𝐬𝐤𝐮𝐧𝐤 𝐛𝐨𝐲 ; 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐦𝐢𝐧

𝐟𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧

The week was rolling on with a semblance of normalcy for Renjun, Jeno, and Jaemin. School, study sessions, and their evenings together had established a comforting routine. However, Wednesday afternoon brought an unexpected twist.

During lunch break, Renjun's phone buzzed with a message from an unfamiliar number. He hesitated before opening it, revealing a text from someone named Hana, a friend of his mother's:

**"Hi Renjun, this is Hana. Can we meet? I have something important to discuss with you."**

Anxiety gripped Renjun. Hana was a name he vaguely recognized, but he knew she was connected to his mother. He shared the message with Jeno and Jaemin, their concern palpable.

"I think I need to go alone," Renjun said. "It might be something personal."

Jeno and Jaemin exchanged worried glances but nodded. "We're here if you need anything," Jaemin said, his voice supportive.

Renjun made his way to the café where Hana had suggested meeting. The café was cozy, with a calming atmosphere that contrasted with his inner turmoil. He spotted Hana at a corner table, her expression serious.

"Renjun," Hana greeted, standing to greet him. "Thank you for coming."

They sat down, and Hana's demeanor grew more somber. "I need to talk to you about your mother. She's in a difficult situation, and it's crucial you know everything."

Renjun's heart raced. "What's happened?"

Hana took a deep breath. "Your mother has been struggling financially. Your father's threats to cut off support have made things worse, and she's been doing everything she can to keep things afloat, but it's not enough."

Renjun was stunned. "Why didn't she tell me?"

Hana's eyes softened. "Your mother is incredibly proud and didn't want to burden you, especially with everything else going on. But we need to act quickly."

"What can we do?" Renjun asked, a sense of urgency in his voice.

Hana nodded. "I've been helping her with some community resources and financial aid, but we need to escalate this. I'm coordinating with local organizations, but your involvement would make a big difference."

Renjun felt a surge of resolve. "I'll do whatever it takes."

Hana smiled gratefully. "We'll need to meet again soon to go over the details. Thank you for your willingness to help."

As they wrapped up their meeting, Renjun felt a mix of urgency and hope. He returned to Jeno and Jaemin's apartment, his mind racing with plans and ideas.

When he arrived, Jeno and Jaemin were waiting for him, their concern evident. "How did it go?" Jeno asked.

"It's worse than I thought," Renjun replied. "My mom is in serious trouble. Hana is helping with resources, but we need to get more involved in finding additional aid."

Jaemin placed a supportive hand on Renjun's shoulder. "We're here for you. Let's start by gathering all the information and making a plan."

The trio spent the evening researching local organizations and drafting letters for financial aid. Their determination was palpable, and Jeno and Jaemin's unwavering support provided Renjun with the strength he needed.

Just as they were finishing, a knock on the door interrupted them. Renjun opened it to find a delivery person with a large envelope.

"This just arrived for you," the person said before leaving.

Renjun took the envelope inside. It was from a prominent community organization. With a mixture of apprehension and hope, he opened it.

Inside was a letter informing him that they had been awarded a substantial grant to assist with Mei's financial needs. Renjun's eyes widened in disbelief, and he looked at Jeno and Jaemin, his face a mix of astonishment and relief.

"This is incredible," Renjun said, his voice trembling. "This will make a huge difference."

Jeno and Jaemin beamed, their faces reflecting shared joy. "See?" Jaemin said softly. "Things are starting to turn around."

The trio embraced, their spirits lifted by the unexpected aid. The night was filled with renewed purpose and optimism as they continued their efforts to support Renjun's mother.

As they settled into their routines for the evening, Renjun felt a deep sense of gratitude. Despite the ongoing challenges, the support of his friends and the unexpected grant offered a glimmer of hope. The road ahead was still uncertain, but with their collective strength, Renjun felt more prepared to face whatever came next.