❝ Stardust & Heartstrings ❞ YEONBIN FF

Flashback (2)

"Where have you been?" his father asked, his voice firm and commanding. "We've been trying to reach you for hours, but you didn't answer your phone!" his mother added, her tone laced with a mix of worry and annoyance.

"I was out with friends, we had a movie night," Yeonjun replied, trying to sound casual. "Which friend?" his father pressed, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if sensing a potential distraction from his studies. "Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Hyuka," Yeonjun answered, listing his new friends' names, wondering if his father would ask more questions.

"Who are they?" his father asked, his tone hinting at a scrutiny of their family backgrounds. "Are their parents part of our social circle?" he added, implying that their social status and connections were important considerations.

Yeonjun explained, trying to provide a clear picture of his new friends. "Taehyun is a junior at my university, and I met Beomgyu and Hyuka through him. They're his friends from school. Beomgyu is actually studying fashion design, and Hyuka is in culinary school."

His father raised an eyebrow, seemingly assessing the information. "Fashion design and culinary school, huh? Not exactly the most traditional or lucrative career paths," he commented, his tone hinting at a mix of skepticism and disapproval.

Yeonjun said, a hint of emotion in his voice. "I'm friends with them because they make me feel like a normal person, not just a perfect son or a high-achieving student. They don't expect me to be flawless or robotic. With them, I can just be myself."

His father's face reddened as he stood up from the chair, his anger palpable. "How dare you!" he thundered, his voice echoing through the room.

But before he could continue, Yeonjun's mother quickly intervened, her voice stern but calming. "Yeonjun, don't talk back to your Appa like that! Show some respect!" She turned to her husband, placing a soothing hand on his arm. "Yeobo, let's not argue about this now. We can discuss it later."

Yeonjun's father took a deep breath, his expression still fiery, but he nodded curtly and sat back down, his eyes never leaving Yeonjun's face. The tension in the room was thick, and Yeonjun knew this conversation was far from over.

His mother's expression turned stern, her voice firm but laced with a hint of disappointment. "Yeonjun, you'll be going to Pohang for the inauguration of our new hotel branch and the water facility we're donating to the local community. And as for Paris, you're no longer invited. It's clear you're not comfortable with our social circle, and I won't force you to pretend otherwise."

Yeonjun felt a mix of emotions: relief at avoiding the Paris trip, but also a pang of guilt for causing his mother distress. He knew his parents' high-society events were important to them, and his reluctance to participate had been a point of contention.

Yeonjun nodded reluctantly, "Yes, I'll go to Pohang." But his mind was already racing with thoughts of dread. He had never felt a connection to the rural town, where people lived a simple, rustic life. He remembered his childhood visits to his grandparents' home, where he'd see kids playing in the mud, their eyes wide with wonder as they gazed at his father's luxury car. They'd touch his expensive toys with a mix of fascination and envy. He hadn't been back in six years, and the thought of returning now, as a young adult, filled him with discomfort. He felt like an outsider, a city boy who didn't belong in that world.

Yeonjun stood confidently in front of the mirror, adjusting his outfit with a flourish. He wore a Maison Margiela sleeveless chunky jumper vest over a chunky knit cardigan, paired with a flowy knit skirt and rugged Bogun knee boots. His fashion sense was unapologetically bold, blending traditional masculine and feminine elements with ease. He believed that clothes had no gender, and he reveled in pushing boundaries and challenging expectations.

His parents, however, did not share his enthusiasm. They had often expressed disapproval of his fashion choices, deeming them "unbecoming" of a young man from their esteemed family. But Yeonjun refused to conform, using fashion as a means of self-expression and rebellion against the stifling norms of his privileged upbringing. With a final glance in the mirror, he grabbed his bag and headed out the door.

As Yeonjun entered the living room to bid his parents farewell, he was met with a chill in the air. His mother's eyes narrowed, her gaze scrutinizing his outfit, while his father's face reddened with suppressed anger. The tension from last night's conversation still lingered, and Yeonjun could sense the unspoken words hanging between them.

His father's voice was low and strained, "You're still insisting on dressing like that?" He waved his hand dismissively, as if Yeonjun's attire was a personal affront.

Yeonjun stood tall, his voice calm but firm, "I am who I am, Appa. My clothes don't define me."

His mother sighed, her expression a mix of disappointment and worry, "Yeonjun, please...just try to fit in a little. For our sake."

Yeonjun's heart ached, but he knew he couldn't compromise on his identity. He bowed slightly, a gesture of respect, and turned to leave, the weight of their disapproval settling heavy on his shoulders.

As Yeonjun headed to Pohang, he sent a text to his friends' group announcing his trip. His friends responded with a flurry of messages, but Yeonjun's mind began to wander during the ride to the airport, consumed by the nagging thought of never quite meeting his parents' expectations.

Yeonjun stepped off the plane and into the Pohang airport, his eyes scanning the waiting area for a familiar face or a sign with his name. He had been instructed that someone would be sent by his grandmother to collect him, and he wondered who it might be. As he made his way through the arrivals gate, he looked around for a driver or a family representative, his luggage in tow. The airport was smaller than he was used to in Seoul, and the atmosphere was more relaxed, but Yeonjun's mind was still preoccupied with the events of the past few days. He was eager to get to his grandmother's house and escape the tension that had been building at home.

As Yeonjun's gaze swept the waiting area, it landed on a boy who appeared to be around his age, holding a brightly colored banner that seemed to scream for attention. The bold letters read "Choi Yeonjun, Welcome to Pohang" in a font that was more suited to a child's birthday party than a dignified airport pickup. Yeonjun's eyes rolled in exasperation as he made his way towards the boy, his designer luggage wheels humming in protest. The boy's enthusiastic grin and awkward wave only added to Yeonjun's dismay, and he couldn't help but wonder what other embarrassments this trip might have in store for him.

The boy's bright smile faltered for a moment as he awaited Yeonjun's response, his eyes sparkling with an unsettling intensity. "Hey, you're Yoon Hee halmeoni's grandson?" he asked, his voice dripping with an overly friendly tone that made Yeonjun's skin crawl. Yeonjun nodded curtly, still trying to process why this boy seemed to be laughing on the inside, his eyes crinkling at the corners as if he held some private joke. The boy's relentless cheeriness was starting to grate on Yeonjun's nerves, and he found himself wondering what could possibly be so amusing about their situation.

Yeonjun's brief affirmation was met with the boy's enthusiastic nod, his smile still plastered on his face. "I'm Soobin, halmeoni's neighbor!" he exclaimed, his hand shooting out for a handshake or perhaps a hug, Yeonjun couldn't quite tell. Yeonjun hesitated for a moment before extending his hand, his grip firm but polite. Soobin's handshake was vigorous, his eyes never leaving Yeonjun's face as if trying to convey a sense of friendship or camaraderie that Yeonjun didn't quite reciprocate. "Nice to meet you," Yeonjun said curtly, his tone a stark contrast to Soobin's effusiveness.

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