Chapter Thirty-six (1/2)
Ateez - Kang Yeosang
Joshua straightened his cap while Jeonghan was on the floor, making sure his robe wasn't too wrinkled. He looked at his siblings coming up to him with a bag. "Hyung! Congratulations!" Hoshi said with a big smile. "How does it feel to be an adult?" Jun asked, his eyes staying put on that tassel that shined. Joshua laughed a little and patted Jun's head. "You're almost there too, you tell me." He said, watching Jun's playful eyes. "I'm so proud of you, Joshua." Jeonghan stood up properly. "I wasn't able to wear my high school gown. My mom couldn't make it for the party, so I didn't go either. But look at my handsome man!" Joshua blushed and looked down. He noticed the other kids in their uniforms, getting ready to go to the party. "And the college down the road will accept my certificate, right?" He asked, watching Jeonghan put away some pins. "Yeah, the college already accepted it. You'll be starting in the fall semester." He answered. "In the meantime, you get to be on summer break." He winked.
The other kids gasped with excitement. "Daddy! I want summer break too!" Seokmin raised his hand. "What? Is school too tough for you?" Woozi folded his arms with a smirk, making the younger pout. Jeonghan rolled his eyes. "That's enough, Woozi. Let's go to the van, come on." He clapped and they started making their way to the van. Jeonghan picked up Dino and carried him in his arms. "Dino-ah, you get to see your oldest brother graduate today! Aren't you excited?" He asked the little one. "Hyung is best!" He put his thumb high. Joshua chuckled and took the keys from Jeonghan's hand. He started the engine after putting his seatbelt on. He looked at his siblings to make sure they were secure in their seats before backing out of the driveway. "Is Daddy-Cheol going to be there?" Minghao asked, looking at Jeonghan from the backseat. Jeonghan looked down and sighed. "He has a lot of work to do at the office, Ming.." He smiled sadly. "I'll be sure to take pictures and videos for him." He continued. Jun frowned and looked at Joshua from the seat beside him. "Hyung," He started quietly as Jeonghan began talking to some of the other siblings, "I'm sorry that Cheol-daddy won't be here." He put his hand on the older's thigh. Joshua glanced at the Chinese male for a second. "It isn't that upsetting.. At least he'll be home for dinner, right?" He replied. "I wouldn't want to have Nene chicken without him." He smiled while putting his turn signal on. Jun sighed and continued to look at the road. "I would be broken down crying if dad couldn't make it to something this important for me." He admitted. "He's helped me through a lot." Joshua stopped at the red light and looked at Jun. "Are you okay?" He asked quietly as the kids in the back sang. "I'm fine," Jun looked into Joshua's eyes, "I just don't know if you are.." He answered. The older raised his eyebrows. "If I am..?" He whispered while looking back at the light that just turned green. "Of course I'm fine, Jun. Don't worry." He said with a smile.
Once they make it to the school, the children go their own ways. The graduation party is spread throughout the campus as well as a welcome ceremony. The old students are saying their goodbyes to the school while new students are coming into the school. The students get to see the seniors happy smiles and know what they'll be getting into. Woozi separated from Seokmin to join his group of friends. His friends adored him. Woozi might be short, but he's the coolest, short student in the whole school. Even some of the older students flock to him. "I don't get why it's so special that we have to meet new kids," Woozi started with a huff, "like what? Shouldn't they go out of their way to make an impression worth meeting?" He rolled his eyes.
He stopped when he saw a small group of kids in the distance. One of them looked to be about his age. It's a new face, definitely; however, he already has a uniform on. "Hey, I'll catch up with you guys later, okay? I think my dad probably wants me back with him." He said while folding his arms. The students walk away from Woozi, doing their own thing. Meanwhile, that one kid became alone too. Woozi walked up to the male who didn't have any sign of a smile. "Hey, what's your name?" He asked, ignoring the nameplate. "Yeosang," He introduced himself, "who are you?" He asked. Woozi smirked. "Woozi.." He replied. "I haven't seen you around, you're in the junior high building, right?" He asked. Yeosang laughed a little. "No, I'm in the elementary building." He pointed. "I'm in Class E8, what class are you in?" He asked. "Oh.. I'm in J14.." Woozi raised his eyebrows. "You look older than eight though.." He held his chin. Yeosang nodded. "I know.. I'm just that way I guess.. Growing up a little earlier than what I'm supposed to." He scratched his neck. Woozi raised an eyebrow. "There's nothing wrong with that, I hang out around kids I wish that would grow up all the time." He chuckled. "Why don't we hang out?" Yeosang slightly smiled, but noticed the creeped expression Woozi grew. "Sure," He resumed a smirk, "I would like that." "Yeosang!" A familiar voice called out. Woozi looked at his older Chinese brother. "Yeosang, tomorrow is the belt ceremony. WIll you be able to make it?" Jun asked as he walked up to the younger. "Of course, Jun-sunbae. I wouldn't miss it." He bowed. Jun looked from Yeosang to Woozi. "You two know each other?" Jun asked with a smile. "I figured Yeosang would be your style, Woozi." He chuckled. "Be good, I'm going back with Jeong-dad to make sure that Dino doesn't get into trouble." Yeosang bowed as the eldest left them. He then looked back at Woozi. "Jun is so good at martial arts," He started, "I hope I can be as good as him one day." "Yeah, yeah.. my brother is the best." Woozi rolled his eyes and folded his arms. The younger frowned. "I didn't mean to.." "It doesn't matter. It's always about the others." He sighed and let his arms drop, clenching his fists. His shoulders go down and his eyes close. Yeosang held the shorter's shoulder. "Hey, I know the feeling. It's all about my moms too. They don't care about me." He said, making his head raise. "You have two moms?" Woozi asked with surprise. "Yeah.. it's a long story.. they're trying to get together again, but I don't think that they will." He sat down on a bench next to them.
Woozi sat down with him. "Let's forget about them then." He suggested. "You forget about your moms and I'll forget about my siblings when we hang out. Deal?" He put his hand out. Yeosang smirked and nodded. "Deal." He shook Woozi's hand.
Meanwhile, Jeonghan puts his hand through Hoshi's soft hair as he sits down in the front row. He sighs as he looks at the spot next to him. The chair he reserved for Seungcheol, but the chair that's not going to have Seungcheol in it. He closed his eyes as he tried to tone out the people around him that are having loud conversations. Hoshi lays down and puts his head in Jeonghan's lap, letting the adult massage his scalp and mess up his hair. He closes his eyes and feels himself slowly drifting to sleep. Jeonghan opens his eyes instantly when he feels someone sit down next to him. About to get on the person's case, he notices it's the owner of the seat. "Cheol?" He stops playing with Hoshi's hair. Hoshi sits up and sees Seungcheol's smile. "Daddy!" He got up and went to hug the adult. "My tiger's getting a bit big to be sitting on my knee," Seungcheol commented. "Daddy, I thought you were going to be too busy to come." He stuffed his face in the man's chest.
Seungcheol put his hand through the boy's soft locks, massaging his scalp and closing his eyes in the hug. "I missed you, Hoshi. And it's only been six hours." He chuckled. The tiger pulled away gently and accepted the kiss on his cheek. He then sat down next to Jeonghan who stood up to hug Seungcheol next. This time the other parent had stood up too, making the hug easier. "Cheol.." He smiled and put their lips together softly. Seungcheol's hand gently goes down from the top of Jeonghan's head to his neck, bringing the younger closer in their innocent kiss. "How did you get permission to come here? Didn't you have a lot of work?" He asked, still kissing Seungcheol in little bits. "I begged Mr. Kim to let me come today." He answered, getting a smile from Jeonghan. "Only on the condition that he could come to." Jeonghan looked into Seungcheol's eyes. "Dongwan's here?" He asked. "Right here, as a matter of fact."
The man's voice made Jeonghan pull away from Seungcheol. He bowed to Dongwan and smiled. "I'm so sorry, Sir," He raised, "how have you been?" "Don't worry, Jeonghan. Formal greetings are for formal times." He said, holding a pamphlet of the graduating students. "I remember Joshua when he was a young boy. I want to see how he turned out."
Seungcheol bowed before putting his arm around Jeonghan's waste. "We're honored for you to be here, Mr. Kim. I hope you'll enjoy yourself here." He said. "Please come to our table after the certificate ceremony. I think Joshua would enjoy having you as company." Jeonghan included. "Jun was a little too young to remember you, but Joshua would be very thrilled." Dongwan nodded. "I will join you," He assured, "I'm going to go find a seat now. See you." He waved.
When the man was out of sight, both adults sighed in relief. Hoshi looked up at them and smiled. Jeong-daddy's cute when he's flustered." He commented. Jeonghan looked down at him. "My little tiger is observant." He chuckled.
He looked toward the other aisle, seeing the train of his other kids coming by. He also sees a new face, but he's with Woozi. "I think Woozi has a new friend." Jeonghan whispered to Seungcheol who sat back down. Seungcheol looked up at Jeonghan before the kids. "That's good," He smiled, "oh, it's about to start." He noticed the lights changing in the auditorium.