RED STRING REWRITTEN

21

Chapter: The Plan of Shadows

[Fourth’s House – after sometime]

The front door clicked open. Tae stepped inside, Jungkook following closely behind, both of them tense. Tae’s heart hammered with worry.

Tae: (calling out) “Fourth? Are you home?”

Footsteps shuffled in the hallway. Fourth appeared, his eyes slightly red, but his lips forced into a small smile.

Fourth: (softly) “Oh, hyung… yeah. I’m here.”

Tae’s eyes scanned his little brother up and down, searching for signs of anything wrong.

Tae: (frowning) “Where were you? Phuwin called, said you disappeared from the infirmary. I nearly went crazy.”

Fourth bit his lip, lowering his gaze. His voice was quiet, almost rehearsed.

Fourth: “I… I didn’t feel good, so I came home. I’m sorry for not telling anyone. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

Jungkook stepped forward, his voice sharper with worry.

Jungkook: “Do you know how close I was to tearing that whole campus apart looking for you? Don’t ever vanish like that again, Fourth.”

Fourth nodded quickly, guilt flashing in his eyes.

Fourth: (whispering) “Sorry, hyung… I promise it won’t happen again.”

Seeing him speak so gently, so calmly, Tae finally exhaled. Relief softened his face, though the worry didn’t leave his eyes completely. Jungkook ruffled Fourth’s hair, sighing.

Jungkook: (softening) “Just… don’t hide from us, okay? We’d rather you trouble us than vanish.”

Fourth forced a small smile, his chest heavy with the truth he was hiding.

Fourth: “Okay, hyung.”

For now, everything seemed normal again. But deep inside, Fourth’s heart remained cracked.

[Saint Gabriel University – Next Day]

The morning sun lit the campus, but the atmosphere around Gemini was heavy. He walked slowly into class, his eyes immediately searching for Fourth.

Fourth sat between Dunk and Phuwin, his head lowered as he scribbled notes. His shoulders looked smaller somehow, fragile.

Gemini swallowed hard, gathering courage. He walked toward them.

Gemini: (softly) “Fourth… can we talk?”

Before Fourth could even look up, Dunk slammed his pen down, glaring.

Dunk: (coldly) “Stay away from him.”

Gemini froze.

Phuwin leaned forward, his eyes sharp as knives.

Phuwin: “Didn’t you hear? Don’t come near Fourth again.”

Gemini: (pleading) “Please, just let me explain. It’s not what you think—”

Fourth shifted uncomfortably, his lips parting slightly, but before he could speak, Dunk’s voice cut through.

Dunk: (snapping) “He doesn’t need your lies. He doesn’t need you.”

The words hit Gemini like a punch. He clenched his fists, struggling to hold back the pain.

Gemini: (quiet, desperate) “I’m not lying. I just want to—”

Phuwin: (interrupting, sharp) “Enough. Don’t you get it? Every time you open your mouth, you hurt him. So shut up and stay away.”

Fourth’s hand trembled under the desk. His throat tightened, but he couldn’t speak. Not now. Not with Dunk and Phuwin’s rage suffocating the air.