❝ Stardust & Heartstrings ❞ YEONBIN FF

Chapter 16 : Shadows in the Night

Trigger Warning : Emotional Distress, Physical Violence and Attempted Murder. 

Yeonjun smiled warmly as he watched his grandmother's face light up with delight, her eyes sparkling with joy as they made their way through the vibrant stalls. She was clearly having the time of her life, and Yeonjun's heart swelled with happiness seeing her so carefree.

As they approached Mrs. Baek's stall, the enticing aroma of roasted corn wafted through the air, making their mouths water in unison. Mrs. Baek, beaming with a warm smile, offered them a freshly roasted corn, and Yeonjun's grandmother eagerly accepted, taking a bite and closing her eyes in pure bliss.

The sweet, smoky flavor danced on her taste buds, transporting her back to a simpler time. Yeonjun chuckled, remembering the countless times she had brought him to this very stall as a child, and how it had always been her favorite treat. Some things, he thought, never changed.

Distracted by Soobin and Yewon, Yeonjun's grandmother noticed his gaze and said, "I want to rest here, you go enjoy the stalls. I need some fresh air, I feel stuck in the hospital." Yeonjun hesitated, but she reassured him with a smile. As he walked away, he snuck another glance at Soobin, who was laughing with Yewon, and quickly looked away, trying to shake off the flutter in his chest.

Yeonjun's attempt to subtly pass by Soobin and Yewon was thwarted when Soobin's father, a warm smile on his face, called out to him. "Yeonjun-ah, come join us! Let's enjoy some ice cream together!" Yeonjun's heart sank, unable to refuse the kind offer. He reluctantly walked over, his eyes meeting Soobin's for a brief moment, the tension between them evident. Soobin's father handed him a cone, and Yeonjun took a seat, trying to make small talk as he struggled to ignore the awkwardness.

Yeonjun's hand met Yewon's in a firm handshake as she introduced herself with a bright smile. "Hi, I'm Yewon, Soobin's best friend," she said, her eyes sparkling with warmth. Yeonjun returned the smile, his voice gentle as he replied, "Hi, I'm Yeonjun."

"I think we met when we were kids, but I'm not sure if you recall," Yewon said, her eyes sparkling with nostalgia. "I moved to Seoul and was surprised to find out you're from there too! Soobin visited me a few times, and I'm wondering why he never introduced us," she added, playfully glancing at Soobin with a teasing smile.

Yeonjun's hand instinctively clenched around the cone, causing the ice cream to squish out and smear onto his shirt, as he processed the casual revelation that Soobin had visited Yewon in Seoul multiple times without ever making an effort to meet up with him. The careless mention sparked a flicker of hurt and betrayal, which Yeonjun struggled to conceal.

"Excuse me, I need to clean up," Yeonjun muttered, hastily retreating to the restroom. Alone in the quiet space, he let his emotions unravel, tears streaming down his face as the sting of Soobin's thoughtless omission cut deep, leaving him feeling wounded and betrayed.

As Yeonjun approached the fair, he caught sight of two figures lingering behind the dance stage. Curiosity got the better of him, and he drew closer to investigate. His heart skipped a beat as he realized it was Soobin and Yewon, their faces inches apart in what appeared to be a tender kiss, leaving Yeonjun feeling stunned and his mind reeling.

Yeonjun's stomach churned with a sudden wave of nausea, as if he'd been punched in the gut. His mind struggled to reconcile the scene before him, his eyes fixed on Soobin and Yewon's intimate moment. He felt like he was going to be sick, his body reacting to the shock and hurt that threatened to overwhelm him.

Yeonjun's legs carried him away from the painful scene, his feet pounding against the earth as he blindly sprinted towards the forest, devoid of any thought or reason. But his escape was short-lived, as a sudden impact struck his head, sending his world spinning into darkness, and everything went black.