Chapter 4

The younger boy had been attentively listening to the class until someone accidentally struck his injured elbow. A sharp pang of pain shot through him, nearly bringing tears to his eyes. It was a distressing sensation, momentarily blinding him. He dared not turn to see the person responsible for the blow.

To be honest, he had no desire to become entangled in any classroom altercation, especially since he was new to the school. Although he possessed the courage to defend himself, he had failed to do so in front of his elder brother, Aaron Alit.

"What a nuisance. The younger brother of that arrogant fellow. How can he be so adorable? I want to ruin that cute face," one student muttered.

Ederic grew angry, not because the student wished to mar his face, but because he referred to his elder brother as an arrogant fellow. It seemed as if this student had been holding a grudge against Aaron for some time. In his current condition, Ederic couldn't speak up. How could they be so conceited? He wasn't accustomed to this new life of luxury yet, but he was already being targeted by his classmates.

Back in his previous school, everyone had befriended him simply because of his famous, charming smile. His endearing smile had never faded in his former school. However, in this new environment, it appeared survival would be more challenging.

"Don't call my Hyung a bastard," the younger one defiantly rose from his chair, standing up for his brother. Everyone was taken aback by his audacious behavior. How could a newcomer confront a student who was renowned for bullying others?

"You..." the individual who had insulted his brother as an arrogant bastard grew furious.

Ederic had touched a nerve, igniting the individual's fragile ego. After all, everyone was afraid of him. How could a newcomer talk back to him? He was about to raise his hand to teach the young one a lesson but was interrupted by a staff member who entered the classroom for the next class. Ederic was saved by the staff member but had unwittingly become a new hero in his class by standing up against the bully.

His injured elbow began to bleed due to the rupture. He hadn't expected the wound to be this severe. Initially, he had only felt mild pain, but now a burning sensation enveloped him, causing his ears to ring.

He managed to endure the rest of the class. As soon as it concluded, he wasted no time and hurried to the pharmacy to purchase some ointment for his wound. Approaching the pharmacist, he requested antibiotic ointment for his injury, and she handed him a tube. The younger boy smiled warmly.

He walked along the hallway, attempting to apply the ointment to his elbow, when he was halted by a familiar voice. It was Aaron. He was engaged in conversation with someone, appearing quite close. Aaron remained in a corner, while the younger one listened to their exchange. He could see Aaron, but not the person with whom he was speaking.

"What's troubling my big man today? You seem to be in a foul mood," Edward asked with a concerned tone. Edward Dexus, Aaron's closest friend and brother-like figure since joining the school as a junior student. Edward was only a few months older than Aaron, acting as an elder brother to him. They shared everything with each other.

"You already know the reason. So why are you asking, man?" Aaron used to refer to Edward as Ed, but today he hesitated. Ever since their father had started calling Ederic Alit by the nickname Ed, it had begun to irritate Aaron. He didn't like it, perhaps trying to avoid admitting the growing attachment he felt toward the younger boy.

"I heard you suddenly became an elder brother. He's studying in this school, right?" Edward attempted to tease Aaron, unknowingly fueling the fire that could ignite at any moment. Aaron clenched his fist tightly, struggling to control his anger.

"He's not my little brother, and I don't have one. Don't bring up his name in front of me again," Aaron shouted, causing Ederic to flinch. He had been observing everything from a short distance away, hearing their conversation clearly. He hadn't anticipated that Aaron despised him to such an extent.

A solitary tear formed in the corner of the tiger cub's glistening eyes. He pouted, and as the tear slid down his soft cheeks, he could no longer contain himself and burst into tears. He couldn't bear to stay there any longer, feeling utterly numb. He ran away from the scene.

"Be kind to him, Aaron... after all, he's just a young boy who recently arrived in the city. You can't be rude to him," Edward attempted to impart a lesson to the boy who had no interest in caring for Ederic even a bit. Aaron rolled his eyes, his anger already at its peak due to the spreading rumors about Ederic and himself. It only served to annoy him further.

"Why is everyone so concerned about others' personal lives when their own lives are already in shambles? You talk too much. Let's return to our class," Aaron didn't give Edward a chance to utter another word. He forcefully pulled Edward along, heading back to their classroom.