SS 10 Part 1

Side Story #10. My World Was You, Bomin

A child who brings death.

That was the nickname Jeong Hotae had heard from those around him since he was young.

“Ah, how pitiful he is at such a young age… Didn’t his grandfather cherish him so much as his only grandson? That grumpy old man used to run around in his socks for anything related to his grandson.”

“What good is that? The child who devoured even his own parents has now sent his grandfather to the other world.”

“What do you mean?”

“Mrs. Kim, you don’t know about that?”

The murmuring conversations of the people who visited the funeral hall reached Jeong Hotae’s ears without filter as he blankly stared at his grandfather’s portrait.

The boy, who looked like he had barely started elementary school, was at an age where bright-colored clothes would suit him more than the black mourning clothes he was wearing.

Sitting listlessly as if swallowed by his clothes, the only thing he did was blink his eyes from time to time.

People who visited the funeral home were often startled and stepped back at the melancholic atmosphere that was unusual for a child.

“They say he brings death. The funeral hall suits him like his own home.”

It was a cruel expression to use for a child who still had baby fat on his cheeks.

At those words, Jeong Hotae’s fingertips, which had been blinking blankly, trembled.

‘Is this old woman senile? What kind of talk is that to our precious grandson?’

“Grandfather…”

The words that his grandfather might have said if he were still alive rang in his ears. The kindly smiling face beyond the cold glass frame was still vivid in his mind, and he felt resentful for not being able to see his grandfather.

‘Hotae-ya, it’s not your fault. So never blame yourself.’

The touch of his wrinkled hand stroking his hair before he closed his eyes last felt as if it was still there.

“Grandfather… Sob, Grandfather…”

Jeong Hotae finally collapsed to the floor. Maybe, as those people said, he was bringing death.

From the incident where he was the only survivor in a car accident with his parents, to his grandfather who was hit by a car instead of him, who was standing blankly without seeing the oncoming car…

He had pushed them all to their deaths.

As he acknowledged that fact, his chest tightened, making it difficult to even breathe. The smell of incense wafting from the funeral hall pierced his nostrils with horrifying clarity.

“Young Master, it’s alright.”

Even though Secretary Kim, who had served his grandfather for a long time, bent down beside him and stroked his back, Jeong Hotae couldn’t bear the parting with his grandfather and cried and cried until his tender eyes were raw.

* * *

“I’m here, Grandfather.”

Days of living a life worse than death continued. Thanks to the inheritance left by his grandfather, he didn’t have to go to school or work.

The moment he was left alone after Secretary Kim also passed away from old age, Jeong Hotae visited the family graveyard for the first time in a long time.

“I’m on my way back from seeing Mom and Dad too.”

He was a worthless son and grandson. Whenever their death anniversaries came around, the piercing sadness and longing he felt at that time poured in like a tidal wave, preventing him from visiting their graves.

The small child, who hadn’t even reached an adult’s waist when they left him, had now grown into a robust young man.

“You’re living happily there, right?”

His grandfather had raised his only daughter with utmost care. Because he was the only son of that daughter, that overflowing love had continued to Jeong Hotae.

Even though he had driven his daughter to her death, his grandfather had never once blamed Jeong Hotae. Even though there were days when he secretly shed tears, saying he was grateful that at least he had survived.

“Can’t I go there too…?”

He had endured alone for a long time. Yet, Jeong Hotae couldn’t find a reason to live.

The world was all gray. Even when he met new people, only the sadness of losing his parents and grandfather lingered emptily in his hollow chest.

“Please take me with you, Grandfather…”

The bouquet he was holding dropped to the ground. Jeong Hotae also knelt before his grandfather’s grave and let the tears streaming down his face fall to the ground.

…He shouldn’t have done that.

No matter how difficult and painful life was, he shouldn’t have wished for his grandfather to take him away. If only he had known that his grandfather would grant his wish so quickly.

* * *

“…My name is Lee Bomin.”

It was an impulsive act. Saving Bomin in that moment.

He lived a life where he didn’t even properly take care of his meals. He didn’t care about himself, let alone others.

But strangely, from the moment he first saw Bomin, his gaze was drawn to him. Eventually, after saving Bomin, he brought the unconscious boy to his house.

It was when he was sitting alone in the living room, drinking, after laying Bomin down in the guest room.

Bomin hesitantly came out to the living room and sat across from him, introducing himself.

The moment his eyes met with the pitch-black pupils staring at him, Jeong Hotae felt a strange sensation and his grip on the glass tightened.

“Uh…? I think there’s a crack in the glass…”

Bomin rubbed his eyes as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Jeong Hotae then looked down at the glass in his hand.

As he confirmed that Bomin had captured him in his eyes, his heart pounded painfully. He had tightened his grip to hide his emotional turmoil, but it seemed he had done it more forcefully than he thought.

“Hey, you’re bleeding!”

Jeong Hotae just blinked blankly, even as a pale Bomin approached and sat beside him.

He should be looking at the wound first, even though he had introduced himself first.

As if he wasn’t in pain, Jeong Hotae observed Bomin instead of his wound.

“Want to live with me?”

“What do you…”

The next words Jeong Hotae uttered shook Bomin’s heart this time. If it weren’t for Jeong Hotae, he would have almost been violated by that trashy guy.

Bomin’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down at the intense gaze that fell upon him, as if he were the only one in the world.

“It’s lonely living alone. I think…it would be okay to live with you.”

Jeong Hotae raised his uninjured hand and gently caressed Bomin’s cheek, who seemed flustered and whose breathing had become rough.

His gaze deepened at the touch of the soft skin.

“Let’s do that, Bomin-ah.”

It was the final blow. At the sweet voice calling his name affectionately, Bomin nodded as if bewitched.

* * *

“Bomin likes this.”

One day, Jeong Hotae started a habit of buying Bomin’s favorite food or items whenever he saw them while walking down the street.

He saw the cake he had bought Bomin a few days ago, which Bomin had devoured in one sitting, displayed inside the showcase. The sight of Bomin’s cheeks puffed out like a squirrel’s always brought a pleasant smile to his face.

He looked down at his phone, filled with messages asking when he would be back, and finally turned his steps.

“Please wrap that one for me.”

“Yes. Please wait a moment.”

After ordering the fresh cream cake topped with bright red strawberries, Jeong Hotae grabbed a handful of cookies next to the counter and paid for them as well.

He hurried his steps, carrying the cake box in one hand and the shopping bag full of cookies in the other.

Even though he was much better now, Jeong Hotae had a habit of walking unless the distance required a car. He wanted to see Bomin’s happy face as he received the cake as soon as possible. He momentarily regretted not driving today.

It was when he was less than a hundred meters away from his and Bomin’s home.

“Ugh…”

A sudden, piercing headache struck him. Jeong Hotae staggered from the pain, as if a sharp awl was digging into his temples.

“Hoo, hoo…”

His face and back were instantly drenched in cold sweat. It was more than just a simple headache.

He desperately tried to take deep breaths. If he didn’t, he felt like he would collapse pathetically onto the ground.

Even though he couldn’t control his body properly, Jeong Hotae didn’t let go of the cake box in his hand.

He didn’t know how much time had passed. When he thought his vision was going dark from the excruciating pain, the headache stopped as if by magic.

“What? Why are you so late? I waited so long.”

When he barely managed to compose his pale complexion and quickly entered the house, Bomin was standing at the front door with a pouty face.

“Sorry. I bought you your favorite things instead.”

“Really?”

Bomin’s protruding lower lip retracted, and he burst into a bright smile.

“…Why are you doing this?”

“I’m a little dizzy. Let’s just stay like this for a moment.”

Unable to resist the urge, he leaned his head on Bomin’s shoulder. He could feel Bomin gasp in surprise, but at this moment, he desperately needed Bomin’s scent.

The delicate yet sweet fragrance, resembling Bomin, penetrated deep into his lungs. Bomin stiffened awkwardly for a moment, then raised his hand and patted Jeong Hotae’s back.

“You should have just asked for a hug.”

A faint smile spread across Jeong Hotae’s lips at the seemingly grumpy tone that hinted at shyness.

Although the two were still maintaining an ambiguous relationship, somewhere between friends and lovers, Jeong Hotae felt his patience rapidly wearing thin.

He was planning to confess to Bomin after visiting the hospital and confirming that what had happened to him was nothing.

* * *