163 Kindred (1/2)

”Wow~ how tearjerking~”

Clap, clap, clap.

Ji Yeong Gi came out from his hiding place. The show was over, and as the playwright, he must come out and give the credits.

Hyuk's eyes hardened as he looked at the newcomer.

”Why are you here?!” Hyuk barked. He stood up straight abruptly, shifting his feet so Yeo Ri was hidden securely behind his back.

”The knight in shining armour comes swooping in to save the princess; isn't that sweet?” Yeong Gi went on to say. He ignored Hyuk's cautious look and smiled deeply with mirth. ”I didn't know you loved your sister that much, Lee Hyuk,” he said suggestively, as if he knew something that no one else knew.

Hyuk tensed. What did he mean by those words...? Could Bomi have told him about that day?

”What do you want?”

Yeo Ri looked between the two guys. So he wasn't lying about being Hyuk's friend. But from the way her brother was acting, it was apparent that Hyuk did not share the same sentiment. She tugged his clothes lightly, whispering, ”Oppa, he's the one who brought me here.”

Hyuk's eyes darkened. ”Ji Yeong Gi, you dared!”

”Now, now, calm down. She's fine, isn't she?” Yeong Gi laughed, waving his hand dismissively. What's the problem, he seemed to be thinking. It wasn't like she got hurt, right?

”Ji Yeong Gi, I knew you were a bad guy,” In Guk said, similarly glaring at the boy.

Yeong Gi narrowed his eyes in displeasure at In Guk and Jin Goo.”It was just a little prank; no need to get so mad.”

”F*cking b*stard, shut your d*mned trap!” Hyuk cussed. He glanced at In Guk and Jin Goo. ”Hey, send Yeo Ri home. This is my problem; I'll deal with him myself.”

The two paused, staring at Hyuk with complex looks. Finally, Jin Goo nodded. ”Okay. We'll take her home safely. C'mon, In Guk-ah, let's go.” He nudged In Guk before pulling Yeo Ri away from her brother.

”Oppa!” Yeo Ri's eyes glistened, filled with panic. She reached her arm out towards Hyuk but the man shook his head.

”Wait for Oppa at home, okay?” He told her. ”Go!”

In Guk frowned, wondering what Hyuk was planning to do. Another fight? Whatever, since the guy had spoken, he'll help him take his sister home. He probably didn't want her to see him get into another fight.

With Yeo Ri now gone, Hyuk was finally able to freely speak to Ji Yeong Gi. He was worried that the guy might say something he should not have said to Yeo Ri.

He confronted Yeong Gi.

”Why?!” Hyuk could not understand why Ji Yeong Gi would target him. Just because he refused to be friends? How childish could this guy get? How could he use an innocent girl just to get back at him?

Ji Yeong Gi laughed.

He laughed for a long time.

”Don't you get it?” He asked between chuckles. ”Because we're the same—”

He smiled at Hyuk with amusement, his eyes revealing the crazy inside, ”—we're both monsters.”

”The same as you? You must be blind. I'm not a lunatic like you.” Hyuk refuted. There was nothing similar about the two of them, he thought.

”Haha,” Ji Yeong Gi laughed again, as if he found Hyuk's words funny. ”You don't think so? I thought we're pretty similar, you and I. I knew it since the first time I saw you.”