RE:Print—DON:Hyuck

PRINT:6

It was half past noon meaning the break time at college campus as the students and staff started leaving with their aliases for either lunch and some to fool around.

Jungwoo and Sicheng, as usual, dragged Donghyuck along with them. Not that he minded. He never minded of course as it was usual but today he specifically wanted to be glued to his laptop, researching on a specific information about last night's party that he just discovered after the party. But then again, who could say no to their best friends? “Of course not you!”

“Why not? The entire campus is now aware and talking about the fact that Mark has dated that Japanese dude Yuta before Chittaphon. He must be dating all these guys in search of his true love and knowing how much of a fuckboy Chittaphon is, I'm damn sure he's gonna break up with him real soon and then it will be my turn but Mark's last as he's gonna know that I'm the one he's been searching all this time.”

“Well, the entire campus is also talking about the newest fact and the fact just sends shivers through their spines.”

Now this fact was something that actually got Donghyuck's attention from his friends' debate. “Are you referring to last night's party, Sicheng?”

“Of f*****g course Woo-ah! It is now being known that there was a criminal. Not just a regular criminal but the underworld's mafia, Don was at Ten's party.”

And now Donghyuck's mind started portraying the scenario that it somewhat already was. “Thankfully no one was hurt from what I've heard but it could be possible that the bastard tried to attack someone but because of the heavy public, he couldn't do so.” Donghyuck heard Jungwoo's assumption and from what Donghyuck had experienced, the man actually attacked someone and could possibly kill either.

“It actually is. He did attack someone but fortunately some guy from the party stomped on time.” Donghyuck knew, he knew exactly who could be that poor guy and savior. He knew exactly who was that poor guy and so the savior. “It was caught on the camera but none of the men could be seen clearly which caused the Don's identity to remain anonymous.”

Which was exactly true since Donghyuck couldn't get to have a proper look at that man at the party who had injected the helpless masked man. Neither he saw the attacked man without the mask so it wasn't only the others who didn't have any vision of the scenario but he himself as well despite being there exactly in the moment.

But there was still something… Or more like someone whom he saw, and envied to a level which was just uncertain. He still wasn't sure if that kiss he felt was real or not but it surely left him sparked whether in dreaming or reality.

Well, talking about spark, he did feel an obvious spark while he interacted with that poor masked guy. He didn't know why or how but there was something about him that made him feel that they should meet again. They must meet again and maybe interact some more. Maybe reveal some unknown secrets and open the hidden doors…

“Donghyuck!”

The slight shout made the said man startle on his spot as he stomped out from his reverie and looked at his friends most seemingly dumbfounded.

“Last night's hangover still hanging your head over?”

“Or that hottie guy still keeping you high?”

Donghyuck scrunches his face a little and shakes his head as he says, “Shut up, you two.” But they kept laughing in nuisance until some of their campus mates shushed them in the cafeteria.

“Okay, okay. Enough with the trolls and let's get to the tea. Well, do you know Hyuck what's been poppin' just recently?”

“And you're just getting to know it now?” Donghyuck asks in a sarcastic surprised tone as the other two start to widen their expression in realization.

“So you already knew it and didn't even bother telling us what in the f**k Hyuck!”

“I actually didn't exactly know it. I was kind of and still researching it as I am the person who…” Donghyuck stopped on his track thinking if he should be revealing to be the person encountering Don or not. Well, revealing to his best friends was not a big deal and neither the information was a big deal itself. But his friends did have a big bad habit of unknowingly and idiotically spilling stuff out of the blue.

And even him saving a person or facing a criminal could be easily discussed but not when there were desperate reporters everywhere to just fuel the smallest ignite to lava for publicity. “You are the person who?” Sicheng's voice seemed just as impatient as the expressions on both Jungwoo and Sicheng's face.

The thoughtful man breathes out and continues. “I am the person who actually cares about things and surroundings among us three. As you guys just care for fun and f***s that you even forgot that we had assignments to finish.”

A panicked expression came on both of the other men's features as soon as the sentence left Donghyuck's mouth. “Oh s**t! He's right, Sicheng. I totally forgot about the assignments!”

Sicheng gulps in nervousness as if he ordered to submit all the holiday homework right away. “Yeah but, Hyuck, didn't you say that you would handle it for us this time round?” He asks, his tone sounding hopeful which soon breaks when Donghyuck's glare shoots him.

”Wasn't it supposed to be that way when I would have studied instead of being dragged at that hormonal and messy party.”

“You mean hot and sexy party.” Sicheng corrected but the latter's expression didn't seem to be approving. “Oh come on! It's as if you didn't enjoy it!”

“Well yes. I did. But that doesn't give you any excuse to use. So rather than being lame, you two should get in the game. Because being lame… Is lame.”

Now a scrunching expression appears on Jungwoo and Sicheng's face as Jungwoo utters, “The last line was cringe at an eternal level but okay…”

“Yes, yes, eternal champions. Thank you for your output. Now I'm going because I don't want to add anymore cringe to your god tier humor. Bye.” And then Donghyuck collects his belongings and leaves right away despite his friends' call from the behind.

“Man… We f****d big time!”

“What you mean Sicheng? We didn't even get to f**k any chick last night.”

Sicheng's expression suddenly changed from panic to what seemed thoughtful as he says, “Well, maybe we didn't get any f***s but someone is probably going to get laid. Right this week. I have a strong feeling about it.”

Jungwoo realizes his friend's implication as he starts smiling in a playful way. “If it is what it's meant, then I guess I really don't have any problem with doing assignments.”

The two cheered their cokes in god knew what kind of accomplishment. But it was for sure that it was something related to mess and s*x. Included Donghyuck and… Well, let it roll itself.

______

“Donghyuck, here's your coffee, honey. Want some biscuits or something else?”

“No Mom. Only coffee is fine, thanks.”

Jieun nods as she places the tray of snacks on the table in front of her son while taking a seat in front of him. Both of them took their mugs with Jieun picking up some cookies as well.

After one or two sips, the younger man places his mug on the table as he continues typing on his iPad and writing on the notes. “Working on assignments, sweetie?”

“Yes Mom. And I actually…” Donghyuck presses one last key on his device before looking at the woman. “Kind of need your help.”

Jieun smiles in a bit of surprise. “My help? What is it you need my help with?”

“Well, the concept is just to be openly and expressively diverse. To give people a reasonable sight to view at. To make people see certain things and scenes again in an observant way which they usually don't care about much unless it's personality related to them. Which basically shows that people only care about things if they're getting certainly affected either positively or negatively. But they literally don't acknowledge that every single thing and every single being is related to each other and every act affects everything. Whether it's an act of nature, or science, or person or if it's history, present or future.”

“Whoa… That seems to be a lot of working there then.”

Donghyuck giggles at his mother's comment as he resumes. “Not really Mom. I've just pinpointed a few topics that I'm gonna highlight. And the first thing that I'm gonna highlight is historical defense and strategic studies and since your traditional weaponry collection is a perfect representation of warfare, you sure would give an accurate output, Mom.”

Jieun followed Donghyuck's motioning and looked around the gallery where they had traditional weaponries and other warfare sources such as tessen, rod, bows and the most aesthetic and dominating one, the katana.

“Ohh, these… Well Hyuck, you know that these are just ornaments I had collected eventually. They're nowhere related with any kind of activity.”

“I mean yeah Mom but isn't it obvious that they look so undeniably bonafide that they are actually made to be used in battles. And especially that katana, that looks as if it had been used countless times but still holds its killing edge.”

The intense compliment makes the lady chuckle in what seems like some kind of nervousness. “Yeah, they do look like that way eventually but they're not actually. You just think like that because of how observant you are, Donghyuck.”

“I guess.” Donghyuck says as both of them start laughing for a moment. “But still you must know their history. Their concept. A perspective of yours if these caused violence or were some kind of art…”

Jieun nods in pride, probably having some grateful thoughts. “You must know about martial arts, right?”

“Are you kidding Mom? Of course I do!” The young whined making the latter chuckle

“Alright, alright. So, martial arts itself has the term art as it was and is a way of people's practice to keep their living spirited and vital. Just like, how people nowadays do workout and yoga. Dancing and many other kinds of activities to keep their mental and physical state stable. Just like that, it's also an art of vibrant livelihood. Just a bit diverse having all these creative combats and aesthetic armaments which other people generally use as props. And yes, it sure helped the people to defend themselves from unknown attacks from the rival cults and so but it never was a sign or cause of violence or wars.”

The lady stops for a moment on her track as she takes a breath and continues. “But the situations, negativity as always, found their way in and left people with no choice but to commit themselves to such acts they regret forever. Something that they even leave later, it will leave them never.” Jieun concludes with a tone sounding guilt and regret as if she was referring her words to herself rather than a third person's perspective.

Donghyuck did frown for a second but he let it slide nonetheless.“Just like how many criminals commit crimes despite knowing it's bad and not wanting to be bad. Right?” He interrogates and the latter widens her eyes in confusion.

“We are actually studying a new topic lately, entitled criminology.” Jieun grabs Donghyuck's book of honors to validate if what her son was saying was even a thing or just another excuse to talk about criminals and assassins. “And this is going to be one of those topics that I'm going to highlight.”

“Yes, you are right. Here is the topic you mentioned but, it is not that major as others and it doesn't really have such an impactful or inspiring image, so why are you picking this over others?”

“Exactly! You already think that I can't be something that helps us learn the positive sides just because this book and people don't say so. And that's why I'm representing it to break the stereotypes.”

“It's really good that you want to represent things in a new way Hyuck but still… This certain topic is not it. Literally nothing related to them is good. It could be controversial, it could harm you.”

Donghyuck shakes his head in disagreement. The mother and son were probably arguing at this point. “No really Mom. You always think that I'm automatically gonna hurt or something if I encounter such people or scenarios when I literally saved a person from a Don.”

The confused yet intimidating expression on the lady's face was enough for the man to realize that he spilled some tea that he wasn't supposed to be. “You did what?”

The latter sighs before answering the mad woman. There was no other way round. “There was a man being mobbed last night at the party. I saved him from that mobster but found out that it wasn't just a typical looting man but that Don who's breaking the news lately.”

“And you didn't even bother to tell me?”

“Yes Mom. I didn't. How could I even when you literally overreact over the slightest things. You don't even appreciate me for my bravery or encourage me to go further. I'm not a kid anymore Mom. I'm a man now.”

“Of course you're a man and that is why I expect you to be sane. You could be harmed or anything could happen just because of your so called bravery or swag.”

Donghyuck exhales in frustration of the heated argument. “See, you're just proving my words right. I wish Dad was here. He would probably feel proud of me instead of telling me to keep myself shielded twenty four seven. Or anyone else would feel the same but you.”

“But Dad is not here. Neither anyone else. There's no Dad, no else, just us. Just the two of us. And don't encourage you because I know there's nothing good you can learn with these criminal minds and so on. They just ruin and ruin your life until it becomes hell.”

“Now you're talking as if you yourself are a criminal, Mom.”

“Because I am a criminal!”

The loud shout and heavy thud on the table made some little amount of the coffee to spill out and some cookies to jump out of the plate.

Jieun had almost hit and broke her mug but secured it by a few centimeters. Donghyuck looked at the messy table and then at his mother who just seemed ready to beat the hell out of him but proceeded to just leave without uttering a single letter anymore.

Donghyuck tried speaking and probably to apologize but his tongue felt stuck in mute mode. When the woman was gone he huffed in stress.

He loved his mother a lot and always tried to not disappoint her with any act but, likewise mentioned, his mother's obvious prevention from certain things was always something he could not digest and now it was just getting him frustrated day by day.

But he really didn't intend to pick a quarrel and get his mother that mad. She even said that was offended because she is a criminal which was of course just a vague sentence that she probably said in anger. But for some reasons, it felt so real too. As if, as if…

“No, no.” Donghyuck said to himself as he shook his head. He should better not think anything unnecessary anymore and probably apologize and convince his mother.

But before that, he needed to get this mess cleaned so that his chances of getting his mother convinced would rise. Besides, he himself disliked messy surroundings. And he really needed to have a comforting environment to complete his assignment and it must be completed before he starts not losing only time or energy but also his sentiment.