The morning began like any other for Joong and his brothers, sharing a cramped room in the Gemini mansion’s servant quarters. Pond stood by the ironing board, carefully pressing their school uniforms, his movements precise and methodical. Joong was combing his hair in front of a small mirror hung on the wall, while Fourth sat cross-legged on his bed, hurriedly stuffing books into his worn-out backpack.
“Fourth, did you seriously leave your homework until now?” Pond asked, glancing over at his youngest brother.
“Technically, it’s not ‘leaving’ it if I always do it in the morning,” Fourth replied cheekily, stuffing the last notebook into his bag.
Joong snorted, shaking his head. “That’s not how it works, and you know it. One of these days, you’re going to forget something, and I’m not bailing you out.”
“You always say that, but you will,” Fourth shot back with a grin.
Pond sighed, finishing with the uniforms and handing them out. “Can we not start the day with an argument? We’re already going to be late if we don’t leave soon.”
“Relax, Pond,” Joong said, slipping on his blazer. “We’re fast walkers. We’ll make it.”
---
The brothers made their way down the mansion’s back staircase, careful not to disturb the Gemini family’s breakfast. They passed the dining room just as Dunk, Phuwin, and Gemini sat at the lavishly set table. Dunk’s sharp gaze briefly flickered toward them, but he said nothing.
Phuwin caught sight of them as they walked by, offering a casual wave. “Good morning,” he called out, his tone overly cheerful, though there was a glint of amusement in his eyes.
“Morning,” Pond replied politely, nudging Joong and Fourth to keep moving.
Joong muttered under his breath, “Why does he always sound like he’s mocking us?”
“Because he probably is,” Fourth whispered back, smirking.
Gemini, sitting quietly at the table, glanced at his brothers, clearly uneasy with the interaction. But like Dunk, he didn’t say a word.
Once outside the mansion, the brothers set off on foot toward school, their conversation lighthearted as they enjoyed the crisp morning air.
Their laughter echoed down the quiet street as they approached the school gates, blending in with the bustling crowd of students.
---
As they entered the schoolyard, the lively atmosphere quickly shifted. A group of students lingered near the entrance, their eyes narrowing as they spotted Joong, Pond, and Fourth.
“Look who it is,” one of them sneered. “The Gemini family’s little pets.”
Joong stiffened, glancing at Pond, who immediately looked away, his hands tightening around the straps of his bag.
“Hey,” the student continued, stepping closer to Pond. “What’s wrong? Too scared to talk?”
Joong stepped in front of his brother, his tone calm but firm. “Back off.”
“Oh, look,” another student jeered. “The brave one’s speaking up. What are you going to do about it?”
Before Joong could respond, Fourth moved faster than anyone expected, punching the student square in the jaw. The boy stumbled back, clutching his face in shock.
“Fourth!” Pond exclaimed, his voice a mix of alarm and disbelief.
Joong grabbed Fourth’s arm, pulling him back. “What are you doing? You’re going to get us in trouble!”
Fourth shrugged, shaking off Joong’s grip. “They deserved it. No one gets to mess with us.”
The confrontation drew the attention of a nearby teacher, who quickly intervened, pulling the group apart and demanding an explanation.
---
Later, as they sat outside the principal’s office, Joong glared at Fourth. “You’re lucky we didn’t get suspended.”
Fourth crossed his arms, unrepentant. “They were asking for it.”
Pond sighed, his shoulders slumping. “We need to be more careful. We can’t afford to get on anyone’s bad side—not here, not at the mansion.”
Joong nodded, his expression serious. “He’s right, Fourth. We’re already seen as outsiders. Let’s not make things worse for ourselves—or for Father.”
Fourth muttered something under his breath, but he didn’t argue further. The brothers sat in silence, the weight of their situation settling over them once more.
As much as they tried to stay out of trouble, life at school—and in the Gemini mansion—was proving to be anything but simple.
Yup I love a timid pond ...
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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...
