MASKED FACES || SEVENTEEN

⛥ FORTY SIX ⛥

Hoshi couldn't help but sport a soft, almost imperceptible smile as his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.
Yn stood beside him, patiently waiting the moment when he would break the silence and begin to speak.
"I had a younger sister, Kwon Somin," Hoshi eventually piped up, his voice tinged with a mixture of fondness and melancholy.
He continued, his voice growing tender as he reflected on his treasured memories, "She was the apple of my eye, the most cherished person in my world. I adored her beyond measure."

Hoshi's smile widened just a fraction as he spoke, but the depth of his affection for his sister was made clear in his next words.
"From the moment she was born, she had a way of lighting up my world," he reminisced, his eyes growing distant as he recalled her joyful laughter and bright eyes.
"Somin was always full of energy and boundless enthusiasm, and her playful nature brought so much life to our home," he continued, his voice filled with affection.
Hoshi paused for a moment, lost in thought.

He took a deep breath and admitted, "When I joined Seventeen, the Mafia world, I knew it would be dangerous. But by that time, I was already deeply entwined in that world."
He paused, his voice tinged with a mixture of melancholy and determination. "Seungcheol offered to take us in, to protect us from the dangers of the Mafia world. Me and Somin. I couldn't refuse his help."

"And during one of our dinner parties with the NCT gang," Hoshi went on, a hint of nostalgia in his voice, "my sister, Somin, met Lee Jeno. It was love at first sight for both of them. I could see the instant connection they had, the spark in their eyes as they locked gazes for the first time."

Hoshi's face creased with guilt as he continued, "Even though I knew Jeno was the perfect man for her, I found myself opposing their relationship. I feared for her safety, for her innocence in this dangerous world we inhabit. I wanted her to marry someone who was untainted by the Mafia life, someone who could offer her a life free of violence and danger."

Yn's face dropped as she realized the conflicted feelings Hoshi was grappling with. She understood the brotherly protectiveness he had for Somin, but at the same time, she knew the pain it caused Somin to be separated from the man she loved. Her heart ached for both of them, caught in the crossfires of duty and desire.

Hoshi let out a deep sigh as he continued, "Somin was as stubborn as I was, and nothing could stop her from sneaking out to spend time with Jeno. Even though I tried to dissuade her and even had the occasional argument with Jeno, it never got too intense. I knew deep down that their love was strong, and it was difficult to fight the natural bond they shared."

Hoshi's voice took on a new seriousness, tinged with fear and sadness, as he spoke of that fateful day.
"One day, without anyone's knowledge, Jeno took Somin to a beautiful spot and he proposed to her, promising her the world as his wife."
Hoshi paused for a moment, his voice filled with foreboding. "I didn't like it. Not one bit. I knew the dangers that came with the Mafia life, and I didn't want my sister to marry into that world."

Hoshi's eyes welled up with a tear as he recounted that difficult decision.
"I couldn't let her marry Jeno, I couldn't let her live in this dangerous world. I forced her to leave the country and sent her away with a trusted subordinate."
His voice caught in his throat, the weight of his decision heavy on his conscience. "It broke my heart to send her away, to separate her from the man she loved. But I had no choice, I told myself. I was protecting her."

Hoshi's voice grew hushed as he continued, his words thick with grief and guilt.
"As she was being driven towards the airport, Somin somehow managed to escape the car and ran off. Our driver and caretaker, Lily, lost sight of her in the commotion."
His voice wavered as he spoke, the weight of his responsibility crashing down on him.