IPSTDS Chapter 51

Chapter 51

“Um… Secretary. I think I’ve seen enough of the company now. May I leave?”

When Nahyuk whispered this, the secretary tilted his head but quickly agreed.

“Pardon? Ah, if that’s what you wish, young master. I’ll escort you out.”

“No, it’s fine. You’re busy, and I’m already grateful that you spared time for me. I’ll make my way back on my own. My driver is probably waiting anyway.”

“Understood.”

With that, Nahyuk walked one step, then another, like a cat. Just as he unconsciously cast one last glance toward the glass window—

“…!”

His eyes met the man he had been determined never to run into. Nahyuk froze in shock.

A few seconds, long as an hour, passed before he forced himself to move again. As long as the man didn’t approach him, it would be fine. But…

“…Yoon Noah?”

The man flung open the conference room door and called his name.

“It really is you.”

It was Seo Dowoong—the man he had eaten breakfast with that morning. Somehow he had already changed into a perfectly tailored suit.

Nahyuk had been about to respond curtly, but he quickly realized he was the center of attention.

Chairman Yoon Taesik’s secretary, the employees who had just been speaking with Seo Dowoong, even passersby in the corridor—all eyes were fixed on him.

He had no choice but to give a less prickly reply.

“…So it is. Didn’t expect to see you here. What’s a vice president of another company doing here?”

Since Seo Dowoong was an executive of Hansan Group, wasn’t he supposed to be meeting higher-ups?

“Ah, the chairman invited me to drop by after a long while. And since I was here to greet him, I thought I’d also meet the TF team that was formed for our collaboration.”

…Grandfather. Don’t tell me you arranged this company tour just so I’d run into Seo Dowoong.

Nahyuk almost heard Yoon Taesik’s laughter echoing in his ears, along with his words about how fights between friends shouldn’t last too long.

Whatever his grandfather’s intent, Nahyuk had no desire to talk to Seo Dowoong any longer.

“Well then, work hard. I should get going. I came to see Grandfather too.”

But Seo Dowoong stopped him again.

“Hold on.”

Nahyuk wanted to ignore him, but too many people were watching. Reluctantly, he lifted his gaze at him with displeasure.

“…What is it?”

“The chairman said you’ll be working with me this time.”

“What?”

Nahyuk was taken aback, and in that moment Seo Dowoong leaned in to whisper by his ear.

“You claimed to hate me… but now it seems you’ve decided to work with me.”

It was a ridiculous misunderstanding. And something that should never happen.

Without thinking, Nahyuk shoved at Seo Dowoong’s firm chest and blurted out his honest feelings.

“Are you insane?”

But he couldn’t fully pull away. Seo Dowoong’s large hand clamped tightly around his wrist.

Unbothered by the insult, Seo Dowoong whispered again by his ear.

“You’re the crazy one. Changing your attitude several times a day.”

Nahyuk yanked his hand free with a sharp motion and turned his back on him.

He could hear the murmurs of those who had been watching, but he didn’t care.

This was a company he had no ties to anyway. It wasn’t enough of a disgrace to shame his family, so nothing serious would come of it.

Nahyuk walked out of the building, looking for his driver who must have been anxiously waiting for him.

* * *

After sending his driver away, Nahyuk strolled through the downtown streets near his home.

He must have stayed quite a while at Taekwang Construction, because the once-blue sky was now tinged with red. It was a beautiful sunset.

Workers finishing their day, students heading home—many people brushed past him.

Nahyuk wanted to walk around like it was a casual stroll, to refresh his mood, and he was also genuinely thinking of buying a birthday present for Kim Daon.

This Saturday was Daon’s birthday… it was right around the corner.

‘This time, I’ll definitely buy something.’

Nahyuk stepped into the department store towering in the middle of the city. He had been here just the day before to buy some ordinary clothes, so he was quite familiar with the layout.

He thought of picking out clothes or perhaps a bag that would suit Kim Daon.

Clean, simple clothing would be practical, not easily disliked, and useful for daily wear—perfect as a birthday gift.

Just as he was wandering around the floor lined with men’s apparel, he spotted a man who reminded him of Kim Daon.

Brown hair, pale face, even a small mole beneath the eye. If Daon had a twin, he imagined it would look just like this.

The man wasn’t alone. Beside him stood a stocky young man with nicely tanned skin.

Judging by his build, he looked like an adult, but oddly, he was wearing a school uniform. Nahyuk found it ironic.

Perhaps he had stared at the unusual pair too long, because both men turned their eyes toward him.

“…!”

Caught as if he had been secretly watching, Nahyuk flinched in surprise.

A few seconds later, he forced an awkward smile and turned away. Hopefully they didn’t think he was strange.

He returned to browsing clothes for Daon… but.

‘…Why are those guys following me?’

The two of them seemed to be trailing him.

Wherever he went—into a store, glancing at clothes, stepping back out—they followed, repeating the same actions.

When this odd routine repeated a third time, Nahyuk turned back to face them.

“Excuse me… do you have something to say to me?”

This time, the two men startled instead of him.

The dark-skinned boy in the school uniform, especially, was so shocked he clung tightly to the other’s arm. The reaction didn’t match his size at all, and Nahyuk couldn’t help but chuckle.

Then, the one who resembled Kim Daon opened his mouth.

“Ah, sorry. Actually, we came out to buy our older brother a birthday gift. But since you looked a bit like him, we thought maybe your taste might be similar, so we were checking what you picked out. We’re not very good at choosing gifts.”

It was such a sweet, endearing explanation.

Nahyuk thought of his own younger brother—someone he had deliberately avoided recalling.

That boy had always looked at him with contempt. Was he doing well?

Most likely, he was even happier now that Nahyuk was gone. Perhaps he had already forgotten him completely.

Nahyuk remembered, too, that he had never once received a birthday present from his younger brother.

A hollow feeling crept in—like he had lived life in vain.

“I see! Well, I was actually looking for a gift for a close younger brother of mine too… Shall we choose together?”

He wanted to extend kindness to these affectionate brothers. Though he wasn’t sure if they would accept it.

But contrary to his worries, their faces lit up. Smiling broadly, they answered eagerly.

“That would be great for us.”

“Hyung! You’re the best, thank you so much.”

The darker boy immediately called him hyung, as if it were natural. Nahyuk almost imagined a big tail wagging behind him.

Despite his tough appearance, he was surprisingly adorable. Nahyuk couldn’t stop smiling.

“Haha, then since this seems like fate, why don’t we introduce ourselves? I’m Yoon Noah.”

“I’m Kim Garam, and this is Kim Heechan.”

“Hyung! It’s okay if I call you hyung, right?”

Though he was already calling him that, Heechan belatedly asked for permission. Nahyuk laughed and replied.

“Yes, that’s fine.”

“Then you can talk casually with me! Anyone can tell I’m younger anyway, haha.”

Clearly younger, Heechan laughed like an old man.

“Alright, thank you. So, shall we pick out gifts together?”

“Yes!”

And just like that, the three of them ended up shopping together.

It was more enjoyable than Nahyuk could have imagined.

Garam was calm and considerate, much like Daon, while Heechan clung to him warmly, joking and babbling like a real younger brother—it was hilarious.

Especially when the two bickered, it was such a pleasant sight that Nahyuk found himself envying them.

‘Garam-hyung. Can’t you buy me these soccer cleats? They’re amazing.’

‘No. We’re here to buy a gift for our brother, remember?’

‘Ah, Garam-hyuuung. You know I really love you, right? Hm? Want me to give you a kiss?’

‘Hey! Yoon Noah-ssi is right here. Be quiet.’

Their silly exchanges were such a delight to hear. If only he had siblings like that.

He felt a pang of envy for their eldest brother—the mysterious one they spoke of.

And since it was the very first time Nahyuk had ever gone shopping together with anyone, the experience felt precious, even overwhelming.

He regretted never trying something so fun until now.

From now on, he told himself, he would live enjoying everything he could. He would try all the things Lee Nahyuk never dared to. He repeated this to himself over and over.

Wanting to return the kindness of Garam and Heechan, who had given him such a treasured memory, Nahyuk decided to buy them gifts.

Though Yoon Noah’s bank account was lacking, he comforted himself with the thought that he could sell one of the cars in the garage.

So Nahyuk bought the pair of soccer cleats Heechan had tried on, as well as a shirt that suited Garam—pretending they were for himself.

Heechan only looked at the cleats with envy, never imagining they were actually for him.

Now, all that remained was Kim Daon’s birthday gift.