PERSONA ✓

35.

They all stared at Hoseok.

There were whispers and scowls and people who shoved him in the hallway. Hoseok didn't expect any less. He was, of course, a former villain. That automatically meant he was to be treated badly.

Namjoon, on the other hand, got praised and patted on the back. He became 10 times more popular. People would ask him to fly or shoot beams out of his palms. He would shoulder past them all and keep his head down, uncomfortable with the attention.

The team insisted on walking with Hoseok to his classes, taking it in shifts. The constant possibility that someone could harm Hoseok was always there---and he was terrified. He refused to hurt anyone with his powers, which meant he was defenseless.

That afternoon he was opening his locker when someone slammed it shut, leaning against it. Hoseok flinched back and away, watching the person. They were tall and built well, and slung over their shoulder was a jersey---a basketball jersey. It was probably one of Yoongi's teammates.

"So," said the boy, glancing Hoseok up and down. "You're Shadow."

Hoseok twisted the rings on his fingers, shifting his weight from foot to foot. "I don't---I mean---"

"Leave him alone, Kihyun," A voice from behind Hoseok said.

Hoseok turned to see Yoongi. His arms were crossed and his eyes were narrowed. "Leave him alone," repeated Yoongi.

"You're defending what he did?" Kihyun asked in disbelief, his expression showing he felt betrayed by Yoongi defending Hoseok.

"It's more complicated than you think." Yoongi stepped forwards. "You have places to be other than here. Get lost."

Kihyun gave Hoseok one last glare before he trudged off, glancing over his shoulder once or twice before disappearing around the corner.

Hoseok exhaled, leaning against the wall. "Thank you," he murmured. "You didn't have to---"

"I did," Yoongi said simply. "I know the team's been suspicious of you for a while, but we know that you're a good person. And good people don't deserve shit like this."

Hoseok's throat was dry. He ignored Yoongi's statement because he didn't have an answer, and instead asked, "Why was Kihyun so angry?"

Yoongi slung an arm around Hoseok's shoulder and began walking with him to the cafeteria for lunch. "His dad worked at Seoul City Bank before you kinda blew it up to pieces. He was a security guard there."

Hoseok felt tears well up in his eyes. "Did I... Did I kill him?"

"No, no, no, he's fine," Yoongi said quickly. "Hey, don't---don't cry. Don't do that. He's fine. He just got fired, 'cause he kinda failed at the whole security thing. He got another job pretty quickly though. I think Kihyun is just petty."

Hoseok sniffed and forced his tears away. "What... what are we supposed to do?"

Yoongi bit his lip. "Honestly? I don't know. But we'll figure something out. We always do."

Yoongi's phone rang as they entered the cafeteria. He scoffed at the caller ID. "I gotta take this," he muttered. "It'll only be a second. Are you cool if I..." he gestured to the entrance they just came through.

Hoseok nodded, though he felt his stomach churn. Being alone in a crowded cafeteria... But he didn't want to be a burden to Yoongi.

Yoongi answered the call and rushed out the doors, muttering, "Mom, I can't talk right now..."

Hoseok swallowed nervously and edged his way through the cafeteria. He spotted cherry, pink, and blonde hair and recognized them as Jungkook, Jimin, and Namjoon. Happy to see some familiar faces, he headed over, but bumped into someone.