Nocturnal Buddies ✩ Yang Jeongin

Chapter 38

Hyunjoo mindlessly listened to her mom speak, accusing her dad of being the one who was neglecting their children. The court listened to Narae ramble, despite the story not completely lining up with the multiple things she has already said. After she finished up with whatever nonsense was spewing from her lips, the judge announced that the details given will be further examined. With that, the court hearing wrapped up.

Hyunjoo gathered her belongings before shifting her attention to her dad. Her eyebrows furrowed with concern when she noticed his expression.

"Are you okay?" she asked, placing a gentle hand on his arm.

Minjoon slowly nodded his head. "I'm just feeling lethargic right now."

"Let's go outside and get some fresh air before we go back home," she suggested.

Minjoon wordlessly nodded in response before his daughter assisted him out of the courtroom. She led him outside and towards a shaded bench for him to settle down. Hyunjoo started to assess his overall condition while checking his vitals, eyes raking over his features. After concluding that he was just tired, she took a seat next to him. A comfortable silence fell around the two as her dad closed his eyes to rest.

Hyunjoo's eyes trailed up towards the brilliant blue sky, squinting slightly due to the blinding, bright rays. She watched as the streaks of clouds leisurely drifted across the vast canvas. A soft breeze brushed by the two, rustling the leaves on the tree that sheltered them from the sun's harsh conditions. A sigh fell from Hyunjoo's lips before she closed her eyes, wanting to bask in the brief peace she felt.

It was calm...

"Hyunjoo!"

The second she heard her mother's enraged voice in the distance, Hyunjoo's eyes shot right open. The brief sense of tranquility she felt was ripped away from her in a matter of seconds. Her head snapped to the side as she looked over her shoulder in a panic. When she noticed the older woman quickly approaching them, fuming with rage, Hyunjoo's eyes widened with terror. Fear quickly overtook her as she froze in her spot.

Her attention shifted towards her dad for protection shortly after, but he had fallen asleep due to his conditions. She started to panic and hurried to her feet, forced to face the woman that was now standing in front of her. There were evident flames burning in Narae's eyes as she glared at her own daughter. Hyunjoo made sure to keep her distance, knowing any altercation would lead to her being physically assaulted. Despite her fear, she maintained eye contact with the woman.

She couldn't help but feel like a child in front of her mom though. A mix of emotions rushed over her as every bad experience with the woman resurfaced in her mind. Her throat had gotten dry as a lump formed within it, preventing any words from leaving her. It felt like the entire world was spinning as her mind started to fog, making it hard for her to even consider talking.

"You, you better tell the judge you were fucking lying about everything you told her!" Narae seethed, stepping forward.

Hyunjoo took a small step back, well aware that she didn't have much room to move further away. She struggled to find her words as her mouth opened and closed. Incomplete words spewed from her lips as she stumbled over her foggy thoughts. The clear irritation growing in her mom's face was evident, causing more panic to surge throughout the girl's body.

"It's not a lie, so I'm not going to retract my statements," Hyunjoo finally managed.

Narae scoffed in disbelief, her head turning to the right before quickly returning it to its initial position. Her eyes burned into her daughter's as she stared at the girl in bewilderment.