<Choi Mansion>

"Uh oh-" Hoshi welped as he bumbed into a particular someone at the entrance of the mansion, "Are you okay?"

The other man nodded, "Mr. Kwon Soonyoung aka Hoshi?"

"You know me?" Hoshi gasped.

"Dr. Lee Jihoon. Woozi." He put forward his hand, "I'm Dr. Yoon's assistant, so of course, I know everyone related to this case."

"Dr. Yoon? Oh is a psychiatric already appointed for Seungcheol hyung?" Hoshi asked.

"You don't know?" Woozi asked.

"I knew that he was about to get a therapist but didn't know so deeply." Hoshi nodded, "There are restrictions for me, so yeah."

"Restrictions?" Woozi frowned.

"Yeah." Hoshi paused, "You know what he is charged for. And being someone who claims that he's innocent, would have restrictions, of course."

"So you believe that he's innocent." Woozi looked at him.

"Always did." Hoshi sternly stated, "And no one can change my mind over this."

"Why are you so confident over this?" Woozi questioned, "All the proofs were against him. The weapon had his fingerprints. He was at the crime scene first and foremost, all drenched in blood, with the weapon in his own hands."

"But none of it says that he was there when the actual crime happened." Hoshi scoffed, "And I would rather trust him than the people who passed judgements for money."

"You can't throw shade at the system like this Mr. Kwon." Woozi hesitantly intervened.

"I'm not generalising it." Hoshi paused, "I'm simply talking about this particular case where everything is wrong."

Woozi nodded, "I hope we'll get to know the truth soon."

"Anyways-" Hoshi looked at him up and down, "You don't look like you would be a psychiatrist at all."

Woozi frowned, "How so?"

"Like-" Hoshi grinned wickedly, "Aren't you too adorable for these mind games?"

Woozi chuckled, the corners of his lips twitching upward "Perhaps you're simply not observant enough". He leaned forward, resting his chin on his knuckles. "I can assure you, looks can be deceiving"

"Of course they can be." Hoshi stepped closer, "You know what Dr. Lee? My task here, is to keep all these appointed therapists and lawyers away from hyung as no one is possibly going to do the justice he deserves.

I heard he's good with dealing the main therapist. How about I get to deal with you?"

Woozi raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by Hoshi's demeanor. "Oh? So you've been appointed as his unofficial bodyguard then?" He chuckled, crossing his arms across his chest

He looked at him with an almost amused smile. "And what do you plan to do? Intimidate me out of the case?"

Hoshi laughed lightly, taking another step closer, "Not at all. I don't think intimidating a psychiatrist is my cup of tea. And we don't make people run away from here, Dr. Lee. Our aim is to gain some puppets because our opposition already has many."

Woozi observed closely as Hoshi moved forward, his gaze sharpening slightly. "Ah, puppets. You guys are aiming high, aren't you?" He tilted his head with a bemused smile, "And why do you assume I'll become one of your 'puppets'?"

"You will." Hoshi whispered, "And you won't even know."

"Cocky, aren't we?" Woozi took a step closer, closing the remaining gap between them. "What makes you so sure I won't know?"

Hoshi pulled out a card from his coat and traced its edge along the younger's jawline after which he stilled it in front of him, "My card, in case you 'need' me."

Woozi's eyes followed the movement of the card along his jaw. "How gracious of you." He raised an eyebrow, a hint of mockery in his voice. "Do you do this for all the psychiatrists you meet, or am I special?"

"Oh, do you think I'm crazy enough to see a lot of psychiatrists?" Hoshi raised a brow.

"It seems like you are," Woozi shot back. "You have trust issues, a hint of paranoia. Not to mention, the superiority complex... I could give you a whole assessment."

"You got to read me like an open book hmm?" Hoshi inched closer to the younger's face, his jaw clenched, "When am I getting to do that favor?"

"Don't really know." Woozi gripped the older's jaw, "A person like you is someone I wouldn't hope to see again."

"That's the point." Hoshi pricked the younger's hand away and pinned it behind his back, "Unfortunately, you'll have to see me more often than you wish. Or else, you can drop this case and back off, you've this better option."

Woozi's eyes narrowed as Hoshi pinned his hand behind his back. He could feel the strength in the grasp, his arm twisted in an uncomfortable angle.

"And what makes you think I can't handle this case?" He challenged, his voice low. "You seem awfully sure I'll cave in."

"You already don't want to see me, a part of this case, Dr. Lee." Hoshi chuckled, subduing any further movement of the younger's wrist, "And the actual truth is something, you all would never see. There's no point of wasting your time here."

Woozi gritted his teeth, trying not to show the pain from the pressure on his wrist. "That's where you're wrong," He retorted, a hint of annoyance laced in his voice. "I became a psychiatrist to help people, to find the truth, no matter how unpleasant it might be"

He pushed Hoshi away from himself, "Don't use these filthy tricks to scare me. That won't happen."

Hoshi inhaled a sharp breath as he gestured at the door, "Will be waiting for the time when you will regret stepping in."

"You underestimate my resolve," Woozi said, his voice regaining its composure. "And I don't regret taking on this case. If anything, I'll find the truth and prove you wrong."

"You can't do both at the same time, Dr. Lee." Hoshi muttered, "If you prove the truth, I'll be the happiest instead of feeling wrong."

Woozi paused, taken aback by Hoshi's unexpected response. "You... won't fight it? If I prove the truth?" He asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.

"Trust me, I want you to find the truth, Dr. Lee." Hoshi nodded, "But I'm not sure what will happen to you after that. I'm really not. Just take it as a genuine advice of mine, be careful and don't trust anyone here."

Woozi studied Hoshi closely, searching for any hint of deception or manipulation. But there was nothing, just a hint of genuine concern in his eyes.

"Why do you care about my well-being?" He asked, a touch of skepticism in his voice.

"I care a bit too much about my own well-being to say anything further." Hoshi went into the mansion without looking back.

Woozi watched as Hoshi disappeared into the mansion, leaving him alone with more questions than answers.

"What was that supposed to mean?" He muttered to himself, running his fingers through his hair in frustration, "Is every single person in this household, crazy?"

"This is his room; Mr. Lee will meet you here." The staff member stated and left.

Joshua thanked him and knocked at the door gently. The door opened and what came in sight was the bare chest of Seokmin with some faint trails of water while he was drying his hair with a towel and wearing black sweatpants.

Joshua cleared his throat as his eyes widened slightly.

Seokmin looked up, "Oh uh sorry-" He quickly grabbed a nearby shirt and wore it, "I didn't know you were coming right now, Mr. Hong."

"It's fine." Joshua nodded, inhaling a deep breath to focus himself, "Now, can we talk, Mr. Lee?"

"Sure, come in. Sit down," Seokmin replied and stepped aside to allow him to come in. As they entered the room, Seokmin shut the door behind them and went to sit on the bed.

"Hmm so Mr. Lee, what's all you can tell me about the case?" Joshua asked.

"Exactly what you already know." Seokmin answered.

"So you believe that your brother has killed Mr. And Mrs. Choi?" Joshua raised a brow, "His statements made me think twice. How are you so sure? Didn't you ever try to think that your brother can't do something like that?"

Seokmin looked down at the carpet below him, "I've thought of it every day. It's difficult to believe that a person I've known for so long can commit a crime. But the facts speak for themselves. I don't want to believe it, but it's the truth. There's no denying it."

Joshua paused for a moment, "This file says you hate him. Is that so? Were your relations with him bad before this happened because you were adopted?"

Seokmin looked up again, shaking his head slightly, "Our relationship wasn't bad, no. Yes, we argued like siblings do. But besides a few fights, we were never on bad terms. We always found a way to resolve our conflicts. I never hated him, no."

"So why now?" Joshua asked, "Why didn't you ever try to believe what he says? Why do you hate him now instead of defending him?"

There was a moment of silence, the only sound being that of the clock ticking on the wall. Seokmin took a deep breath before speaking.

"When he was first arrested... I believed him. I defended him. I kept telling everyone that it was a mistake, that my brother would never do something like that.

But as time went on, things started to add up. The things he had said, the people he had talked to... everything pointed to him. It's not that I want to hate him. I never wanted it to end up this way."

"Do you think he really did that? Killed his and your parents?" Joshua carefully questioned, "Or he's being framed?"

Seokmin was quiet again. The weight of the question seemed to settle heavily in his chest. After a moment of thought, he responded with a soft but firm voice.

"I believe... that he did it," he murmured, his eyes falling back down onto the floor. "I want to believe otherwise, but evidence speaks louder than words. He isn't being framed. He isn't innocent. He committed the crime."

"Dr. Yoon, his therapist, didn't give me a clear view but just said that Mr. Choi is treated in the worst possible way, here." Joshua muttered, "Do you have any idea about it?"

"He's being treated as mentioned by the court orders." Seokmin averted his face, "I don't know more than that."

"I hope that's the truth, Mr. Lee." Joshua's gaze intensified.

"It's the truth," Seokmin affirmed, looking back at the lawyer with a steady gaze. "There's no reason for me to lie about such a thing."

"And-" Joshua paused, "What do you think about him being mentally unstable? Is it true or just a facade to safeguard himself from the sentence?"

Seokmin considered the question, his expression pensive. "Do you really think a sane person would ever do what he did? But that doesn't mean that he isn't responsible for his actions," he asserted, his voice tinged with resignation.

"Even if he was not in his right mind when he committed the crime, the fact remains that he did it," he continued. "Regardless of his mental state, he still took two lives. That's the most important thing to remember."

"I understand." Joshua nodded, "Let's discuss things further in the meeting with others as well."

"It's now, right?" Seokmin looked at the watch, "Let's go."

It was when Areum knocked at the open door and stepped in.

"Take the medicines first and then attend the meeting." She looked at Seokmin.

"Okay aunt." Seokmin nodded.

"Medicines?" Joshua frowned.

Before Seokmin could reply, Areum intervened, "Anxiety pills. His trauma is- still intact. Don't worry, they're prescribed by a doctor."

"Oh." Joshua nodded.

Seokmin took his medicinea and gulped them down with a glass of water after which he left along with Joshua.

Jeonghan and Woozi were already present in the hall where they were going to talk.

Hoshi stepped into the meeting room, he glared at Seokmin and took the farthest possible seat from him.

"Something's wrong between them." Jeonghan whispered to Woozi.

"Definitely." Woozi nodded.

The meeting started, Jeonghan, Joshua and Woozi read out everything they knew and had collected later on.

"So Mr. Lee, is it true that you saw Mr. Choi after he has committed the crime?" Joshua asked.

"I did." Seokmin agreed, "At first, I never believed that he could have done that but it was the truth. His hands were painted with my parent's blood."

Hoshi let out a loud sigh as he rolled his eyes.

"Any problem, Mr. Kwon?" Joshua looked at him.

"Nothing, I'm just way too done with his regular bullshit." Hoshi scoffed.

"Speak for yourself." Seokmin retorted, "Don't you know? A criminal's supporter is a criminal himself."

"Don't preach about these things when you can't even trust your own brother who had literally raised you." Hoshi mumbled.

"Shut up for real." Seokmin clenched his jaw, slamming his fist on the table, "Nothing would change the fact that he KILLED MOM AND DAD."

Joshua flinched as he was sitting beside him. He looked at the younger with a frown - why is he suddenly so agressive?

Joshua recalled how Seokmin had calmly talked to him about the same topic, same question just a few minutes ago. Then what was happening to him now?

"And that's not the only thing that happened." Seokmin gritted his teeth, "Ara jumped off the roof and killed herself because she couldn't handle the trauma! And if that's not enough, then she was just 17!!"

"Ara?" Joshua frowned.

"Their sister." Hoshi scoffed, "She was adopted."

"Sister-" Jeonghan gasped, "They have a sister too??!"

"HAD." Seokmin corrected.

"But-" Woozi intervened, "Why is she not mentioned anywhere?"

"To keep her name away from this vicious cycle." Seokmin retorted.

"That's not good, you've to mention everything here." Joshua reasoned.

"Oh I'm waiting for the day when we would be able to spill the truth through these pathetic inks." Hoshi scoffed.

"Ask him and he'll say he doesn't even know anything. He's just suspicious." Seokmin mocked, "Sorry Mr. Kwon but, disregard the solid proofs only when you have some in answer."

"True I don't know anything but I trust him. You literally know him!! For years!!" Hoshi clenched his jaw, "Yet you don't trust him. It's not his flaw, it's yours!"

"Wow so now the actual criminal is flawless and the people who seek justice are flawed?!" Seokmin grunted, "Just because I know him for long doesn't mean I would forgive him for killing my parents!"

"Your parents?" Hoshi raised a brow, "Don't forget that your adoption papers were the most eagerly brought by Seungcheol hyung himself."

Seokmin paused at the cruel comment. Hoshi had never done that before. No one had ever done that to him before.

And even if someone had tried, who was there for him? Seungcheol.

But today, he wasn't.

"Mr. Kwon, that's not something you should say so casually." Jeonghan muttered, not knowing if it was appropriate to meddle between the two at that moment.

"I know it isn't." Hoshi nodded, "But he deserves to hear this. A brother like him is an absolute disgrace.

Ask him! Ask him how many times he had heard Seungcheol hyung crying in pain?! HE DOESN'T DESERVE THAT, HE'S INNOCENT!!"

Seokmin's eyes welled up with tears but he wiped them vigorously, "You're right. I'm adopted and a disgrace. Call me all of the names you can but the truth is that, at least I didn't shed my hands with the blood of the people who provided me love.

Yeah, I've heard his screams a lot of times. But he deserves it, he deserves every inch of it.

How can I believe otherwise when I had seen his hands painted with the blood of my parents by my own eyes?!!

HE HAD THE DAGGER!! Dripping with blood. His hands were all red. Mom dad were lying on the floor! Lifeless!! He killed them, brutally!! I HATE HIM! I'LL ALWAYS HATE HIM!

You think calling me adopted would hurt me? Yeah it will! Because it constantly reminds me that I grew up in an orphanage without the love of parents.

And when I finally got a family, HE RUINED IT. He snatched every inch of happiness from me even before I could entirely digest it."

"Oh right, says the one who baths with luxurious every fucking day while his brother screams in agony and pain." Hoshi clenched his jaw, "Shame on you Lee Seokmin."

Seokmin stood there, his eyes filled with hurt and anger. The words Hoshi had hurled at him cut deep, hitting his vulnerabilities.

"Luxurious?" Seokmin repeated, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "You think luxury can replace the void left by my parents' absence? You think it can erase the trauma of finding out your beloved hyung killed them right in front of me?!"

"Oh please stop acting as if you loved him so much." Hoshi hissed, "You've got everything you want on your fingertips while he has to beg to even breath. Yet, you don't fucking care! All you care about is yourself.

You've just shown it that you definitely are adopted and not related to him by blood. Let alone blood, you aren't even related to him by HUMANITY."

Jeonghan held Hoshi's arm, "Mr. Kwon, please stop it. This is too brutal."

Seokmin clenched his fists, anger surging through him. "What do you know about my love for him?! You think I wanted this life? You think I wanted to grow up without parents? You have no idea about the nights I spent alone, wondering what it was like to have a family like others.

And about Seungcheol hyung, yes, he's suffering every day because of the sins he committed, but what do you expect me to do? He killed my parents! I had no power, no say in it! All I had was the trauma of witnessing that horrifying scene!"

"You NEVER witnessed it Seokmin!" Hoshi yelled, "You just believe what was thrown at you. He was framed perfectly and you believed it! Why can't you trust him for once?

Why can't you fight for your own brother? Save him Seokmin! SAVE HIM PLEASE!!"

Seokmin's eyes widened at Hoshi's outburst. But he shook his head, his voice heavy with years of built-up pain.

"Why should I believe him? I saw him standing there, drenched in blood, holding that damned dagger with a twisted look on his face! Why should I turn a blind eye to the truth that's been right in front of me for years?!"

"This stupid-"

"Enough, Mr. Kwon." Joshua intervened, "Yelling and blind trusting is not something the law sees. You've to bring proofs to support your claims."

Hoshi calmed himself, "Is the meeting over, Dr. Yoon?"

Jeonghan nodded, "It is."

"I'll take my leave." Hoshi didn't bother to look back at Seokmin as he left.

As the door shut behind Hoshi, Seokmin just stood there, his mind a whirl of conflicting emotions. The accusations Hoshi had thrown at him echoed in his head, each word like a dagger to his heart.

Woozi looked up at Seokmin, "Are you alright, Mr. Lee?"

Seokmin nodded, "Excuse me." He left as well.

"What's even happening?" Joshua scoffed.

"This is way more complicated than we thought." Woozi stated.

"I talked to Mr. Lee before this and he was so calm and welcoming." Joshua muttered, "I don't know how he became so aggressive here."

"For some reasons, I can't entirely believe what's written in these files." Jeonghan looked up, "And listen carefully- I need to report something."

"What is it?" Joshua and Woozi asked.

A/n : I don't know what to say💀

Anyways take care everyone!
-Jeonghanneyonghaseyo