DI Ch 217

In June, I finally began removing my scars in earnest. I made the mistake of saying, “The scars on my face look kind of cool, and the ones on my fingers feel like couple rings, so I don’t want to erase them,” and got severely scolded. Who said I wanted to keep them all? I just wanted to keep a few that looked fine. I really don’t want to fight, but I don’t understand why we keep ending up arguing. I’ve tried searching for tips on how to get scolded less by an older lover or how to reduce fights, but nothing helpful came up. I might have to look for academic papers at this rate. There are all sorts of things in this world, so maybe I’ll find one or two if I keep searching. I was so desperate that I even considered writing one myself, half-jokingly and half-seriously.

I was also dealing with school matters, which was quite bothersome. I was prepared for it, but it’s still annoying. Even so, I thought it was bearable since transferring would be faster than re-enrolling if I could return to school. However, the increasingly hot weather was hard to endure. It was so hot during the day that it was hard to tell if it was June or September. Even a short walk would make me sweat profusely, so I could only exercise and walk with Sand early in the morning before dawn or in the evening. I wondered how stuffy this summer would be, with even the ground seeming to boil…

Trying to find a different activity to make up for the lack of walk time, I remembered that I had just started learning to swim under the guise of rehabilitation, so I compromised by going for water play. Fortunately, Sand loved water and swam like a seal. On the other hand, my swimming skills were terrible. I could float somewhat, but while swimming, I’d suddenly find myself sinking, and if left alone, my nose would touch the bottom. Thanks to this, I learned I had a talent for diving, but it wasn’t particularly pleasant.

Today, after splashing around in the water, Sand fell asleep next to the organization members who were staying at this house, with his now fluffy fur covering even his nose.

“……”

I stared at Sand with the heart of a caregiver who had lost custody for legitimate reasons and had nothing to say. Sand used to run to me excitedly, but now, as if that had never happened, he was showing affection to others. I remember when I first saw Sand. Hyung said I was the owner and should take care of him alone, but honestly, I had nothing to do except play with him. It was all because of those people.

Although Hyung wasn’t here, one of his subordinates—a certain person whose tone would change whenever he saw Sand had confided to me that Sand had been secretly getting treats from not one, but several people, causing him to gain weight rapidly. There were also allergy issues, so treats were being restricted under strict supervision. I didn’t even have a chance to intervene in the feeding issue.

Still, as Sand’s nominal guardian, I thought I should do something, so I offered to at least brush his teeth or bathe him. But this too was immediately rejected, as there was already an organization member who had recently obtained a certification for it. I mean, he’s not a celebrity—having a dedicated team seems a bit excessive. Anyway, Sand was no longer my Sand.

Suddenly, a whining sound made me look up. Sand seemed not to understand why they wouldn’t show him affection and just stood still like statues against the wall and door. I found it burdensome, but since it was their job, I had left them alone. However, feeling sorry for Sand, I suggested they sit down.

“It’s distracting if you keep standing like that, so please just sit down.”

“……”

The three men exchanged glances and then lowered themselves, bending their knees. Sand happily squeezed himself between them. For some reason, Hyung had left the house early in the morning and hadn’t returned by lunchtime. His subordinates, who normally stayed outside, were now lingering around inside the room. Not the bedroom, of course—it was the room Hyung had left some puzzles and dominoes in, telling me not to go outside because of the heat and to play inside instead.

It seemed suspicious that the people who usually patrolled the corridors and outside had come in. Was something happening outside? I had reasonable doubts but then emptied my mind. Hyung was probably being overprotective again. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d done something excessive. Thinking that way, it didn’t seem like a big deal, and I just missed him. Looking at the phone screen on the table, it was almost the same as an hour ago, Hyung was still in conversation.

He should eat while talking, but the dishes were untouched, and his face still looked unwell. Tae Seong-je’s face hardened angrily as he received documents from the other side. He seemed irritated and didn’t try to hide it. I felt sorry seeing him like that. The kind Hyung I knew had become so prickly. Saying he had become “prickly” was actually putting it nicely—if I were to be exact, he had become downright intimidating.

It wasn’t sudden. It had been like this since he started psychiatric treatment, or more precisely, since he started taking medication. I thought it might be a side effect, but he seemed to dislike not being able to think straight due to the medication. I understood. I had been the same. But it wasn’t just that reason; he seemed to be holding back to his limit.

Naturally, when someone skilled at maintaining a poker face becomes rough in demeanor and speech even without medication, made the once peaceful atmosphere of the house tense and charged with unease. While he wasn’t like that with me, and I didn’t need to be on edge, I couldn’t help but wonder what was bothering him. There had to be an issue. I placed the puzzle piece I had been holding onto the floor like a game stone and cautiously opened my mouth.

“Let’s all be honest. Lately, hyung’s mood…”

I rarely talked to them, and the sudden, deliberate way I started the conversation caught their attention. Given the topic, everyone’s focus turned to me. It seemed they were also worried about him. Taking advantage of the serious atmosphere, I spoke seriously.

“Hyung isn’t the type to act like that for no reason. Did someone cause trouble? Did something happen? Who was it?”

“Pardon? There’s no problem on our side.”

“That can’t be. Hyung only cares about home and work, so if there’s no problem at home, it’s obviously an outside issue.”

“We believe it’s a personal matter….”

A personal matter? They were implying it was because of me. I immediately refuted that.

“Nothing’s happened.”

“I heard you refused to get scar removal surgery. You’re swimming when he told you not to, exercising every day when he said to do it moderately, running daily, and didn’t you even climb onto the roof before? How did you even get up there? You’re not a monkey.”

Well, I guess I did a lot of things for someone claiming I did nothing. But it was frustrating to see how exaggerated it all was.

“Wait a minute. I’m learning to swim just in case, and I’m doing it daily because Sand likes it. I only said I wanted to remove some of the scars, and as for the roof, well, that was hyung’s fault.”

“No matter how we look at it, it doesn’t seem to be our fault.”

What? I was about to retort that it wasn’t my fault either when the door suddenly swung open. It was Hyung. His indifferent expression was quite chilling, making me froze momentarily. He didn’t even furrow his brow or scowl, but the atmosphere was undeniably tense and unsettling.

Tae Seong-je broke the silence as if cracking thin ice, with a highly sarcastic tone.

“You seem to be having fun.”

“Welcome back, sir.”

Everyone was startled by his unexpected arrival, but they quickly regained their composure and all stood up. I wonder when I’ll get used to this. It’s always both fascinating and daunting to see. Do they really need to greet him like that? It must be burdensome for the recipient too. I glared at Sand’s excited rear as he followed the group filing out, then stood up myself.

“Welcome back.”

He gazed at me steadily as I approached, then as soon as I stood in front of him, he slipped his foot between my legs. Before I could guess what he was doing, he tapped both my feet in turn, causing me to reflexively spread my legs. My face flushed at the thought of how ridiculous I must have looked, standing there with my legs apart like that.

“Did you do your homework before playing today?”

“…Homework? It’s just preparation.”

I cleared my throat at his touch as he grasped my waist and then stroked down to below my buttocks. I was still struggling with my conflicting emotions. I stared at Hyung’s thighs, rubbing my tired eyes. I wanted him. I really did. But knowing how overwhelming it would be, to the point of tears, I couldn’t even attempt the smallest move. As I pondered how I could finally make up my mind, I felt a weight on my head. He had rested his chin on top of it.

“When did you get so close?”

“Who? Oh, those people?”

I thought about Hyung’s subordinates, who were always around like moving furniture and then disappeared, and answered honestly.

“We’re not close.”

“Really? You looked ready to play house with them.”

What’s this? If he’s jealous, it’s not entirely bad, but it’s not really true so I’m not particularly happy either.

“Those guys and I have a more business-like relationship. If it weren’t for you, they wouldn’t even have a reason to talk to me. We’re just trying to get along out of respect for you, so don’t give them or me a hard time.”

The only thing we had in common was that we all respected and liked Hyung. No one knew that better than Tae Seong-je. Judging by his slight smile, it was clear. His face had brightened, just like last night, and I clicked my tongue. His mood swings were so extreme it was like he had a split personality.