, no this is not true. I am so glad I can help her." His smile widened as he glanced at Yeji.
"Okay my son, we won't take your time anymore. You can go and study it." Yeji's father waved them off with a knowing grin.
"Hmm, let's go Leeknow." She grabbed his sleeve and pulled him toward the stairs, his math book tucked under his other arm.
Hyunjin focuses intently in class, working hard to fulfill the childhood promise he made with Felix to achieve their dream together.
Hyunjin sits focused, taking notes carefully. A pebble hits his arm - thrown by Tommy from across the classroom. Hyunjin doesn't react, keeping still. Tommy smirks, waiting for him to get angry. But Hyunjin just continues writing, ignoring the sting.The teacher doesn't notice anything. Hyunjin's pencil moves steadily across the page, his face calm.
"Sorry, teacher, but—" Emma's voice cut through the classroom.
All eyes turned to her, then at Tommy's smug face by the window. Her mouth opened again, but the words stuck in her throat.
They sat in the gilded study, afternoon light filtering through silk curtains. Leeknow pointed at the notebook between them, his voice patient. "Do you understand now? Only these questions combine with the previous topics."
Yeji's eyes lit up as the concepts clicked. "Wow! You're awesome, Leeknow!" She groaned playfully, smacking her own forehead. "It was so easy but my brain—I don't have a brain, I know, I know—Ughhh!"
Leeknow smirked. "So now you admit you don't have a brain?" His laughter echoed off the marble walls.
"Yah!" Yeji swatted at his arm, cheeks pink. "I'll kill you if you laugh at me!"
"Okay, okay..." Leeknow softened, glancing at the opulent decor that always made his shoulders tense. "My mother mentioned you should visit us soon."
Yeji's irritation melted instantly. "Oh, I miss her so much!" She threw her hands up. "Damn this school for keeping me busy!"
Leeknow raised an eyebrow. "Now it's the school's fault you haven't visited?"
"Shut up!" Yeji hopped up, tugging his sleeve. "Let's go eat something—"
"No need." Leeknow stood abruptly, the plush carpet muffling his movement. "I'm going home."
Yeji's hand froze mid-air. "But you didn't even—"
"Thanks. I'm not hungry." He offered a tight smile, already moving toward the door.
Silence trailed them down the grand staircase. Yeji followed until the palace gates ---
"Sorry teacher, but I saw Tommy throw a rock at Sam!" Emma's voice shakes as she stands abruptly, her chair scraping back.
"What? A rock?" The teacher adjusts her glasses, frown deepening.
"I mean, Tommy wanted to hurt Sam with the rock." Emma's fingers dig into her notebook.
"What are you saying? You stupid girl!" Tommy kicks his desk back as he stands, face flushing crimson.
"Speak nicely, Tommy. Is that right, Sam?" The teacher turns to the slender boy gripping his pencil.
"Ye...yes!" Hyunjin's voice comes out strained. He glares at his desk, wishing Emma had stayed silent.
"Tommy, go wait outside." The teacher points to the door.
Tommy storms out, shooting Emma a look that could melt steel.
---
After class, Emma approaches Hyunjin's desk as he shoves books into his bag.
"Sa...Hyunjin?" Her voice wavers.
"Yes." He doesn't look up.
"Why don't you ever say anything about Tommy?" She twists the strap of her bookbag.
"It doesn't matter." His tone turns arctic.
"But—" A tear slips down her cheek.
"Did I ask you to tell?" Hyunjin finally looks up, eyes blazing.
"He wanted to hurt you! I just wanted to help!" Emma swipes at her face angrily.
"And I don't need it. Stop."He slings his bag over his shoulder.
Hyunjin leaves Emma standing alone, her choked sob swallowed by the slamming door.
"Okay doctor, thank you so much."He sighed deeply, the weight of medical bills and tuition pressing down on him.
Leeknow walked slowly toward the restaurant, shoulders heavy with worry. The doctor's words still echoed in his mind.
Pushing through the restaurant door, he forced his usual smile.
"Hello Uncle Suho."
"Hello my son! Go work now - many customers today!" Suho shouted over the noisy kitchen.
"Of course."
"Hurry up!"
Leeknow changed into his work uniform and began another long shift, the sounds of clattering dishes drowning out his thoughts.
