STRAWBERRIES AND CIGARETTES || PARK JIHOON

🍓 TWENTY 🚬

The lectures had concluded for the day, the group of five individuals - including Yn, Seungmin, Jihoon, Junkyu, and Suji - had decided to remain seated at the bleachers, enjoying each other's company despite the relative lack of verbal interaction of Yn and Seungmin. Instead, the other three individuals carried on their conversation, engaging with each other and passing the time idly.

Suddenly, the peaceful atmosphere was interrupted by the sound of a car coming to a stop in front of the university. As the vehicle drew closer, Junkyu's body tensed and he froze, instantly recognizing the car's distinctive outline.

Jihoon, noticing Junkyu's sudden change in demeanor, turned his attention towards the car as well. His eyes widened in realization as he too recognized the vehicle's owner, concern etched across his face.

As the car's door opened, a tall and handsome man stepped out, clad in a sophisticated black suit. His poise and confident gait exuded an air of authority, drawing the attention of the group.
As the well-dressed man drew closer, Yn and Seungmin also recognized him. However, Suji remained clueless and couldn't place who the stranger was.

Despite the collective recognition amongst the group, Junkyu remained frozen in place, his muscles tense and locked in place as if he was a statue.
The man approached the group, his sharp eyes locking onto Junkyu.

The man looked at Junkyu intently, a multitude of emotions swirling in his eyes. "Junkyu-ah," he began, his voice filled with a mix of concern and affection, "how have you been?"
Junkyu's body stiffened even further as the man's eyes stayed locked on him. He tried to maintain a neutral expression, but the tension in his muscles betrayed his unease.

A scoff escaped Junkyu's lips as he retorted, his voice laced with a mix of anger and hurt. "Why do you care? It's not like you guys have ever worried about me. I've been relying on Jihoon and his mother to take care of me."
The man's expression softened slightly, his eyes reflecting a hint of guilt. He let out a sigh and took a step closer to Junkyu, his voice gentle yet firm. "We care, Junkyu"

Junkyu's eyes widened at the man's words, his walls of anger and defensiveness temporarily faltering. However, he quickly steeled himself and averted his gaze, too accustomed to disappointment to fully trust the man's sincerity.

Junkyu's voice was filled with a mixture of bitterness and anger as he spoke. "I hate you, Kim Taehyung," he repeated, his words sharp and biting. "I hate the man we get to call our father."
The weight of Junkyu's words hung in the air, the pain and resentment he had carried for so long finally pouring out. The other members of the group sat in stunned silence, unable to find the words to interrupt the raw, emotional exchange.

Taehyung's expressions contorted with a mixture of sadness and shame. He knew that the pain he had caused was deep and unrepairable, yet he couldn't help but feel a pang of regret as he heard the depth of Junkyu's hatred.

Taehyung's voice held a note of pleading as he implored, "How can you hate your elder brother, Junkyu?" His words were laced with a mix of hurt and disbelief, his heart heavy with the knowledge that he had failed his younger sibling in ways that could never be fully rectified.

Junkyu's voice rose to a yell, the suppressed emotions boiling over. "Because you both never showed me any love" he proclaimed. "After mom left, you both were so focused on that damn company that you forgot to raise me. I was abandoned and alone, left to fend for myself while you chased after wealth and success."