Façade || (707 x Female!Reader) [DISCONTINUED]

『1』Neglect

［ unedited ］

Chapter 1 - Neglect

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ne·glect

// nəˈɡlekt //

verb

1. fail to care for properly.

noun

1. the state or fact of being uncared for.

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❝What is a neglected child? He is a child not planned for, not wanted. Neglect begins, therefore, before he is born.❞

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"Saeyoung, let's go play."

Saeyoung briefly glanced upwards from his laptop. "After I finish this, Saeran."

"But Saeyoung-"

"Please. Just let me in piece for a while longer."

Saeran, being the quiet and more timid brother, decided to let his plans pass and turned away, back to playing by himself.

"And then Makao said, 'No! I don't want to. Go away'." Saeran whispered to himself, holding up a worn down bunny plush and faintly moved it across the floor as if they were hopping. "But Makao secretly wanted to play, though he was too busy with his own things..."

Saeyoung just had to look over the scene with guilt washing over him. Life was difficult for them. He couldn't give it a break if he wanted the two of them to live a happier life.

"I'm going to go to church tomorrow, Saeran. Take care of my things when I'm gone, okay?"

"Okay...I know."

All he did was nod, taking a note to maybe use some of his spare money to buy Saeran a new bunny plush for him to play. After all, Saeyoung never had time to play, and the poor younger brother was lonely by his lonesome.

"Makao hopped and happily walked on the grass. 'Wee,' he said, and he looked very happy in freedom."

Freedom.

-

The local Mass was quite normal. It started with the usual waiting since Saeyoung comes by earlier to be able to sit wherever he pleased as soon as he came. And when Mass started, he would always hold on to his bible.

But today, he ended up meeting two new people next to him. They were children, just like him. The girl was quite friendly, quietly conversing with him with a polite smile on her lips, seeming like an angel from the heavens. And the boy besides her had as well greeted Saeyoung with the same kindness.

"Hello, quite the fine day, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is." was all Saeyoung said as he forced a smile.

Finally, the Mass had begun firmly with the usual hand shakes and good mornings.

Then songs came upon.

Saeyoung silently prayed that day that life will shower Saeran and him a more happier life in the future, just like the other times he came to church.

-

The next week, on the same day, he met the same people on the same spot.

"Oh, hello again!" the girl happily greeted him with welcoming.

"Good morning to you," Saeyoung politely responded.

The two individuals had talked with him and included great conversation starters that had concluded only as soon as Mass started once more. Finally, with Saeyoung's old phone, the children exchanged numbers to keep in touch for the time being.

They got along quite well, and they promised each other to meet each Sunday as the time passes.

-

"Tomoyo got a boo-boo, but Makao had a bandaid to help it heal." Saeran concluded with a faint grin, hugging both bunnies close to him. Saeyoung crouched down beside his brother and passed him the rest of his lunch.

"Here's your food, Saeran."

"Did you eat, Saeyoung?"

"Yes," Saeyoung said. "you don't need to worry about me."

"Again, thank you for buying me this." Saeran whispered sheepishly, breaking into a grateful smile.

"No problem. I want you to be happy, little brother."

"....I want to get out of here."

"Me too."

A knock had abruptly interrupted them before the conversation got any further, and Saeyoung went to go check. Opening the door revealed a girl that was quite shorter than him in size, but as young as him and strong, too.

"Hello! I'm (Name) (Surname). I-I'm the new neighbor, from next door. I hope we can be good friends in the future!"

"Oh, okay."

Saeyoung felt quite blunt as he said that response, but he didn't particularly have the time to discuss about such....matters. He blinked once, then twice, and still the girl did not leave.

"So, what's your name?" she beamed again with a bright smile, acting friendly despite the awkward aura.

"I'm Saeyoung." he replied, looking behind him to see Saeran peeking through the doorway. "And that's Saeran. My brother."

"Will you free us?"

Saeyoung's body felt pale as those words dare escape the child's mouth. Technically they were still children, but Saeran seemed more childish than Saeyoung so it was considered that way. And even so, Saeyoung was scared of what (Name) would say. A stranger hearing such strange words would definitely ruin the way they see the two.

Saeyoung had easily seen the expressions change drastically. As if she was reluctant....reluctant to just run away.

Her face had shown a hint of worry, so it had seemed; then she looked thoughtful, hesitant, focused...

"Are you afraid of something?"

Saeran immediately recoiled, as if he had decided it was more smarter to not say. "N-nevermind."

"Freedom. Are you being restricted to go outside? I'm sure you'll be completely okay to be outdoors. Are you sick?"

This person is quite the nosy one.

"Haha, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't be one to go around someone's business." she chuckled lightly, as if yearning to lighten the mood. Then, from behind, she pulled out a small box and passed it to the two. And so she smiled.

"I was meaning to give this. Hope you like it." whispered (Name) who held an empathetic look. "And really, even if I'm just your average neighbor....I'll be willing to listen to your problems."

Saeyoung just didn't know what to say.

(Name) was being very generous and answered quite quickly. Saeyoung assumed that she didn't think about her words before she spoke, and he completely understood that; he didn't believe her intentions to be genuine as of yet. He just couldn't trust her wholely.

"Sure," was all Saeyoung said before slowly closing the door, merely leaving it just a crack to add something else. "see you tomorrow or something."