PIA 118

Even the act of turning around felt humiliating. Jeong Han-joo greeted Seo Ji-hyuk, who had returned listlessly. Jeong Han-joo’s hair, which should have been neat, was disheveled as if it had been pulled, and his shirt was unpleasantly crumpled.

Seo Ji-hyuk set aside the sincerity and treasures that had scratched his heart in the previous conversation, and became furiously angry at Jeong Han-joo’s unprepared state with the engagement ceremony just around the corner.

“Didn’t you say you were going to the salon separately? What’s with your appearance? We don’t have much time left.”

Of all things, did his appearance have to draw such a stark comparison to Jeong Hee-seo’s?

“Get back to your waiting room now. Call someone to fix your hair and makeup immediately, or everything’s going to be ruined.”

“……”

As Jeong Han-joo stared at him without answering, Seo Ji-hyuk glared with a fierce intensity. His stomach twisted at Han-joo’s gaze, different from usual, wondering if he had heard something from Jeong Hee-seo.

The situation was already uncomfortable, and to make matters worse, his adoptive parents were absent. Irritation rose at the thought that this tiresome conversation wasn’t even helpful. Seo Ji-hyuk could only clench his fists, unable to pull at his styled hair.

After a long pause, Jeong Han-joo, as if carefully choosing his words, finally spoke.

“Ji-hyuk. Don’t you have anything to say to me?”

“What do you mean?”

As Seo Ji-hyuk reflexively retorted, Jeong Han-joo’s expression hardened further.

“…The hospital? Did you go for a check-up? If not, let’s go together this time.”

“Who are you to me?”

“What?”

“I told you I’m going with my parents. You’re not my guardian or anything, so there’s nothing for you to do even if you come along.”

“Don’t you have any pheromone issues? You’ve never said you needed me or anything like that all this time.”

“What about pheromones? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

A tedious standoff continued. Jeong Han-joo slumped his shoulders and rubbed his face tiredly. He was exhausted by Seo Ji-hyuk’s stubborn resistance.

“Ji-an… it seemed like he was sticking to my brother… because of pheromones.”

“What does that…”

Seo Ji-hyuk, who had been responding reflexively, suddenly felt something strange and bit his lip.

“Why don’t you need me when you’re pregnant?”

After learning about Ji-an’s pregnancy, there were a few things that came to mind when reflecting on the past few months. Like how Ji-an would retch at his pheromones, or how he would use Jeong Hee-seo’s pheromones like a shield.

Seo Ji-hyuk’s face turned ghostly pale.

“Ji-an is pregnant?”

Ah, so that’s why. A sudden realization flashed by. It was the moment he understood Jeong Hee-seo’s impossibly kind gaze and careful actions like wrapping an arm around Ji-an’s shoulders. He clenched his jaw, feeling his mind go cold.

He had put on a few poor acts about having morning sickness, but even those he quickly forgot. Seo Ji-hyuk composed his expression, blaming himself for not being more thorough.

“So what? I’m dominant. How can you compare me to some recessive? Are you doubting me just because you saw someone else’s pregnancy symptoms?”

Jeong Han-joo looked like he was about to cry. He couldn’t believe he was in this situation now.

He knew their relationship wasn’t the same as before, but he didn’t know such a big lie had been fabricated. He had been deliberately ignoring his suspicions until his brother said something.

Jeong Han-joo felt deep despair at the sight of his partner shouting and getting excited instead.

“Are you going to keep this up till the end?”

“……”

“I asked if you’re going to keep this up till the end. Let’s just, let’s just tell each other the truth and start over. Ji-hyuk, okay?”

Despite the desperate question, Seo Ji-hyuk’s cold expression didn’t soften. He just stared blankly at Han-joo. ‘Start over’? It was too late for that. Their feelings had already faded, and Jeong Han-joo had made too many mistakes with Seo Ji-hyuk.

We can’t go back.

What remained in this relationship was nothing but….

“Didn’t you need something from me too?”

As Seo Ji-hyuk spoke quietly, lowering his eyes, Jeong Han-joo breathed heavily, mixed with resentment.

There was no answer. They had dragged on this problem that had no solution no matter how much they hesitated, avoided, and pondered. They should have looked into it earlier. They had messed things up, only wanting not to disappoint Grandmother.

“Damn it!”

Jeong Han-joo kicked the trash can irritably. The plastic basket of a neat color cracked and rolled away. Their relationship had also broken irreparably, but neither of them could find the brakes to stop the running train.

* * *

“Yi-seo’s gift is here.”

All traces of awkwardness were gone as Jeong Hee-seo rummaged through his bag confidently as if he had actually prepared a gift. Ji-an, who had been smiling and watching along, almost let out a scream when he saw what Jeong Hee-seo pulled out.

‘That’s mine!’

Ji-an quickly bit his lip, unable to blurt it out due to Yi-seo’s face brightening up.

“Wow. What pretty chocolates. Wow— there are flowers inside!”

“Isn’t it pretty? Actually, it’s not from uncle, but from Ji-an oppa. He bought it for Yi-seo.”

“Thank you.”

Yi-seo ran straight to Ji-an, kissed him on the cheek, and stepped back with a delighted smile. Ji-an smiled awkwardly at her delighted face. In fact, the reason those chocolates were in the bag was as part of Ji-an morning sickness cravings. Ji-an had become fixated on some pastry vlogger’s video, and Jeong Hee-seo had put in an order to get a bunch.

“Eat a lot, Yi-seo. Oppa is fine with it.”

Fortunately, this cravings had subsided after he devoured two boxes. Otherwise, Ji-an might have shed a tear. That’s how intense and absolute the demands of the little one inside him were.

As Ji-an narrowed his eyes, Jeong Hee-seo, sitting on the sofa, chuckled.

“What so funny?”

When he beckoned, Ji-an went closer, and he gestured for him to come even nearer.

“Sit here.”

As he patted his thigh, Ji-an glanced back. Yi-seo’s father had been absent for a while, and Yi-seo was busy eating chocolates, but for some reason, he hesitated a bit. Jeong Hee-seo pulled the lingering Ji-an into his arms.

“Ah, eek! Why are you being so rough?”

“Just stay still for a moment.”

Jeong Hee-seo took Ji-an’s left wrist with the hand that was wrapped around his waist. Naturally, his gaze lowered, and Ji-an felt the cool touch of a watch being fastened to his wrist.

It was a unique watch with a curved, thick, rectangular body made of pure white ceramic.  Through the transparent face, Ji-an could see large and small gears clustered together, turning. Even the snow-white watch strap caught his attention.

As Ji-an gasped in surprise, Jeong Hee-seo caressed his cheek.

“Since Ji-an is still young, I chose a sports brand. It’s not much, so don’t feel burdened.”

“…You’re lying.”

“It’s true.”

Ji-an narrowed his eyes. Jeong Hee-seo threw his head back and laughed.

“Well, you don’t wear a watch. It kept bothering me.”

“I can just check my phone.”

“That’s why Noona treats you like a child.”

Laughter flowed between them as they faced each other. Ji-an couldn’t deny it.

In his original world, Ji-an had considered getting a smartwatch while in college. But not being in the habit of wearing watches, he rarely felt inclined to do so and always left his wrist bare.

The Seo Ji-an of this world had a similar issue; despite owning an impressive collection of luxury watches, they didn’t feel like his, so he returned them all to his family’s house.

Ji-an absently fiddled with the watch. Though he wasn’t sure, the watch seemed to exude an extraordinary aura, surely making it incredibly expensive. But considering it was essentially his first watch, and the first thing Jeong Hee-seo had given him, Ji-an suddenly wanted to accept it readily. It also felt like adding a lucky charm to the outfit he had been uncomfortable with.

Blushing, Ji-an held up his wrist to admire the watch from various angles.

“Thank you, hyung.”

“It suits you well. I thought of you the moment I saw it.”

“Ah— now I’m in trouble. I have absolutely nothing to give you in return.”

Sighing dramatically, Ji-an leaned his head against Jeong Hee-seo’s shoulder. Jeong Hee-seo gently played with his left hand, laughing softly. The way the white shirt cuff peeked out from under the jacket sleeve, blending with the watch, was perfect. Even the delicate bones of Ji-an’s hand looked beautiful, from his wrist to his fingertips.

Jeong Hee-seo felt so satisfied that he thought no amount of money, not even billions, would be too much for this watch.

“I already used one coupon. I still have four left.”

“When you say it like that, it makes my coupons seem even more pathetic.”

This hyung really had no sense. Ji-an muttered under his breath, he’s just too… But he trailed off when he noticed Jeong Hee-seo’s gaze. That teasing look sent shivers through him.

“From now on, Ji-an, you’ll only wear or use things I give you. No matter how nice it is, you can’t accept anything from anyone else. I’ll throw it all away.”

“Who… who else would give me anything better than you, hyung?”

“That’s right, it’s a big problem. Without me, you’d have nothing to wear. You’d just have to live naked.”

“No way! I could easily make do with what I already have.”

What do you mean live naked? Ji-an mumbled. Even though he knew Jeong Hee-seo was talking nonsense, his cheeks flushed with happiness.

Jeong Hee-seo laughed and traced Ji-an’s lips with his finger.

“Then again, I wouldn’t allow it. I can’t stand the thought of anyone else seeing this pretty face.”

“…Shut up and just kiss me.”

Since Ji-an was already leaning against him, it was almost inevitable. His words had slipped out impulsively, but as Jeong Hee-seo moved closer, Ji-an’s breath hitched in surprise.

He gently cupped Ji-an’s stiff neck and lowered his head to brush his lips against Ji-an’s. Ji-an tensed and flinched, aware that Yi-seo was in the same room.