"Let's go home."
"Niko, I'm sorry for what she did..."
"No, I'm sorry."
"Huh?" Jin was taken by surprise with these simple yet unexpected words, did Nikolai just say he's 'sorry'?
"What did you say?" Jin asked, "Nothing." Nikolai replied and got into the car.
Sighing, "I learned how to be honest from you...I guess you learned to lie from me." Jin mumbled to himself and climbed into the driver seat.
And before the two can take off, Ha-yoon was approaching them, she signaled for them to wait for her.
Coming out of the car again, Jin was pulled aside by her for a private talk.
"First of all, I'm sorry about Seong-min...I bet she's causing you a bunch of problems already." Jin said apologetically, "You're kidding me?! she's an absolute angel compared to Cyrus." Ha-yoon replied.
"What?" Jin said in confusion, "Listen, I can handle her! I mean she's not staying for free, might as well take her bullshit...but right now I need to ask you something." Ha-yoon replied.
"What?"
"Is there anything I should be aware of? concerning Seong-min, aside from her addiction and unhealthy obsession with your past?"
Jin was puzzled by why Ha-yoon wants such an info, but shrugged it off nonetheless "Aside from music? she likes Tv shows, shopping, and dogs!" he said.
"Dogs?...i guess that would work." Ha-yoon replied.
"Work for what?"
"Well, your sister is energetic...smart and dare I say a little scary, and I was thinking of finding her something to do in the day to help her release some of her extra energy.
Plus, she needs to feel idk? some good emotions? her music sounds like she's a robot! and I'm tired of it."
"Oh, I thought you said she's talented."
"Listen big boy, talent alone is not enough, the field of music relies on three things, Talent, creativity and relatability.
You need to be talented to perform, creative to create more, and relatable to touch people's hearts." Ha-yoon explained, "Well my sister is talented I can vouch for that, and I know she's very creative." Jin said.
"But Seong-min still lacks that one thing that makes Her music touch hearts, Maybe some volunteer work at a shelter will unlock What's hidden inside."
"Dogs are precious, they always put a smile on her face but physical labor isn't really her type of thing.
I doubt Min-Min will agree and remember, it's her money or her dad's Money specifically that's paying your rent right now.
She will use that fact against you." Jin said, "I still have my reverse card on her, if she tried to disagree." Ha-yoon replied.
"What reverse card? you're not blackmailing my sister or something? right?"
"Oh nothing to worry about, it's just something between us girls, don't worry Dude.
I just need to know I have your support, I mean I'm serious about turning your sister into a star! and if we even manage to just get one song out there that's a smashing hit this year, that would be enough for me."
"I can tell you're passionate about helping my sister, it warm my heart But seriously, I'm sorry about what she did earlier.
And I hope Joe doesn't feel bad because of what happened, or because of me." Jin spoke in a sad tone, "Cheer up, I'm here!...I'll fix the situation, besides Joe isn't the kind to hold grudges or get mad for long, he's got the biggest heart in all of us!
Things are going to be fine, trust me Jin." Ha-yoon replied smiling.
"For a woman who Looks like a thug, covered in tattoos and piercings, you sure are an angel Ha-yoon!" Jin said jokingly.
Smacking the back of Jin's head "Shut your face! Tch! troublemaker! you can't even compliment your elder properly." She said fighting a smirk.
"Thanks again Yoon and take care of Min-Min...I gotta go as you can see, you know how it is." he said hinting at Nikolai who was waiting for him in the passenger seat.
Nodding, "I do, go get him tiger." Ha-yoon said winking before she slapped Jin's ass and quickly made an escape away from him.
"HEY?! I'LL GET YOU BACK!" a flustered Jin shouted at her, "Who's the troublemaker." he mumbled before going back to the car.
His mood was a little bit better now, Thanks to her.
...Some Time later...
Resting on his mattress while scrolling the many social media pages he followed, Jin couldn't help but to feel worried as the noises of Nikolai fidgeting in his bed didn't stop one bit.
"Do you need something?...you can't sleep I can see that much." Jin said, but got no immediate response.
He figured Nikolai was still mad at him for what happened earlier at Cyrus's apartment, so he continued scrolling but his ears focused solely on the noise Nikolai was making.
He found himself sitting upright when the noise shifted into sobs, "Niko, are you crying?" Jin gently asked.
The noise grew louder and was enough to give him an answer that Nikolai was indeed crying in his bed, hugging his pillow tighter with each sob.
Finally after summoning all the courage he had within him, Jin walked up to him and sat next to Nikolai on the bed.
The sight of his former lover in such a state, was enough to remind him of that one memory from long ago from highschool days, it was the memory where Jin first met Cyrus, And it was why the name 'Cyra' was something familiar to his ears.
...[Tiny flashback]...
Going to Julian's house, was something Jin knew that Nikolai found joy in, but Sadly this is the day of Julian's funeral.
Minutes later a car parked outside, and three people arrived at the location.
The family of three, Nikolai's family, Arrived at the baker's house where the service would take place. The atmosphere not only looked gloomy but felt that way too.
Especially for a specific bunch of people, like Nikolai and that one person who silently stood in their black dress with an expression of helplessness, next to two men.
Jin watched as Nikolai's eyes were scanning the place but didn't spot him, there were no smiles, just people giving their condolences to two men, one of them crying in the other's arms.
The man crying was Julian's dad, he was in his younger brother's arms, the cop that everyone spoke of.
As for the person in the dress, Jin has seen That person before especially around Julian but Jin never saw them up close, that person hid half of their face behind their long bangs, so only one eye was visible.
And after that person caught Jin staring at them, The Stranger in the dress gave Jin a weird look, before going to sit.
This scene, reminded Jin of another funeral he had to go to long ago with his mother, it was a funeral of someone as young as Julian, And as good as him.
Why do good people die young?
On the other hand, Nikolai held back his own tears as much as he can while he took his seat somewhere in the front, next to the person in the dark dress, 'Julian's lover'.
Jin who came alone since his mom was busy with her job to come with him, decided to sit as well but kept his distance from Nikolai and the other person.
They weren't the only students there, Everyone from school came.
Everyone, including Moses King, Julian's own bully, who arrived just a second after Jin took a seat.
After so many years of showing nothing but the dark side of himself to Julian who did nothing bad to deserve it, Moses decided to visit one last time with his minions were walking right behind him.
Moses really said, Kill them and then attend their funeral.
"This murderer." Jin heard Nikolai say, "The fuck..." Jin spoke as he glanced at Moses, he was more surprised by the fact that Moses's face was all bruised up when he walked in, than him actually showing up to the funeral.
Someone already gave the king of bullies a good beating, before he was about to get one from Julian's dad.
One sight of his son's bully and Julian's dad went ballistic, "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS KID DOING HERE?!GET HIM OUT! KICK HIM THE FUCK OUT!" He screamed while being held off by his Younger brother.
"Dude we should just... leave!" Rudy whispered terrified, "He's right... we're only gonna make ourselves look worse." Flint added to his words.
But without even a warning, Everyone was in it for a surprise when Moses said in a Loud and clear voice "I'm sorry." before he and his two minions got dragged Away from the ceremony.
Jin wasn't even going to budge from his seat, If he didn't see Nikolai stand up from his, it seems like Nikolai decided to follow Moses outside and Jin knew that meant trouble.
So Jin got up and followed them outside, He can already hear Nikolai screaming his lungs out at Moses for showing up to the funeral, so he hid himself while watching them.
Rudy and Flint were few steps away from Moses and Nikolai, both looking as miserable as anyone else in the funeral, it almost made Jin feel like they were actually feeling sorry for Julian.
"WHAT IS THIS?! HOW CAN YOU DRIVE SOMEONE TO DIE AND THEN COME ATTEND TO THEIR FUNERAL LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED!" Nikolai shouted.
"..." but Moses remained silent, staring at Nikolai with a blank expression like a lifeless mannequin, not saying a word.
Taking a deep breath to calm his shaking body, "Do you think I'll believe your act of guilt in there?!
You know what sucks about saying sorry? That saying it doesn't change what happened! that you ruined someone's life.
You took away a kid from his dad's arms... and I hope this very fact haunts you till the day you die as well, and believe me it will." Nikolai said before he started walking away from Moses.
"I'm sorry." Moses said, "I don't mean it now...but I know I should say it." he added.
Snarling at him "Why the hell would you say it then if you don't mean it?" Nikolai asked.
"One day I will...for now, I'll just say it like that...And I'm also sorry about Jin." Moses replied before leaving, Rudy and Flint followed him as well.
"Maniac...Fucking asshole." Nikolai said before he crumbled to the floor crying.
Jin wanted to come out of his hiding place to comfort Nikolai, even though he knew that Nikolai won't allow it, but he backed away when Nikolai's parents came rushing to their son's side, wrapping him in a big hug and comforting him.
It made Jin start crying too, "I promise... I'll become better, please forgive me Niko." Jin whispered to himself as his tears streamed down his face.
...[End of Tiny flashback]...
"Hey Niko, you want something to drink? should I get you some water?" Jin asked, but Nikolai didn't respond
Figuring that his client wants to be alone in this moment, Jin stood up from the bed Only to have Nikolai cling onto him, "Don't go...just hug me this time." Nikolai said sniffling.
No further words were needed as Jin gently wrapped his arms around Nikolai's body, and laid besides him.
In Jin's arms, Nikolai felt the same old warmth he felt years ago, when Jin hugged him for the first time.
His memories flooded back into his mind, reminding him of everything that happened and how things became this way.
It was crazy enough to think He was really in love with Jin, the guy who bullied him on his first day of school.
And just like Jin, Nikolai realized those feelings never extinguished to begin with, So while been hugged by His 'Bully-guard' "Can we start over?" Nikolai asked.