Nocturnal Buddies ✩ Yang Jeongin

Chapter 61

Minjoon's eyes lingered on his reflection as he adjusted his attire. His attention shifted away from the mirror seconds later when he heard the door open. Hyunjoo peered through the small crack before her eyes landed on the older male. Without a word, she let herself in and made her way over to him. Each step she took appeared heavy, weighed down by the insufferable amount of tension hanging in the air.

"How do I look?" the older male inquired as he turned to face her, spreading out his arms to present his entire outfit.

He wanted to make the atmosphere lighthearted, but he knew it wouldn't last long. It was an important day after all.

Hyunjoo's lips tugged into a smile as she stopped in front of her dad. Her hands reached up to adjust the tie around his neck, straightening it. Minjoon watched his daughter, noting the way her hands shook.

Was she nervous or scared? He couldn't tell. His own emotions were blurring his thoughts into one, clouding his judgment.

"Great, dad, you look great," Hyunjoo softly replied, yet there was a sort of heaviness that came from her voice.

Even if he couldn't see past her usual expression, it was only understandable that her worries weighed itself on her shoulders. After all, this day would affect the outcome of their future.

"We're going to be okay," Minjoon assured her as he pulled her into a comforting hug.

He placed a kiss on the crown of her head, hoping to ease the girl's mind even a little. Hyunjoo's lips pulled into a wider smile as she nuzzled into her dad's warmth. Just like him, she needed to stay strong for her family and hold her head high till the very end.

"Breakfast is ready," Hyunjoo informed as she slowly pulled away from the embrace. "Dohyun and Sohee are waiting for you."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Minjoon smiled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind his daughter's ear.

The two made their way to the dining room shortly after, immediately being met with the liveliness of their youngest family members. Minjoon couldn't help the smile that pulled at his lips as he settled into his seat. His eyes fell onto his morning newspaper, one that was always placed there for him to read. But since all his kids were already at the table, he didn't bother to touch it.

He watched as his kids interacted with each other, bringing joy to the house. His silence didn't go unnoticed by the three and they immediately pulled him into the conversation. Their laughter filled the one story house as they bathed in each other's company.

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The nerves building in their body started to become more evident with each passing second. Hyunjoo anxiously bounced her leg up and down as she trained her attention at the judge's bench. She purposefully ignored the piercing glares being thrown her way by the older woman on the other side of the room. To her right, Minjoon sat upright and stern. His hand rested on top of his daughter's in a comforting manner.

They listened to every word that was discussed for the case before Minjoon was called up to the stand. He shot his daughter a worried glance, one she dismissed with an assuring smile. Hyunjoo nodded towards her dad, signaling for him to go ahead. With a short nod in return, the older male stood up from his spot and went to the witness stand. Eyes followed him as he did so, but he could tell the difference when it came to his ex-wife's eyes.

Narae's piercing glare never seemed to cease, burning holes into the male that once loved her. Minjoon settled into the seat before letting his eyes wander. He couldn't help it when they landed on his ex-wife. A flood of nostalgia rushed over him, memories of the past resurfacing. They were the ones he continued to cherish in his mind, when things were much simpler.  As he recalled those fond moments, one question kept popping up in his mind.