Chapter 5: (Seokjin's pov)

As I walked in the rain, I felt really sad and lost. I kept thinking about my past and the people I loved who are gone now. The rain made me feel worse, like it was washing away all my pretend happiness.

As I trudged through the rain-soaked streets, my mind in a haze, I felt lost and alone. Each step I took seemed to weigh heavier on my weary soul, and I couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness that engulfed me.

The memories of my past, of the loved ones I had lost, haunted me like ghosts in the night. With each flash of lightning and clap of thunder, their faces flickered before my eyes, I could see nothing.

Despite the downpour, I couldn't bring myself to seek shelter. The rain felt like a cleansing force, washing away the facade I had built around myself, exposing the raw emotions I had long tried to bury. I hate being in ran, I hate being soaked in rain.

I hate rain.

As I stumbled along, my clothes drenched and my heart heavy, I felt a sense of despair wash over me. I didn't know where I was going or what I was searching for. All I knew was that I couldn't bear to be alone with my thoughts any longer.

I didn't know where I was going. I just walked and walked Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, I found myself standing before the familiar gates of my castle. With trembling hands, I reached out and pushed them open, the creak of the metal hinges echoing in the stillness of the night.

As I stepped inside, the warmth and familiarity of my home enveloped me like a comforting embrace. But even as I made my way towards the front door, I tried to open it, but it felt like it got stuck.

With one final effort, I stumbled up the steps and collapsed against the door, my body shaking with sobs. Tears mingled with raindrops as I clung to the cold stone, feeling as though I had reached the end of my strength.

In that moment of utter despair, I felt as though I had lost all sense of who I was. But as the darkness threatened to consume me, a faint glimmer of hope flickered deep within my soul. I cannot stop thinking about it, i cannot stop feeling disgusted to myself.

When I got there I stumbled towards the stairs my mind was numb at the point, i couldn't control my body and I fell on my knees and collapsed.

.

As I stepped into the house, the rain tapping against the windows echoed my exhaustion. I wasn't expecting to find my parents waiting for me in the living room, especially not at this hour. My mother's worried gaze met mine, and I could sense her concern radiating in the room like a palpable force. But it was my father's furrowed brow and tense posture that set my heart racing with apprehension.

Mother: Jin, sweetheart, are you alright?

My mother's voice trembled slightly as she spoke, her eyes searching for my reassurance.

I tried to muster a smile, but the weight of my father's gaze bore down on me like a ton of bricks.

Seokjin: I'm fine, Mom.

I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite the turmoil brewing inside me. Before my mother could utter another word, my father's voice cut through the air like thunder, sharp and unforgiving.

Father: Careless! That's what you are, Jin! Careless and foolish!

His words pierced through me, igniting a fire of anger within. I felt my own frustration bubbling to the surface, fueled by his accusations.

Seokjin: Dad, I'm not careless! I'm doing the best I can!

I shot back, my voice rising in defiance. But my father's anger only seemed to intensify, his words lashing out like lightning in a storm.

Father: The kingdom! Do you think I can entrust it to someone who can't even take care of themselves?

His words struck me like a blow to the chest, the weight of his disappointment heavy in the air. I clenched my fists, my own anger reaching its boiling point.

Seokjin: I'm trying, Dad! But you never listen! You never see how hard I'm working!

But my father continued his tirade, his words a relentless assault on my pride, I felt a surge of defiance rising within me. Who did he think he was, belittling me like this?

Father: You're just like your mother, always coddling him!

My father spat, his voice dripping with disdain. I hate him when he always brings my mother in between an argument. I scoffed, unable to contain my frustration any longer.

Seokjin: And you're just like your father, always thinking you're better than everyone else!

My retort was sharp, edged with the bitterness of years of pent-up resentment. My mother's soft voice interjected, a feeble attempt to quell the rising storm between us.

Mother: Please, can't we just calm down? This isn't helping anyone.

But her words fell on deaf ears as my father rounded on me once again, his face contorted with anger My father gave me a tight slap.

Father: You think you can talk to me like that? In my own house?

I scoffed, he literally just slapped me ?

Seokjin: Yeah, because this is how you've always treated me! Like I'm nothing but a disappointment!

But what he said next was too much, his words cut deep, slicing through the already fragile threads of my patience.

Father: look at Yoongi! Younger than you, but twice as responsible! Why can't you be more like him?

I felt a surge of anger boiling within me, fueled by the unfairness of his comparison.

Seokjin: yoongi is not me, Dad! I'm tired of being compared to him! I'm tired of never being good enough in your eyes!

Father: You think I enjoy this? You think I want to see you fail? I'm trying to prepare you for your future, Kim Seok Jin!

I shook my head,

Seokjin: Well, maybe your way isn't working! Maybe I don't want the future you have planned for me!

Father: I'm your father, Jin! I know what's best for you!

Seokjin: Maybe it's time you started listening to what I want, instead of what you think is best for me!

My father's voice rose to a crescendo, his words crashing against me once again as he did the same.

Father: Namjoon, Hoseok, even Jimin and Taehyung! They're all more responsible than you, Seok Jin! Why can't you be more like them?

I gritted my teeth, the bitterness of his comparison burning like acid in my chest.

Seokjin: I'm not them, Dad! I'm tired of being compared to everyone else! Can't you see that I'm trying my best?

Father: Your best isn't good enough.

Seokjin: Dad! I want my own future, one where I'm not constantly living in someone else's shadow!

Father: Why can't you see that I'm trying to help you?

My father's voice softened. But I couldn't back down now, not when I was so close to finally standing up for myself.

Seokjin: To hell with your help, Your help feels like suffocation, Dad! I need room to breathe, to find my own path in life!

Father: Suffocating? You need a room ? Learn something from Jungkook at least, he's Responsible, diligent, worthy of trust? To hell with what you want to be.

I could feel the anger bubbling up inside me, a seething mass of resentment at being constantly measured against my cousins.

Seokjin: AS MANY TUMES AS YOU'RE GOING TO COMPARE ME WITH YOUR BROTHER'S FREAKING CHILDREN, I couldn't take it !

I shouted.

Mother: Seokjin don't shout.

Seokjin: I'm not them, Dad! I'm me! Can't you see that?

Dad: You're a disgrace to this family, Kim Seokjin ! How can I trust you with the kingdom when you can't even take care of yourself?

I clenched my fists, the weight of his words pressing down on me like a suffocating blanket.

Seokjin: Disgrace right ? Why don't you guys get another son ? Oh I'm sorry, it's not possible what if it might turn out to be a daughter?

Mother: Please, can't we just talk about this calmly?

My mother held her head with pain, But my father's anger brooked no dissent, his eyes blazing with fury. I didn't care at the moment either, I didn't know what got into me.

Father: No, we can't! We can't have another child that's a pity, cause we don't fear it becomes a daughter, but we fear it might turn out to be like you, Pathetic, Arrogant, Foolish, selfish and an immature creature.

Seokjin: Creature that's what I am to you ?

I couldn't take this anymore, I could feel my anger reaching its boiling point. Ignoring his words, I stormed towards my room.

Father: You think you can just walk away from this? You think you can ignore your responsibilities?

my father's voice followed me.

I didn't bother turning back, my rage blinding me to anything but my own seething emotions.

Seokjin: Keep talking, Dad. I don't care.

I spat, my voice dripping with contempt. Before disappearing into the darkness of my room, I glanced back at my mother, her worried expression etched with concern. She gave me a reassuring smile, but at that moment, I couldn't bring myself to care. With a final slam of the door, I shut out the world, leaving behind the chaos of the night and the shattered remnants of my fractured family.

As I collapsed onto my bed, the weight of the argument was still heavy on my shoulders, so I muttered bitter words to myself in the darkness.

Next morning.

I woke up to an unusually silent house. Normally, the sounds of breakfast being prepared and the chatter of the maids filled the air, but today there was nothing but stillness. Confused, I made my way downstairs, my steps echoing in the empty hallway.

Seokjin: Hello? Is anyone here?

I called out, hoping for a response.

Seokjin: Mom ? Dad ? Look im sorry about how i acted yesterday.

I glanced outside and it was still raining.

Aria: Good morning, Little Prince.

One of the maids, Aria, greeted me with a shy smile as I entered the kitchen.

Aria: Your parents have gone away for a few days.

My heart sank at the news.

Seokjin: They didn't tell me they were leaving.

I murmured, feeling a pang of sadness at being left out, but i realised maybe yesterday they were about to tell me but that argument happened.

Lily: They wanted to surprise you.

Another maid, Lily, chimed in, her cheeks turning pink as she avoided my gaze. I hate them all for being so clingy to me.

I gave them all an awkward smile, used to their shyness around me. Being the son of wealthy parents, I was accustomed to the awkwardness that sometimes accompanied interactions with the household staff. They often called me "Little Prince" because they couldn't pronounce my name properly, but it was a term of endearment that I had grown accustomed to.

Seokjin: Thank you for letting me know.

I said normally,

Seokjin: I'll just have some breakfast.

As I sat down to eat, the maids hovered around me, serving me with exaggerated care. They were always a little too attentive, a little too eager to please. I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable under their watchful gaze, especially when they would sneak shy glances at me when they thought I wasn't looking.

Aria: You're looking particularly handsome today, Little Prince.

Aria commented with a flirtatious smile, causing the other maids to giggle.

Seokjin: Thank you, Aria.

I replied, ignoring eye contact with her. It wasn't the first time the maids had flirted with me, and it probably wouldn't be the last.

As I finished my breakfast, I couldn't shake the feeling of loneliness, With my parents gone and the house so quiet, I felt like I was missing a piece of myself. But I pushed the feeling aside, determined not to let it ruin my day.

As I sat in my room, watching the rain cascade down from the heavens, I couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy wash over me. Rain had always been my favorite weather, but it seemed like it always brought with it a sense of turmoil and unrest in my life.

Seokjin: Why does it always have to rain when things go wrong? Why Always The Rain ?

I muttered to myself, my voice barely above a whisper.

Despite the storm raging outside, I found solace in the rhythmic tapping of raindrops against the window pane. It was almost soothing, in a strange sort of way. Suddenly my eyes caught the canvas in front of me.

Seokjin: Aaira...

Her name slipped from my lips like a prayer, a bittersweet reminder of the girl who had once been my closest friend. We were never inseparable since childhood until... sharing secrets and dreams in the quiet moments between rain showers.

I picked up my pencil and began sketching, the image of Aaira's smiling face etched into my memory. She had always been so full of life, her laughter like music in the rain.

Seokjin: I miss you, Aaira.

I whispered, my voice barely audible over the sound of the storm. But even as I spoke the words, I knew that she was gone, halfway across the world in a city that felt like a million miles away.

The memory of our friendship was a painful reminder of everything I had lost, and everything my parents had taken from me. They had never approved of Aaira, seeing her as nothing more than a distraction from their plans for my future.

Seokjin: They drove her away...

I muttered bitterly, my hands clenching into fists as anger surged within me. My parents had used their influence to pressure Aaira's father into leaving the country, tearing her away from me without a second thought.

I stared out into the rain, feeling a sense of longing to wash over me. Aaira had been my anchor in the storm of my life, and without her, I felt adrift, lost in a sea of uncertainty.

Seokjin: I'll find you again, Aaira. I promise.

With renewed determination, I continued sketching, the image of Aaira's smiling face filling the pages of my canvas. And as the rain continued to fall outside, I held onto the hope that one day, I would see her again, and the storm clouds that had gathered over my life would finally part.

I sat lost in my thoughts, my phone suddenly rang, jolting me out of my reverie. With trembling hands, I answered the call, my heart pounding in my chest. The caller ID showed "Aaira🎀"

Seokjin:
Hello? Yeoboseyo ?

Aaira🎀:
Hie, Seokjinieeee... What are you doing ? How are you huh ? Do you know i too exist, How have you been without me ? Are you on the other side ? Don't you miss me, Seokjin!!

I looked at the canvas in front of me before smiling at her plenty of questions, I decided to play, I mean why not, she's my bestie.

Seokjin:
Sorry but who are you ?

I heard her gasp on the other side.

Aaira🎀:
Who am I ? You really don't know me huh?

Seokjin:
Maybe, I don't know, who are you ?

Aaira🎀:
Well if you don't know me, then I have no personal desires to tell you I'm Aaira.

I heard her chuckle on the other side, same for me, she's so cute always, so childish.

Seokjin:
Aaira, is that you ? Sorry I forgot, what a pity I couldn't even recognise your voice.

Aaira🎀:
Is that so ? Then why don't we just end this call already, why are we still talking.

I could hear her pouting already.

Seokjin:
Stop pouting.

I heard her chuckle over the phone, and look down Sheepishly, I know everything about her, that's what I assume ?

Aaira🎀:
You know it's raining ?

Seokjin:
Really ? It's raining here too.

Aaira🎀:
I missed you Oldie.

Seokjin:
Oldie ? I'm only one year older than you.

Aaira🎀:
Still you're old.

Seokjin:
Sure, old ? Fine.

She chuckled again, such a baby she is.

Seokjin:
How's life-

I was midway through my sentence, but before I could continue my words, I heard a thud sound, maybe a crashing sound, My eyes got widened, my heart stopped and I couldn't even move, I wonder what had happened on the other side, my voice got stuck in my throat.

Seokjin:
Aaira?

I still tried to speak but it seemed out of my reach, All I could manage to say was Aaira. I heard something burning, hurried steps, I tried my best avoiding to think something negative, she's not home or if she's home what had happened ? The worst scenario i could imagine, that time was a robbery.

Seokjin:
Aaira...

I waited and waited until someone replied but no one does, the worry got infinity, my heart founds it hard to beat.

But suddenly a voice came, the voice on the other end was not the one I was expecting. It was someone else, his voice choked with fear.

Aaira🎀:
Hello ? Hello, is somebody there ?

The voice got stuck in my throat.

Aaira🎀:
The girl... Are you listening?

The line got silent for two seconds.

Aaira🎀:
What's your name ?

I gasp.

Aaira🎀:
Seokjin... it's about this girl...

Who is he, why is Aaira not talking ?

Seokjin:
Who are you ?

Aaira🎀:
This girl... I don't know her... She's laying here...

His words sent a shockwave of panic coursing through my veins.

Seokjin:
What happened? Is she okay?

Aaira🎀:
She... she got into an accident. It's the rain maybe. It's been so heavy... she lost control of her car... Maybe it's cause of the rain, I don't know, maybe she was not paying attention to the road.

Seokjin:
What ?

Aaira🎀:
The girl is losing so much blood we are taking her to the near by hospital.

Seokjin:
Please be quick.

The world seemed to spin as I struggled to process the news. Aaira, my best friend, caught in the crossfire of the storm that raged outside.

.

As I heard the distant rumble of thunder, my eyes snapped open, and I quickly sat up on the floor.

Seokjin: Aaira...

I woke up, memories of the rain came flooding back, making me shiver. The first word that came out of my mouth was,

Seokjin: Aaira... I miss you....

Tears started rolling down my cheeks as I sat on the floor.

Seokjin: Rain has taken everyone away from me.

I cried out.

Seokjin: I hate rain.

The sound of raindrops tapping against the window only made things worse. It felt like the rain was mocking me, reminding me of everything I had lost. I felt so alone, like there was no one left to understand the pain I was going through.

Seokjin: I wish you were here...

I took a pause.

Seokjin: but it's better you're not here, I can't see you act like others towards me.

The sound of the thunderstorm echoed through the room, sending a jolt of adrenaline through my body. My heart raced as flashes of lightning illuminated the darkness outside.