exasperated ；rensung

iv

The arrival of Jisung took Korea by storm. He had surely gained enough attention by people of all ages. Everyone had their own opinions about the newly introduced member of the Dong family. Despite many finding such events mysterious, there was a huge number of audience that was starstruck by the mere appearance of the young boy. The baby face bearing a cold demeanor had boys and girls drooling.

It was quite a new experience to have so many eyes on him and it surely wasn't a good one. He felt congested, trapped by their gazes. The attention he got was almost making him nauseous. His introverted self wasn't taking it so well.

He had been picked up by a driver that received him almost immediately after his plane landed, taking him to the car securely. During the car ride, he was pondering about the upcoming happenings. But the more he thought, the more his mind got numb. Staring out of the window in a stance, he kept his eyes on the glimmer of the night. He felt like admiring the view but his mind told him off. He rubbed his clammy palms with his jeans, now poised enough to control his nerves.

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The car finally arrived at a humongous mansion. Hesitantly, he got out and stood outside watching the house where he had to survive from now on. The place he once wished to see but now the same destination dreaded him. His thoughts were interrupted by a voice that informed him that he had to head inside. So he did exactly that.

He saw the house standing on the ground in all it's glory. He felt being mocked at. By far, every pleasant-looking thing has been mocking the boy. He entered the building which could be referred as his house. His home. His birthplace. He took in the sumptuous interior that almost glared his eyes. Too ostentatious, he thought. It was very different from his grandparent's place, simple and cozy. While he was looking around, he was soon infront of the people he had to meet.

Some vaguely familiar people wearing soft smiles were standing, waiting to meet him. Oh how surreal it felt to him. A woman in her forties reached out to hug him. She looked visibly tired but still was very beautiful. She didn't say much but when she broke the hug to look at him, Jisung could see tears pooling in her eyes. She kissed his forehead and hesitantly moved back when a grave sound echoed saying jisung's name, startling him. A tall, solemn looking man was now facing Jisung, standing in all his mighty. He surely had the look that could make people shudder. Jisung felt the need to do so too until that man broke his intense stare and gave a soft, jolly smile which he wasn't expecting at all. He had to admit that smile of his was a great contrast to his previous expression.

"Jisung, welcome home son."

Not enough. No. He was expecting way more words from him than these to even consider forgiving him. He had decided that he won't let them coax him into forgetting all that so easily. But here he was, crumbling upon listening to those 4 words. He didn't want to but his mother's eyes and his father's smile made him forget everything. Just this much was needed. Poor Jisung, doesn't really know how to stay angry at people.

His father also hugged him and unlike how he had thought he won't reciprocate the same action he hugged him back, smiling to look at his mother, now crying happy tears, admiring the long awaited interaction.

Finally came the person in view whom he had not needed an assumption. A very handsome face. Someone he looked up to. Jisung, for the first time, truly beamed upon looking at that man.That didn't go unnoticed by his parents, the cute little lips of the adorable boy stretching to the side. But for whom that smile was directed to? It was none other than Sicheng.

Jisung was gleaming to meet the older who has had the biggest smile on his face, practically all day. Sicheng gave his baby brother a bone-crushing hug (quite like his mother) which was well received and returned by the same intensity. It was surely a moment of pride for everyone in that house. Watching the the two brothers, all grown up sharing such a strong bond really had moved everyone to tears. This family was finally complete how it should've been years ago.

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Sicheng personally proceeded to walk Jisung to his room. The older himself did all the decor since he knew his brother better than the others. He also got some help from their grandparents.

"How are you doing hm?

"Good"

"I don't need a half-assed answer Jisung" the older spoke with a stern voice looking back at Jisung.

"Is it far?" said Jisung in an attempt to avoid the previous question

"What is?"

"My room"

"No silly it's not. And what about my answer? Am I not getting one?"

"Okay we'll talk but first show me my room please?" Jisung said in a cute pleading voice knowing well the older can't help but give up.

The room was beautiful. Just like Jisung wanted. It was very simple but the shades of blue and magenta adding a bit of color to it. He liked it. He was busy taking in the details of his room until Sicheng spoke.

"Jisung"

Jisung turned around to his brother who continued saying,

"I'm sorry. I am so sorry that I couldn't meet you ,talk to you, spend time with you,"

"You're my only brother Jisung. We weren't supposed to live like this. I know a sorry can't make up for all that time. It won't make anything okay but please i need to let it out. I've been keep in it inside since forever"

"We have had been so cruel with you. We couldn't give you the live you deserved and the guilt of it eats me away all the time"

Jisung could make out the tears in the older's eyes. He didn't like that. The last thing he wanted was to see his precious brother crying desperately. Jisung loved Sicheng a lot. He had always seen the older as a beautiful sign of hope. A gift from the God. His hope. His brother.

"It was not your fault, ge. Please do not blame yourself. Please don't cry. I don't want to see you like this." said Jisung while holding Sicheng's crying self.

"Stop crying. Now that I am here, you can spoil me as much as you like. You will,right?" he said trying to cheer him up.

"Of course, idiot. I will treat you like the little baby Jisung i saw for the first time" Sicheng hugged him again.

"Ah you don't want to do that. I'm as tall as you, ge. You'll break you back"

This made the two of them giggle.

"Feeling hungry? Would you like to eat something?"

"No, I'm fine. Just a bit tired."

"Okay I'll take my leave now . Sleep well Jisungie"

"Don't call me that"

"Stop me if you can"

Sicheng said while kissing jisung on his forehead which made the younger smile brightly. His mood had lifted up. Feeling buoyant, he was ready for his next day. This was miraculous because nothing went wrong. Everything was going flawlessly well.

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