Chapter Fifty-two (1/2)
"What happened to your face?!"Jeonghan looked at his first son, eying his whole face. The boy had cuts and bruises littered across his soft skin. He cupped Joshua's cheeks and looked at all of the marks. Wonwoo looked up from his book, sitting on the front room couch. He saw the marks Jeonghan was screeching about. Something in him made him stand up and push Jeonghan away gently. "It was that bastard, wasn't it?" He asked angrily. "Jaemin?" "No, Jae-" Joshua was cut off by Wonwoo exiting the house. Jeonghan then took the child's cheeks back. "Oh Jaemin is never hearing the end of this." He gritted his teeth as he guided Joshua to the kitchen. "I fucking told Seungcheol." He cursed. "I told him that Jaemin was no good. But oh no, I was the bad one who didn't want you to be free and loving someone." Joshua was shut up every time he tried to talk. All Jeonghan was doing was talking bad about his boyfriend. Meanwhile, Wonwoo let his bike drop on the sidewalk. He pushed the doors of the main college building open, looking around for that head of brown hair. He angrily stomped to the boy and gripped him by the shoulder. Even before Jaemin could respond, Wonwoo punched him in the face. "You think it's fun to beat my brother up?" He asked angrily as he gripped Jaemin's collar. "Wha-" Jaemin was about to question when he was shoved to the ground. Jaemin got back up and put his hands up, getting closer to the fuming man. "I don't know what you're talking about." He said with furrowed eyebrows. Students around them were staying away. None of them were helping, scared they would be next on Wonwoo's chopping block. Wonwoo noticed the older approaching. He grabbed Jaemin by the arm, tossing him once more to the ground. A loud pop could be heard before Jaemin's pained scream. He couldn't move his arm, and the feeling slowly went away in his throbbing middle finger. "You ever lay a finger on my brother again, I'll go full ShenZhen style on your ass." Wonwoo kicked the boy's stomach. "You hear me?!" He asked. "Y-yes.." Jaemin whimpered as he curled up on the floor. Wonwoo straightened his jacket. He then looked at the eyes that were on him. "What?" He asked. The students look away while shaking. Wonwoo stomped out of the building, picking his bike up. He then sees the familiar van pulling up. Joshua came out and looked at Wonwoo. "What did you do to him?" He asked. He pushed passed Wonwoo and ran into the building before Wonwoo could reply. Jeonghan looked at the child through the window and signaled him to get in. Wonwoo groaned and set his bike on the rack before getting into the van. "What?" "Josh told me what actually happened." Jeonghan sighed. "Apparently a person at the cafe got mad that his drink wasn't getting done because Josh doesn't know how to use the machine." Jeonghan said, finding a parking space. Wonwoo looked down. "What was Jaemin still doing at the school?" He asked. "He got an emergency call that his mother got into an accident." Jeonghan answered. "Her eyesight has been getting worse, Jaemin said." He continued. Wonwoo sighed and exited the vehicle. He went back to the building and saw Jaemin still on the floor. He bit his pride and took Jaemin's arm. Joshua was about to push him away, but Wonwoo already pushed down, popping Jaemin's arm back into its joint. "Ahh!" Jaemin gasped. Wonwoo was silent as he took a couple pencils out of his pocket along with a rubber band. He wrapped Jaemin's finger with them. "Next time, if it is you, I won't be so light on you." Wonwoo promised before leaving the building once more. Joshua sighed. "I'm so sorry about him, Jae." He said, looking at the male still on the floor. Jaemin reached to cup Joshua's cheek with his good arm. "Your face.. what happened?" A tear from a new source came. No longer did he feel pain from his face or arm. "Jaehyun.. he got impatient.." Joshua said. "I'm sorry you got his punishment." He apologized. Jaemin laughed a bit. "I guess we're even now." He referenced that night when he hurt Joshua. Joshua nodded with a playful smirk. "I guess so. Let me help you to your car. Woohyun said I could close the cafe." He informed. "I'll drive you to the hospital so you can visit your mom." He offered, walking him out of the building. ***
The next graduation ceremony comes by at the end of July. Seungkwan and Vernon are next in line, leaving Dino to be the last child at the stork school. He was still one year away from graduating. But like with every graduation day, Sungjae is there to celebrate with the now-adults. Woozi watched the dove flutter over to Sungjae like a schoolgirl to the hot, popular guy. He shook his head when Sungjae nonchalantly put his arm around Seokmin's waist, walking him away from the main building. About to go after them, Woozi felt a poke at his arm. He turned and saw it was Yeosang. "Aren't you supposed to be watching me in the distance?" Woozi asked playfully. "When we're at stork school, I want all the students to know you're still mine." He said in a deep voice, kissing Woozi's neck. Woozi blushed before pushing him away. Yeosang looked around and spotted the shorter's parents. "Not in front of them?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. "Right.." Woozi confirmed. "Let's go into the auditorium." He instructed.
Meanwhile, Seokmin looked around. He noticed it was just them two walking together. He nodded inwardly, determined this would be the best time to talk to Sungjae. He stopped their walking once they got to a fountain.
“Sungjae,” He started, looking at the other of almost equal height, “there’s something that’s been on my mind recently.” He said.
Sungjae smiled. “You too? What’s been on your mind?” He asked.
Seokmin’s confidence went down as the other seemed to have something more important to talk about. “You first.” he chuckled. “Crows have the right away.” He said.
Sungjae chuckled and shrugged. “Okay,” He replied, “the tunnel is starting to pick up a little. I finally fixed all of the light fixtures. Now I need to turn on the maintenance trams before taking a mop and cleaning the stations.” He chuckled.
“It’s a long process, I have to be on top of it since it’s only me doing things.” Sungjae said. “I have money, but I think it’ll go smoother if I don’t hire any workers until I fix a few more things.” He continued.
“What about you? What did you have in mind?” Sungjae asked.
Seokmin put on a fake smile and shrugged. “I wanted to say.. School’s been going well at the college.” He lied. “Yuhp, and Woozi’s doing well too.” He continued.
Sungjae smiled and nodded. “That’s really great to hear, Seokmin. I’m proud of you.” He patted the other’s shoulder. “We should get inside, the ceremony is starting soon.”
“Right..”
Jeonghan and Seungcheol wave to the graduates before going their separate ways. The graduates go in from the back door while all of the students and parents go through the main door. The parents take their seats and look at the pamphlet of all of the students who are graduating. "Ladies and gentlemen, we shall now start the ceremony." The principal said, looking around the crowd. After talking about the school like normal, the principal introduced each robe respectively. "Next is Boo Seungkwan," He said, "He wears a crimson robe, a symbol of the unity he has with the school. The amber sachse represents the amount of knowledge of the school's students he learned." The crowd laughs at that. "And his gold tassel is for the honor he has given to the school." He finished. Seungkwan bowed and took his certificate. He then looked at the microphone, clearing his throat inaudibly and smiling. "Good afternoon. When the principal introduced my amber sachse, I was really embarrassed. But now that I'm up here and looking at everyone, I'm pretty sure I could say some things to make you all embarrassed too." He joked. "I have a vision for acting, I love to portray my thoughts in a way everyone can relate. "I was part of the theater club here at Mystic University, so please do cheer me on as I try more in college. Thank you." He bowed, walking off to the other crimson robes. Vernon had the copper robe, showing his inclusive nature. He likes to have fun, but only with Seungkwan. "I'm Vernon Hansol Choi, you guys can just call me Vernon." He introduced himself. "I don't actually have a plan for my future like the other kids do.. I'm going to see where my general degree takes me." He bowed. Seungcheol pursed his lips while clapping. Jeonghan leaned closer to Seungcheol. "He doesn't have to do anything big, I hope he knows that.." He whispered. "We need to make him know it if he doesn't already." Seungcheol said softly. "I think he'd be happy just with a small job, nothing too big." He said. "Or maybe sports?" Jeonghan laughed a bit. "Seungkwan's the sporty one." He replied. "Oh yeah." Seungcheol scratched his neck. "Maybe he and Seungkwan could act together. Vernon makes for a good tragedy." Jeonghan looked at him with wide eyes. "Seriously, Cheol?" He asked in disbelief. "That's Wonwoo's character." He slapped Seungcheol's thigh. For a moment, Seungcheol felt like he was going to be killed. However, he also noticed Jeonghan was joking too. *** Next week, Wonwoo made it to the study room with his bag full of books, paper, and chocolates. He sat down and put his bag down, greeting Nana with a small smile. She gave a small smile back and continued writing on her notebook. Wonwoo cautiously opened his bag and took out a piece of candy, quietly opening it and putting it in his mouth to melt. She chuckled and sat back. "You keep advertising those," She noticed, "what's up?" Wonwoo shrugged and scratched his neck. "I've become addicted to chocolate." He chuckled and put the bag of candy back into his school bag. She folded her arms and stopped smiling. "Wonwoo, I know you just got in here, but before I lose confidence.. I have to tell you something." He said. Wonwoo put his pencil on his notebook and hummed while opening his book to the page he needs to work on. She breathed in and out. "I think I'm pregnant, Wonwoo." She said seriously. Wonwoo tore his page a bit and looked up at her. "What?" He asked. "I've missed two cycles, Wonwoo." She answered. The male swallowed harshly. "Girls in my class complained that their cycles skipped three or four times.. Isn't it natural?" He asked. "That and we use protection." She sighed and looked down. "I don't know, Wonwoo.." She said, holding her forehead. "Are you scared?" She asked. "Yes, of course I am." He replied. "Are you scared because you don't want to take responsibility? Or scared because we're not ready?" Nana asked, looking into his eyes. Wonwoo furrowed his eyebrows. "I'm scared because you're going to be put through so much pain." He held her hand. "Being pregnant isn't easy, I hear." He said in a concerned tone. "You.. aren't going to leave me if I am pregnant, right?" She asked with a tear starting. Wonwoo got up and moved to her side of the table, putting his arms around her. "I don't have money, but I'm not going to abandon you." He kissed her forehead. "I'll get you some tests. If they say positive, tell your dad, okay? I'm still introducing you to my siblings. "I'll introduce you to Jeonghan soon." He said, stroking her hair. "I love you, Nana." She held him too, getting closer to him. "I wanted to tell you for a couple weeks, but like you, I was thinking it was normal. But.." She sniffled. "I thought you would hate me if I told you." He pulled back and smiled. "No, no, don't ever think that, Nana." He kissed her lips. "My dad is going to be pissed, but.. I can't leave you. I'll find a job soon and take care of him." He held her stomach lightly. She smiled sadly. "Thank you, Wonwoo." "Let's go get some tests now. I want to see those bars for myself." He said in a positive attitude, standing her up and packing their things up.
She blushed as he held both of their bags plus her hand. Entering the store, Wonwoo walks her to the pharmacy section. He looks around until he spots what he's looking for. "I think things will go smoother if you pay for it. My dad sees my credit card history and I used my allowance on your chocolate." He informed.