Rin wasn't sure what was worse—that Than had admitted to being there the night his brother died, or that he sounded like he didn't regret it.
The elevator doors closed behind him with a cold hiss. He didn't remember pressing the buttons. He barely registered the lobby as it blurred past. All he could hear was Than's voice—
> "I didn't push him. But I didn't stop him either."
It echoed like a taunt. Like a confession dressed in apathy.
Rin stepped into the rain again, letting it soak him until he couldn't feel the heat in his chest anymore. But it didn't help. Nothing ever did.
---
Two Days Later
The city looked clean from the top of the HanCorp rooftop. Fake. Controlled.
Than stood at the edge, sleeves rolled up, cigarette between his fingers. He wasn't supposed to smoke—his PR manager would scream if she saw him—but there was something soothing about the burn in his throat. Like punishment. Like control.
He exhaled slowly.
Footsteps.
Than didn't turn. "If you came to throw me off this time, try the other side. It's more poetic."
Rin scoffed behind him. "Tempting."
He stepped beside Than, silent for a beat, then handed him a folded piece of paper.
"What's this?" Than asked.
"An invitation."
Than opened it. It was for the memorial scholarship gala—created in his brother's name. The event his father's company had donated to last year. Publicity, guilt, maybe both.
"And you want me there why?" Than asked, staring at the name printed in gold ink. "So I can pretend to mourn someone I already buried?"
"No." Rin's eyes darkened. "So you can look everyone in the eye and know what you cost them."
Than lit another cigarette. "You think you scare me?"
"No. But I know you hate being looked at like a monster."
Than glanced sideways. "I don't hate it as much as you think."
Their eyes locked. Something unspoken crackled in the space between them—like lightning before the storm. There was no civility here. No shared mourning. Just two boys with too many things unsaid.
Rin should've walked away.
But he didn't.
Instead, he asked, "Why did he trust you?"
Than didn't answer.
Rin stepped closer. "You were his friend. You knew him. Better than I did. So why—?"
Than cut him off. "Because we were the same."
Rin flinched. "You're nothing like him."
Than gave a crooked smile. "No, Rin. You just never knew who he really was."
---
Flashback – Two Years Ago
University campus. Late night.
Than and Rin's brother—Jun—sat on the rooftop drinking cheap beer. Than was in his usual black, eyes half-lidded, voice soft with honesty he never showed in daylight.
"You ever feel like... you're already dead?" Jun asked, staring up at the stars.
Than looked at him. "All the time."
Jun smiled. "That's why I talk to you. You don't pretend things are fine."
Than lit a cigarette. "Because they never are."
Jun turned toward him, eyes glassy. "Promise me something?"
Than hesitated.
"If I ever fall," Jun said, voice barely above a whisper, "don't catch me. Just... don't lie."
Than's jaw clenched. "I won't."
---
Back to Present
"Why are you telling me this now?" Rin asked, voice hoarse.
Than flicked ash into the wind. "Because it's the only truth I have."
Rin shook his head, angry tears threatening. "You're sick."
Than stepped closer. His voice dropped low. "And you're obsessed."
Rin's breath caught. "What the hell does that mean?"
"It means you're not here for justice, Rin. You're here for me."
That shut him up.
"You want me broken," Than said softly. "You want to see me crack. Because somewhere in that twisted little head of yours, you think it'll bring your brother back."
Rin shoved him—harder this time. "You arrogant piece of shit!"
Than didn't stumble. He just looked at Rin like he was waiting for something.
And maybe Rin was. Maybe he wanted Than to break. Cry. Scream. Do anything to prove he was still human.
Instead, Than said, "See you at the gala."
---
Later that night, Rin lay on his bed, soaked in guilt, fury, and something else. Something darker.
Than had ruined everything. But he hadn't denied knowing his brother. Hadn't denied the bond. And that made it worse.
Because Rin had grown up hating a stranger.
But now he saw Than clearly.
And hatred had a face. A voice. A heartbeat.
And that was far more dangerous than silence.
---
End of Chapter 2