Chapter 428: Life of a Criminal (3)

Seobin was stunned for a moment that he forgot his lines.

June said those words differently from the original actor. While the original actor was filled with rage when he delivered that particular line, June said it so softly—like he truly believed he deserved that kind of punishment. Seobin only snapped back to reality when June nudged him softly. He cleared his throat, almost in disbelief that he had broken out of character because of an idol who didn't even have any experience in acting. "Then, I deserve it too," Seobin said in an equally vulnerable voice. June sighed and massaged his temples, getting ready for the monologue that touched the hearts of many. He turned away from Seobin, unable to meet his eyes. He glanced down at his script but quickly brought it down, already recalling the words in the back of his mind. "Ten years," he started off. "Ten years of solitude. Ten years of missed opportunities. Ten years of dreams slipping away like sand through my fingers." June sighed deeply, staring off into the distance. "You see, the world outside continued while I was stuck in those four walls. I became a mere spectator, with the gaps in the bars serving as my only connection to a life that once was. Cruel, right? They placed bars in the prison so criminals could see what they had missed. Maybe then, they'll be able to repent." "I saw the sun dip below the horizon, casting its shine on a world that increasingly became distant. The laughter, the freedom, the taste of fresh air became a luxury for me," he continued. Seobin focused on June, feeling something different from the young idol. It was as if he wasn't acting anymore. "But, perhaps, the cruelest part of this existence isn't the physical prison that surrounded me. It's the prison that takes root within my own mind."

The room turned silent, and they felt like they were watching a completely different film.

However, the feeling was there, and June was able to execute it beyond their expectations. "I've grown accustomed to this life, the routine, the predictability," he whispered, almost to himself.

"But you, you're out here, free," June smiled, finally gazing into Seobin's eyes. At that moment, Seobin couldn't help but tear up as he felt the sincerity in June's words. He wasn't supposed to cry at this part, but he was compelled to. "I know you didn't choose this life, and I certainly never wanted it for you. You know, the choices we make are sometimes dictated by the circumstances we find ourselves in. Sometimes, a bad person isn't a bad person because they want to...but they have to."

"Seobin," June said, using his real name. "I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me. I wasn't there during your first day of high school; when you had your first serious crush or when you needed a guiding hand through the storm that was our upbringing. I was trapped in a prison of my own making, just as you were imprisoned by our family." "It hurts, my brother," June took a deep breath. "It hurts more than you can imagine to know I couldn't shield you from the pain."

Tears fell silently from Jaeyong's eyes, but Akira didn't have the heart to tease him because his gaze was focused on the scene before him. "You escaped that other prison, the one forged by the mistakes of our parents. You rose above, and I couldn't be prouder. You're creating a life for yourself, a family where love will be the foundation. You're breaking free from the chains that bound us both, and for that, I am grateful beyond words." "Maybe, just maybe, if I had been around, things could have been different for both of us. But life doesn't deal its cards with fairness, and we each have our own battles to fight," he said. June pursed his lips and found himself getting carried away by his emotions. Haruki cast his head to the ground, feeling like June's words hit too close to his heart. Meanwhile, Uno tilted his head to the side in confusion. 'Does he have that many lines?' he thought. 'Or was he saying these from his heart?'

"I am a criminal through and through, and I will continue to be a criminal," June concluded, pushing back his emotions.

"Live the life I couldn't. Build the family I never had the chance to. And if you find it in your heart, forgive me, not for my sake, but for yours. You're free now, little brother, so go out there and live a life unburdened by the chains of our past." The room was silent for a couple of seconds, and Wonbin, who had fully immersed himself in their performance, also missed the timing to end the scene. "And scene," Minho said, taking his line The people inside seemed to snap out of their dazes after Minho's utterance. Then, the silence was broken when Hana stood, clapping proudly at her friend. June's eyebrows raised in surprise as the applause only became louder. He turned around and saw the others looking at him with admiring eyes. His members, on the other hand, looked like proud little dads. Jaeyong, however, covered his face while sobbing, causing June to shake his head. Robby, who hadn't expected anything from June, was the most stunned. "Life's really unfair," Robby muttered under his breath. Akira shook his head in disbelief. "This is getting ridiculous. He's good at acting, too!"

Casper smirked as he crossed his arms in front of his chest and leaned back against the chair. "I told you," he boasted. Seobin smiled and patted June's back.

"That was great," he complimented. "I think we should work together on a project soon." June softly shook his head. Again, the role he undertook just now didn't really feel like acting. It just felt like he was speaking from the heart. Hana felt her heart race inside her chest as she watched Seobin and June freely converse.

Her current leading man was in front, yet her gaze was only focused on the idol she trained with in the past.

Seobin went back to his seat with a small smile, still feeling the thrill of their acting performance just now. Then, Minho cleared his throat, making the room turn silent. "June," he started off. "That monologue just now—did you create some of it?"