The younger boy had been attentively listening to the class until someone accidentally struck his injured elbow. A sharp pang of pain shot through him, nearly bringing tears to his eyes. It was a distressing sensation, momentarily blinding him. He dared not turn to see the person responsible for the blow.
To be honest, he had no desire to become entangled in any classroom altercation, especially since he was new to the school. Although he possessed the courage to defend himself, he had failed to do so in front of his elder brother, Aaron Alit."What a nuisance. The younger brother of that arrogant fellow. How can he be so adorable? I want to ruin that cute face," one student muttered.Ederic grew angry, not because the student wished to mar his face, but because he referred to his elder brother as an arrogant fellow. It seemed as if this student had been holding a grudge against Aaron for some time. In his current condition, Ederic couldn't speak up. How could they be so conceited? He wasn't accustomed to this new life of luxury yet, but he was already being targeted by his classmates.Back in his previous school, everyone had befriended him simply because of his famous, charming smile. His endearing smile had never faded in his former school. However, in this new environment, it appeared survival would be more challenging."Don't call my Hyung a bastard," the younger one defiantly rose from his chair, standing up for his brother. Everyone was taken aback by his audacious behavior. How could a newcomer confront a student who was renowned for bullying others?"You..." the individual who had insulted his brother as an arrogant bastard grew furious.Ederic had touched a nerve, igniting the individual's fragile ego. After all, everyone was afraid of him. How could a newcomer talk back to him? He was about to raise his hand to teach the young one a lesson but was interrupted by a staff member who entered the classroom for the next class. Ederic was saved by the staff member but had unwittingly become a new hero in his class by standing up against the bully.His injured elbow began to bleed due to the rupture. He hadn't expected the wound to be this severe. Initially, he had only felt mild pain, but now a burning sensation enveloped him, causing his ears to ring.He managed to endure the rest of the class. As soon as it concluded, he wasted no time and hurried to the pharmacy to purchase some ointment for his wound. Approaching the pharmacist, he requested antibiotic ointment for his injury, and she handed him a tube. The younger boy smiled warmly.He walked along the hallway, attempting to apply the ointment to his elbow, when he was halted by a familiar voice. It was Aaron. He was engaged in conversation with someone, appearing quite close. Aaron remained in a corner, while the younger one listened to their exchange. He could see Aaron, but not the person with whom he was speaking."What's troubling my big man today? You seem to be in a foul mood," Edward asked with a concerned tone. Edward Dexus, Aaron's closest friend and brother-like figure since joining the school as a junior student. Edward was only a few months older than Aaron, acting as an elder brother to him. They shared everything with each other."You already know the reason. So why are you asking, man?" Aaron used to refer to Edward as Ed, but today he hesitated. Ever since their father had started calling Ederic Alit by the nickname Ed, it had begun to irritate Aaron. He didn't like it, perhaps trying to avoid admitting the growing attachment he felt toward the younger boy."I heard you suddenly became an elder brother. He's studying in this school, right?" Edward attempted to tease Aaron, unknowingly fueling the fire that could ignite at any moment. Aaron clenched his fist tightly, struggling to control his anger."He's not my little brother, and I don't have one. Don't bring up his name in front of me again," Aaron shouted, causing Ederic to flinch. He had been observing everything from a short distance away, hearing their conversation clearly. He hadn't anticipated that Aaron despised him to such an extent.A solitary tear formed in the corner of the tiger cub's glistening eyes. He pouted, and as the tear slid down his soft cheeks, he could no longer contain himself and burst into tears. He couldn't bear to stay there any longer, feeling utterly numb. He ran away from the scene."Be kind to him, Aaron... after all, he's just a young boy who recently arrived in the city. You can't be rude to him," Edward attempted to impart a lesson to the boy who had no interest in caring for Ederic even a bit. Aaron rolled his eyes, his anger already at its peak due to the spreading rumors about Ederic and himself. It only served to annoy him further."Why is everyone so concerned about others' personal lives when their own lives are already in shambles? You talk too much. Let's return to our class," Aaron didn't give Edward a chance to utter another word. He forcefully pulled Edward along, heading back to their classroom.The younger sat beneath the stadium, tears streaming down his face like a gentle river. Oblivious to the passage of time, he cried unabated, unable to contain the flood of his emotions."Why... why doesn't he like me? Eomma said everyone would like me, but Hyung doesn't." He sniffled, his sobs intensifying. An hour had elapsed since the young one had sought solace within the stadium. Startled by a rustling sound from outside, he peered through a small gap and finally realized that a physical education class for the senior high second-year students was taking place."I've been here for so long." He wiped away his tears and stepped out of the stadium. He discovered his Hyung engrossed in a spirited game of basketball with his juniors, a radiant smile highlighting his dimples.“Hyung was always kind to everyone, but why not to Ederic?” The younger boy found this peculiarity disconcerting. Ignoring his Hyung's joyful interaction with his peers, he abruptly fled. In truth, he felt a twinge
The younger boy stood under the warm shower, feeling the hot water cascade over his delicate body, providing a refreshing sensation after the bath.As he stepped out, clad only in a towel, he was startled by the presence of his so-called "dimple" brother. He couldn't bring himself to talk to him. It wasn't fear that held him back; he simply couldn't explain why he felt hesitant around his dragon-eyed brother.His damp hair glistened, framing his face beautifully, while he remained unaware of being watched by his Hyung since stepping out of the shower.“Hyung...” Ederic's voice trembled.“Such a fragile body... Damn... what am I thinking?” Aaron's mind raced with conflicting thoughts.“Ahem.” Aaron cleared his throat and looked at his younger brother again. He didn't want to admit the truth that he was already attracted to his little tiger cub.“Hyung...” Ederic called out again.“What do you think of yourself, huh? If you dare to skip class and stay outside again... I will have seriou
One month had passed, with weeks and days slipping away. The younger one always remained silent in the presence of the Elder, his so-called father, and Mrs. Alit. It wasn't fear that held him back, but rather an unfamiliarity with their company. Ederic's mother, despite taking medicine, seemed to grow weaker by the day. The medication appeared ineffective, possibly due to her frail body.When Ederic and Aaron returned from school, she would greet them with a warm smile at the doorstep. The younger one appreciated this gesture, but Aaron did not. Nonetheless, seeing her smile every time they returned made the atmosphere feel warmer, even though Aaron tried to maintain a cold demeanor.Ederic, being naive, failed to notice his mother's declining health. However, one couldn't blame him; he was the innocent and pure soul of the mansion, always wearing a smile, even in the face of heartbreak.Whenever the younger one spotted Aaron at school, he would go out of his way to avoid him, which s
MIDNIGHTAaron couldn't sleep at all; something was constantly bothering him. Perhaps he had been too harsh on the kid earlier. With hesitation, he approached Ederic's room and finally turned the doorknob, causing the door to click open. There he found the boy curled up, whimpering even in his sleep. The room was cold, and Ederic was shivering."Hey, wake up," Aaron gently touched him, but the younger boy almost lost balance in his sleep. Without thinking, Aaron pulled Ederic into his embrace to prevent him from falling."What the hell am I doing?" Aaron asked himself as he lifted the younger one in his arms, carrying him like a bride, and walked out of the room. The whole floor was eerily silent, illuminated only by dim lights trying to brighten the mansion.He brought Ederic to his own room. Opening the door was a struggle with someone in his arms, but he managed it. Aaron switched on the light, annoyed by the difficulty while holding someone close to him. His thoughts were momentar
Two days had passed since the incident, and as usual, the elder ignored the younger one, not giving him a second glance.In the evening, after returning from school, the younger one couldn't find his eomma again. This repeated every day since coming to the mansion. He felt heavy-hearted; he was used to the warm welcome of his eomma since his kindergarten days. Even if she wasn't feeling well, she never missed welcoming Ederic home in the evening. However, since coming to this luxurious mansion, she always disappeared and only welcomed him in the evening. The suffocation caused by this luxurious life couldn't be erased by anything for this boxy smile boy.While he was lost in his thoughts, someone walked into his room. He didn't notice the person as he drowned in his deep ocean of thoughts."Baby, what happened? You look down," Ederic's mom entered, holding a small box in her hand. As soon as he saw his mother, he ran towards her and hugged her tightly."Eomma, where did you go? Do you
Two days later, the younger one was still overjoyed because of the bracelet his mother had brought for him. He cherished it like a treasure, keeping it in his hands most of the time. Ederic was deeply attached to his bracelet, feeling the love and warmth from his mother through it. He walked around with a constant smile, oblivious to the outer world and its worries. It was his cute tiny world where he and his mom were only there. One day, while at school, Dallin excitedly pointed out to Lyan that they often saw the same boy around. “Hyung look at that boy. we are meeting him often right” Dallin leaped a little seeing the tiger cub there. “Fuck you, Dallin. it's been one month since we regularly attended the class. why are you being dramatic” He was kind of annoyed by the younger's words. yeah, the younger was already attached to Ederic just by watching him far away. Lyan was irritated by the mention of the younger one, as he didn't like the rich kids, but Dallin couldn't help gettin
Aaron refuses to give the bracelet back to the younger brother, Ederic. He keeps the bracelet with him, symbolizing the entangled relationship between the two brothers, destined to hurt each other.As the weekend approaches, Aaron informs his mother, Mrs Alit, about the school trip and asks for permission. “I'm going on a school trip this weekend. I need permission” Aaron gave a permission letter to Mrs Alit for signature. Mrs Alit, aware of her son's stubbornness, signs the permission letter without any questions, choosing not to argue with him.Curious about whether Ederic will be going on the trip as well, Mrs Alit asks Aaron about his brother's plans “Is Ederic coming?”. However, Aaron dismisses the question, implying that it's none of his concern, “Ask him if you want. It's none of my business”. Taking the paper, he walked away from there. Mrs Alit sighed hard. When would this dumb boy change? small change, a dumb boy with 148 1Q. Meanwhile, in Ederic's room, he seeks his mother
IN THE TRIP"This place looks amazing," one of the students complimented as they strolled through the forest area. The chilly breeze, the scenic beauty—it felt like heaven to them."It truly is a slice of paradise," another agreed.The forest they come for a trip tucked away in the heart of nature, where the trees stood tall and proud, their emerald leaves creating a mesmerising canopy above. Sunlight filtered through the foliage, casting a warm, ethereal glow upon the forest floor.As the students ventured deeper into the forest, they discovered a world filled with enchantment and wonder. The air was scented with the sweet fragrance of wildflowers, and the melodic symphony of chirping birds and rustling leaves embraced them like a soothing lullaby.A meandering stream flowed through the heart of the forest, its crystal-clear waters reflecting the vibrant colours of the surrounding flora. Graceful butterflies danced gracefully, adding to the already magical ambience.The students were