Taekook: HEARTS ENLISTED!
Ep 3: Ni-Ki's Life!
Ni-ki and Jaehyun lay side by side in Jaehyun’s room, the soft glow of the nightlight casting gentle shadows on the walls. Jaehyun had fallen asleep quickly, his peaceful face framed by his tousled hair. Ni-ki lay awake, gently caressing Jaehyun’s hair, lost in his thoughts.
Jaehyun’s life was like a dream to Ni-ki. Jaehyun's parents, Mathilda and Woojin, were always so loving and supportive. They had fallen in love deeply and their bond only grew stronger over the years. Their home was filled with warmth and laughter, a stark contrast to Ni-ki’s own life.
Ni-ki, i.e, Nishimura Riki, was a pure Japanese and had a much different experience. His parents, Hiroshi and Aiko, had started their marriage in Japan with high hopes. But as the years passed, they grew distant, their love fading into resentment. They both cheated on each other, and Ni-ki had witnessed their betrayals in silence. Now, they were separated, and Ni-ki was caught in the middle, forced to live between two homes.
Nishimura Hiroshi, his father, wanted him to succeed and pushed him hard in his studies. Aiko Mitsubishi, his mother, also had her own dreams for him, but was slightly less demanding. This constant tug-of-war left Ni-ki feeling lost and pressured.
As he watched Jaehyun sleep, Ni-ki felt a pang of envy. He wished he could trade places, even for just a moment. Jaehyun was loved unconditionally, and Ni-ki yearned for that kind of security. His feelings for Jaehyun were complicated; he adored him, but it hurt knowing that Jaehyun only saw him as a friend.
Just as Ni-ki was lost in these thoughts, his phone buzzed. It was a call from his father.
Ni-Ki
“Ugh, He doens't even let me be happy for one second.”
*annoyed looking at the caller ID*
With a sigh, he carefully got up and answered.
Ni-ki said quietly, stepping out of the room to not wake Jaehyun.
Nishimura Hiroshi/ Ni-Ki father
📞 “Nishimura Riki, where are you?”
Hiroshi’s stern voice came through the line.
Ni-Ki
📞“ I’m at a friend’s house, Father…”
*he replied, trying to keep his voice steady*
Nishimura Hiroshi/ Ni-Ki father
📞 “You should be studying, not wasting time with friends. Do you understand how important your education is? You need to focus if you want to succeed.”
*he shouts on the phone in a firm tone*
Ni-ki replied with zero emotions and his heart again pushed into pain. He knew this conversation all too well. No matter what he did, it was never enough.
Nishimura Hiroshi/ Ni-Ki father
📞 “Make sure you’re home early tomorrow. We need to discuss your study plan for the next exams”
*he continued*
Ni-ki repeated, the weight of his father's words pressing down on him.
Nishimura Hiroshi/ Ni-Ki father
📞 “I don’t want to hear any excuses, Riki. Your mother might let you slack off, but I won’t. You need to make something of yourself, and that starts with hard work and discipline. Do you understand?”
Ni-Ki
📞 “Yes, Father, I understand…”
*he let out finally, swallowing the lump in his throat*
Nishimura Hiroshi/ Ni-Ki father
📞 “And Riki, don’t forget about the math tutor I arranged for you. You need to catch up on those areas where you’re weak. I never know why the hell you are weak in mathematics since your other classmates have been doing pretty well, including Jaehyun.”
Nishimura Hiroshi/ Ni-Ki father
📞 “I want you to stay away from Jaehyun. He’s a distraction. He might be able to catch up, but you can’t afford to fall behind. Do you understand?”
Ni-ki’s clenched his fists as he thought about Jaehyun being a distraction and being badmouthed by his dad, his heart sank further. Because Jaehyun had been his 'ONLY' smile on his face. His only comfort place, his own safety and whatnot. He just couldn't speak back how simply his father termed Jaehyun as nothing but a distraction. Only if his father knew. Only, if Ni-Ki could fight back against his father.
Ni-Ki
📞 “But, Father, Jaehyun is my best friend. He's not a distraction, instead he helps me with things. You can't simply call him distraction.”
Nishimura Hiroshi/ Ni-Ki father
*his voice grew sharper*
📞 “Friends are fine, Riki, but you need to prioritize. If Jaehyun really helps you, then you can see him after your work is done. But not before.”
Ni-ki clenched his fist, trying to keep his voice calm.
Ni-Ki
📞 “I understand, Father. I’ll be home on time.”
Nishimura Hiroshi/ Ni-Ki father
📞 “Good. I expect you to be home by 8 AM sharp. No more staying out late. You can’t waste time, Riki. I just want what’s best for you.”
Ni-Ki
(Home? More like hell.)
📞 “I know, Father. I’ll be home on time”
Ni-Ki
*he replied, trying to keep his voice calm*
Nishimura Hiroshi/ Ni-Ki father
📞 “Alright. Good night, son.”
*hangs up*
Ni-Ki
📞 “Good ni—”
*call gets disconnected*
Ni-ki completes the sentence after the call is disconnected. He leaned against the wall, feeling the weight of his parents’ expectations bearing down on him.
Returning to Jaehyun’s room, Ni-ki looked at his sleeping friend and felt a mix of sadness and longing. Jaehyun’s life seemed so simple, so filled with love and support. Ni-ki wished he could escape his own troubled world and live in Jaehyun’s for just a little while.
With a deep sigh, Ni-ki lay back down beside Jaehyun, hoping to find some peace in the quiet of the night. He knew he had to face his own struggles, but for now, he just wanted to hold on to this moment, where everything felt okay.
Ni-Ki's eyes fixed on his friend’s serene face. The room was silent except for the soft sound of Jaehyun’s breathing. In the stillness of the night, Ni-ki felt a surge of emotions he could no longer hold back.
Ni-Ki
"Jaehyun..."
*he whispered, his voice barely audible*
Ni-Ki
"You don’t know how much you mean to me. Your life... it’s like a dream compared to mine. Your parents love you so much, and you’re always so happy. I wish I could have that."
He gently brushed a strand of hair from Jaehyun’s forehead, his heart aching with unspoken words.
Ni-Ki
"You’re my best friend, but... it’s more than that for me. I wish I could tell you how I really feel, but I’m scared. Scared that you won’t feel the same way, scared that it will change everything between us."
Ni-Ki
"My life is so different. My parents... they don’t love each other anymore. They force me to choose between them, and I feel so lost. They cheated on each other, and now they want me to pick sides.”
Ni-Ki
*sighs as his heartbeat raised*
“It’s tearing me apart, Jaehyun.”
Ni-Ki
“And my father... he thinks you’re a distraction. He doesn’t understand that you’re the one good thing in my life."
Ni-Ki
*pauses, feeling a lump in his throat*
Ni-Ki
"I envy you so much, Jaehyun. You have everything I wish I could have. But I also know I can’t let these feelings show. I can’t ruin what we have. I’ll keep supporting you, keep being your friend, because that’s all I can do."
Ni-Ki
*his voice wavered as he continued*
Ni-Ki
"I just wish things were different. I wish I could tell you that I love you, not just as a friend, but as something more. But I’m too afraid to lose you."
As he watched Jaehyun sleep while his mouth open and small snores and drools escaping his mouth. Ni-ki smiles at the cuteness and then, felt a tear slide down his cheek.
Ni-Ki
"I hope you never have to feel the pain I do. I hope you always stay happy and loved. And I hope... one day, I can find the courage to tell you everything."
With a deep sigh, Ni-ki lay back, letting the quiet of the night wash over him. He closed his eyes, trying to find some peace in the darkness, even if only for a moment.
Ni-Ki
“It's okay, Ni-Ki, you can be happy now. You are safe with Jae. It is alright now...”
*pats himself and drifts to sleep*
Author
I know you guys might think this is some Jaehyun and Ni-ki story..
Author
But no, before going deep into the story, I'm bringing out the similarities of the charecters.
Author
So don't worry, it's Taekook book only, it takes time to introduce the charecters..
Comments
ivy
🫂here take a hug u need one✨
2024-10-06
1
❥𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲~
Mathematics is not a joke you oldie 😤
2024-08-04
1
❥𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲~
It's so bad to force him 💢
2024-08-04
1