Chapter 69
Mother Ji Inhui had a sense of debt toward her son Taeri.
Ji Inhui became pregnant during her internship period and entered the resident program shortly after giving birth to Taeri. Until Ji Inhui became a professor, Taeri was raised by others’ hands, and by the time she became a professor, Taeri had learned how to grow up alone. Since her husband Choi Junghyeok was such an elitist, Ji Inhui probably didn’t want to fall behind him.
Compared to Choi Junghyeok, Ji Inhui was mild. Choi Junghyeok simply thought that since he had given birth to him, it was natural for Taeri to be first in whatever he did, get accepted to medical school as valedictorian, and graduate as valedictorian. Playing ball with his father was something that never existed in Taeri’s life.
Throughout his lonely upbringing, Taeri tried to understand his parents, but sometimes he had doubts about his own existence.
If their lives were so important, why did they have a son they would only neglect?
His father was a parrot who would cry about being first place and medical school even if he was about to die, but his mother at least tried to let Taeri do what he wanted to do. It seemed like she was comforting herself that she was playing the role of a mother she hadn’t been able to fulfill until now. Thanks to that, he was able to go to arts high school, but Taeri witnessed his parents fighting at the time and vowed never to create such a situation again. There was nothing for son Taeri in their fight. It was just a fight for each other’s pride and rationalization.
A father who only knew how to hurt his son as education, a mother who pretended not to know and condoned it – Taeri had never had any family he could lean on until now.
‘If I debut, they won’t be able to say anything more.’
If Taeri failed in My Idol this time, he would have no justification to insist on being an idol. In his parents’ eyes, not passing the audition would obviously look like he had no more prospects as an idol. Taeri clenched his fist, determined to debut.
“We’re here.”
The taxi stopped in front of the bright streetlight at the entrance of the apartment where Juha lived. As Taeri paid and got out of the car, he saw a tall man with fairy-like bright hair standing backlit.
As he approached the bright streetlight where the man was standing, he could finally see the man’s identity.
“Lee Juha?”
When his name was called, Juha finally awkwardly rubbed his neck and approached Taeri. Taeri’s eyes widened seeing Juha’s hairstyle illuminated by the streetlight and apartment entrance lighting.
Ash blonde Lee Juha. And looking closer, he was wearing same-colored lenses too.
Like a hallucination appearing at night under the dark moon, Lee Juha was sweetly beautiful and lovely.
“H-how is it?”
Juha awkwardly ran his hand through his hair.
“Pretty. Both your hair and eye color.”
Taeri stopped right there and admired Juha. He looked like a puppy with fluffy fur, but Lee Juha’s unique mysterious atmosphere came alive so much that even with Juha right in front of him, Taeri felt like he was looking at a celebrity.
“That’s a relief. Hehe.”
Juha smiled awkwardly and looked down with a genuinely relieved expression.
“Ah, is there like a convenience store? You said you have a younger sister? I want to buy something.”
Taeri looked around and asked.
“It’s okay. She already ordered something to eat earlier.”
Juha thought of the maratang left full in the refrigerator.
“Still. Oh, there it is.”
Despite Juha’s dissuasion, Taeri ran to the convenience store across the street. Juha muttered “it’s really okay” and reluctantly followed.
“What does your sister like?”
“Just buy one Ppushubbokone and one World Cone each.”
Since Taeri was being so serious about buying something for Lee Yunha, Juha answered roughly out of annoyance.
“Then let’s buy ice cream for your sister and we can drink beer?”
“Okay.”
Juha readily accepted Taeri’s suggestion. Unable to hold back, Taeri looked around the beverage section again.
“We can’t just drink by ourselves, so let’s at least buy your sister a drink.”
“It’s okay. She can drink water. Don’t keep buying things. She’ll get spoiled.”
“Still, it’s my first time meeting her so I should make a good impression. This bread seems to be all cream inside. She’d like this kind of thing too, right?”
After grabbing drinks left and right, Taeri had already gone to the bread section and picked up all the delicious-looking snacks and bread. Soon the yellow basket was overflowing with things for Yunha. He looked exactly like a newlywed trying hard to score points with his sister-in-law, and watching Taeri made Juha laugh.
After paying, the two came out carrying heavy bags. Fortunately, the clerk was quite old and didn’t recognize Taeri and Juha.
“Agh, I shouldn’t have bought from the convenience store. I should have walked a bit further and bought her nicer things.”
“What are you going to buy where at this time of night.”
“I feel bad only buying convenience store food for her.”
Taeri kept looking down at the bags regretfully. Even though it was 1 AM and nothing was open, Taeri seemed ready to go buy something more right now. Juha was watching such Taeri when he suddenly stopped his gaze.
Taeri illuminated by the convenience store sign lighting looked calmer than usual. A cool shadow that couldn’t be hidden no matter how hard he tried to look bright had settled on Taeri’s face.
Come to think of it, Juha suddenly became worried about Taeri who had gone somewhat missing today.
“But are you okay? I couldn’t reach you all day.”
Taeri seemed startled, then quickly put on an awkward smile. It looked like a forced laugh, and also bitter – an expression that made your heart ache just looking at it.
“I was really in a bad mood earlier but I’m okay now. It’s not like it’s anything new.”
“You don’t want to talk about it.”
Juha repeated his words like talking to himself.
“……”
“You don’t have to tell me.”
At Juha’s words, instead of answering, Taeri smiled awkwardly. Usually Taeri laughed well and was quite playful, but seeing him look lonely, Juha couldn’t bring himself to press him. Right now Juha could pride himself on being the closest to Taeri, but that didn’t mean he could force his way beyond the realm of secrets Taeri wanted to keep hidden. Taeri also couldn’t solve the serious worries Juha had, like his agency problems or competition issues. So all Juha could do was offer his presence.
“Come here. Hyung will pat you.”
Juha put his arm around Taeri’s shoulder and patted Taeri like comforting a child. Since Taeri was taller and had such broad shoulders, Juha’s arm barely reached with difficulty. Only then did laughter burst out on Taeri’s face. He wanted to hug him tightly, but even late at night people were passing by on the street so it was awkward to comfort him more than that.
“Let go. I’ll do it. Your arm hurts, doesn’t it.”
Taeri removed Juha’s arm from his shoulder and wrapped his arm around his shoulder instead. Now that their heights matched, the position was much more comfortable.
“Ah, this is good.”
Taeri shook off all his tension and exhaled comfortably. The early summer night air was neither chilly nor stuffy, just appropriately clear.
It was such a pleasant night that the short distance walking from the convenience store to the apartment was regrettable.
“What did I do that’s so great that you’re in a good mood?”
Juha asked Taeri who was constantly smiling as if he had never been gloomy.
“Because I’m with you.”
“Tsk…”
At Taeri’s honest answer, Juha couldn’t hide his embarrassed but pleased expression.
“Can’t we just go around once more before going up?”
Taeri looked at Juha desperately like a dog out for a walk.
“Give me the bag. It’s heavy. I’ll carry it.”
“No, no. I’ll carry it, so let’s just go around once more. Just once more, okay?”
When Juha extended his hand, Taeri hid the large convenience store bag behind his back and held up one index finger meaning ‘one lap’ while pleading earnestly.
“Alright.”
He pretended to reluctantly accept, but Juha also liked this nighttime walk. With their arms around each other’s shoulders like close friends, the two walked around the apartment. It was a black night with nothing much to see, but Taeri’s face kept smiling. Watching that face, Juha also felt good for no reason.
As if one lap wasn’t enough, Taeri’s steps gradually slowed down. Noticing his feelings, Juha silently matched his pace.
It was really just an ordinary midnight date, but Juha felt more thrilled and excited than when he and Taeri were intimate. Their bodies that had grown closer due to having their arms around each other’s shoulders, and the breath that reached their ears softly, were subtly stimulating. Since both were already known faces and it was Seoul’s night streets faithfully equipped with CCTVs everywhere, it was just regrettable that they couldn’t even share a kiss.
“Lee Juha.”
Taeri called his name and turned his head to meet his eyes. Looking at each other with their arms around each other’s shoulders, their faces were quite close.
“What?”
“How is your name Lee Juha?”
“What about my name?”
“Just that even your name suits you so well.”
“You too.”
A smile naturally appeared on Juha’s lips.
“Call my name.”
“Taeri, Choi Taeri.”
Juha smiled and called Taeri’s name.
“It’s Choi Jeongnam.”
Taeri answered as if he had been waiting.
“No way. If I call you Jeongnam, he’ll really come out.”
At Juha’s complaint, Taeri grinned and stroked Juha’s cheek.
Lee Juha’s hazy blonde hair illuminated by the night street lighting, his cheekbones rising brightly and his narrowed eyes, his lips filled with sincerity. Changing his hair to a bright color made his impression seem softer while mysteriously languid, and just looking at Lee Juha made Taeri grin foolishly.
Both the contempt he received from relatives and the feeling of being abandoned by his parents on the mountainside on a rainy day flew away like they were nothing.
“Ah, I really like Lee Juha.”
Taeri shouted vigorously toward the night sky.
“Hey, they can hear you.”
Juha poked his side and warned Taeri.
“So what. Don’t you like me?”
“…I like you.”
Juha answered reluctantly.
“What do you like?”
Taeri playfully elongated his words as he asked.
“I really like that I can feel good with you like this even when we’re not doing anything special.”
“Tsk, you’re making Jeongnam feel left out.”
Though he said it jokingly, Taeri looked genuinely happy.
* * *
The slow walk around was almost over and the two stood in front of Juha’s apartment building. Soon the elevator arrived and the two got on the elevator together.
“Keep Jeongnam under control well today. My sister is still young.”
Juha repeatedly urged with a firm expression.
“How old is your sister?”
“She’s a high school freshman.”
“Does she look like you?”
“You’ll see when you meet her.”
Juha vaguely brushed off the answer. Though they often heard they looked alike, both Juha and Yunha extremely hated being told they resembled each other. They both took after their mother with tall, slender builds, fair skin, and similar eye shapes. And of course, sandpaper-like personalities too.
“Ah, I’m curious.”
While Taeri was imagining Yunha with interested eyes, Juha caught his breath for a moment in front of the front door. Thinking about showing the rascal Lee Yunha to Taeri made his throat tighten.
“My younger sister has a strong personality. She’s a bit ill-mannered, but she’s not a bad kid.”
“So she’s the female version of prickly Lee Juha? Got it.”
“……”
Since Lee Yunha was unpredictable, even warning Taeri about her felt somehow uncomfortable. Juha took a deep breath, pressed the number keys, and pushed open the front door.
Lee Yunha, who had already changed clothes, hurriedly unwound the rollers wrapped around her forehead at the sound of the door opening and arranged her bangs between her fingers. She had even applied tint in the meantime.
“Oh, oppa. You’re here? Holy shit, he’s fucking handsome.”
Calling Juha ‘oppa’ unusually instead of her usual way, the moment her gaze turned toward Taeri, an undisguised exclamation burst from Yunha’s mouth.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
