ᵉˣᵖᵉʳⁱᵐᵉⁿᵗ乙乇尺ㄖ

Episode 10

Everyone sat down except for Y/N and Jungkook. Y/N leaned against the pillar, standing still as if the weight of the air around them had anchored her there. The atmosphere was thick and serious. The wind outside howled, cold and sharp, as if it knew the darkness of the past and was here to bear witness to the secrets long buried.

For fifteen long minutes, no one said a word. They all knew it wasn't easy to revisit old wounds. So, they waited, letting Namjoon gather his strength. Finally, he spoke. His voice carried the weight of terrifying memories—things his family and friends had endured. Yoongi watched him closely, visibly worried, still uncertain if Namjoon was truly ready to unleash the storm he'd kept hidden for so long.

Yoongi- *Concerned* Joon, think about it one more time. You don't have to do this if you're not ready.

Namjoon- *shakes his head* No. It's okay. I'm fine... I'm perfectly fine.

Y/N- Don't push yourself. You're making me feel like the bad guy here.

Namjoon- *softly* Please, don't. I have to do this sooner or later, so why not now?

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.

Namjoon- Alright, I've taken enough time. Yoon, can you start? I'll pick it up from the middle.

Yoongi- *nods* If that's what you want. 

Namjoon- Thank you. I'll continue after.

Yoongi adjusted himself in his chair, his gaze hardening as he prepared to speak.

Yoongi- By now, you've probably figured out the connection between Hoseok and us. But it wasn't always like this. The bitterness, the resentment... it wasn't there before. Things used to be different. So different that people who knew us back then would find it hard to believe how it all turned out. The three of us—Kim Namjoon, Min Yoongi, and Jung Hoseok—were inseparable. We were the troublemakers of our school. But it wasn't just us—our families were close, too.

Namjoon- *nods, his voice soft* We have been together since childhood. That's why we know each other so well, even when words are left unspoken. But it wasn't just the three of us... we used to be five.

Y/N- *frowning* Five? Who were the others? Is one of them Mr. Park?

Yoongi- *shakes his head* No. One of them was... someone who resembled you. And the other was Hoseok's younger brother.

Y/N- *confused*Huh? Someone who resembles me? Now what kind of nonsense are you gonna say?

I am confused. What does he mean by the one that resembles me? I am not ready for another sh*t to take. This all is already enough. 

Namjoon- It's not nonsense, Ms. Lee. It's the truth. Haven't you ever wondered why Hoseok always seems to have it out for you? Why he can't even stand the sight of you? Why do you think Hoseok is always at your throat? 

Y/N- *with a shrug* Maybe because he is a misogynist?

Yoongi- *In disbelief* What? Who told you that?

Y/N- Maybe the information I gathered against him and he has nothing to say? 

Namjoon-*firmly* I wouldn't believe that even if the whole world said it. No. The reason is different.  

Y/N- Continue with the story Mr. Kim. I am not here to hear your defense for him. 

Namjoon- *Sigh* There were five of us. Though the other two were younger, we were always together. They were the light in our group. Hoseok's younger brother was named Jung Seo-yun. And the other? Seo By-eol. And her features, her mannerisms—they were exactly like yours. If you had been born here, we would've sworn you were her.