PIA 110

“What should we do about our Ji-an feeling disappointed?”

Jeong Hee-seo spoke as if he had seen into Ji-an’s heart. It was a moment when vague emotions became clear.

“We could have eaten more hot pot, right?”

“I’ll make it for you at home.”

Jeong Hee-seo sat on a long chair, holding Ji-an, and spoke with his lips buried in his hair.

Only after entering the space filled with traces of Jeong Hee-seo’s life did Ji-an realize how tense he had been, and how much he had been relying on him. Looking up at the Alpha who provided him with such comfort, Ji-an thought anew how handsome he was.

So with just that one thing, there was nothing to be disappointed about.

“Ji-an.”

“Yes?”

“Your hands are cold. I think we should go to the hospital.”

Jeong Hee-seo pressed the center of Ji-an’s palm with his thumb. Only when pressure was applied did heat return to his cold hands, and only then did Ji-an realize he had indigestion.

Had he been this nervous at the dinner table to the point of indigestion?

Looking back, Myeong Hyun-sook was definitely not the cause. She had welcomed Ji-an so gently and kindly that it made all his previous fears seem silly.

Thinking carefully, even his own brother who wrote this drama probably didn’t know much about her. Just because he had a long relationship with Jeong Han-joo, would he have become close enough to fully understand Myeong Hyun-sook’s inner thoughts? Given Seo Ji-hyuk’s personality, Ji-an could be certain that wasn’t the case.

Most of the scenes involving Myeong Hyun-sook had probably been written based on superficial knowledge, pieced together from brief encounters and filled out with public perceptions of her. 

So today’s mild discomfort had all stemmed from that troublesome main couple. He didn’t want to make a big fuss over something so minor—it was simply a growing pain he had to endure.

Ji-an shook his head and sat up.

“I’ll be fine if I just lie down for a bit. I have an iron stomach, so it’ll settle quickly.”

“Don’t say that…”

Jeong Hee-seo looked worried, but Ji-an was stubborn.

“It’s really nothing.”

Jeong Hee-seo watched as Ji-an separated herself from him and stood up abruptly. Pretending to be fine while rubbing his stomach, Ji-an looked around the room and then, without asking the owner’s permission, went to the bed and lay down. As he flopped down, Jeong Hee-seo’s scent wafted up. As he had guessed, it was extremely cozy.

Lying down, he could see traces of Jeong Hee-seo all over the room. There was even a train rail and a small steam engine depot on one wall, suggesting he had used this room alone since he was very young.

Ji-an’s eyes were drawn to the shelves filled with records and albums Jeong Hee-seo had collected, and everything beyond the half-open thin rice paper door, like the study or spaces hidden behind curtains, aroused his curiosity.

“I’ll rest a bit, then look around… and go back. I think I’ll be fine if I sleep for about ten minutes.”

Ji-an yawned, hugging one of the pillows generously placed on the bed. Having been very tense, throwing up everything he ate, and with his stomach aching, his body felt like a wet rag. As he forced his drowsy eyes open, he saw Jeong Hee-seo approaching.

He straightened the crooked pillow and sat down with one leg folded at his bedside. He reached out and repeatedly stroked Ji-an’s back gently.

“Take a nap.”

He mumbled something about calling a doctor, his voice low and faint.

“No…”

“Come on, close your eyes quickly.”

Jeong Hee-seo patted Ji-an while taking out his phone. Even as Ji-an replied that he was fine, he couldn’t resist his heavily drooping eyelids.

* * *

Kim Han-seok entered through a gate between the low stone walls. Jeong Hee-seo, who had been waiting outside since receiving the call that he had arrived at the entrance, quickly crossed the yard to approach him when he recognized the familiar face.

The guest also waved his hand upon seeing Jeong Hee-seo’s darkly sunken face.

“Han-seok.”

“Oh, Hee-seo.”

Next to Kim Han-seok was the obstetrics professor who had examined Ji-an before. As Jeong Hee-seo greeted the two, the servant who had been guiding them from the main gate quietly bowed and stepped aside.

“How’s Ji-an?”

“He’s sleeping inside.”

“Alright, let’s go in and see him. Don’t worry too much, he’ll be fine.”

Jeong Hee-seo followed closely beside Kim Han-seok as he headed straight inside, saying:

“When Ji-an was very unstable before, there were times he would go three days without eating if he didn’t have pheromones, but even then, he never fell asleep so weakly like this.”

“You said there were no other symptoms besides vomiting, right? In that case—”

The person next to Kim Han-seok was about to continue when Jeong Han-joo appeared behind the three, calling out loudly, “Hyung,” looking for Jeong Hee-seo.

Jeong Hee-seo turned around, rubbing his forehead and showing deep fatigue. With a glance, he told Kim Han-seok to go ahead.

“I’ll examine him thoroughly and come out. Don’t worry.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

Kim Han-seok seemed to know Jeong Han-joo as well, so he bowed to him before heading towards Ji-an’s room. Jeong Han-joo stood there, his brow deeply furrowed, watching the three people. He had a thoughtful expression.

After seeing the two enter the room, Jeong Hee-seo approached his younger brother.

“Han-joo. Aren’t you tired of tailing me everywhere?”

While it was true that he had followed to say something, being treated like an annoying fly irritated him. Jeong Han-joo stepped closer and raised his chin.

“Have you forgotten? This is my home too where I used to stay. Do I need your permission to come here?”

“Hah… I’m tired, so let’s stop for today. I don’t have any nice words left.”

Jeong Hee-seo rubbed his face wearily.

“I gave up my seat for you to eat, you’ve paid your respects to grandmother. If you’ve achieved your goal, why don’t you quietly leave instead of having more to say to me?”

“Why are you talking like that?”

“Like what? Who started it first?”

Jeong Han-joo, who had flared up again, couldn’t even get his money’s worth in the face of his brother’s glare. He awkwardly scratched the back of his head and spoke again in an uncertain voice.

“Ji-hyuk is with noona and grandmother.”

“So what?”

Jeong Hee-seo’s gaze turned back towards the room. Jeong Han-joo swallowed his rising anger and said:

“So, I saw on my way here. The doctor is coming. It’s Han-seok hyung, right? Is Ji-an sick?”

“……”

“Hyung.”

“Just go. What does it matter to you?”

Perhaps he felt guilty belatedly. Or maybe he was showing a pathetic sense of possession. Jeong Hee-seo clicked his tongue.

“Go, Han-joo.”

Jeong Hee-seo pushed Jeong Han-joo’s shoulder firmly. The way he was pushed back weakly made it seem like he had really come to apologize. So what, what did he want now? There was no way to scoop up spilled water.

It was unlike his usual self. Complex emotions were all visible on his face. Jealousy and irritation that he thought he had tucked away well suddenly surged up and were directed at Jeong Han-joo.

“……”

Jeong Han-joo retreated obediently. It was surprising that he seemed to understand, given how bad Jeong Hee-seo’s expression was.

As he turned back towards the room, he saw Kim Han-seok and the doctor coming out. Jeong Hee-seo ran across the yard towards them. Kim Han-seok, who had carelessly shoved his feet into his sneakers, tapped the toes on the ground and greeted Jeong Hee-seo with a smile.

“Everything’s fine. Hee-seo, lighten up your face.”

“Really? Is he still asleep?”

“It seems Ji-an was just very nervous. That’s why he fell into a deep sleep. We gave him an IV… and some medicine too, so it would be good to let him sleep at your place tonight.”

Kim Han-seok, who didn’t know they were living together, assumed Ji-an was just visiting Jeong Hee-seo’s place. Jeong Hee-seo didn’t feel the need to explain and just nodded in agreement. He felt his knees weaken with relief, unable to think of anything else complex.

“When he wakes up, prepare something soft to eat. And drink warm water.”

“Alright.”

The obstetrician standing next to them added with a gentle smile:

“The baby is fine too, so don’t worry too much. Go in and see him. If you want a detailed examination, come to the hospital tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

Jeong Hee-seo had been planning to persuade Ji-an to go back to the hospital when he woke up anyway. He bowed deeply in gratitude. The doctor, familiar with the anxious appearance of a guardian unable to easily erase their worry, bowed back with a calm expression.

Jeong Hee-seo only escorted the two to the stone wall. As he was about to take another step, Kim Han-seok waved him off.

“I know the way. I’ve been here many times before. You can go in to Ji-an. I’ll see myself out.”

“…Thank you.”

Jeong Hee-seo gripped his friend’s shoulder tightly and released it, grateful that he had come without complaint despite being called suddenly in a panic.

He watched the two chat as they headed towards the main gate, then turned around. He decided to spend the night here as Kim Han-seok suggested and return home tomorrow. Thinking Ji-an would surely be hungry when he woke up, he was about to ask the kitchen to prepare plenty of porridge when Jeong Han-joo, who he thought had left, approached.

With a strange expression, he asked Jeong Hee-seo,

“Is Ji-an pregnant?”