As soon as he got out of the car, Se-yul ran straight to the garden. That was how much he loved the garden in District 5. Even while walking, he kept talking non-stop about how he missed this place the most when he was in District 1. And the moment we arrived, he started running around the green grass like an excited puppy.
“Careful, or you’ll fall!”
The moment I finished speaking, as if by magic, Se-yul tripped with a loud noise and fell. I was about to run to him in alarm, but he quickly got back up as if nothing had happened, laughing in delight.
“I’m okay!”
Se-yul waved his arms energetically, reassuring me not to worry. And despite having just tripped, he ran around carelessly again without the slightest caution.
“He’s going to smash his nose at this rate.”
While I watched him with concern, Vin was neatly spreading out the picnic mat under the shade of a tree.
“Come sit here.”
“Thanks.”
I sat down on the mat and waited for Se-yul, who had already disappeared somewhere. It wasn’t long before he returned, his arms full of flowers he had picked while running around.
The vibrant flowers, looking as though they would fill the air with their fragrance just by being there, were all smaller than the palm of a hand. They were all flowers from District 5—Se-yul’s favorites.
“Hyung, look at this!”
Spreading the flowers wide on the picnic mat, Se-yul began enthusiastically telling me their names and meanings. Even though I didn’t understand much of what he was saying, I nodded along and reacted, which only made him talk even faster.
When I glanced to the side, I realized Vin was gone. Looking behind me, I saw him leaning against the tree trunk, watching Se-yul and me. I patted the empty spot next to me, telling him to come sit, but he shook his head, saying he was fine.
‘What’s with him?’
Normally, he would come sit beside me before I even had to ask. But now, even when I told him to, he insisted on keeping his distance. Just as I was about to ask what was wrong, someone from the mansion called out loudly for Vin.
“Vin, could you come here for a moment?”
A butler gestured toward him. Vin, who had been leaning against the tree, ran toward the butler without even glancing at me or saying he’d be back. See? He’s acting strange. Watching his retreating figure, I was sure something was up.
“I don’t like him.”
The moment Vin disappeared, Se-yul blurted out his pent-up complaint. That’s when I realized it—within the short time they had spent together, not even half a day, the two of them had already gotten into a power struggle.
“Did you two fight?”
“No, we didn’t fight.”
His expression said otherwise, but since he insisted, I decided to let it go for now. Pouting his lips, Se-yul began tearing at the flower petals in his hands irritably. Then, with a deep sigh, he stomped his foot like a stubborn child.
Well, he is only ten. He’s still a kid.
“Try to get along with him. Vin’s a good guy.”
“…Are you serious, hyung?”
Se-yul looked at me in pure disgust. Since they’d be seeing each other often from now on, I thought it would be good if they got along. But judging from his reaction, Se-yul seemed to dislike Vin even more than I had expected.
“You’re the same age, so wouldn’t it be easy to be friends…?”
“No, hyung. Just because we’re the same age doesn’t mean we have to be friends.”
Se-yul was more firm than ever. If I pushed any further, it would feel like I was forcing him, so I had no choice but to shut my mouth. Even with the future changed, some things just don’t click. I decided to leave it at that.
Se-yul lay down, resting his head on my lap. As the wind blew gently, he closed his eyes and steadied his breathing—only to suddenly scrunch up his face in irritation.
“There’s a Shining in my class, too.”
Out of nowhere, he started talking about school. If he was talking about a classmate who was a Shining, then it was probably Joshua—the kid he had mentioned in the car earlier. The son of District 1’s leader, the one he fought with.
“He’s just like that guy.”
“Well, they have the same father, so of course they’re alike.”
“No, their faces are different. Joshua’s ugly. I mean their vibe, not their looks. Shinings have this… unique aura about them. They’re all insufferable.”
The only Shining I had met in person was Vin, so I had no basis for comparison. But Se-yul, Han Jae-hoon, and even others had all said similar things—Shinings were arrogant and unbearable.
“Vin’s not like that.”
“He only acts that way in front of you. Shinings are cunning.”
I wanted to argue that Vin was anything but cunning—if anything, he was as transparent as glass—but seeing the way Se-yul’s eyes were narrowing sharply, I decided to keep my thoughts to myself.
“Whatever. I don’t want to think about him anymore. I just want to play with you, hyung.”
Se-yul suddenly sat up and grabbed my hand. Then, as if nothing had happened, he took a flower, twisted its stem, and slipped it onto my finger with a bright smile.
“It’s a flower ring.”
“Yeah. I can make rings, and even bracelets too!”
“Really? I can’t do that.”
“It’s easy! Want to try, hyung?”
He picked out a few flowers from the ones he had laid out on the picnic mat and handed them to me. Honestly, I wasn’t too eager, but I figured I might as well entertain him—kind of like playing with younger cousins during the holidays.
“You just slip this in here, and then weave it like this.”
I tried my best to follow Se-yul as he skillfully wove the flower stems together with his small hands, but lacking any dexterity, my result was a complete disaster. The poor flowers looked pitiful, utterly ruined in my hands.
“You’re really bad at this, hyung.”
Feeling embarrassed, I awkwardly laughed and tried to hide my failed attempt behind my back. But Se-yul, now playful, reached out, eager to see it even more.
“I want it.”
“You just said it was terrible!”
“I still want it! You made it, after all.”
As we playfully bickered, I sensed someone approaching and lifted my head. Vin had returned after finishing his errand for the butler, panting heavily.
“What the—why’d you come back?”
I shot Se-yul a warning glance at his sharp remark, making him pout in protest. Vin, clearly hurt by Se-yul’s words, pressed his lips together and turned as if to head back toward the trees again.
“Vin.”
At my call, he stopped in his tracks and turned around. I patted the spot next to me again.
“Come sit here.”
Vin hesitated, torn between his pride and his desire to be close. But in the end, he sat down beside me. To keep things from getting awkward, I picked out a few flowers from the ones scattered on the picnic mat and handed them to him. Vin tilted his head in confusion.
“Vin, give me your hand.”
He hesitated briefly before gently placing his pale hand in mine. I chose a yellow flower that matched his fair skin, carefully tied its stem into a neat loop, and slipped it onto his finger like a ring. A delicate bloom blossomed on his hand.
“Ta-da! Pretty, right?”
“Yes, it’s pretty.”
Vin’s red eyes shimmered slightly as he stared at the flower on his finger. Even Se-yul, who had turned away out of pride, slowly inched closer, curiosity taking over.
“Hyung, make one for me too.”
Se-yul suddenly thrust his hand forward. I picked a pink flower that suited him and crafted a flower ring, slipping it onto his finger. He beamed so brightly that his cheeks flushed red with delight.
“Look! We all have matching rings now.”
Suppressing my amusement at how childish this was, I held out my hand first. After a brief moment of hesitation, the two boys followed suit, cautiously extending their hands. Every time their fingers so much as brushed, they flinched and glared at each other, but… bonds could form even through rivalry.
‘They’ll get along eventually.’
Though, it seemed like it would take a while.
***
The atmosphere at dinner, with the whole family gathered for the first time in a while, was unbearably tense. Han Jae-hoon remained silent throughout the meal, and in response, Se-yul barely spoke, too busy gauging his mood.
‘How is anyone supposed to eat in this atmosphere?’
Uncomfortable, I sat there with my chopsticks pressed against my lips, unable to take a single bite. If I forced myself to eat in this tense mood, I would definitely end up with indigestion. In the end, I quietly set my chopsticks down.
“Have you lost your appetite?”
Han Jae-hoon, who had been silently eating, suddenly asked. I wanted to tell him outright that there was no way I could eat in this situation, but I held back my true feelings and simply nodded.
“May I be excused?”
“Go ahead.”
Normally, Han Jae-hoon would have asked if I was feeling unwell, but this time, he let me leave without hesitation. He must really be in a foul mood. In times like this, it was best to get away quickly.
Before leaving the dining room, I glanced at Se-yul, who looked like he was sitting on pins and needles. Fortunately, he noticed my silent cue and quietly placed his spoon down.
“Then, I-I’ll head in first as well.”
“…Go on.”
The moment Han Jae-hoon gave his permission, Se-yul bowed his head and hurriedly followed me out. As soon as we stepped out and the tension lifted, he let out a long sigh and collapsed onto the floor.
“Are you okay, Se-yul?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks, hyung.”
Forcing a weak smile, Se-yul grabbed my hand and slowly pulled himself up. His legs trembled with each step, making his movements unsteady, but by holding onto the wall, he managed to keep himself from collapsing again.
“Hyung, can I sleep with you tonight?”
Clutching the hem of my clothes, Se-yul looked up at me with pleading eyes. It was a little inconvenient, but I hid my reluctance and nodded. The tension in his expression immediately melted away, replaced by pure relief.
“I’ll ask the butler to bring extra bedding.”
“Okay! I’ll go grab something from my room real quick!”
Just moments ago, he had been shaking, yet now, as if nothing had happened, he ran off toward his room. I should get ready for bed before he gets back. It had been a long day, and I had a feeling I’d fall asleep the moment I hit the bed.
‘Then again, Se-yul probably won’t let that happen.’
Knowing how excited he was, he’d likely stay up chatting all night. Hoping he’d quiet down at least a little earlier than usual, I sighed and headed for my room.
