VDN Ch 188

“…Yong-deuk?”

He smiled awkwardly at Nam-woon. Nam-woon, who had been standing there, put down the broom in his hand, walked over to him briskly, and grabbed him by the collar.

“Ugh, yo-young master…?”

“Are you out of your mind? You pull a dangerous stunt like that without even telling me?”

Nam-woon firmly gripped Yong-deuk’s collar and shook him. His voice naturally became louder as his anger grew.

“You were thinking about something like that, and how could you not say a single word to me! Do you feel good playing the villain all by yourself? Don’t you think about the people left behind?”

“I’m sorry… young master.”

Nam-woon roughly released Yong-deuk’s collar and took a deep breath, his chest heaving. His glaring eyes were cold. Yong-deuk lowered his head to avoid Nam-woon’s piercing gaze.

“I thought your safety was the top priority… To avoid watchful eyes, I had no choice. If I upset you, I apologize.”

“And what about your safety?”

Yong-deuk lifted his head again, his expression one of surprise at the unexpected words. Nam-woon, agitated, shouted,

“If you say that, do you think I would say ‘good job’ and praise you or something? What if you three had gotten hurt jumping into such dangerous business! Do you think I would have been happy even then?”

“……”

“You guys aren’t the only ones who worry about me. I worry about you all just the same.” 

“Young master….”

Seeing Nam-woon’s face redden, Yong-deuk was taken aback. Nam-woon slowly took a deep breath to calm down and warned in a firm voice.

“Don’t ever do something like that again. If I catch you doing that next time, then I’ll really beat you up.”

“Understood….”

As soon as he heard the answer, Nam-woon went back into the room. Yong-deuk, left behind, stared at the tightly closed door, fidgeting.

After a while, the door opened again. Nam-woon emerged, holding a transparent side dish container in his hand. He handed the full container to Yong-deuk. Accepting it without thinking, Yong-deuk asked with a puzzled expression.

“What is this?”

“Go share it with Deok-chil and Jang-mi. It’s cooled down a bit, but it still tastes good.”

Yong-deuk’s eyes widened slightly as he tilted the container to check its contents.

“Taiyaki? Is there a place selling taiyaki around here?”

“I didn’t buy it, I made it myself.”

“What? You made it, young master?”

Yong-deuk looked at Nam-woon with raised eyebrows, as if he had heard something bizarre. Nam-woon, feeling a bit embarrassed, rubbed the back of his neck and avoided his gaze. After a moment, a small thank you came back.

“I’ll enjoy it, young master.”

“…Whether you eat it or don’t eat it, it’s up to you.

After that, the two stood in the yard in silence for a while. Yong-deuk seemed to have something left to say, but instead of leaving, he kept his mouth open, watching Nam-woon’s expression. It felt like they could stand there for an hour or two. Eventually, Nam-woon, unable to bear the awkward atmosphere, quietly asked, “Why?” Only then did Yong-deuk finally open his mouth.

“I’ve always wished for you to live an ordinary life, young master. You said you wanted Kwon Seo-oh to have a normal life but deep down, I’ve always believed it was you who truly needed that kind of life. I’m sure Deokchil and Jangmi feel the same way.”

“……”

“That’s why it’s good to see you living so peacefully now. I hope you continue to live just as happily, no, even more so than now.”

Nam-woon bit his lip. Was it okay for him to hear this? It didn’t feel like it was meant for him. Nam-woon nodded, feeling a mix of frustration and warmth. After all, there was only one thing Nam-woon could say in response.

“Thank you, Yong-deuk.”

After hesitating for a moment, he added softly,

“…It’s as you said, he’s probably living a normal, happy life.”

What? Yong-deuk asked as if he didn’t understand, but Nam-woon just smiled. Seok Nam-woon said he wished that there was someone who truly cared for him and thought of him. Maybe it’s true that we often fail to recognize precious things when they are close to us?

There are plenty of people who cared about you.

Nam-woon smiled as he said this to someone who couldn’t hear him.

***

When it got dark, Seo-oh returned home. Nam-woon, lying around and playing a mobile game, looked up and greeted him.

“Oh, you’re here? Where’s Se-han?”

“He said he had something important to talk about with Grandpa Nam-nam, so he’s sitting on the bench in front of the supermarket.”

It’s getting chilly these days, what could they possibly be talking about out here in the middle of the night? I should go pick him up later.

“What did you have for dinner?”

“Kimbap and pork cutlet. Sehan wanted it. Did you eat, Hyung?”

“I did. If you’re hungry, eat some more, I made kimchi stew.”

At those words, Seo-oh headed to the gas stove and opened the lid of the pot that still had some heat. Nam-woon watched nervously as Seo-oh peered into the steaming kimchi stew. Why is he looking at it like that? Did I make it wrong? With a worried heart, Nam-woon got up from his seat to approach the sink. However, after closing the lid, Seo-oh simply said, “Thank you,” in a small voice. Then he turned around and said,

“Hyung, should we go out to the yard for a bit?” 

“Why?” 

“It’s just… I saw some stars outside.” 

The mention of stars almost made Nam-woon burst out laughing. However, seeing Seo-oh’s serious face, Nam-woon quickly composed his expression and opened the door. He felt a presence following him. In the end, he couldn’t hold it in and let out a small laugh.

“Weird. Usually you can’t see stars well here.”

“Must be a special day today.”

At that cute response, Nam-woon swallowed another laugh again and replied, “I guess so.” While taking in the sparkling stars, he felt a stare from the side. Turning his head, he saw a pair of shiny black eyes looking at him. They seemed a little dazed, making him twitch his lips. Seo-oh noticed him laughing and wrinkled one eyebrow.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Haha. You just looked like you were zoning out.”

Seo-oh turned his gaze forward and swiped at his cheek once. Nam-woon paused his stargazing and asked about Kwon Sang-moon’s condition. 

“How is your dad doing?”

“Same as yesterday. When we went over, he was asleep from his meds, so we didn’t talk much.”

Nam-woon looked at Seo-oh’s worried face and, with a determined expression, opened his mouth. 

“Seo-oh.” 

“Yes?” 

“I have something to say… promise you won’t get mad?”

At those words, Seo-oh furrowed his eyes. I told him not to get angry, but his face was already ready to get angry. Nam-woon opened his lips, feeling slightly nervous.

“I think it’s time I move out of your house.” 

“……”

“I should start looking for my own place soon.”

I looked closely at his face, worried about his reaction. I strongly remembered how he had gotten mad and rushed at me the first time I brought up the subject, so I feared he would do the same this time. Nam-woon unconsciously glanced around, searching for an escape route, but Seo-oh quietly responded.

“Is it because of my dad?” 

“No, it’s not that.” 

Nam-woon quickly shook his head, but Seo-oh, reading his thoughts once again, muttered, “Liar.” This kid is like a ghost. When did he become so perceptive? It would be hard to lie to him anymore. In the end, Nam-woon confessed his honest thoughts.

“Your father has had a hard time these past years. And he’s finally come home, so he should be able to relax with his family. He’d be uncomfortable if I were there.”

As Seo-oh quietly listened, he pouted his lips in a sulky manner. Then, while shuffling the dirt in the yard with his feet, he suddenly lifted his head.

“Then let’s live together.”

“Did you hear me right?”

Nam-woon raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Yes. But did you hear me right? I said, that we should live together.”

“Uh… But I just told you I was moving out.”

Nam-woon was confused. Seo-oh suddenly started moving around restlessly. He covered his chin with his palm, swept his hair back, and messed it up in the process. He was acting strangely, becoming quite flustered before suddenly putting his hands in his pockets.

Nam-woon’s eyes immediately became sharp. There he is again. What on earth is in there? His curiosity arose, and his gaze fixed on it. Seo-oh, who had been wriggling his hands in his pockets for a while, took something out as if he had made up his mind. It was a small, dark-colored box.

“Open it.”

Nam-woon received the box with a skeptical expression. Soon, with a click, the box opened, revealing the hidden item inside.

“……”

Nam-woon silently looked down at the small object. He didn’t blink. Seo-oh, feeling shy, added,

“It’s not very expensive. But I thought it would match you well, Hyung… I’ll buy you something better later.”

“……”

Nam-woon was still motionless. Seo-oh took the box back with a gentle hand and held out his palm, saying, “Hand.” However, Nam-woon hadn’t come to his senses yet. So, Seo-oh pulled his hand gently and put the ring from the box on his ring finger. The simple, yet rough ring shone brightly on his hand. Strangely enough, the size was perfect.

Seo-oh carefully stroked the finger with the ring on it, as if touching something precious, then closed his eyes in satisfaction.

“It looks good on you.”

Nam-woon, feeling the unfamiliar sensation of metal wrapping around his finger. Finally, he managed to utter words.

“What is this…?”

After clearing his throat once, Seo-oh answered calmly.

“A bribe to make sure you look after me.”

“What?” 

Nam-woon, who had lowered his head, looked up. Seo-oh’s eyes were very serious.

“Nam-woon Hyung.” 

“Yes?”

“Let’s always be together from now on. I want to be with you for the rest of my life.”

A proposal? As Nam-woon was still processing the situation, Seo-oh took a deep breath and held his hand again. Then, caressing his hand, Seo-oh shyly conveyed his feelings.

“Marry me.”

“……”

Marriage? Between me and Kwon Seo-oh? Seo-oh, who saw his eyes widen in surprise, continued to speak, looking embarrassed but even more serious.

“I want to be the person closest to you. I want to watch over everything you’ll experience from the closest distance and be with you. In order to do that, I want you to give me the right to stand proudly by your side.”

“……”

Nam-woon’s gaze was completely captivated by Seo-oh. Despite the dark night, Seo-oh was as bright as ever. Maybe even brighter than the stars in the sky. Ah, that’s something new. His face looks just like a burning tomato.

The moment he was thinking about useless thoughts, a sweet voice pierced his ears.

“Become my family.”

“Uh, uh…”

It was an unexpected proposal. And… words that deeply moved his heart.