BEHIND THE MASK

part 3

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**Hyunjin's POV**

I stared at the ornate patterns on the carpet, my mind wandering to anything but this torturous meeting. The antique clock on the mantelpiece ticked away relentlessly, its rhythmic beat like a drum marking the seconds of my suffering. Felix, seated beside me, appeared equally uninterested. Her eyes were closed, and for all I knew, she might actually have been sleeping. It wouldn't surprise me; she always found ways to detach herself from situations she disliked.

The sound of footsteps echoed from the staircase, growing louder with each passing second. Mr. Kim's sons were making their way down. Despite my curiosity, I didn't bother to look up. Seven boys, seven intrusions into my life. I could feel the tension in the air, the unwelcome change.

**No One's POV**

Mr. Kim's sons entered the living room and took their places, arranging themselves in front of Mr. Kim and Miss Lee, who sat opposite Hyunjin and Felix. The room felt smaller, crowded with the presence of so many new faces.

"Ah, sons, introduce yourselves," Mr. Kim said with a proud smile, urging them to begin.

The eldest son stood up first. "I'm Seokjin, the oldest," he said with a slight bow.

"I'm Yoongi, after him," Yoongi continued, gesturing toward Seokjin. His voice was low, almost disinterested.

"I'm Hoseok, after both of them," Hoseok added, extending his hand toward Seokjin and Yoongi.

"I'm Namjoon, maknae of the hyung line," Namjoon said, nodding.

"I'm Jimin, older than both of them," Jimin stated with a grin.

"Oh, just shut up, Jimin. You're only a few months older than me, and we're basically the same age," Taehyung retorted.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever, but I'm still older," Jimin replied, teasing Taehyung.

"Okay, okay, admit it. You're older only by age. In terms of height, you're shorter than me—and not just me, but everyone else," Taehyung countered.

Their banter drew amused glances, lightening the mood momentarily.

"Oh, okay, okay, don't start fighting now," Miss Lee interjected.

"I'm sorry, dear. They're just like this," Mr. Kim said with an awkward smile.

"It's okay," Miss Lee reassured him.

"I'm Taehyung," Taehyung said with a smile.

"I'm Jungkook, the youngest among them," Jungkook said whit cold and expressionless face.

As the introductions concluded, the focus shifted to Hyunjin and Felix. Miss Kim noticed the shift in attention.

"Oh, sons, introduce yourselves," she said, urging her children to engage.

Felix opened her eyes briefly. "Felix," she mumbled without lifting her gaze.

"Hyunjin," Hyunjin said, equally indifferent.

"Ah, please don't mind them," Miss Lee said to the others.

"Oh, it's okay. Don't worry," Mr. Kim assured Miss Lee. "You guys must be hungry. Let's go for dinner."

"Eomma, you know we already ate. We're just joining you," Hyunjin said. "It won’t be rude."

Miss Lee’s response was laced with sarcasm. "It’ll be a big pleasure from both of you."

Hyunjin and Felix didn't bother but chose to ignore the comment.

Suga let out a scoff at Hyunjin’s remark, prompting Hyunjin to briefly look his way, though he remained silent. The tension in the room was palpable, but Hyunjin refused to give Suga the satisfaction of a response.