RACERS to RINGS

Chapter 1: Annoying Expectations

The dining room of the Jung estate was immaculate, as always. Sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a golden hue over the pristine white tablecloth, the neatly arranged cutlery, and the untouched food. Despite the brightness of the morning, the atmosphere at the table was anything but warm. The air was thick with tension, the kind that settled into the corners of a room and refused to leave.

Jung Hoseok sat at the head of the table, across from his father, Mr. Jung, CEO of Jung Enterprises, a man as powerful as he was distant. Hoseoks two cousins, Kim Seokjin and Kin Taehyung who were visiting, sat on either side of him, equally silent. They were family by blood, but in moments like these, it was hard to feel any closeness.

The only sound in the room was the occasional clink of silverware against plates, a reminder that they were all pretending to focus on their breakfast instead of the unspoken tension that lingered in the air. Hoseok hadn’t eaten much his appetite had vanished the moment his father took his seat.

Across the table, Mr. Jung’s sharp gaze remained fixed on his plate, but the weight of his presence was impossible to ignore. He didn’t speak often, but when he did, his words were annoying.

And then, without warning, Mr. Jung broke the silence.

"Hobi," his father began, his voice deep and cold, “do you have someone you sexually love? And I don't mean those filthy whore you have on ur bed everyday. ”

Hoseoks hand froze halfway to his mouth, his fork hovering over the plate. His heart skipped a beat, but, he remained calm. It wasn’t unusual for his father to ask questions that felt like he should just mind his own business,

Hoseok slowly set his fork down and looked up, meeting his father’s gaze. “No, I don’t.”

Mr. Jung leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “You’re going to inherit this company, Hobi. You’re my only son. You know what that means, don’t you?”

Hoseok felt a familiar tightening in his chest. Of course he knew what it meant. He’d known ever since he was a child, ever since his father had drilled it into his head. Responsibility. Legacy. Duty. The family name had to continue, the company had to thrive, and all of that fell on Hoseoks shoulders.

“An heir is essential,” Mr. Jung continued, his voice sharp. “It’s time you started thinking about your future, about the company’s future. There’s no more time to waste.”

Hoseok clenched his fists under the table, his nails digging into his palms. He hated this conversation. He hated the way his father reduced everything to business, even his personal life. But he couldn’t afford to show his frustration, not here, not now.

With a sigh, Hoseok nodded, trying to keep his voice steady. “I understand, but... I don’t have anyone right now.”

The silence that followed his words was suffocating. Hobi could feel his cousins’ eyes on him, Taehyung and Seokjin exchanging uneasy glances. Neither of them dared to intervene in the conversation, but their discomfort was palpable.

Mr. Jung's expression hardened, his disappointment evident. “You’re the future of this family, Hobi. Don’t forget that.”

Hoseok bit back the urge to snap. How could he possibly forget? It was all anyone ever reminded him of. Every day, it felt like the weight of his family’s expectations was crushing him, and no matter what he did, it was never enough.

The tension in the room was unbearable now, the silence so heavy it was difficult to breathe. Finally, Taehyung, the youngest of his cousins, cleared his throat and pushed his plate away.