IPSTDS Chapter 29

Chapter 29

“Hello.”

From the other end of the line came a husky voice, half-raspy and rough.

–Is this Yoon Noah’s phone?

Maybe it was because he’d been talking to too many men with unnecessarily attractive voices lately, but hearing this one—smoky, as if soaked in nicotine—put him in a foul mood.

Nahyuk considered hanging up, but curiosity about the caller’s reason for calling made him respond.

“Yes, it is… Who’s this?”

–Do you recognize the name Park Sangchul?

Park… Sangchul?

That Park Sangchul? The one who was expected to be even nastier than the bumbling villain Yoon Noah?

“Don’t tell me you mean Park Sangchul from high school?”

–Haha. Noah, there’s no way you’ve forgotten me. It’s been a while.

Park Sangchul acted like they were on close terms, as if he and Yoon Noah had been good friends.

But judging by the dream-like memories, their relationship had seemed more like enemies than friends.

Suppressing his distaste, Nahyuk asked casually,

“What brings you to call?”

The number wasn’t saved in the phone, and even Park Sangchul had started off speaking formally.

Judging from those clues, it was clear the two hadn’t kept in touch regularly.

So Nahyuk let his tone carry the sense of a long overdue call.

–We’re friends, aren’t we? Can’t I call? I just wanted to see you.

Does this man lie with spit still on his lips?

“I don’t think we’re the kind of people who’d want to see each other.”

–Still, let’s meet.

“I’m busy.”

–Even if it’s about Seo Dowoong?

Seo Dowoong? That couldn’t be anything good. What else would a villain do to the protagonist if not something bad?

Nahyuk felt a slight pull of curiosity toward the meeting.

If he played this right, it might help him wrap up the deal with Lee Kangil perfectly.

But if things went south and he got lumped in with the likes of Park Sangchul, that would be a problem. So Nahyuk decided to accept, just to the extent that it wouldn’t cause entanglement.

“I’m with someone right now. Text me the day you want to meet.”

–Okay, okay.

Park Sangchul answered in that disgusting voice and hung up first.

“Who was that?”

“An unpleasant classmate.”

“And you’re still going to meet him?”

Nahyuk slowly nodded.

Of course, it was mostly because of the deal with Kangil, but that wasn’t the only reason.

Park Sangchul was a potential key to understanding their mysterious high school days.

He had no more ties to Seo Dowoong, but it still seemed worthwhile to learn about the past. Especially if he was going to continue living as Yoon Noah.

And honestly, he wanted to meet the man who had dared to target Kim Daon.

He needed to find out exactly what had been going through Park Sangchul’s mind when he tried to harm Kim Daon—even the things that hadn’t made it into the novel.

Nahyuk grinned. It was definitely a smile of delight, but it seemed it didn’t come across that way to others.

Lee Kangil, seeing the smile, reacted with mild horror.

“Noah, you look really evil right now.”

Was that so?

Hearing that for the first time in his life didn’t feel unpleasant… maybe because, deep down, a part of him wanted to act that way?

“Am I thinking bad thoughts?”

Nahyuk answered with a smile still on his lips.

“Maybe I’ll do something bad.”

---

Three years ago, Kim Daon’s parents died instantly in a plane crash on what was supposed to be their first trip abroad. His youngest brother had just graduated elementary school at the time.

With the sudden loss of both parents, Kim Daon became the head of the household overnight.

He had two younger brothers—occasionally endearing, but only occasionally.

The second eldest, Kim Garam, matured early and recently passed the civil service exam. Daon didn’t worry much about him.

The problem was the youngest, Kim Heechan.

Now in his third year of middle school, the kid was clumsy and hardly reliable.

Maybe it was just his age, but still—wasn’t it time he learned to eat without making a mess?

Daon watched Heechan, who was chewing away across the table like some wild animal… or rather, his little brother.

Bits of rice and sauce clung to Heechan’s mouth.

It wasn’t that it looked dirty, but Daon worried that others might see him and think poorly of him.

With a quiet sigh, Daon pulled out a wet wipe like it was second nature and wiped around Heechan’s mouth.

“Heechan, when are you going to learn to eat without getting stuff all over your face?”

The words sounded a bit sharp, but the way he gently wiped his brother’s mouth was full of affection.

With an 11-year age gap, his youngest brother sometimes felt more like his own child—he couldn’t bring himself to treat him harshly.

“Why aren’t you going to work today?”

Heechan was always like this.

When asked an inconvenient question, he’d dodge it and casually switch the subject. Daon knew exactly what his brother was trying to do, but pretended not to notice.

“I’m on paid leave.”

“Whoa, nothing bad happened, right?”

“Nope. It’s just company benefits.”

Daon smiled softly and ruffled Heechan’s hair.

Without asking further, Heechan resumed eating after a brief pause in their conversation. As simple as ever.

What Daon had said wasn’t a lie—he was indeed on paid leave.

But it wasn’t because of company perks. It was more accurate to say he’d been forced to take time off due to the accident.

On the day of the car accident, after arguing with Seo Dowoong at the hospital, his senior contacted him a few hours later.

‘Daon! I heard you were almost in an accident! Are you okay? Even if you’re not hurt, make sure you get checked out… The Executive Director said you should take a few days off.’

Seo Dowoong had effectively forced him to rest.

Maybe it was out of genuine concern, or maybe, after their argument, Dowoong just didn’t want to see him at work for a while.

Either way, Daon didn’t feel like complaining. If they were going to give him paid leave, he wanted to take the chance to cook meals for his brothers and take a proper break.

Besides, Daon himself didn’t want to see Seo Dowoong for a while.

So he had spent the past few days making every meal for his two younger brothers. Of course, he hadn’t told them about the near-accident.

‘If I tell them, they’ll be really shaken up.’

Even if they weren’t the most obedient kids, ever since their parents passed, the two had started seeing him as a parental figure.

They’d already lost their parents to an accident—how could he tell them he’d almost gotten into one too? Daon didn’t want to make them worry.

And since he hadn’t been injured at all, there didn’t seem to be any need to bring it up.

“Hyung! I’m going to go play soccer!”

Heechan, having polished off every side dish, jumped up from his seat.

Looking at him, Daon was struck by how big his little brother had gotten. A tall, dark bear of a boy.

Heechan and Daon looked so different, it was hard to believe they were even related.

“Okay. Be careful not to trip. And put on some sunscreen, will you? Your face looks even darker than before.”

“Hyung, come on! Do I look like a little kid? Why would I fall? I’m past that age!”

“Right, right. Just don’t fall.”

“Hyuuuung!”

“And be careful around strangers.”

“….”

Heechan’s lips stiffened at being treated like a child—something he hated despite still being one.

Daon couldn’t hold back a laugh. His pouting little brother was just too cute.

“Heehee, go on then.”

My adorable little brother. One tease and he sulks right away.

Why does this mountain of a boy look so cute?

Even while grumbling, Heechan didn’t forget to shout, “I’ll be back!” as he left. Only then did Daon begin tidying the table.

After finishing the dishes, he sat on the living room sofa and noticed the sun gradually beginning to set.

Heechan would return before nightfall, and Garam had said he had a company dinner, so he wouldn’t be back until late.

In other words, Daon had some free time on his hands.

Working hard was great, but taking time to relax like this wasn’t so bad either.

Still, when he had too much time on his hands, he couldn’t help but start overthinking.

His mind wandered back to his recent argument with Seo Dowoong and to Yoon Noah, who was hospitalized.

‘Has sunbae been discharged yet?’

Normally, he wouldn’t have cared—but Yoon Noah had collapsed trying to help him.

Seo Dowoong might be the type to ignore context and lash out, but Daon couldn’t help but worry about Yoon Noah, who had shown him kindness.

He had thought about reaching out several times, but always stopped himself. He felt too guilty—after all, it was because of him that Noah had been misunderstood by Seo Dowoong.

“Still… I should probably contact him at least once.”

He also needed to talk to Yoon Noah about Park Sangchul.

Daon turned on his phone, which hadn’t even buzzed with an alert. As soon as he opened his messaging app, he saw the message he had sent to Seo Dowoong not long ago.

–Dowoong. Even though we fought, I want to make this clear. That accident… it’s connected to Park Sangchul.

Of course, he hadn’t said the information came from Yoon Noah.

If he had, Seo Dowoong would’ve just pushed back—saying things like, “Why would you believe him? You’re still falling for the same tricks?”

He had sent it as a warning, hoping Dowoong would be cautious, but days passed without a reply.

Well, at least it showed he’d read it. This was Seo Dowoong, after all—he could be trusted to take care of it.

Lost in winding thoughts, Daon didn’t notice night had completely fallen.

Just before he could call Heechan, who still hadn’t come home, he heard the sound of the front door opening.