Chapter Text
"You wonder how I raised a monster as an unawakened, but really, Yoohyunie, you shouldn't have to think too hard. I raised you after all, didn't I?"
Yoohyun stared at his brother's form. There was dust and tears on his suit, but his eyes were still clear. Looking at him like he's the only person in the world.
In the past, he might have enjoyed it. No. He would enjoy it for sure. For there is nothing that Yoohyun loves more than his Hyung. To keep him for himself is the only wish he has.
Today was different, though.
It was about a month ago that his Hyung made his appearance as the new Seseong Guild's Guildmaster's PA, working just under Sung Hyunjae. Though he was given the title of PA, it is clear that he is actually the handler of the two new hotshots that the Seseong Guild managed to recruit. Because of that, Seseong Guild was the first Guild to have two S-rank Hunters and also the first to be affiliated with a hunter who has the skill to create high-ranked weapons.
That is not all. Apparently, his Hyung has changed his name. It is legally changed, or so the report says. He has thrown away their family name and chosen to take another. It pains him greatly to know that he shares not even a name with his Hyung now.
(He's mind replayed the bag his brother left behind. All that belonged to Yoohyun, all that he gave to his Hyung. He left it before he left Yoohyun.
But that wasn't the news that hurt him the most, no. It's about the two with his Hyung.
Kim Myeongwoo introduced himself as his brother. Held him by his hand in front of thousands of cameras and practically threatened those who wished to buy his weapon, to not touch him, or else he would refuse to sell them his products. Then there is Kim Yerim. A bubbly girl who's practically glued to Hyung's arm. She said the same thing, putting Hyung under her protection. Saying that she's not afraid to use force if anyone dares harm her Ahjussi.
His Hyung, on the other hand, is unfazed by the attitude of the two beside him. Patting the head of the girl and whispering, "You don't have to go that far, Yerimie".
It hurts him to see him like this. It hurts cause he's not the one making his Hyung happy. That should have been him. He should've done the same. He should've kept his Hyung close. Why didn't he? He can only have himself to blame.
Then came the biggest news of the year.
His brother is married.
Married to Sung Hyunjae, now going by the name Kim Hyunjae.
It took the world by storm. It made the front page. Everyone was shocked.
But Yoohyun ignored all of that. His focus remains on the joy in his brother's face. He now wondered.
When was the last time his Hyung smiled?
When was the last time his eye sparkled?
When did it dim?
Deep down, he knew the answer, though he wouldn't accept it. Can't accept it.
Though the news still circulates around the 'Kim Family', their set of skills in particular. Yoohyun focused more on the interaction between his Hyung and the others. And he sees. He sees what could have been his fate. His experience. His everyday life.
Kim Yerim goes to school; it is said that it was because Hyung told her to. She has a social media account and she posts every day. Her post is his only way of seeing how his Hyung is since his brother remains a private person.
Yerim posted things with captions.
'What my Ahjussi made for my lunch (✿◡‿◡)'
'Ahjussi made sweets again☆*: .｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆'
'Look what my Ahjussi did to my hair(*/ω＼*)'
'Playing dress up with my Ahjussi( •̀ ω •́ )y'
'My Monthly care basket prepared by Uncle and Ahjussi~o( =∩ω∩= )m'
'Movie night with the fam(^人^)'
'Ugh, Get a room┻━┻ ︵ヽಠ_ಠﾉ︵ ┻━┻'
[Yes, he's ignoring everything that is not his Hyung. Typical Yoohyun behavior.]
And all kinds of things.
It sickens him. Filled his heart with jealousy. That's his life. They stole his life. That should have been his. His Hyung is his, dammit!!!
But despite it all, he did nothing but watch.
Well, not at first.
He actually confronted his Hyung at the 'debut' of both Yerim and Myeongwoo, and it didn't end well. Filled with the loss he felt when his Hyung went radio silent, along with the feeling of betrayal and pain from the name change. His emotion took control of his own mouth, which made him spout some... less than ideal words.
"Hyung, why are you doing this? Are you aiming to embarrass me? Are you leeching off of someone else because they're more useful than me?"
He lost control and only regained it at the sight of his Hyung's pain-filled face.
"What do you mean by that, Yoohyun? Just... just what do you think of me? Do you actually believe me to be the opportunistic bastard you painted me as?! What the fuck is wrong with you?"
That's the first time his Hyung cursed at him.
The whole thing kept him from making any move. The shock factor was too severe. Another thing to add is that the whole debacle was captured by the paparazzi, and so it has been spread.
The Hayeon is now facing a huge scandal.
In the past, his words were taken as the truth. His word was weaponized, and so his brother was treated as a social pariah. Now, the recent event, along with Hyunjae's own team, has revealed the real truth. This made his guild face serious backlash, making Seok Simyeong force him into detention, not that that works, but he is in hiding... from everything right now.
The roles were now reversed. People are persecuting the younger brother for what he had done to his own brother, for abandoning him. There are even multiple people speaking up. Old classmates, teachers, neighbors, and Yoojin's previous bosses. They are now talking to defend Yoojin.
But Yoohyun ignores them all.
He's wallowing in his own guilt. Drowning in the pit he dug himself.
Then suddenly there was news.
Reports about his Hyung taming a beast. Everyone knows that he hasn't awakened yet, so this made another headline.
Yoohyun was so worried. So worried in fact that he dared enter a dungeon under the Seseong Guild to demand an explanation from his Hyung.
Why is his Hyung in a dungeon? He didn't even think about it.
(It was to let Peace stretch their legs and spar with Yerim. What? A cat needs stimulation too!)
Then his Hyung answered.
"And why would you care about what I do with my life? Isn't this what you wish? For me to not be such a bother to you? To not be your brother anymore? For me to leave you alone? I already did that!!! So what more do you want? I already gave you everything, so what MORE do you want from me, YOOHYUN?!"
"Taming a beast is not a job for an awakened Hyung. Don't you know how FOOLISH that is?"
"And that's why I have my husband with me! No matter the danger, he would protect me!"
"You honestly trust that jerk to protect you? What makes you so sure that he truly loves you? For all you know, he's staying for you because of your close relationship with his two new assets!"
The words just slipped out of his mouth, and just as he said them, he immediately regretted them. Teary-eyed, his Hyung looked at him. His Hyung looked betrayed, pupil shaking, looking at him and seeing a stranger. With fist shaking and lips wavering, he softly mutters his reply. The volume is not a problem, even in a bustling street, Yoohyun would hear his Hyung.
"Is that how you really think? Yoohyun, I... I think so very highly of you. I didn't realize you think so low of me."
Yoohyun is silenced. Especially when he saw tears. Yoohyun can count on one hand the times his brother cries. His brother was never so easy to cry, and now, he just made him cry. Yoohyun just made his Hyung cry. Again.
"I have loved you with all my heart."
Yoohyun winced at the use of tense his brother used. They were silent for a few more minutes.
"Yoohyun"
He heard his Hyung. He sounds dejected, defeated.
Disappointed.
There's anger there, too.
But then he sighed. Took a deep breath and calmed himself. His hands stopped shaking. His eyes are no longer teary. It is clear.
Then he talked with the emotion he never knew his brother would use to direct him.
Indifference.
"You wonder how I raised a monster as an unawakened, but really, Yoohyunie, you shouldn't have to think too hard. I raised you after all, didn't I?"
Then his Hyung turned his back and left once again.
And while all those are happening, Hyunjae, Yerim, and Peace are standing in the back. Spectators, witnesses to everything. They didn't say one thing. They don't need to. And like Yoojin, they left the now sobbing man behind.