Shadows

Storm

As the day progressed, the tension between the Joong brothers and Dunk's family thickened. Joong couldn't shake his unease, his mind replaying the words he overheard. He tried to keep an eye on Pond, but his younger brother seemed increasingly withdrawn, his usually trusting nature now tinged with doubt.

Later that evening, Joong found Pond sitting on the balcony, staring out into the night. He walked over, his footsteps soft, and sat beside him.

"You've been quiet all day," Joong remarked, his tone gentler than before.

Pond shrugged, his eyes not leaving the darkened sky. "I've just been thinking."

Joong hesitated before asking, "About Phuwin?"

Pond nodded, his expression conflicted. "I don't know what to believe, Joong. What if you're right, and he's just pretending to care? But what if you're wrong, and he really does want to help me?"

Joong sighed, his protective instincts warring with his desire to let Pond figure things out on his own. "I just want you to be careful. People like Dunk and Phuwin... they don't live in the same world as us. They don't see us as equals, no matter how nice they seem."

Pond frowned, his gaze finally meeting Joong's. "And what about Dunk and you? You think I haven't noticed the way he looks at you, or how you don't push him away like you do everyone else?"

Joong's cheeks flushed, but he quickly shook his head. "That's different. I'm not falling for his games."

Pond gave a small, humorless laugh. "Maybe not, but it's hard to believe we're so different when you're stuck in this mess with me."

Joong didn't reply, the weight of Pond's words settling heavily in his chest.

Meanwhile, Dunk was in the study, poring over documents for the family business. Or at least, that's what he told himself he was doing. In reality, his thoughts kept drifting to Joong.

He didn't understand why Joong fascinated him so much. The younger boy was stubborn, often brash, and clearly skeptical of Dunk and his brothers. But there was something about his fiery spirit and quiet determination that Dunk couldn't ignore.

"You're distracted," Phuwin remarked from across the room, his voice breaking the silence.

Dunk looked up, startled. "What are you talking about?"

Phuwin smirked, leaning back in his chair. "You keep staring at that paper like it insulted you. Let me guess—it's about Joong?"

Dunk glared at his brother but didn't deny it. "He's... complicated."

Phuwin laughed softly. "You mean he's not falling at your feet like everyone else. Admit it—you like the challenge."

Dunk rolled his eyes but didn't respond. He couldn't admit that Phuwin might be right.

"What about Pond?" Dunk asked, deflecting the attention. "You're spending a lot of time with him."

Phuwin shrugged, his smirk fading into something more thoughtful. "He's different. Quiet, but... there's something about him. He makes me want to slow down, to really listen."

Dunk raised an eyebrow. "So, it's more than a game to you?"

Phuwin met his gaze, his expression serious. "Maybe. I don't know yet."

Dunk nodded slowly, the weight of his brother's words matching his own confusion about Joong.

While Joong and Pond struggled with their emotions, Fourth was busy doing what he did best—observing. As the youngest, he often went unnoticed, which gave him the perfect opportunity to pick up on things others missed.

He noticed the way Dunk's eyes followed Joong in the mornings, how they softened when Joong wasn't looking. He also saw the way Joong's guard dropped ever so slightly when Dunk was near, despite his protests.

Then there was Pond and Phuwin. Fourth didn't need to be a mind reader to see that Pond was conflicted. His shy smiles and hesitant responses told Fourth everything he needed to know—Pond was falling for Phuwin, whether he wanted to admit it or not.

Fourth decided it was time to step in. That night, he cornered Joong in their room.

"You're going to drive yourself crazy if you keep obsessing over Dunk and Pond," Fourth said bluntly, flopping onto his bed.

Joong scowled at him. "I'm not obsessing."

"Sure you're not," Fourth replied, smirking. "But seriously, maybe you should talk to them instead of just stewing about it."

Joong sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't even know where to start."

"Start by being honest," Fourth suggested. "With them and with yourself."

Joong didn't reply, but Fourth's words lingered in his mind long after his brother had fallen asleep.

The following day, Joong decided to confront Dunk. He found him in the garden, sitting under a tree with a book in his lap.

"Can we talk?" Joong asked, his tone wary.

Dunk looked up, surprised but intrigued. "Of course."

Joong hesitated, the words he wanted to say caught in his throat. Finally, he took a deep breath and said, "I need to know what you want from me. From us. Why are we really here?"

Dunk closed his book, his expression unreadable. "You're here because your father sent you. But I think you already know that's not the whole story."

Joong's eyes narrowed. "So, what is the whole story?"

Dunk stood, stepping closer to Joong. "Maybe it's time you stop hiding behind your assumptions and find out for yourself."

Joong stared at him, his heart pounding. Dunk's words were cryptic, but there was something in his tone that made Joong hesitate.

For the first time, he wondered if there was more to Dunk and his brothers than he had ever considered.