Almost blind | Haobin

20| lost in decisions |20

The walk to Yujin's house wasn't a long one-just a short distance from the gymnasium-but it felt like an eternity wrapped in laughter and lightness. The cool evening air carried their voices, and Hao's usually guarded demeanor softened in the presence of Kuanjui's bold jokes and Yujin's unexpectedly witty remarks. Yujin, typically reserved, had taken it upon himself to counter Kuanjui's exaggerated stories with a dry humor that only made them funnier. Hao laughed so much that he could feel the weight of his usual worries slipping off his shoulders, like an old coat finally discarded.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Hao didn't avoid looking at the people around him. His shaky gaze, a source of deep self-consciousness because of his impaired vision, usually darted away from others. But tonight, something was different. Perhaps it was the way Kuanjui had addressed the elephant in the room with a surprising tenderness masked by humor, or maybe it was the warmth in Yujin's eyes as he quietly listened. Whatever it was, Hao felt liberated, as though the chains of his insecurities had been loosened, allowing him to meet their gazes without flinching.

As they walked, the topic of Hao's vision came up-a subject that had always felt like a wound too raw to touch. Yet, in this moment, it transformed into something oddly light. Kuanjui, ever the jokester, turned Hao's struggles into playful banter, throwing in absurd analogies and over-the-top gestures that made Hao laugh through his explanations. Yujin, on the other hand, remained a quiet observer, his attention unwavering, his silence more comforting than words could ever be.

By the time Hao finished recounting his challenges, there was a strange silence, not awkward but heavy with understanding. Then Yujin broke it, his tone soft but teasing: "You're still kinda cute, though," he said, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips.

Hao froze, feeling a rush of heat flood his cheeks, turning them into a strange, rosy hue that Kuanjui wasted no time noticing. "He looks like a tomato now," Kuanjui exclaimed, laughing loudly. "And tomatoes aren't cute. But hey, you're a vegetarian, Yujin, so who knows?" He reached out, ruffling Hao's hair in that casual way he always did, eliciting a dramatic eye roll from Hao.
"Whatever you say," Hao muttered, though his lips betrayed him by curving into a small smile.

Their laughter carried them the rest of the way until they stood before Yujin's house-a sight that silenced them all.
"You weren't kidding when you said this place was a palace," Hao murmured to Kuanjui, awe creeping into his voice.

And indeed, it was. The house loomed before them, a pristine white structure that glowed faintly under the moonlight, framed by an expansive garden filled with perfectly trimmed hedges and graceful trees swaying in the breeze. It felt less like a home and more like something out of a dream, a place where fairy tales might unfold. Hao's gaze lingered on the grand building, his heart swelling with a mix of admiration and unease. It was beautiful, yes, but it also felt intimidating-like stepping into a world far removed from his own.

"Come on," Yujin said, his voice gentle but firm, pulling Hao back to the present. "Let's go inside."

Hao hesitated for only a moment before following, his nerves soothed by the warmth of Yujin's presence and the lingering echoes of Kuanjui's laughter. For once, he allowed himself to feel like he belonged here-if only for a little while.

"Welcome to my kingdom," Yujin said, his tone half-joking as he pushed open the tall, intricately carved door. "My parents should be home."

The entryway was nothing short of breathtaking. A chandelier hung from the vaulted ceiling, its crystal pendants catching the light and scattering it across the polished marble floor. A grand staircase with an ornate railing curved upwards, its elegance matched by the rich, dark wood paneling that adorned the walls. A large mirror hung to the side, framed in gold leaf, and Kuanjui wasted no time admiring himself in it.