Withered - Chapter 21: Chapter 21

Mr Son and Mr Myoui are hanging around the town, like how they usually did in the past. Playing some classic arcade games, like Pac-Man, Asteroids, Centipede and many more. For some reason, they still find it fun to play and never gets old. They watch car racing, even betting on who'll win. For the night, they go fishing, it is not because they want to catch fish but more to enjoy the moment of silence and the sunset in the ocean.
They are sitting beside each other on a boat, waiting for a catch. During two long hours, nothing occurred until Mr.Son break the stillness "Will Cherry be okay with it. Isn't it too much for her?" He asks, turning his head to face his friend. Worried expression plastered on his face.
"That's for the best. For both of them. I'm afraid, if we just let it be, things will repeat itself" Mr Myoui insists after a long sigh. He leans back to his chair and closes his eyes. Still contemplating if he chooses the right path this time.
Mr Son nods in agreement then suddenly something comes into his mind. "Wait, but Cherry has someone right?"
"That's what troubles me much. That kid looks like a good guy and Mina seems to like him..." Another heavy sigh leaves Mr Myoui mouth. He fixes his position and sits up straight, gazing at Mr Son. He grips his shoulder and taps it "..But, I know Chaeng better. I've decided"
Once again Mr Son only nods and smile "I can't say anything, it's not my place. I'll talk to Chae regarding this" They turn away and focused on their fishing rods.
"When I first heard the news, I thought you're going to kill Chae," Mr Son says, eyes fixed on the scenery in front.
"I am mad but not to the point I lose my sanity. Besides, I treat him like my son"
They stayed silent, only the sounds of waves can be heard.
".....sure...." Mr Son sighs.
They give each other one look then exchange a faint smile before averts their attention back to the sea.
*  *  *  *
"It doesn't change anything!? Are you stupid! It's not your fault!" Dahyun shouts, shaking Chaeyoung's shoulder. He is sitting on the floor while hugging his knees, leaning against the bed. Dahyun runs his fingers through his hair in frustration of the youngest stubbornness.
"And how can you be so sure it was a drug?" Chae's voice sounds croaky, he removes his brother's hand in one swift then glare at him. He's not going to lie that it's tiring; everything. When his brothers told him that he might be drugged, somehow he's not surprised or mad, just exhausted. To him, that fact is useless. So what if he was under drug influence that made him lose his conscious? It didn't change the fact that he, HIMSELF did it. His only hope is a time travel machine, even if it possible.
"Certainly it is! What is it then huh!? A sweet vanilla powder? That Bark guy-----"
"Mark" Tzuyu corrected. He's standing with folded arms, silently watching the two.
"Mak! Whatever his name is! He's the one to blame! A dwarf-like you can't even stand a few sips of beer. Isn't it makes sense now? The reason for your....agressive behaviour that night" The last few words are said in a whisper as it leaves Dahyun's mouth.
"Drug Or Alcohol. It just the same Hyung. It. Is. All. Excuses!" Chae snaps leaving his brothers speechless. Before Dahyun pushes the matter further, Tzuyu step in, dragging the oldest with him as he walks towards the door. He glances to Chaeyoung before closing the door behind him.
"We just want you to stop being so hard on yourself. I'll cook dinner and this time please eat it. You look like a dying chicken in an upside-down hen house. And take a bath! You smell like shit" Tzuyu scolds.
Chaeyoung let out a small chuckle by Tzuyu straight-forward remarks or nags but it doesn't stay long. He falls back into his fetal position, bringing his knees together and hugging it close to his chest. He's not crying anymore, for some reason it stops. He just stares into nothing for hours with his swollen dry eyes.
*  *  *  *
Jeongyeon comes back holding a jar of warm water on his left hand while the right is a bouquet of sunflower. He smiles as he gets near to the sleeping penguin, places the things on the bedside table then arranging the flower in a small vase. He takes a seat and pours a glass of water, a bit guilty as he must wake the girl from her peaceful sleep.
"Mina yah~ wake up please~" He sings in a random rhythm that comes into his minds. Gently brush her hair aside and playfully poke Mina's cheeks. He repeats the same things, again and again, patiently waiting. His smiles get wider when the girl starts to whine while rubbing her eyes.
He helps Mina to sit up properly by supporting her then dipping a straw into the glass. "I'm not a baby" She laughs and pulls her hand to hold the glass but stop when she heard Jeongyeon groaning. He glances at her side, only to witness pouting Jeongyeon. She sighs then nod slowly "Alright~ alright~"
Jeongyeon smiles then placing the straw on Mina's lips. "Slurps slurps" he jokes causing Mina to giggles on his childish act then start drinking.
After she's done, Jeongyeon helps open the curtains to let the sunshine in. "Mina, what did the buffalo say to his son when he left for college?" He, all of the sudden asks, back facing the girl. Mina tilts her head in confusion, she doesn't know the answer plus she can't answer him cause her mouth still full of water so she just shrugs. He turns around then walk closer.
"Bison (bye son)"
Mina spits the drinks directly on Jeongyeon's face making the guy freeze. Her face gets redder as she can't hold her laughter. When she finally regains herself, she starts to laugh again seeing Jeongyeon wiping his face with tissues, he doesn't expect that he did well this time.
"That's terrible" She blurts still laughing while hitting the bed.
"But I got you there" He smirks. Very proud of himself.
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The day passes by Jeongyeon fulfilling Mina's wish to watch all Harry Potter series basically movie marathon. They sit side to side on the bed with a laptop on his lap. They even talk about what houses they will be in. Jeongyeon is not really a fan but he had seen all of it, he thought that the sorting hat will definitely place Mina in Ravenclaw; knowing the girl is very intelligent but prefer to stay to herself. It was hard to approach the girl after their first meeting. He felt really bad when Mina was paired with him for an assignment cause, she literally did it all by herself. That was the time he realized she was the one he is looking for. Then had been secretly leaving love letters inside Mina's lockers.
He smiles when he remembers it. Jeongyeon turns to Mina when he heard a sob. Chuckle awkwardly as he has to console the girl when she starts crying watching the scene where Professor Snape died. He grins and wipes those tears with his thumb.
They proceed with 'Beauty and a Beast' which is Jeongyeon's choice. The girl hasn't watched the remake yet but she knows the story really well so she thinks it will be boring, not until she sees the actress.
"Hermione!" She shouts.
"Nope. She's belle now"
"What is she doing there with all the muggles" Mina complains.
Jeongyeon just facepalmed in his minds but keep his mouth shut. The girl is so engrossed with the movie that she doesn't notice a pair of eyes staring at her. Jeongyeon is thinking so hard about telling the girl his past, will she accept him? Ironically he is just like the Beast, abandon since young and wanting to just be free and be loved. And Belle exactly like her, a smart and undeniably beautiful young woman.
When the night comes, Jeongyeon gently put Mina into bed, close the curtain then back to his seat. He caresses Mina's hair hoping it will help her fall asleep faster but the girl seems wide awake. "How about I'll tell you a story?" He suggests as they stare at each other. Mina just hums as a response.
"Mama tomato, Papa tomato, Little tomato, and Baby tomato were walking down the street. The little tomato was lagging behind. So, Papa tomato went to little tomato, stomped his foot and said: "Catch Up!"
Once again the girl burst into laughter on the lame jokes he did. Although for some people thinks it is not funny, well she finds it hilarious and brilliant. "That's doesn't help me to fall asleep Jeongie~" She whispers trying not to disturb any other patient since its night.
"Seeing you smile makes me happy" He whispers back, laughing at himself. How can that gummy smile makes him forget real his intention and falls for her?
"Now, now let's sleep. It's past your bedtime already. We don't want to be scolded by someone who maintains or restores human health through the practice of medicine" He adds as he stands and fixes Mina's position, to sleep on her left side.
"A doctor?" She chuckles.
"Exactly"
Jeonyeon lay on the couch that sits a few feet away from Mina's bed. He always spends the night on the right side to watch over the girl. They remained a good eye contact before Jeongyeon breaks it "Nighty night Mina yah~" He lulls then close his eyes. He can't take it any longer, it feels like his heart going to explode.
"Good night" She mumbles then fall into a deep slumber.
Jeongyeon peak then opens his eyes when he's convinced that the latter already in dreamland. How can I sleep before you? I'll be watching you like this in case you'll suddenly need anything.
*  *  *  *
Chaeyoung is still locking himself in his room, though he's alive and breathing it seems like his souls are gone. If it not because of his brothers, he's probably dead right now. His grade falls and he frequently escapes classes but nothing ever bothers him that much. He doesn't care anymore.
He's sitting on the balcony of his rooms. Once in a while, he will look up in the sky searching for a bright star even one. But sadly there's none and funny it is, only a black canvas nothing else. He continues his drawing; a hand holding a single rose tightly causing blood to drip nonstop by the thorns.
It's petals shine in beauty, it thorns show it pains
He's interrupted by a knock that reveals his dad, standing outside waiting for him. He quickly stands and walks closer, wondering what it will be. "Yeah, dad?'
"Do you have time tomorrow?" Mr Son asks
"Why?"
"We need to talk"