DI Ch 180

“Both my mom and dad really disliked it and opposed it, but now that it’s making money, they find it fascinating.  Only Grandma believed in me and gave me pocket money to live on. At least for streaming, you need good equipment for clear, high-quality video.”

“Have some conscience, Park Kang-woo. She probably gave you money to stop your whining, not because she believed in you. Always going on about equipment.”

“What would you even know about streaming!”

“Then why were you late yesterday? You even got a perfect attendance award, and yet you were late for that?”

Leaving them to bicker like children again, I blinked slowly. Does he live with his parents now? Did he find his grandmother? It seemed a lot had happened in the past year. That could be possible. Thinking that might be the case, I tried to continue the conversation, but it became increasingly difficult to maintain my expression.

The more they talked, the more questions I had, but I didn’t want to ruin the mood. As I was just listening carefully, someone made their presence known and opened the door. It was that man from earlier.

“Let’s continue the rest of the conversation next time.”

“Yes, sir.”

They were going on about gangsters to me, but they’re so obedient in front of the actual person.

“I’ve prepared dinner for your friends in the next room. This way.”

Huh? What about me? I started to get up but hesitated. It would be nice to eat together. Seemingly thinking the same thing, the guys who were watching me grabbed me as soon as the man left. But instead of expressing disappointment, they said something else with serious faces.

“Hey. As your friend, I have to say this.”

“What?”

“If you feel like something has gone wrong, contact us.”

“And what would you do?”

“…We’ll call the police for you.”

“…Oh. Okay. Thanks.”

I brushed off their hands with a doubtful expression. Well, I appreciate the thought.

“But why are we eating separately? Is this the end for us?”

“Why didn’t they tell us anything? This is really uncomfortable.”

I rolled my eyes as I watched them complain about how unkind the others were as soon as they left. Were they all like Tae Seong-je? As I was lost in thought, Park Kang-woo spoke, not hiding his disappointment.

“It would’ve been nice if Lee Hyun-wook came too. He was looking for you.”

“Yeah, really.”

Lee Hyun-wook… Even in midsummer, while everyone was rushing to eat and run out to play ball in the schoolyard, there was a guy who, like me, quietly ate his meal without showing any interest. Unlike me who preferred indoor sports, he just didn’t care for it naturally. He was quiet, a bit gloomy, but studious and kind, and like me, he grew up getting beaten by his father.

The four of us often hung out together, so it’s a shame one of us is missing.

“You should have brought him along.”

“…What are you talking about? Hey! Do you think we came here because we wanted to?”

Park Kang-woo suddenly raised his voice in a small outburst.

“I didn’t even know you were here until you arrived.”

“Yeah. We only found out after we got here.”

“We didn’t drag you here, we respectfully escorted you.”

The grumbling guys seemed startled by the sudden appearance of the man. Then they nodded continuously, agreeing with what he said. Embarrassed to watch my friends’ servile attitude, I personally pushed them to the next room to eat.

“By any chance, do you know where hyung is…”

Seeing that there was no meal for me, I figured I’d be eating separately with someone else and looked for that someone. However, I didn’t need to look as he was already nearby. The Milky Way was visible in the sky which had darkened as the sun set. The cold air and clear sky made the stars shine brightly.

Under the starlight that seemed about to pour down, Tae Seong-je was standing alone outside. Surely he hadn’t been outside the whole time? I put on my shoes and quickly crossed the garden to where he was standing. My leg wasn’t uncomfortable anymore so I didn’t limp, but a strange sense of discomfort remained, preventing me from running.

“Were you waiting for me?”

“You were late.”

As I approached, he stood there silently until he finally spoke. His voice felt strangely devoid of emotion, making me hesitate. Did I do something wrong?

“Oh, I’m sorry. It wasn’t anything important, but the conversation dragged on.”

“What were you talking about?”

“Just random stuff.”

“What could you talk about for so long… Never mind.”

He stopped mid-sentence and gave a smile on his indifferent face. It was his usual mature expression, but something felt off. Was he always the type to smile like this?

“So. Did you have a good talk with your friends?”

“…”

Ah, is he jealous? What’s this about? He’s the one who called my friends here, why is he acting like this? Cute. Managing my expression, I nodded silently, and Tae Seong-je made a face as if he had expected it.

“Didn’t anything seem strange?”

“Yes. Why are you like this, hyung?”

“…Me?”

He seemed surprised that I’d say such a thing. I pondered how to rephrase it. Asking if he was jealous felt a bit much. Or maybe it was because I was embarrassed. Asking if he was forcing himself to smile didn’t seem right either.

I carefully chose my words before speaking.

“I’m telling you this because you don’t seem to know, but you look good even when you’re not smiling.”

“…Thanks.”

“You should say that to your parents, not me.”

“…”

His cheek twitched as if he found my comment seemed to amuse him. His face looked much better than before, almost smiling but not quite. It seemed like his chuckle might turn into a big laugh, but as if he didn’t want that, he clenched his fist and pressed his lips tightly to hold back his laughter.

I wasn’t joking, I was serious. He probably didn’t realize how hard it was to be born with such natural charm. But why was he holding my cheek, rubbing my head, and pinching my nose… It didn’t hurt, but it was annoying…

As I was about to stop him, he suddenly leaned in without warning. Before I could react, his lips lightly touched mine, then he pulled away as if nothing had happened. I blinked stupidly, and then my face flushed. Ah, this hyung, really!

“You should say something before doing things like this!”

“Is it okay if I say something first?”

“Maybe…”

Since I don’t dislike it. As the surprise settled, feelings of excitement and butterflies quickly surfaced. Yes, I don’t dislike it. I scratched my nape from the ticklish feeling but stopped when the skin stung. Suddenly, last night vividly came to mind, making my face hot in an instant. I was deliberately trying not to think about it. I pressed my lips firmly with the back of my hand, then slightly raised my head to see Tae Seong-je grinning broadly. Wow. I couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief.

“Do you like it?”

“Yeah. I like it.”

Geez… I glared at him and stepped back. With the kids inside and people possibly watching, I tried to move about two steps away, but he came close again without warning. He hugged me tightly, almost making me bump my nose. Even when I pushed him away saying people might see and to let go, he just laughed. He really does whatever he wants.

“At least pretend to listen. Ah, it tickles. Stop it.”

“The snow hasn’t melted, and it’s getting colder. Why didn’t you put on a coat? Where’s your jacket?”

“In the room.”

“And why did you take off your sweater?”

“It felt stuffy…”

“You’re in trouble.”

“Yes, father.”

His raised eyebrows seemed to reveal his irritation, so I pretended not to notice and looked away. The snow piling up on the pine tree looked beautiful. I was distracted by the scenery when Tae Seong-je, apparently annoyed, rested his chin on my head and began pressing down.

“Ugh…”

“Make sure to dress warmly. It bothers me when you’re dressed so lightly in the cold.”

“I, I don’t really get cold easily.”

“I know.”

As I struggled hard while being nagged, his arms wrapped around me tightened more. It was useless even when I mercilessly pounded his back with my fists, telling him to stop bothering me. Instead, my hands hurt from hitting. I should start working out from tomorrow.

Regardless of my futile resistance, Tae Seong-je continued to nag while casually planting kisses on the top of my head.

“You should at least pretend to listen when I say something once. Okay?”

“I am listening, ah, let go please.”

No matter how much I squirmed, I couldn’t break free, and it was infuriating. Damn, I should work out three times as much as usual. It wasn’t until I had struggled for quite some time that he finally let me go, but he still held my hand, preventing me from moving away. My hand quickly warmed up inside his coat pocket. Though I was already hot from all the exertion.

As I was panting, someone approached. It was someone I hadn’t seen before, but he had my outer clothes on his arm. How thoughtful to bring them without even being asked. I bowed my head and reached out to receive the clothes, but the outerwear went to Tae Seong-je. …I should have known. My feeling of gratitude melted away like snow touching the water.

“Seo Seung-won.”

“…What?”

“Wasn’t there something different between what you remember and what your friends were saying?”

As he quietly helped me put on the coat, he asked an unsettling question. I couldn’t bring myself to answer. Admitting it felt like conceding to something. Even without knowing what that something was, I frowned, feeling uneasy.

The man who had quietly handed over the clothes turned around silently, just as he had come. I stared at his unfamiliar back before lowering my gaze to the ground marked with footprints.

“Why are you asking that?”

What do you know? Or what are you hiding?

“Seung-won. Just this once, don’t think about it and just answer what I’m asking.”

“…”

But. But you told my friends to watch what they say. Was it because you were worried about what they might say?

“Hyung, is there… something wrong with me mentally?”