IMin

Άρτεμις 

Proloque

The background of the story starts in a society

in which homosexual family becomes no longer controversial, in which all the

members of the society share identical value system considering the sexual

orientation.

Chapter 1

The library was still crowded after school. With the approaching date of examination, it becomes harder to take even the worst seat in the library.

In fact, Choi Minho does not like to study with the crowd. He finds the sound of turning page annoying, and will affect his efficiency. Perhaps being quite focused could help somehow, but he finds it difficult to ignore sights around him.

So he chose to wear headphones, forgoing the dazzling sound by hard metallic rhythms.

He knows clearly why everyone looks at him—probably because he breaks the current record during the examination.

He really felt quite bored. During the test, he was just completing the questions as usual. It really was a coincidence that he knew all of the questions on the exam, and even the essay had been quite easy to follow. He thought it may be just one ordinary out of hundreds of exams that he took, but seems like, he has been sent to the center of attention since the start semester.

Minho thought about being just an ordinary student during high school, yet his name has been spread throughout the entire school even before enrollment. Therefore, when Kim-Jong-Hyun, his one-year older brother came back from school bragging about it, he could only feel the pain in the butt. He is like an animal on exhibition in the library.

Minho has his own style while studying. It might be weird or just an oppressive compulsory disorder. For example, without even a specific pencil or without a cup of milk, he could hardly be focused as usual. Library isn’t the perfect place for even anything, but compared with the oppressive feeling at home, he would rather stay here.

The cold war lasted for two weeks, and despite his reluctance, he seems to be the victim that is influenced the most.

Kim Jonghyun is his sibling, the different last names indicated the different side of homosexual family in which they grew up. They have two parents of the same sex, one is called daddy and the other one is called father， and two brothers go with the last names of two parents.

That Jonghyun’s personality  is on the other extreme. Different from the upright student Minho, Jonghyun is a tough kid. He has the middle-ranged grade, and could hardly control himself from involving in small school incidents. He has never broken the law before, yet seems like he knows the entire world.

Jonghyun is, undoubtedly, a tough kid for teachers. Since kindergarten, his comments have been similar throughout the entire grade school. Yet he has been a good kid, so as the reward and as the product of thorough communication at home, his father has been quite relaxed on his kid—for both Jonghyun and Minho.

However, a call from police office two weeks ago breaks such relaxed family tradition. Jonghyun was caught in a fight on street, severely beating others regardless of consequence. When his dad drove him from the police office, he also saw his hands with fresh blood. Jonghyun refused to say anything, even when Minho asked him. Such attitude enraged his dad—or actually his mother—as shown on the family ID card. Daddy and father are only appellations to distinguish the gender roles within the family. The day becomes the start of cold war between father and Jonghyun, such oppressive atmosphere becomes the direct reason that prevents family members from coming back.

Minho feels relieved after solving the last problem in the sixteen page exam booklet. As he looks up, most of the crowds have left the library, with only few students preparing to leave. He took out the phone, it is already 10:15pm.

“I didn’t notice so late..” he mumbled as he replied to father’s SMS, asking if he needed a ride. There was still plenty of time to catch up the last bus if he hurries to pack now. So he asked father not to come, saying that he will leave right now.

Students are gone, with only a teacher napping in the reception table. Minho packed quickly and left the library.

Not even leaving the library, he noticed that the laces have been loose. After checking back, he walked to the side of the old Banyan, squatted and tied his shoes.

He was just about to stand up as someone spoke from behind: “don’t’ move”.

Instinctively turning around, the voice becomes more imperative: “there is a spider on your shoulder.”

The few words freaked him out that Minho could hardly even stand upright. He wasn’t sure whether there is really a spider, but imagination of spider standing on his should already makes him dizzy. Please, someone come and tell me this is a dream. There was no cold war, no late-study, and no freaking spider.

Minho found himself paralyzed, daring not to move for a little bit. He could feel something crawling on his shoulder, and he knew that as he turns around, he will see the spider. He tried to speak out and ask for help, but failed to do so.

“Did she bite you?”

While Minho focused all on the spider, the person walked to his front. It was not polite, but Minho could not help himself screaming and jumped away from the boy, as he sees the giant spider on his hand.

Choi Minho, acing in every aspect of life from sports to study, has a fatal weakness. He couldn’t stand spider.

“Are you alright?”

“Huh?”

It was hard to not focusing on the spider on his hand, but Minho still grudgingly looked up. To his surprise, the buy holding spider on his hands was the senior student president. He has not idea why such a person would be holding a spider outside of school, at this time.

“Sorry to make you scared.. I’ve been finding her for the whole day, and thank you for helping with that. “

Hell.

“Just in case you need help, my name is Kim Kibum from grade 12, you could find me either in classroom or in the student office.”

Minho patted the shoulder of student president and stumbled away as quick as possible. There is not a single second that he could put up with such circumstance. He thought about taking shower for three times as he went back, but found his heart raced in panic and his legs shaking out of control.

“Gosh no..” He hates such moment, but could only surrender to text his father come to drive him back with a random excuse. No wonder it is going to be a joke as his father knew the truth.

The night had become a nightmare for days, but his attention was gradually transferred to other incidents with the end of family cold war.

Knowing his talents, the teacher handed him a copy of briefing for science conference. Attending the conference should be a good opportunity, but such opportunity was only exclusive for senior 12th grade students. The teacher has promised him for the permission of skipping grade, but he still could hardly make his mind after hesitating for two days.

On the dinner table, Minho turned to the adults. Adults were mostly supportive for such opportunity, encouraging him to participate of he has any interest on the content itself.

He agreed with his father, but was still stressed out between the interest towards contents and the request of skipping grade. It should not be a problem just to participate, he thought.

But as soon as the conference starts, Minho realized the seriousness of the problem. As he passed all the senior students and sat down at the last row in school bus, he could feel everyone looking at him, as the only 10th grade student among all senior graduates.

Moreover, during lab activities, Minho became the orphan without any students willing to partner with him. Such experience, to some extent, triggers his emulation, believing himself to handle everything in the lab.

However, a sense of loneliness still rose deeply from his heart, as he saw students gathering together grabbing lunch, or involving in random talks. He has been used to being alone, but still, felt desperately lonely.

Minho finds himself exhausted in such communication pattern. If talents is only a veil that triggers loneliness, he would rather born to be a dumb kid.

Hurried to finish lunch, as he walked towards the garbage, he heard his roommate loudly complaining about being intolerable to sleep with a so-called genius.

Minho could hardly tolerate his anger, while at the same time felt wronged for being innocent but bullied. Yet showing anger in front of the crowd is the half lost of war. He took a deep breath to calm himself down while all of the sudden hearing the familiar voice.

“He is not co-rooming with you tonight. I’ll room with him. “

The voice is a natural focal point that attracts all the attention. Undoubtedly, Minho knew the voice, the special, smooth voice that comes and leaves as wind.

“Hey president.. How did you come here?”

“I’ve told you that after finishing school stuffs, I’m coming as well. Don’t bully me, kids. “

“Haha what are you talking about…”

Minho ignored all the polite greetings, and the only thing that continuously appears in his mind is the content of the conversation. Will he be sent back if he does not hope to co-room with Kibum? Does going back represent the loss of the war? No, there is no way that he is gonna lose. No.

“I didn’t expect you to come… how’s everything?” As he hesitates, asked Kibum.

“Uh... It was okay...”

“Oh great, you are at least better than them, Minho.” He re-assures the name by starting at Minho’s name card, with a brief introduction.

“I’m Kim Kibum.”

“Glad to know you and thank you.” Greeting and standing with such a senior star student, Minho no longer feels himself ignorable, but starts glooming as well.

Kibum looked at the schedule with the face of slight frustration. “Coming up is the group discussion, and seems like no one’s gonna group with a late arrival. Are you still alone? We could work together if you want. ”

Instinctively looking around, Minho turned to Kibum, looking directly at his eyes with sincerity. “Well.. If you don’t mind.”

“Great let’s do it. “

For doing everything, Kim Kibum could come up with the reason. He was not supposed to appear today until he saw Minho’s name in the participation list. Of course he knows who Choi Minho is, as his story has been a take throughout the entire school. However, not hanging out with lower grades, he only saw Minho’s name in the school booklet.

A few days ago, the chance came as he tried—again—to find his old friend, Rosterdam—the rare, precious Chili red spider around the campus, that he first encounter with Minho.

It was quite romantic actually, he thought to himself, the only thing is the spider—a napkin, or a basket of orange, or even a book should be better for real-life soap opera.

Hearing that Minho is coming, of course Kibum is going. Growing up, he would never miss any slight opportunity. This conference has been organized by himself, refusing to participate would have not helped anything. However, stepping in to the conference, the most conversations that flowed into his ears are about the opinionated kid in 10th grade. After asking teacher, did he finally realize that the kid completed all the assignments by his own efforts.

Huh. He’s bullied. Kibum thought. He just couldn’t understand how people could actually assault such a stubborn and gentle child. Poor people.

Minho was also confused. He sees no reason, but meanwhile, there was nothing he could do.

But anyways, thanks to Kibum. At least he had a partner, which helped a lot on the project. However, Minho could hardly forget about the spider the other night, every time when he sees Kibum’s face.

Just focus on the lab and stop thinking about it, he told himself. After taking off the spectacle and glove, someone suddenly patted his back. “Em?”

There’s stars shining in his eyes, with the dilated pupil under the long, curly eyelash.. How could someone’s eyes become so pretty, Kibum thought himself, “You choked yourself?”

“A bit..” The eyes feel a bit weird, and he could hardly manage his tears coming out from the eyes. Minho looked upon the ceiling, hoping the tears to be stopped soon.

“Close your eyes and its gonna be better soon, don’t worry about it, there’s nothing harmful there.” Kibum pulled a chair and let him sit down.

They were not yet friends. Minho doesn’t talk much with strangers, but still believed Kibum’s words. He might be a good guy, Minho thought, he’s the only one who did not bully me. As he sat down, Minho suddenly thought of Jonghyun. He must be worried knowing what had happened.

“So you were okay the other day , right? You didn’t come to see me.”

Minho’s eyes were still closed, which improves his hearing ability. With eyes closed, he could even imaging Kibum’s face as he speaks. He has the pretty smile and the face of confidence, he knows it.

“Sorry, what did you day?”

“Oh I was just wondering if you were hurt or anything.. She’s not poisonous but I’m responsible for any accidents, right?”

His words recalled Minho’s memory about the night. Again, he started thinking about the feeling of spider crawling on his shoulder, which makes him instinctively crouch himself, without awareness of the public. As he did so, he instantly realized such silly action, and reluctantly forced himself to put his hands down. “Well.. It’s alright and let’s forget about it.” As a hint to end the topic, he grabs Kibum’s hands and put them down.

Kibum did not quite understand his action, but he seems cute, which was all that mattered. He stood there, stared at Minho’s back, lost the thought for a while until a classmate called him.

Thanks to Kibum, Minho spent a few peaceful days without bullying. He knew that Kibum had tried to make himself unintentional, since being too obvious would not be good to both of them.

He just didn’t thought about Kibum’s invitation for sharing room. He was invited to co-room with Kibum, after being told that there is an additional bed in his room and it would always be better to stay with someone that he knew.

Compared to the gossipers, he would rather stay with Kibum, despite the slight inconvenience. As the matter of fact, he had been curious about Kibum, especially the non-president Kibum in daily life.

But he only saw the gamer Kibum who was deeply in to online gaming—surprisingly. He thought the young student president would be writing essays on computer.

“You can’t study all the time, and life would always be better once you pass a round”, Kibum told him.

Of course Minho didn’t care about it. He had no power nor intention to interfere with people’s hobby. Plus he himself had been into the computer games, so they had the shared topic. But soon, Minho found out that Kibum was indeed smart, as what could be inferred from the slightest detail.

Therefore, when Kibum asked about his dream school, without hesitation, he answered with the concern towards his own academic ability.

“I could help you, we know each other quick, right?”

Saying so, Kibum forced to exchange phone number. Feeling frustrated, Minho did not think about it, as he though such invitation might be just a polite greeting. But anyways, thanks to Kibum, the second day passed peacefully, and without the interpersonal issues, things were all going well.

 ＊To be Continued＊