But i wasn't a liar ✔️[ENG ver]

Part 35

Part 35

"Yes, he is my best friend," he said, forcing a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

Felix's mother beamed, her gaze softening as she turned to Leeknow. "You're welcome, my son." The words carried decades of maternal warmth

Leeknow stared at Hyunjin, his mind racing. Why would this woman call him Sam? Why wasn't Hyunjin correcting her? The questions burned in his throat until he remembered his manners. "Hello Mrs. Lee, I'm Leeknow," he said with a respectful bow. "Nice to meet you."

"Both of you come sit down," she urged, gesturing to the cozy corner booth where the afternoon sun painted golden rectangles on the checkered tablecloth. "Don't stay on your feet like that."

Hyunjin practically dragged Leeknow toward the seats. "Let's sit there!" His voice was too bright, too forced.

As they settled into the cushioned seats, Leeknow leaned in. "What's going on here, Hyunjin?" he whispered urgently.

"Nothing happened!" Hyunjin's eyes darted away, fingers picking at a scratch on the table's surface.

Felix's mother reappeared, her smile warm. "Which sweets would you like?"

"Like always, Mrs. Lee," Hyunjin replied automatically.

Leeknow watched the exchange carefully. "Let mine be like my friend's sweet."

The moment she left, Leeknow grabbed Hyunjin's wrist. "She called you Sam. Why didn't you correct her?"

Hyunjin's pulse jumped beneath Leeknow's fingers. "My real name is Sam on my ID."

"Hyunjin, are you driving me crazy now?" Leeknow's voice dropped to a harsh whisper.

"I mean, I can't tell everyone my real name. You know my story. It's dangerous for me."

Leeknow's eyes flashed. "I can't believe this! Tell me the truth—"

The clatter of a plate interrupted them. "Here are your brownies," Felix's mother announced, setting down two perfectly square portions dusted with powdered sugar.

"Thank you very much," Hyunjin said, his voice thick.

"Thank you," Leeknow echoed, watching as she walked away before turning back to Hyunjin with fire in his eyes. "We'll talk later."

Hyunjin pushed the plate toward him. "Taste it, please." But Leeknow just stared, the unspoken questions hanging between them.

As they ate in tense silence, Hyunjin remembered that first visit—how Felix's mother had asked his name with such kindness. The lie had slipped out before he could stop it. "My name is... Sam!" He'd given the name that had haunted him since childhood, the name he'd buried along with so much else. And when she'd said he resembled a boy she once knew, when she'd called that boy a devil named Hyunjin... the knife in his heart had twisted deeper.

Leeknow's voice pulled him back. "They're really delicious. I don't like sweets much, but these are very tasty."

"I knew you'd like them," Hyunjin murmured, the words tasting like ash.

Felix's mother returned with two glasses of juice, her gaze lingering on them with bittersweet longing. "If my son was here, he would be in 12th grade now, just like you both."

Hyunjin choked, the half-chewed bite of brownie falling from his lips.

"Are you okay?!" Leeknow reached for him.

Hyunjin stood so abruptly the table shook. "Let's get out of here. Get up!"

Felix's mother looked startled. "My son, are you okay? Drink your juice first—"