“…You said you’d handle it, and you really did.”
Junghyun was considerably surprised.
Jaehyuk wasn’t one to make empty promises, so he had expected something to happen today, but he hadn’t anticipated it would go this far.
He didn’t care what happened to Uncle, but this level of action would surely cause some damage to Hanju as well…
“It was bound to explode someday. If anything, it’s a bit late. Director Cha Jinwoo crossed the line way too much.”
“…Still, I think there will be some impact on Hanju.”
“He must have been prepared for that much. Their relationship is extremely bad. Though they didn’t show it when Suhyuk was around.”
“It seems difficult to have a good relationship with that uncle.”
“That’s true in general, but he and the Director have a particularly bad relationship.”
“Why?”
At this question, which came from a perfectly ordinary perspective wondering if Uncle had locked Jaehyuk in an attic or pushed him into a pond as a child prank, Director Jang gestured with her chin toward the screen.
Following her gesture, Junghyun looked at the screen again, saw Director Cha Jinwoo, and tilted his head slightly.
Now that he looked at him… he resembled Jaehyuk.
That is, in feeling.
In terms of appearance, since Grandfather had used the method of cloning from the start, all descendants resembled each other.
Thanks to that, it was difficult to recognize who were half-siblings and who were full siblings unless they revealed it themselves.
However, the aura was completely different…
“Is it self-loathing?”
From any perspective, among all the relatives, that damn uncle and Jaehyuk resembled each other the most.
The arrogant impression unique to dominant Alphas, the way they looked down on people, and their exceptionally confident and overbearing attitudes.
Their personalities were probably similar too.
The only difference was that the other side was a severe narcissist, while Jaehyuk, unlike his appearance, was diligent.
As the situation roughly sketched itself in his mind, Junghyun nodded, and Director Jang gave him an eye-smile.
“You’re quite perceptive as expected.”
“I’m quick to catch on.”
“Then you probably know well what you should never say to the Director.”
He had no intention of saying it anyway. That uncle was outside his sphere of concern.
But there was one thing that bothered him a bit.
“Did he hear that kind of talk a lot when he was young?”
“Yes. Because they look so much alike. Especially with the issue of Suhyuk, he would get extremely upset when told he resembled his uncle more than his father. Director Cha Jinwoo knew this and deliberately picked at that point.”
“…Hearing that, it seems that uncle is more like me.”
“That’s because you and the Director resemble each other too. In the way you think and act. That’s probably why the Director felt comfortable with you. He’s not someone who easily opens up to people.”
On that point, Junghyun couldn’t refute.
It was something he had felt himself.
Indeed, their way of thinking and acting matched well. Whatever the initial intention, in conclusion, even their hobbies matched well.
That’s why it was comfortable and enjoyable being together.
Jaehyuk probably felt the same way.
That’s how they ended up here, Junghyun was reflecting, when Director Jang untied her apron.
“Well, dinner preparation is done, so I’ll be heading back now.”
“Yes. Thank you for today.”
Since it was already past her working hours, Junghyun followed her to see her off, saying she should go quickly, and as she was heading toward the kitchen, she stopped in her tracks. Then she slowly turned around.
“I just realized I haven’t said this yet. Congratulations on your pregnancy.”
At this congratulatory message, the second he had received after Yoonho hyung, Junghyun smiled awkwardly.
“Thank you.”
“If there’s anything you want to eat, just let me know.”
“Won’t that be too much trouble for you?”
“That kind of trouble has its own joy.”
Saying she started this job because she enjoyed cooking and feeding others, she smiled, went into the kitchen to gather her things, and then immediately left the house.
“Well, see you tomorrow. Rest well and eat well.”
“Yes.”
After seeing off the woman who took care of him more attentively than family, Junghyun turned around and took out his phone in the hall.
He checked the notification window, but it was suspiciously quiet.
He had expected chaos due to the news of Director Cha Jinwoo’s arrest, but it seemed that no one was particularly interested in that aspect.
Only Yongwoo was complaining, saying that Junghyun should have informed him in advance about such events.
Additionally, he relayed that in some circles, there were rumors that Director Cha Jaehyuk had begun the succession process after his partner’s pregnancy and had started to eliminate rivals, with predictions that he would soon oust all his brothers.
Along with the expectation that from tomorrow, Hanju’s stock would soar limitlessly.
Junghyun shook his head as if disgusted by these speculations that were completely different from the facts and this stream of consciousness that inexplicably concluded with stock predictions.
The stock market truly is shamanism.
It’s not something humans should engage in.
Resolving to sell all his stocks tomorrow, he was locking his phone when suddenly a loud bang and rapid footsteps resonated.
Startled by the sudden noise, he turned toward the door, and the inner door opened immediately.
Then Jaehyuk, who entered through the door, threw out an unexpected word.
“Jajangmyeon.”
At this word that burst out like a door password, Junghyun pondered for a moment before cautiously asking:
“…Are you saying we should go eat some?”
He was about to say dinner was already prepared, but Jaehyuk immediately corrected him.
“Not the food, the prenatal name.”
“…The prenatal name?”
“Yes.”
At his attitude that seemed overly immersed and excited, Junghyun was about to ask if he had been thinking about this all day, but after a moment, he firmly decided not to.
He was now more serious than Junghyun had ever seen him.
He really had been thinking about this all afternoon.
“Well… that sounds good. Jajangmyeon… I mean, so Jajang-ie?”
“Jajang-ie.”
Watching him remove his jacket and loosen his tie as if he was hot, saying that was exactly it, Junghyun quickly ran through his thoughts.
The distance from the elevator to here wasn’t even 10 meters, so he couldn’t have become this flushed just from that. He must have walked almost at a running pace from the parking lot.
Probably taking the stairs as well because he was in a hurry.
“…I’m just asking in case, but you didn’t rush here just to say that, did you?”
“It came to me as I was getting out of the car.”
So that’s what it was, in the end.
“Would you like some water?”
“It’s not that bad.”
Even as he said that, he seemed hot and was unbuttoning the top of his shirt when the security guards who had been waiting paid their respects and left the house.
Junghyun also responded with a slight bow before following Jaehyuk, who was heading to the bedroom.
Then he glanced at him and asked:
“By the way, is it okay for you to come in now?”
“Why?”
“The article about your uncle’s arrest and the search and seizure of Hanju Chemical just came out.”
“I know. I sent it.”
As expected.
He really had dealt with his uncle.
“So I thought you might be late. After all, it involves the Hanju name.”
“It doesn’t matter. Hanju Trading and Hanju Chemical should be seen as essentially different companies. I’ll be taking it over soon, but there won’t be much impact.”
“That’s fortunate. And the projector arrived.”
As Junghyun, who opened the bedroom door, pointed to the projector installed above, Jaehyuk’s eyes lit up. And as expected, when he immediately took out a memory stick, Junghyun quickly stopped him.
“Dinner first.”
Saying they should eat first because it was obvious he would replay it all night if they turned it on, Jaehyuk looked surprised.
“You haven’t eaten yet?”
“I’ve been snacking in between, but I wanted to wait and have dinner with you. So, eat a little. And you have things to talk to me about, right?”
When Junghyun suggested that he should get that sorted out quickly too, Jaehyuk finally came to his senses and nodded.
“I’ll just change clothes and come out.”
“Director Jang just finished preparing everything before she left, so we just need to eat. I’m hungry, so come out quickly.”
“Alright.”
After glancing at Junghyun who left the room first, Jaehyuk quickly went into the dressing room to change clothes.
And as he was hurriedly leaving the room, a message arrived on his phone.
[Slave] Just finished cleaning up. When you’re ready to leave, please let me know, and I’ll prepare everything so you can use it right away.
Seeing the quick response, as if he had been properly scolded this time, Jaehyuk immediately turned off his phone screen and headed to the dining room.
The time to end this drawn-out situation was finally approaching.
* * *
“You don’t have to do the dishes.”
Once again today, after devouring about 5 servings of food including bulgogi, braised octopus, and knee cartilage stew, Junghyun, who apparently had some conscience, stood in front of the sink first.
But Jaehyuk stopped him.
“I’ll clean up, so get ready and come out. We have somewhere to go.”
At this sudden suggestion of going out, Junghyun turned to Jaehyuk with a puzzled look.
“At this hour?”
It was already well past 9 o’clock.
It wasn’t too late for a quick outing nearby, but the kind of outing Jaehyuk was talking about didn’t seem like just going to the convenience store in front of the house.
“Where are we going?”
“Somewhere a bit far. Get ready and come out. It’s still cold at night, so dress warmly.”
“It’ll just be a fleece hoodie anyway,” Jaehyuk thought, already giving up.
He was tired of seeing him always wearing hoodies and joggers, but right now, Junghyun’s comfort came first, so he decided to ignore it.
At least, for now.
“Okay. I’ll change and come out.”
“Alright.”
Despite his sudden announcement, Junghyun obediently returned to the bedroom, changed into a long-sleeved T-shirt with a fleece hoodie and fleece joggers on top, and also put on an oversized military jacket with a hood, just in case.
And as always, he left the bedroom with only his phone in hand.
He had a pretty good idea why Jaehyuk was suddenly suggesting going out.
Throughout dinner, they had discussed various things, but neither of them had brought up the most important topic. Neither Jaehyuk nor himself.
So he had thought they would talk after dinner, and as expected, Jaehyuk had suggested going out.
The problem was the direction.
The emotional situation was better than expected, and he knew that Jaehyuk was very happy about the baby, but the conversation about their future was a separate issue.
In this situation, he was a bit tense, not knowing what kind of negotiation proposal Jaehyuk would bring, and as he came out of the bedroom, Jaehyuk, who was approaching, told him to wait a moment and went into the room.
And after a short while, he came out dressed in comfortable outdoor clothes with a coat.
He was holding a large muffler in his hand.
“Your neck will be cold even with a hood.”
Saying he needed to be careful since he couldn’t take cold medicine, Jaehyuk wrapped the muffler around Junghyun’s neck, adjusted his clothes one last time, and then took his hand.
At the warm touch of his hand, Junghyun buried his face deep into the muffler for no reason. Then, feeling somewhat awkward, he silently followed him.
And Jaehyuk also didn’t say anything more.
It was just that kind of atmosphere.
* * *
In a quiet atmosphere, the two arrived at the parking lot and immediately got into the car.
“You can sleep if you’re sleepy.”
As Jaehyuk, seated in the driver’s seat, started the engine and said that, Junghyun, who was just fastening his seatbelt, asked curiously:
“Where are we going?”
“It will take a while.”
“How long?”
“About two hours.”
Two hours at this time meant quite a distance.
Thinking he would probably fall asleep anyway in that time, Junghyun reclined his seat.
“I don’t plan to sleep, but if I do, please wake me up.”
“…I’m not sure if I can wake you up, but I’ll do my best.”
“Shouldn’t you have learned some techniques by now?”
“That seems impossible, so how about you learn the technique of waking up in one go?”
“If I couldn’t do it after 28 years of effort, how could I do it now?”
Saying people don’t change that easily, Junghyun leaned back into the seat, and the car started smoothly.
And through the window of the car slowly exiting the parking lot, he could see cherry blossoms in full bloom in the darkness.
Come to think of it, it was that season.
But why hadn’t he seen this during the day? he wondered, looking at the cherry blossoms in full bloom under the lights, when Jaehyuk suddenly spoke.
“…There’s something I’ve been curious about…”
“What is it?”
“…Why isn’t your belly showing?”
At Jaehyuk’s cautious question, Junghyun shared the answer he had obtained from the doctor, as he had been curious about this himself.
“I asked because I was curious too, and the doctor said it’s my constitution. It varies from person to person, and some people don’t show much even until right before delivery. He said I probably won’t show much either.”
“…That’s fortunate. Any other difficulties?”
“I’m fine except for feeling sleepy, lethargic, and weak all the time. Even the tendency to fall asleep anywhere has improved a lot. So, I’ll be counting on you in the future too.”
Saying it seemed like he had no symptoms thanks to Jaehyuk, Junghyun looked at the driver’s seat. And he sent an encouraging look that since things had turned out this way, Jaehyuk should keep up the good work.
But Jaehyuk’s attitude toward this was skeptical.
“If I’m substituting for you, that would be better.”
“If you’re willing to substitute for me, I’d be grateful.”
“If Couvade Syndrome is real, that is.”
“We’ll find out as we go along.”
“True. Let’s set aside what we’ll know later for later, and tell me, what kind of house do you like? The current apartment isn’t bad, but environmentally, a house with a garden might be better. Since playgrounds these days are dangerous, maybe we should make a playground in the garden and an indoor swimming pool in the courtyard…”
Jaehyuk was about to say “wouldn’t that be better,” but stopped speaking with a strange feeling.
The seat beside him was too quiet. Not just silent, but completely devoid of any presence.
Turning to glance at the side in this silence that went beyond tranquility, he saw Junghyun sleeping.
Very comfortably. With his head resting on the seat.
As he had feared, it happened as expected.
It was also around Junghyun’s usual bedtime, and this guy’s characteristic was literally that he falls asleep when his head touches something, and apparently, that “something” included car seats.
Somehow, it seemed like the baby would be like this too.
Falling asleep anywhere as long as their head was laid down.
The moment he imagined this, a soft laugh escaped.
Even so, he maintained a gentle speed to ensure Junghyun wouldn’t wake up.
There was about 1 hour and 30 minutes left until they arrived.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
