The tension in the living room hadn't faded even after Daewon was taken to his room. Seojun stood near the doorway, shifting uncomfortably as Haejin wiped her tears and Sanghoon rubbed his temples, his expression being unreadable. Jinwoo sat frozen in place on the couch, his hands were clenched together so tightly his knuckles turned into a pale white.
The silence stretched between them, heavy and persistent.
And the one who finally broke that silence, was Seojun.
"You guys... really didn't know?" His voice was quiet, but the weight behind his words made it clear that he wasn't asking just out of curiosity.
Sanghoon exhaled sharply. "We knew something was off. But not this."
Jinwoo looked away, his jaw was clenched. "I thought he was just training too hard. He always came home looking exhausted, covered in dirt. I figured it was just him being stubborn and reckless."
Haejin's hands trembled as she rested them on her lap. "He was always secretive about it. I asked him so many times if something was wrong, but the answers were always the same. He always just smiled and said that he was fine." her voice wavered. "I knew I should've pushed harder and ask more question. "
Seojun hesitated before speaking again. "This isn't new... Joon and his guys have been messing with him for a while now. This time was just too far."
Sanghoon then looked at Seojun sharply. "How long exactly?"
Seojun didn't answer right away. He could feel the tension in the living room pressing down on him, he could feel everyone staring at him. So he had no choice but to be honest and tell them the truth. He sighed before he spoke. "Months... Maybe even longer."
Haejin inhaled sharply, her right hand covering her mouth.
"Daewon has always been the kind of guy to keep everything to himself." Seojun continued. "But even though I noticed his bruises and asked him about them. He was always making excuses. He never complained, never asked for help. I think... he didn't want anyone to worry."
Jinwoo let out a bitter laugh. "That idiot. Did he think hiding it would make it better?" His voice cracked, frustration and guilt was slowly building up. "I should've seen it. I mean, we live in the same damn house."
Sanghoon leaned forward, his hands were clenched together. "And according to you, Seojun. He fought back this time?"
Seojun nodded. "Yeah, I'm positive. He managed to hit him by landing a punch as well."
That made Jinwoo raise his head and look up. "Seriously?"
"Yeah." A faint smile appeared on Seojun's lips. "He didn't win, obviously, but he tried. That's still something..."
Haejin let out a shaky breath. "I don't care about fights... or winning. I care about my son, I care that my son thought he had to go through this alone."
Silence fell again, but this time, it was heavier.
Then, Seojun spoke, this time softer. "He's been pushing himself really hard, you know? Not just with training. He's trying to become strong, but I don't even think he knows what that means anymore."
Sanghoon sighed deeply, rubbing his face. "We should have seen it. All the late nights. The exhaustion. How he always came home late. It was right in front of us. How were we so blind this whole time."
Jinwoo's expression hardened. "What are we going to do about the Joon guy?"
Seojun's eyes darkened. "I don't know. But this can't keep happening. Joon will pay for his actions eventually, sooner or later."
Sanghoon looked at Seojun. "It won't happen again." His words carried a note of finality.
Later that Night
Daewon woke up to the faint glow of his bedside lamp. His body still ached, but the sharp, unbearable pain had faded into a slow, faded ache. He moved carefully, adjusting his position. Grimacing from the pain.
His mind was still foggy and chaotic, but fragments of the conversation downstairs filled his thoughts. His family knew. They finally knew.
And somehow, that felt worse than the beating itself.
Before he could continue to overthink the situation, there was a soft knock at the door.
"Daewon?" Haejin said, her voice soft.
Daewon sighed and stared at the ceiling. "Come in."
The door creaked open, and Haejin stepped inside, followed closely by Sanghoon and Jinwoo. His father's expression was unreadable, his mother's eyes were red from crying, and Jinwoo... he just looked pissed.
Sanghoon was the first to speak. "You should have told us, son."
Daewon turned his head away. "Would it have changed anything?"
"Yes" Haejin's voice was steady, leaving no room for arguments. "We could have helped you."
Daewon let out a dry chuckle. "How? By telling the school? The police? You think that would stop that guy?"
Jinwoo's fists clenched. "At least we would have done something instead of letting you go through this alone."
The room went silent.
Daewon swallowed hard, his throat was tight. "I didn't want you guys to worry."
"Too late for that" Haejin muttered.
Sanghoon crossed his arms. "So what was your plan all along? To keep getting beaten until what? Until it gets worse?"
"I was handling it." Daewon mumbled.
Jinwoo scoffed. "Yeah? Well great job at that."
Daewon closed his eyes, frustration was building up in his chest. "I didn't ask for you help."
"Maybe not," Sanghoon said, his voice calmer now. "But you needed it."
More silence was setting up in the room.
Daewon exhaled slowly. "I threw a punch."
They all knew what happened, Seojun had told them everything already. But they still tried to act surprised to make Daewon be proud of himself, and maybe more open to them.
Haejin blinked. "What?"
"I hit Joon," Daewon said, staring at the ceiling. "For the first time as well."
There was a pause before Jinwoo smirked slightly. "Did it feel good?"
A small, tired smile appeared on Daewon's face. Maybe... Alright a little."
Jinwoo then let out a short laugh. "Atta boy!" He tried to comfort Daewon.
Haejin let out a long breath. "You don't have to do this alone, Daewon."
Daewon hesitated. Then, finally, he nodded. "I know..."
And for the first time, he actually meant it.