Chapter 4 All Over The Media

• The younger boy had been attentively listening to the class until someone accidentally struck his injured elbow. A sharp pang of pain shot through him, nearly bringing tears to his eyes. It was a distressing sensation, momentarily blinding him. He dared not turn to see the person responsible for the blow.
• To be honest, he had no desire to become entangled in any classroom altercation, especially since he was new to the school. Although he possessed the courage to defend himself, he had failed to do so in front of his elder brother, Aaron Alit.
• "What a nuisance. The younger brother of that arrogant fellow. How can he be so adorable? I want to ruin that cute face," one student muttered.
• Ederic grew angry, not because the student wished to mar his face, but because he referred to his elder brother as an arrogant fellow. It seemed as if this student had been holding a grudge against Aaron for some time. In his current condition, Ederic couldn't speak up. How could they be so conceited? He wasn't accustomed to this new life of luxury yet, but he was already being targeted by his classmates.
• Back in his previous school, everyone had befriended him simply because of his famous, charming smile. His endearing smile had never faded in his former school. However, in this new environment, it appeared survival would be more challenging.
• "Don't call my Hyung a bastard," the younger one defiantly rose from his chair, standing up for his brother. Everyone was taken aback by his audacious behavior. How could a newcomer confront a student who was renowned for bullying others?
• "You..." the individual who had insulted his brother as an arrogant bastard grew furious.
• Ederic had touched a nerve, igniting the individual's fragile ego. After all, everyone was afraid of him. How could a newcomer talk back to him? He was about to raise his hand to teach the young one a lesson but was interrupted by a staff member who entered the classroom for the next class. Ederic was saved by the staff member but had unwittingly become a new hero in his class by standing up against the bully.
• His injured elbow began to bleed due to the rupture. He hadn't expected the wound to be this severe. Initially, he had only felt mild pain, but now a burning sensation enveloped him, causing his ears to ring.
• He managed to endure the rest of the class. As soon as it concluded, he wasted no time and hurried to the pharmacy to purchase some ointment for his wound. Approaching the pharmacist, he requested antibiotic ointment for his injury, and she handed him a tube. The younger boy smiled warmly.
• He walked along the hallway, attempting to apply the ointment to his elbow, when he was halted by a familiar voice. It was Aaron. He was engaged in conversation with someone, appearing quite close. Aaron remained in a corner, while the younger one listened to their exchange. He could see Aaron, but not the person with whom he was speaking.
• "What's troubling my big man today? You seem to be in a foul mood," Edward asked with a concerned tone. Edward Dexus, Aaron's closest friend and brother-like figure since joining the school as a junior student. Edward was only a few months older than Aaron, acting as an elder brother to him. They shared everything with each other.
• "You already know the reason. So why are you asking, man?" Aaron used to refer to Edward as Ed, but today he hesitated. Ever since their father had started calling Ederic Alit by the nickname Ed, it had begun to irritate Aaron. He didn't like it, perhaps trying to avoid admitting the growing attachment he felt toward the younger boy.
• "I heard you suddenly became an elder brother. He's studying in this school, right?" Edward attempted to tease Aaron, unknowingly fueling the fire that could ignite at any moment. Aaron clenched his fist tightly, struggling to control his anger.
• "He's not my little brother, and I don't have one. Don't bring up his name in front of me again," Aaron shouted, causing Ederic to flinch. He had been observing everything from a short distance away, hearing their conversation clearly. He hadn't anticipated that Aaron despised him to such an extent.
• A solitary tear formed in the corner of the tiger cub's glistening eyes. He pouted, and as the tear slid down his soft cheeks, he could no longer contain himself and burst into tears. He couldn't bear to stay there any longer, feeling utterly numb. He ran away from the scene.
• "Be kind to him, Aaron... after all, he's just a young boy who recently arrived in the city. You can't be rude to him," Edward attempted to impart a lesson to the boy who had no interest in caring for Ederic even a bit. Aaron rolled his eyes, his anger already at its peak due to the spreading rumors about Ederic and himself. It only served to annoy him further.
• "Why is everyone so concerned about others' personal lives when their own lives are already in shambles? You talk too much. Let's return to our class," Aaron didn't give Edward a chance to utter another word. He forcefully pulled Edward along, heading back to their classroom.
• The younger sat beneath the stadium, tears streaming down his face like a gentle river. Oblivious to the passage of time, he cried unabated, unable to contain the flood of his emotions.
• "Why... why doesn't he like me? Eomma said everyone would like me, but Hyung doesn't." He sniffled, his sobs intensifying. An hour had elapsed since the young one had sought solace within the stadium. Startled by a rustling sound from outside, he peered through a small gap and finally realized that a physical education class for the senior high second-year students was taking place.
• "I've been here for so long." He wiped away his tears and stepped out of the stadium. He discovered his Hyung engrossed in a spirited game of basketball with his juniors, a radiant smile highlighting his dimples.
• “Hyung was always kind to everyone, but why not to Ederic?” The younger boy found this peculiarity disconcerting. Ignoring his Hyung's joyful interaction with his peers, he abruptly fled. In truth, he felt a twinge of jealousy towards those who had the privilege of playing with Aaron. Even after just one day, Ederic had already found his heart captivated by him.
• Ederic hurried into his classroom but caught the attention of two individuals around his age. Unaware of their presence, he continued on, lost in his thoughts.
• "Hyung, did you see that person? I feel like I've seen him somewhere before," Dallin Fjorn inquired about Ederic to his companion.
• Dallin was a popular member of their class, renowned for his graceful dancing and sweet, melodious voice akin to honey. Both girls and boys were enamored with him. After turning to his Hyung for an answer, he pondered further.
• "I believe he is the son of Mr. Alit. It was all over social media this morning. He became the talk of the town," Lyan Hintell explained to his inquisitive companion. Sighing, he distanced himself from Dallin.
• Lyan Hintell was supposed to be a year ahead of Dallin Fjorn in school. Due to his aversion to studying, he had skipped a grade. Dallin and Lyan had been friends since childhood, residing in the same middle-class neighborhood. As Lyan's parents disapproved of his poor academic performance, he had moved out and lived alone, with Dallin joining him. Their bond had remained unbroken for over a decade.
• "Why are you walking away? Wait for me, Hyung," the adorable Dallin pouted, matching his pace to Lyan's. Holding Lyan's hand, they continued together. Occasionally, their classmates mistook their relationship for that of lovers, yet they shared a connection that surpassed mere romantic entanglement.
• IN THE EVENING
• As expected of the Alit family, the chauffeur stood ready to pick up his young masters. Aaron strolled out of the school gate, engrossed in his mobile device. Meanwhile, Ederic struggled to navigate through the crowd of departing students.
• "Good evening, young masters," the chauffeur called out, finding it a challenge to address both of them as young masters, having previously only served Aaron. The younger one nearly stumbled as he approached the car.
• They both entered the vehicle, with Ederic taking a seat in the back while Aaron claimed the front. He made it clear that he did not want to sit with Ederic.
• Upon their arrival home, Ederic's mother warmly greeted them, as she always had, even during their days in the village when she toiled away in the paddy fields. Aaron paid her no mind and walked away, visibly irritated. Ederic rushed toward his mother, embracing her tightly. Adjusting to a new environment proved challenging for the young boy.
• "Eomma..." His beaming smile eased her worries. He didn't want her to fret over him.
• "How was your first day, my baby? Did you enjoy yourself?" she gently caressed his cheeks. He responded with an enthusiastic nod and his trademark smile. Finally, she could breathe a sigh of relief. She had worried all day that he wouldn't be able to connect with anyone. It was true, but he concealed his struggles behind that radiant smile.
• "Let's go inside. I have prepared some snacks for you as well," Ederic's mother suggested.
• Ederic nodded eagerly and followed his mother indoors.
• "Eomma, I'll go take a shower first. I feel all sweaty," he pouted cutely. He had always been a tidy and hygienic boy.
• As his mother nodded and granted permission, he dashed up the stairs, nearly colliding with Mrs. Alit. Fearing a scolding, he braced himself, but to his surprise, she smiled at him. Taking a deep breath, he continued on to his room.
• "It seems he was frightened by me," Mrs. Alit remarked as she descended the stairs, speaking to Ederic's mother, who remained silent for a moment. It was true; everything was still so new to him, how could he possibly remain composed?
• "I apologize for his behavior. He..." Ederic's mother's words were interrupted by Mrs. Alit.
• "It's alright. He was adorable, just like his mother," Mrs. Alit complimented, offering a gentle smile. It carried a hint of warmth and ambiguity. Mrs. Alit understood that Ederic's mother still harbored feelings of inferiority and guilt over her presence in their lives.