─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

❝ Once upon a time, there was the sun and the moon that believed in love but the sun became the cold moon and the moon whispered goodnight forever ❞

🌹

C H A P T E R  O N E

Everything right now is content.

After all this time, his hard work alongside his cousin has paid off. 

The manga that has captured the young generation's respect and love rests on a black round table accompanied by a vase of white flowers, smiling as the lit room silences. Now you might ask what kind of story could possibly gain the two author's respect and devotion unless it is inspiring.

You are going to laugh, albeit, the title, the story will leave you in a mess of emotions.

 Oh, I'm so sure of this, don't even argue.

Their manga, The Castle, has finally received its devotion.

Although cliche, it has its charm and beauty from the story's respective scenes, dialogues, characters, lastly the message.

Everything seems just too perfect right now. It's hard to breathe in the oxygen he's receiving from the very attentive and considerate room. Well almost perfect. 

It seems hard to believe this moment where he's standing in front of so many people, respectively his fans' attention all directed on him, quietly cheering and passing smiles to one another as they await his speech is real.

Am I even real? The co-author thinks. 

The room dims and the audience has silenced. He can't open his mouth from the astonishment and happiness and just every other feeling gushing through his veins. His heart pumping is so loud in his ears, refusing to hear the roaring silence. Finally, he opens his mouth, eyes the color of sweet caramel twinkling as a smile slips across his face.

"Hello everyone, I hope this evening finds you at ease. I'm Ji Changmin, a co manga author, and a TA for dance in a college. I'm afraid my cousin, Seungah won't be accompanying me today, but she will look over me from the sky as well as everyone else here today." 

Changmin pauses, feeling his throat go dry, eyes glistening from tears forming. Biting the end of his cheeks to prevent creating an emotional scene as he recalls his cousin, Seungah.

Focus, Changmin. Breathe, it's going to be okay. What would Seungah say if she was here now? The young male author tells himself and then chuckles, knowing exactly what she'd say. 

"Stupid giraffe boy, you're strong as a twig."

"Is that supposed to be an insult? Because that's awfully an amazing one" and suddenly there's a proud smile on his face because he in fact is strong.

Seungah was like a big sister, always supportive of him, and had his back no matter how idiotic he would be sometimes.

She was three years older than him. So beautiful, powerful in her walks, gestures, and reactions, almost like a comedy show because she would make him laugh during rainy seasons and ask if he wanted to have ice cream, and so they would enjoy together under the basking sun, not caring about the world at all.

Only wanting each other to be happy. To have a fairytale of their own one day. 

It didn't seem like it, but Changmin was a sucker for fairytales.

Well, actually, he despise fairytales.

In fact, he loathes fairytales or anything that deals with romance, almost as if he became the beast due to his cold behavior ever since Seungah passed away. Of course, he was warm towards his close friends though, particularly Chanhee and Juyeon.

"Hey, how about, we just let faith lead us if we never get a fairytale romance," Seungah said, sitting up in her seat, and throwing away the heavy red book of traditional fairytales that was laying across her face.

"Who said we'll never experience a fairytale romance? Besides, the traditional ones are often seen in real-life sometimes, like Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast." Changmin reasoned, abruptly standing up from his seat quickly, hands a fist, and eyes shooting her a determined look.

"Changmin, please, I have lived 21 years and not experienced one, although I've dated . . . those guys were jerks at the end. I almost wanted to YEET myself out the window."  She laughs.

"But then I remembered I could create a fairytale for myself, then you said, "Can I make one with you too? We should focus on Beauty and the Beast concept because personally I love the story." The dark brunette starts playing with his hands, cheeks flushing crimson.

"You—you want it too! You clearly agreed to a wolf boy who's actually a prince and then the heroine is the typical oh so beautiful and sweet sugarplum princess in distress but not necessarily."

Silence. And then, eureka!

Two brains came together to create their very own fairytale.

"I was born into a  very content, noteworthy business family. We lived in comfortable circumstances with understanding and devoted parents." 

Changmin continues, smiling, "I'm very thankful to my parents for giving us such a nice environment to live in and being there for us. As an author and TA for dance, I believe the most important thing is to be truthful and express good values. In our life, we can't avoid coming across hardships. Everyone already knows this, however, the world is beautiful from our hard work and determination. That way you can overcome any difficulty and achieve success." 

He finishes his speech, leaving the audience inspired as they applaud. He poses for the camera when the ladies off to the side of the stage ask him to do so for the fans.

Ji Changmin is a manga author aside from being a TA for dance. He speaks and dances more with caution instead of drawing. The Castle is his latest installment, a masterpiece he considers. It's magical including the concept of Beauty and the Beast.

Its characters are definitive.

The male lead is called Lee Jaeyhyun, but people call him Hyunjae because he prefers it that way. He is the crown prince of the Sun family and utterly outstanding. While the other leading male is the campus's second admired prince and kind-hearted, Kim Younghoon.

Son Youngjae, more known by Eric, is the lead male co-star. He's a Cinderella-type even though he was one of the most loveable princes of the Moon family, but also quite the tactician, hiding a secret only a few know.

The plot itself plays around by the young prince, Youngjae, and his end is unfortunate. But for now, there shall be nothing more said about the plot, but anticipated.

Three years later, when Changmin had to revise the novel, he suddenly realized art creation requires caution. Other fill frames in using pens. He fills in frames using life. 

. . .

Three Years Later

BY THE TIME the sun had set, the moon rises above the dark sky filled with shining stars. Universities had almost closed as the bustling city of Seoul raced through the evening before it became midnight, for families would worry, and the world needed to rest.

The writer lays on his back against the floor, chest heaving as he breathes in and out, sweat glistening across his forehead. He tries to steady his heartbeat and clenches his hand in anger and utter disappointment.

Then he starts talking to himself, like normally.

He didn't need anyone to talk about his worries. It would only create trouble and worry the other more than intended. So he usually relied on himself.

"It has only been three years since The Castle had been released and been popular. Just because I needed a break from writing and the people who work in the company aren't pleased with my ideas, doesn't mean my manga can be overtaken by someone else."  

He stands up and continues practicing the choreography for the students show that was scheduled for December but he couldn't stop thinking about the sudden change.

And that's when he stops, taking a look in the mirror in front of him, showing the sadness swimming in his brown eyes. There is no anger but the empty happiness his heart pounds. 

His eyes follow where the sound of the music is flowing from, then he's dancing lightly and laughs at himself for being so so stupid and childish.

He suddenly craves ice cream, except, who would he enjoy the treat with now? 

Someone knocks at the practice room door. 

Without asking, Changmin, allows the person to enter as he paces back and forth in the room, mind buzzing with the previous events, and his stomach rumbling doesn't help either. The boy that stepped into the practice room chuckles, hands reaching out to plant on the shorter's shoulder, turning him around to face him.

"Hungry?" The taller dancer's brow raises, handing him his favorite ice cream. 

Rolling his eyes, he playfully pushes his best friend since college away, hearing him sigh and gentle steps coming from behind him. 

"This is not the Ji Changmin I know," Juyeon waits for his best friend to turn around and give in. 

Whatever is bothering him, is his problem too. 

He doesn't need to know, actually, hearing it earlier on the news was why, but he wasn't okay about the sudden news not until he heard it from the younger. 

"The Castle is being taken over by Ju Haknyeon, a manga talent, and an aspiring neurologist." 

Ah, so it is true. Not just rumors despite it being on the news and radios, that for sure would hurt the male. Juyeon's only four feet away from the brunette and the icecream is melting, he's not letting the sweet treat melt and the boy to drown in despair as if he's now a nobody. Changmin's shoulder raises, his eyes widen when the spoon of ice cream escapes into his mouth. He thinks about running away before Juyeon feeds him more of the sweetness the ice cream has but finds himself trapped in the other's firm's embrace behind his back.

"Am I your child?" The dancer jokes.

"Yes, at least for now. So, be a good kid and let your dad take care of you."

Changmin decides it's best not to argue, so he just nods, allowing Juyeon to treat him after they relax and sit on the floor in silence until the brunette feels himself fall asleep on his best friend's shoulder only to be awakened from the sudden fire alarm.

"Oh my god!" Juyeon exclaims, getting pulled by Changmin as he grabs his backpack, quickly exiting the dance practice room. There's a whole crowd of the college's staff and students following the principal's orders. Changmin's gaze diverts to the principal, coughing from the burning smell. 

Juyeon is distracted. 

His eyes enlarge as he smiles but then drops, realizing the adorable creature he witnessed on this uproar night, its legs stuck between a tree's trunk, flames of fire quickly enveloping the area.

"Juyeon! We have to go, let's move!" Changmin's grasp on raven's arm is firm, fingers digging into the boy's sleeved arm from the panic electrifying his nerves.

He's never been this scared.

When Juyeon doesn't speak, Changmin's mind registers the boy escaped his grasp. 

Changmin is aware of how quickly the fire moves, touching nature's beauty. He's contemplating if he should go over to his friend and save the puppy, or just grab the boy and run for it. But he knew Juyeon wouldn't want that. 

The dancer does what he least preferred, erasing the terrifying scene play in his head.

He runs after the dancer, ignoring the principal's set of instructions to evacuate the building, only hearing the sound of his heart racing booming in his ears, teeth clenched. Arriving at the tree where the puppy is trapped and Juyeon's trying to help, the brunette lifts the trunk with his best friend. 

"There, are you happy now?" Changmin says, eyes full of concern. 

He's angry but worried more than anything for Juyeon. Content, he nods and starts running towards the school's entrance gate, pausing, his head whipping over his shoulder seeing the brunette fall down in pain.

"Just leave, I'll be fine and catch up." 

If there's one thing the brunette fears, it's his loved ones getting hurt and leaving him. He'd rather stay behind and struggle. He doesn't want his injury, his ankle stopping Juyeon from evacuating.

"But—but we promised to never leave each other."

"I don't care! Just leave me and save yourself!" 

Those words buried deep into the raven's chest, burning his heart, eyes glassy. When he leaves, his eyes widen,  hearing the flames of fire crackle and a scream as he turns around.

"Ji Changmin!" 

There's the same puppy hopping from behind another tree that had fallen where the boy fell down. 

A large hole that was probably a booby trap, leaving absolutely nothing but just a puppy with despondent eyes.

Juyeon was too late.

It was all his fault.

His best friend . . . Changmin was gone.

. . .

JI CHANGMIN'S HEART WENT BA-DUMP BA-DUMP, eyes shut as he floats under the crystal-like lake, holding his manga in his hand. A mix of two shades of blue is the color of the aperture that appears moving around in a circle, one light and the other dark.

The young boy that had disappeared into the fire is the famous manga author and TA for dance, Ji Changmin, twenty-one years old who believes he has become a nobody despite his best friend disapproving.

He has never been afraid of misfortune but what he fears are them setting in where he doesn't have a chance to hold on and not give up. Take for instance, how he talked about the change of his manga with his director and then a marvelous catastrophe occurs. 

His eyes open, bewildered that he's alive and apparently in water. He does what he can only think of, figuring out where in the world could he be when he was enraptured in flames earlier. Swimming to the top of the lake, he gasps as half of his body leaves the water upon hearing a boy and a girl shout.

"I'm going to jump right now!" The male student says on top of his lung, boiling with rage as he points to the body of water.

"Jump then!" She replies, not believing the boy.

"Are you crazy? This lake is Lunar Lake! People who get into this lake never survive!"

Startled, the two students ask who the guy is when they notice his presence, receiving his name and telling him if he believes when the young college boy says he'll make the other not attend Lunar College. Changmin is stoked.

Lunar College? Lunar College? 

LUNAR COLLEGE? WHAT THE HECK?

Then he asks if the students know who Son Youngjae is. They shake their head letting him know that they have no idea. He continues asking if they know, Kim Younghoon. They deny but accept once asked about Lee Jaehyun.

Am I hallucinating or dreaming? Yeah, that's it, I must be dreaming.  Changmin couldn't believe anything right now, bringing himself beneath the Lunar Lake towards the aperture, not paying attention to the young kid's warnings and worry. 

When he's almost there, his eyes drift to a boy floating in the water, as if he's asleep.

Why is there a person here? Did he jump? 

His attention is clearly diverted, noticing the aperture closing but decides it's not as important as saving a person's life. Swimming towards the boy, he observes him before grabbing him by his side, swims up, and comes out of the lake, struggling to help the boy walk.

 Laying him down on the ground, he asks, "Hey, wake up." 

No respond. 

Forget it, I need to help him breathe. 

As soon as Changmin begins to help the boy breathe, he falls on his bottom, baffled from the boy coughing and throwing him a punch.

He's stronger than me, apparently. Changmin thinks, kinda upset for ending up in jail for saving his life. That's exactly where the two are now, arms crossed as the police officer asked what the issue is.

"He was being inappropriate."

"Sir, are you okay? I was trying to save your life!"

"But I don't know how to swim and I'm not brave." The younger boy does his best to act as if he's the one who's in trouble, trying to emotionally gain the officer's approval. "If there's no one to push me, how could I have fallen into the water?"

"I need to write this down. What's your name?" The officer pulls the cap off of the pen to jot down the issue and persons involved.

"Ji Changmin." He says, agitated.

"Sohn Youngjae."

"What did you say your name was?" Changmin couldn't believe what he heard.

"I said my name is Son Youngjae, known more by Son Eric," he says his names slowly in annoyance, sighing, letting go of the towel to dry his hair.

Son Youngjae? He's Son Younjae. The number one villain in my The Castle manga who doesn't give up and has a hat full of tricks like a magician.

Coming to realization, Changmin stands up from his seat making his way to Youngjae. 

"You learned to swim when you were five years old. At seven, you learned fencing. And at 10, you were fully capable of saving yourself. How could you even think of lying? How could you say you're gentle? You can't say you can't go to the lakeside when you work at a coffee shop near the lake!"

"Clearly he's a pervert! He knows everything about me who enjoys following me around!"

Now Ji Changmin is enraged.

Of course, he had to meet Sohn Younjae out of all people.

The oh so pretend sugarplum princess in distress—correction, prince.

"What's going on here? How do you know about his matters? Another police officer asks, wanting to settle the situation. 

"Why wouldn't I know? I'm his dad!" 

Chest heaving, the brunette hopes this would finish off the unnecessary issue.

"He's yelling at me." Youngjae's emotional pretend succeeds and the dancer is thrown into a room for further investigation. 

Sitting on the chair, Changmin thinks over the events that occurred. Another officer arrives, he lets the dancer know he's a nonplayer character in this world and knows everything about him.

"I'm Min Yoongi, genius." The short chief officer says, smiling a little.

I really am in my own manga.

"No need to be anxious. This a simple one mission. If you successfully complete the mission you can reside back in your world." 

"I can go back to my world? Then please tell me what's my mission," his voice is desperate, heart lightly racing for what lays before him.

"You came into this world because of Sohn Youngjae. So, your mission has something to do with him," Yoongi continues, slamming the clipboard down on the brown desk, revealing Youngjae on the paper.

"Are you kidding?" 

"Since you're The Castle's writer, you were summoned into this world by the force of the dangerous supporting male character, Son Youngjae, and his powerful bitterness. By that, the puppy of course, since their personality are alike." Yoongi walks towards the boy, getting his point directly across, "Including, the moment you entered, the binding faith for both of you has been enclosed."

"What's binding?"

"Meaning, if Sohn Youngjae dies, you die."

"That's cruel."

"Think well on the ending you gave Youngjae." Going over the ending he gave the boy, Changmin now feels scared but more guilty.

"Quick, tell me the mission!"

"Change the faith of Son Youngjae once the story ends which is also when both lead males exchange their engagement rings. Son Younjae doesn't die and returns back to his human form. Before the moon drowns beneath the majestic clouds and the last petal of the enchanted rose falls, the Beast must learn to love and be loved in return. However, if dawn breaks in your world by the time nightfall has descended, then he shall remain forever lupus. For that is derived from the very same old enchanted tale that has captured something heavenly, unraveling the essence of endearment. In other words, Youngjae must learn to love and be loved in return."

"Does he have to be loved in return?"

"Yes as it's derived from the same traditional fairytale of Beauty and the Beast."

"Sir, do you know what I'm afraid of most?"

"Helping someone do something you haven't experienced and death, correct?"

"Exactly! That's why I'm positive I won't be able to help Youngjae be loved, and we're talking about Son Youngjae! Also, considering the fact I have no association with love."

"You've never been in love or had it returned?"

"I think you know already, sir."

"Ah, yes, however, don't let it get in your head too much, okay? The mission is quite simple."

"You're not helping."

"You must choose now, the mission or death?"

"I'm done for," Changmin says hopeless, pushing himself back against the chair.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

A/N:

Thank you so much for reading! I hope I can make you happy, proud, and learn the main message of this story. If you don't know this already, I love loud readers, so engage with the story and spam me ❤️ 💛 💚 💙 💜

What did you think? I hope it wasn't boring or too wordy or I don't know! Any predictions or a particular scene you liked?

I know the main ship of this story is underrated but you guys it's been there since debut and is still sailing! And no one can tell me otherwise, but all the members are shippable so

yEaH alsO tHE GIF, iN tHE BegINNinG, maY haVe ConFusEd pEoPle wItH WHo's tHe wRITEr and thE wOLF bOY prINcE, well SuPRIsE It's NoT WhaT yoU thOUGHT 😃😃

IT's rEVeRsED

so there's no confusion, I'd like to clarify, the writer is Q and the wolf boy prince is Eric. As the story progresses, the gif in the introduction will make sense 😉