The school day brought a welcome distraction from the tension of the mansion. Joong, Pond, and Fourth tried to focus on their classes, but it was impossible to ignore Dunk, Phuwin, and Gemini, who seemed to command attention wherever they went. They weren’t just wealthy—they carried an aura that made everyone notice them.
Joong kept his distance from Dunk, though their paths crossed frequently in the hallways. Pond, as shy as ever, tried to blend into the background, though he couldn’t avoid the whispers about his family’s connection to Dunk’s. And Fourth, ever the bold one, seemed to have no qualms about exchanging glances with Gemini, even going so far as to offer small, teasing smiles when no one was looking.
During lunch, the Joong brothers sat at a far corner of the cafeteria, their trays barely touched. The bustling room was loud with chatter, but their table was quiet.
“This place is exhausting,” Fourth muttered, poking at his food. “Everyone’s either staring at us or whispering.”
“They’re not used to seeing new faces,” Joong replied, his eyes scanning the room. His gaze landed briefly on Dunk, who sat with Phuwin and Gemini at a table on the other side of the cafeteria. Dunk looked as calm and composed as ever, his sharp eyes observing everything around him. Joong quickly looked away, not wanting to draw attention.
Pond sighed. “I just want to get through the day without any more trouble. Yesterday was bad enough.”
Fourth smirked. “You mean the water incident? Don’t worry, Pond. If anyone tries that again, they’ll regret it.”
Joong shot Fourth a warning look. “You need to stop drawing attention to yourself. We’re here to protect them, not cause problems.”
Fourth shrugged, leaning back in his chair. “Relax, Joong. I’m just making sure people know we’re not pushovers. Besides…” He glanced over at Gemini, who was quietly eating at Dunk’s table. “It’s not like I’m the only one who stands out.”
Joong didn’t reply. He was too focused on Dunk, who seemed to sense his gaze and looked up, locking eyes with him for a brief, charged moment. Joong quickly looked down, his heart beating faster than he’d like to admit.
---
After school, the Joong brothers waited at the school gate for Dunk and his brothers. As part of their duty, they had to ensure the three of them returned home safely. It was a routine they were quickly growing used to, though it didn’t make the interactions any less awkward.
When Dunk, Phuwin, and Gemini finally arrived, the atmosphere was as tense as ever. Dunk barely acknowledged Joong as he walked past, his expression unreadable. Phuwin, on the other hand, smirked at Fourth, who responded with his usual cheeky grin. Gemini trailed behind his brothers, his quiet presence almost going unnoticed until Fourth called out to him.
“Hey, Gemini!” Fourth said, his tone light and playful. “Walk with us. You’re always so quiet—I bet you’ve got some interesting stories.”
Gemini hesitated, glancing at Dunk and Phuwin. Dunk gave him a brief nod, as if granting permission, and Gemini fell into step with Fourth, though his expression remained reserved.
Joong and Pond exchanged a glance but said nothing as the group began the walk back to the mansion. The streets were quiet, and the fading sunlight cast long shadows across the pavement. The walk might have been peaceful if not for the unspoken tension hanging over them.
---
As they neared the mansion, the sound of footsteps from behind made Joong’s senses sharpen. He turned quickly, his body tense, and saw a group of boys from school approaching. They were the same ones who had targeted Pond the previous day.
“Hey, Pond!” one of them called out, his voice mockingly friendly. “Had a good day today? No water this time, huh?”
Pond froze, his face paling as the group drew closer. Joong and Fourth immediately stepped in front of him, their stances protective.
“Leave him alone,” Joong said, his voice firm but calm.
The leader of the group smirked, looking Joong up and down. “What’s the matter? Can’t fight your own battles?”
Fourth took a step forward, his fists clenched. “You want to find out if we can?”
Before the situation could escalate, Dunk stepped in. His presence was commanding, and the bullies seemed to hesitate under his cold, piercing gaze.
“Is there a problem here?” Dunk asked, his tone sharp and unyielding.
The leader of the group faltered, his bravado crumbling under Dunk’s intense stare. “No problem,” he muttered, stepping back. “We were just leaving.”
As the group retreated, Dunk turned to Joong and his brothers. His expression was unreadable, but there was a hint of annoyance in his eyes.
“You need to handle these things better,” Dunk said, his voice low. “If you cause trouble, it’ll reflect on my family. Remember that.”
Joong bristled at Dunk’s tone but managed to keep his cool. “We didn’t start this. We were just protecting Pond.”
Dunk’s gaze softened slightly, though his stern demeanor didn’t waver. “Good. Keep it that way.”
Without another word, Dunk turned and began walking toward the mansion. Phuwin followed, though he glanced back at Fourth with an amused smirk. Gemini lingered for a moment, his eyes flickering between Fourth and Pond before hurrying after his brothers.
Joong sighed heavily, his shoulders sagging as the tension drained from his body. “This is getting more complicated by the day,” he muttered.
Fourth grinned, clapping Joong on the back. “What’s life without a little excitement?”
Pond, still shaken, remained quiet, but he managed a small smile of gratitude toward his brothers. Despite the challenges they faced, the bond between them remained unbreakable.
YOU ARE READING
Shadows
Fanfiction(P.s this is Dunkjoong, fourthgemini and Phuwinpond) In this story, Joong and his brothers-Pond and Fourth-work as servants and protectors for Dunk and his brothers, Phuwin and Gemini, as part of their father's debt to the wealthy family. Despite th...
