Shadows

Uneasy Tensions

Joong and Dunk worked in silence for the next few minutes, the only sounds in the library coming from the rustle of pages and the occasional clink of books being stacked. Joong focused on the task, deliberately avoiding Dunk's gaze. Yet, he could feel the intensity of Dunk's eyes on him, like a weight pressing against his resolve.

"You're really determined to keep this wall between us, aren't you?" Dunk said softly, breaking the silence.

Joong sighed, setting down the book in his hands. "It's not a wall. It's reality. You and your brothers are... different from us. We're just here to serve you."

Dunk frowned. "That's the second time you've said that today. Is that what you really think? That you're just a servant?"

Joong shrugged, forcing himself to maintain an indifferent tone. "It's the truth."

"It's not my truth," Dunk countered, his voice firm but quiet. "And I don't think it's yours either. You don't belong in the same category as everyone else in this mansion, Joong. You're... different."

Joong looked up sharply, his heart pounding in his chest. "What do you mean by that?"

Dunk leaned closer, his intense gaze locking onto Joong's. "I think you know exactly what I mean."

The words lingered in the air between them, heavy with unspoken emotions. Joong's mind raced as he struggled to make sense of Dunk's intentions. Before he could respond, the library door creaked open.

Fourth stepped into the room, his eyes widening slightly as he took in the sight of Joong and Dunk standing close together. "Am I interrupting something?" he asked, a teasing grin spreading across his face.

Joong immediately stepped back, clearing his throat. "No, we're just organizing books."

"Right," Fourth said, clearly unconvinced. "Well, whatever you're doing, you should probably wrap it up. Dinner's almost ready, and Pond's been looking for you."

Joong nodded, grateful for the distraction. "I'll be there in a minute."

Dunk watched the exchange silently, his expression unreadable. Fourth's grin faded slightly as he glanced between the two of them, sensing the tension in the room.

"Okay," Fourth said after a pause. "I'll see you both downstairs."

As Fourth left, Joong turned back to Dunk, his composure slipping slightly. "I should go."

Dunk didn't try to stop him this time. "Fine. But don't think this conversation is over."

Joong nodded stiffly before hurrying out of the room, his thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and frustration.

The dining room was bustling with activity when Joong and Dunk arrived separately. Pond and Fourth were already seated, chatting quietly, while Phuwin and Gemini discussed plans for the weekend. Dunk took his usual seat at the head of the table, his expression cold and distant.

Joong hesitated before sitting beside Pond, keeping his eyes on his plate. He could feel Dunk's presence across the table, but he refused to look up. Meanwhile, Pond noticed Joong's tense demeanor and frowned.

"What happened?" Pond whispered, leaning closer.

"Nothing," Joong replied, his voice barely audible. "Let it go."

Pond wasn't convinced, but he decided not to push. Instead, he focused on his own thoughts, which were preoccupied with Phuwin. Despite Pond's attempts to stay professional, Phuwin's flirtatious advances were becoming harder to ignore.

Halfway through the meal, Phuwin casually turned to Pond with a sly smile. "Pond, don't forget our piano lesson tomorrow. I'm expecting big improvements."

Pond nodded, keeping his tone neutral. "I'll be there."

Fourth, who had been watching the interaction with interest, couldn't resist chiming in. "Pond, you're spending a lot of time in the piano room these days. Should we be worried?"

Pond shot him a warning look, but Phuwin only laughed. "You should be proud. He's making great progress."

Joong, who had been silently observing the exchange, finally spoke up. "Maybe we should all focus on our work instead of extracurricular activities."

The sharpness in Joong's tone caught everyone off guard, and the table fell silent for a moment. Dunk's eyes narrowed as he looked at Joong, but he didn't say anything.

Pond clenched his jaw, his frustration with Joong bubbling beneath the surface. "Maybe you should take your own advice."

Before the tension could escalate further, Gemini spoke up, his voice calm but firm. "Let's finish dinner without any more arguments. We all have a lot to do tomorrow."

The room settled into an uneasy quiet as everyone focused on their food, but the unspoken conflicts lingered in the air.

That night, Joong lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. His mind replayed the events of the day, from Dunk's cryptic words in the library to Pond's subtle jab at dinner. No matter how hard he tried, Joong couldn't shake the feeling that he was losing control of the carefully constructed barriers he had built around himself.

In the bed across the room, Pond shifted restlessly, his thoughts just as conflicted. He couldn't understand why Joong was so determined to keep everyone at arm's length, especially when Dunk seemed to genuinely care. At the same time, Pond couldn't deny his own growing feelings for Phuwin, despite his better judgment.

Meanwhile, Fourth, who was feigning sleep in the corner, smirked to himself. He could see the cracks forming in his brothers' defenses, and he couldn't wait to see what would happen next.