But i wasn't a liar (ongoing)

Part 8

Part 8

"Hello, pretty boys. What are you doing?"

"Hi, Uncle! We... we made the snowman together!" Felix beamed, wiping his mittens on his coat.

"How beautiful." The man's gloved hand cupped a flushed cheek—not Felix's, but his friend's, fingers lingering too long along the jawline.

A nervous swallow. "Uhh... th-thanks!" Hyunjin forced a smile, his body stiffening under the touch.

"Are you both coming with me, hmm?"

Bright eyes blinked in confusion. "Why?" Felix tilted his head, still trusting, still innocent.

"Maybe I'll buy you and your friend some sweets." The hand returned, stroking Hyunjin's face with grotesque tenderness—

—until Hyunjin violently recoiled. "N-no... we don't want to! Let's go home, Felix!" His voice cracked with panic.

A snap of fingers. "Jang! Hold this one."

Rough hands yanked Felix backward as a boot slammed into their snowman's base. "Stop! Don't do that!" Hyunjin screamed, lunging—

just as the carved smile of their snowman shattered into powder. "What are you doing?! Please leave us alone!" Felix thrashed against the arms locking his small frame, watching their masterpiece dissolve like childhood itself.

Then the cloth pressed to his nose.

Felix's knees buckled first—his wide, glittering eyes still fixed on the ruined snow as the world went black.

"FELIX! F-Felix?! Please... please open your eyes! Hyunjin sobbed, clawing at the hands restraining him. "HELP! SOMEONE HELP US—"

A sickly sweet scent filled his lungs. "Shhh... beautiful boy."

Darkness swallowed Hyunjin last, his outstretched fingers brushing Felix's limp sleeve as he fell.

End flashback

He stood in front of the restaurant, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open.

"Welcome, my son," Suho said warmly as Leeknow entered.

"Thank you," Leeknow replied, avoiding eye contact.

"Go clean the tables, chairs, and windows thoroughly. The whole restaurant needs to shine. We're expecting many foreign tourists today."

"I understand. I'll do my best," Leeknow answered with a determined nod.

He hadn't told Yeji about this job. He knew she would immediately offer to help, but he wanted to handle things on his own. For three hours he worked tirelessly, scrubbing every surface until the restaurant gleamed. After changing his clothes, he approached Suho again.

"Uncle, I'm finished with everything. I'll be going home now."

"You must be exhausted. I'm sorry for working you so hard."

"No, no, I'm fine. Goodbye," Leeknow said, forcing a smile.

"Goodbye, my son."

Leeknow turned toward the door, but his feet suddenly stopped. After a moment's hesitation, he turned back.

"Uncle...could I ask you for something?"

"Of course."

"I'm sorry to ask, but...I need some money for my studies. You can deduct it from my salary later."

Suho's expression softened. "I understand completely. It's very difficult for a young man to balance work and studies. How much do you need?"

Leeknow mumbled an amount, his throat tight with guilt.

Leeknow whispered the amount, the lie burning his tongue.

Why did Leeknow lie to Suho and say he needed the money for his studies rather than for medicine?

After finishing his shift at the restaurant, Leeknow went home. He collapsed onto his bed with a wide smile, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

"Thank you, God," he whispered, closing his eyes while the smile lingered on his face.

Just then, his phone rang.

"Hello, Yeji?"

"Hey, are you ready?" her voice chimed through the receiver.

"Ready for what?"

"We talked about going to dinner today! Don't tell me you forgot."

"Oh! You're right!" Leeknow's eyes widened in realization. "Well... I'll get ready now and meet you."

He sprang up, quickly selected an outfit, and headed out within minutes.

He was in his usual spot, scribbling notes on his subject when he sensed someone approaching.

"Sam?" Tommy called out.

Hyunjin kept writing, pretending not to hear.

"Sam, please," Tommy persisted. "I just want to talk."

Without looking up, Hyunjin snapped, "What do you want? And my name is Hyunjin, not Sam."

"Well, Sa—Hyunjin!" Tommy corrected himself. "I want to take you out. I want to make up for everything."

"No need."

"Come on, you have to forgive me! Don't you want us to be friends?" Tommy reached out his hand.

Hyunjin finally looked up. "Where would we even go?"

"I thought we could take a walk, then hit a restaurant. You're okay with that, right?"

"I don't want to be friends," Hyunjin said quietly. "But I don't want to be enemies either."

Emma entered just then, eyes widening at the scene. "I can't believe this! This is impossible!"

Later, at the restaurant, laughter bubbled between them. That warm glow of friendship - one of life's sweetest feelings.

Lia grinned. "Wow! We're finally seeing Leeknow smile again!"

"You're right," Bangchan agreed, nudging Leeknow. "What's gotten into you today?"

"Nothing important. I was just tired before. Where's Han?"

Yeji rolled her eyes. "He texted saying he was 'first in line' to come. Such a liar!"

A sudden commotion interrupted them as Han burst in, gasping for air. "Hi everyone! Sorry... traffic jam... couldn't... get here faster..."

Lia smirked. "And we totally believe that."

Han's eyes lit up at the spread. "Wow! My favorite foods!" He plopped down, ignoring Lia's comment.

Leeknow casually asked, "So what's her name?" while watching Han.

Han choked, food spraying everywhere. "Wh-what?!"

"Your girlfriend's name?" Leeknow clarified innocently.

"Yah, Leeknow!" Han's ears turned red. "I don't have a girlfriend! Now shut up and let me eat!"

The table erupted in laughter.

How much simpler life would be if everyone had friends like these.