#83
When Kyunghee received a call from Jaeha telling her to prepare her passport, she thought it was nonsense. Only after hearing the details later and receiving the travel itinerary and tickets through someone called Secretary Kim did she finally realize it was real.
During her school days, she had often experienced such generous favors after becoming entangled with her friend Nari, that is, Jaeha’s mother. Even after Nari passed away and she grew distant from Jaeha’s family, Jaeha had continued to take care of Kyunghee as more than just his friend’s mother. Still, she had managed to politely decline overly generous favors that seemed inappropriate coming from her son’s friend.
But when Jaeha appeared suddenly in Busan last time with her son, his expression, behavior, and every word he spoke had been terribly concerning.
‘I’ll take responsibility for Eunhong, so please don’t worry.’
‘But you and Eunhong are both adults with your own busy lives.’
‘Eunhong is my top priority. There’s nothing holding me back now.’
Kyunghee had known that Jaeha liked Eunhong since childhood, but she had only considered it the typical attachment to a friend characteristic of their age. She hadn’t thought deeply about it, partly because their biological traits made them an impossible match.
But after Eunhong manifested and brought Jaeha down with him, it felt like watching a play following a predetermined course. She worried that Eunhong’s fate might become entangled like that of her friend Nari, who had married into a wealthy family because of being a dominant omega. The difference in their circumstances even made her feel helpless.
She knew that parents are powerless when it comes to their children’s love lives and futures. But she couldn’t just stand by watching. Even if she couldn’t do anything, she at least needed to observe within her capabilities.
So Kyunghee swallowed the uncomfortable generosity and came to the airport to board an airplane for the first time in her life. In other words, she wanted to see Jaeha’s face one more time.
“What’s all this about, Jaeha? Secretary Kim explained it to me, but… This is the first time I’ve skipped setting up the ancestral rites table for a holiday.”
Unlike Kyunghee, who was busy looking around with a bewildered expression, Jaeha was completely at ease. He had already overcome the difficult hurdle of bringing her this far.
“I promised to see you again for the Lunar New Year, but I broke that promise, so I’m sorry. I apologize for borrowing Eunhong during the holiday, Mother.”
“What do you mean ‘borrowing’? He just came down last Chuseok and spent most of the time sprawled out sleeping.”
“This time, please enjoy your trip with Sunhong, and next time we’ll all go together. Or I could take just you alone.”
Jaeha took Kyunghee’s hand, smiling brightly. Kyunghee bit her lip like she had swallowed an astringent persimmon in one bite, not knowing what to do. She was simply amazed at how much the child’s personality seemed to have changed suddenly.
“W-well. If you do that, this auntie would be grateful just hearing about it.”
Jaeha won Kyunghee’s favor effortlessly. Having completed this conquest, he called over to Sunhong, who was standing with Eunhong, bickering. When he handed over a leather pouch containing a wad of exchanged money and two cards, Sunhong’s already excited expression immediately brightened.
“Keep the money and cards separate, and call if anything happens. Don’t worry about the time difference.”
“Yes. I understand perfectly. Thank you, Ham!”
The sharp-witted Sunhong had already grasped the whole situation. He had always been that way. For over 20 years, Sunhong had survived on instinct and intuition between his older brother, who overthought everything without any social awareness, and his cautious, timid mother. If not for Eunhong glaring at him with dagger eyes, he would have joked around telling them to enjoy their time. Since Jaeha said they were going for work, he decided to pretend to believe it for now.
Sunhong’s suspicions were reasonable, as Jaeha’s attire was too casual. It was hard to believe he was going for work with just one small suitcase, no accompanying secretary, and only Eunhong by his side. However, Jaeha paid no attention to the suspicious glances from the mother and her two sons.
After checking in at the lounge and having a light meal, they set out to look around the duty-free shops, but increasingly it looked less like a business trip and more like a vacation. Only Eunhong was nervously concerned about other people’s gazes. Jaeha casually gathered cosmetics and a few accessories for Kyunghee to use, then walked ahead and suddenly stopped at a sunglasses shop. He smoothly picked up a pair of sunglasses and placed them on Kyunghee’s face.
“It’s summer there, did you bring sunglasses?”
When Kyunghee and Sunhong shook their heads, he deliberately called over a staff member. With a face that worked on everyone, he smiled gently and asked for recommended models. The employee looked at Kyunghee and Sunhong, then nodded with a discerning eye as if choosing items for his own family. While the employee went to gather products, Jaeha picked up round glasses with a transparent frame and light pink lenses and called Eunhong.
“Bunhong, come here.”
Eunhong, already tense about someone possibly recognizing Jaeha, gave him a slight side-eye.
“I told you not to spend money teasing me.”
“I’m not teasing; pink really suits you, Bunhong.”
“Right, Mother?” he asked cutely, seeking agreement, and Kyunghee gave two thumbs up.
Jaeha put the glasses on Eunhong, whose face had awkwardly reddened. He combed through Eunhong’s bangs with his fingers and played with the hair by his ears. Eunhong’s face stiffened slightly at the subtle contact. He thought Jaeha was being shameless in front of his mother.
At that moment, Jaeha leaned forward, bringing his face close to Eunhong’s. With his dark eyes gently curved, he whispered, “Beautiful, our Bunhong.” His intense gaze was burning. Eunhong turned his head sharply to the opposite direction.
“Stop teasing me.”
Jaeha’s eyes darkened slightly as he looked at Eunhong’s profile.
“I’m not teasing.”
“…”
“You’re really beautiful.”
The employee who had approached offered Kyunghee several sunglasses, saying they were the latest trend. Kyunghee, who had been standing awkwardly, finally collected herself. Trying to hide her embarrassment, she unnecessarily approached Sunhong and slapped him on the back.
Sunhong, who had been busy choosing his own sunglasses, let out a yelp.
“The weather is nice, Sunhong. The weather is nice!”
“What are you talking about, Mom! My back hurts like hell.”
“I’m saying it’s fortunate the weather is good for traveling, you brat.”
“What does the weather here have to do with the weather there? Ow! It hurts! Stop hitting me!”
Eunhong fiddled with the pajamas the flight attendant had given him. The texture was amazingly good. Until now, he had mostly used business class when traveling with Jaeha, so he wondered if this was the prestige of first class. Jaeha had uncomfortably decided on this luxury at his own discretion, saying they needed to work as soon as they landed.
There were messages on his phone from his mother and Sunhong sent before takeoff. Eunhong sent a message for them to see when they turned on their phones after landing, then turned off his own. Although he was concerned about Woohyun, whom he had blocked, he decided to ignore him for the time being for his mental health.
After packing his passport and various personal items into his bag and changing into slippers, he was sitting blankly when Jaeha suddenly reached over the partition and roughly ruffled his hair.
“Ah, ah, why? Why are you doing that?”
It felt like a large hand was stuck to his head. After barely removing it and pushing it away, Jaeha pulled up the corners of his mouth and smiled deeply.
“I was wondering why you were digging a tunnel again.”
Eunhong made an embarrassed face, saying “Ah.” He started with “Just…” and trailed off, but Jaeha waited patiently. Eunhong scratched his cheek and avoided eye contact before tightly closing his eyes and speaking with a short sigh.
“Just. When you touch something, everything becomes too easy. So.”
“Don’t overthink it.”
“I’m just scared sometimes. Not scared of you…, but scared of myself for getting used to receiving.”
Scared of losing it later. Eunhong swallowed the rest of his words and turned his gaze away.
More precisely, “anxious” would be the right word. Eunhong was always someone who thought about things disappearing. The higher you climb, the more it hurts when you fall.
The seatbelt sign lit up as the plane prepared for takeoff. Statistically, it was much less dangerous than a car accident, but the perceived fear didn’t feel that way. It was probably because he was too far removed from his safe daily life. The slight trembling in his chest was difficult to distinguish between excitement and fear.
“Shall I tell you a funny story?”
The hand massaging his nape was subtle. Eunhong turned to Jaeha with curiosity.
“Mother doesn’t tell me to be her son anymore. She used to say that as a greeting whenever we met.”
“Oh, really? Mom didn’t say that? You must be secretly disappointed.”
“No, I actually prefer it this way.”
“You prefer it?”
“Why do you think that is? Hmm?”
Jaeha smiled mischievously, showing his canine teeth. The plane began to race down the runway with a roaring sound. The morning sunlight piercing through the small window made Jaeha’s dark pupils shine like transparent glass beads. Eunhong somehow felt breathless.
The direct flight to Rome took over 13 hours. But having enjoyed the luxury of seats nearly as comfortable as beds, he only felt a bit drowsy.
Although they had departed in the morning, due to the time difference, it was still midday when they arrived. According to their body’s rhythm, it would be time to eat dinner and sleep, but to adjust to the time difference, they had to wait until sunset.
The statement about being busy wasn’t a lie, as Secretary Kim and staff who had arrived earlier attached themselves to Jaeha as soon as they reached Fiumicino Airport. Jaeha skillfully received reports and led people as they moved locations. Eunhong followed alongside Jaeha with small steps, feeling dazed.
