People Watching ★ 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐒𝐮𝐧

12: The great wall of sadness

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Sunghoon's face shifted in an instant. The raw vulnerability that had slipped through vanished, replaced by a mask of indifference. He stood from the swing, his movements mechanical, and began walking past Sunoo without a word. But Sunoo wasn't ready to let him leave. With a firm grip, he seized Sunghoon's wrist, desperate to keep him from slipping away again.

Even then, Sunghoon refused to turn around.

"Why did you take the blame?" Sunoo's voice wavered, anger mixed with confusion. "You knew you'd get in trouble with your dad, so why? What's wrong with you?"

Sunghoon's gaze remained cold as ice, pulling his wrist free from Sunoo's grasp. "What I do is none of your concern," he said, his voice sharp, cutting through the tension between them. "Do me a favor and stay out of my life."

Sunoo stood there, head down, his fists clenched in frustration. He grabbed for Sunghoon's wrist again, this time with more desperation. "I ran all the way here, got soaked by some random lady, and this is how you're acting?" His voice rose, cracking slightly, frustration boiling over.

Sunghoon finally turned, his eyes hard, but he didn't pull away this time. His words came out low, deliberate, and cruel. "Did I ask you to?"

Sunoo froze, the silence that followed crushing him. He had no response, no defense. Sunghoon had always been good at building walls, and tonight, it felt like they were higher than ever.

Suddenly, Sunghoon's patience snapped. His voice, usually calm and controlled, erupted with fury. "Why does it matter to you? What happens in my life shouldn't affect you. You don't belong in this mess."

In his anger, Sunghoon pulled away too hard, sending Sunoo stumbling backward. The impact jolted Sunoo, but he quickly got up, brushing dirt off his pants. He forced a laugh, bitterness lacing his words. "Look at us, history repeats itself, huh?"

Sunghoon's hands clenched into fists, his expression tight, as if he was holding back something far deeper than anger. His gaze fell to the ground. For a moment, his shoulders sagged under the weight of something unspoken.

"Why did you even come here?" Sunghoon muttered, his voice barely audible.

Sunoo's restraint broke. He shoved Sunghoon hard, sending him stumbling back a few steps. "You idiot! Why do you act like nobody else's feelings matter? Everything is always about you! Do you even realize how much your actions hurt other people?" His voice cracked, his frustration spilling over into rage. "This is why I hate you!"

Sunghoon's eyes flashed with something dark, something deeper than anger. He grabbed Sunoo's wrists, stopping the trembling in his hands. "You think I like you? Do you really think I want to be around you?" His voice shook, venom lacing his words. "I hate you, Kim Sunoo. I hate you more than anything in this world."

The words hung in the air, each one sinking into Sunoo's skin like a knife. Sunoo stood there, trying to keep his expression steady, but something inside him shattered. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, but the tears were already gathering, blurring his vision.

Fine, he wanted to say. If that's how it is, then fine.

But his voice betrayed him. When he spoke, it was low and broken. "Fine," he whispered, the lump in his throat making it hard to breathe. His fists trembled at his sides, and before he could stop himself, the tears spilled over.

Why? Why was he crying? Why did this hurt so much?

Sunoo's gaze fell to the ground, trying to hide his face. But Sunghoon saw it. He reached out, hesitant, as if he didn't quite know what to do. His fingers brushed against Sunoo's hand, but Sunoo recoiled as if the touch burned him, pushing him away.

"Why do you care?" Sunoo's voice was sharp, biting. His tear-streaked face glistened in the dim light of the park. "You don't care about me. You never did. My feelings are none of your business." With that, he turned on his heel, determined to walk away before the pain consumed him entirely.

But as Sunoo walked, he heard Sunghoon's voice, low and broken in a way he'd never heard before. "Don't forget what I told you... you owe me something in return."

Sunoo froze mid-step, the words washing over him like cold rain. He wiped his face, turning back slowly, his expression blank. "What do you want from me?" he asked, his voice devoid of emotion. "Do you think I'll just do whatever you ask because you say so? No thanks. I'm not your puppet."

Sunghoon swallowed hard, his throat tight. "Leave," he whispered, his voice cracking. His eyes squeezed shut as if the weight of the moment was too much to bear. "Leave me alone, Sunoo. That's all I ask."

For a long moment, Sunoo just stood there, the night air thick between them. His chest ached, the tears threatening to fall again, but he wouldn't give Sunghoon the satisfaction. He wouldn't let him see how much it hurt.

Without another word, Sunoo turned and walked away, each step heavy and final. Behind him, Sunghoon stood motionless, his fists still clenched at his sides, his heart pounding with the weight of everything he could never say.

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Wow, I have to say that this chapter was a real challenge! It took me forever to write, especially since I always struggle when it comes to arguments. But, you know what? That's exactly why I'm writing this book - to push myself beyond my limits and break out of my comfort zone!

For the lazy, by yours truly 12 ʚ(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )ɞ

Chapter summary: Sunoo has been searching high and low for Sunghoon, and finally, he tracks him down. But just as he's about to get to the bottom of things, things start to heat up and their conversation turns into a heated argument.