Chapter 27
The car arrived at NI Hospital. As soon as they arrived, other people who had been waiting in front of the hospital entrance escorted Han Taekyung with great respect, and Taekyung naturally accepted their guidance as they boarded the elevator. Upon reaching the 18th floor, the very top floor, as soon as they got off, he shouted.
“Father!!”
Father? Han Taekyung’s father?? Igeon stopped following, surprised by the sudden appearance of his family. He needed to confirm if this was a place where he should be present.
A man surrounded by people looked up at Han Taekyung’s voice. Igeon was truly shocked. It was Han Taeseok, whom he’d seen often in the news… the CEO of NI. Perhaps it was to be expected. Since Han Taekyung was the son of NI, naturally his father would be Han Taeseok. But that’s not the only reason he was surprised. It was because of his incredibly youthful and handsome appearance. Now he understood who Taekyung took after. Additionally, there was something like a heavy aura(?) emanating from him. An overwhelming presence. It felt like no one would dare speak carelessly in front of this person. So this is what it takes to be the head of a major corporation. He found himself nodding in understanding.
“Taekyung.”
His voice was similar to Taekyung’s but subtly different. It had a slightly deeper feel.
“Father. What happened?”
Taekyung was already tall and had a unique presence, but standing in front of Han Taeseok, he seemed almost like a child. As soon as Taekyung approached him, Taeseok patted his shoulder to calm him down.
“Calm down first.”
“How can I calm down? What about Jae-woo?”
“Your father is inside with him.”
“Is he badly hurt?”
“No, he just has some minor scratches. There are no serious injuries. Thankfully.”
“I don’t think I can relax until I see him.”
“Alright, go in.”
Han Taekyung rushed into the hospital room. Igeon stood awkwardly by the elevator, watching Taekyung enter the room. Should I just wait here? Or should I greet his father? The atmosphere doesn’t seem appropriate for that? As he was thinking about various options, his eyes met with Han Taekyung’s father. Igeon quickly greeted him.
“Hello.”
“Ah… Seo Igeon, the athlete. I thought it might be you.”
Han Taekyung’s father approached like a picture come to life. He extended his large hand, and Igeon quickly grasped it. It was warm and big. Looking at him in person, unlike just seeing his photos in the news, he really gave off the impression of a strong person. Someone you should never make an enemy of.
“I always enjoy watching your matches.”
“Ah, thank you.”
“I’ve also heard that you’re getting along well with Taekyung. Thank you. That kid looks really happy when he talks about Seo Igeon.”
“I’m the one who… is indebted to Taekyung. I’m always grateful to him.”
When Igeon spoke shyly, Han Taeseok smiled.
“You two really give each other good synergy.”
“Yes, I think so too. But this question might be rude, but what happened? Taekyung was trembling the entire way here.”
At Igeon’s words, Han Taeseok sighed. Even this gesture was identical.
“Taekyung’s younger brother was injured a bit. He cares deeply for his brother, so he must have been very worried.”
“I see.”
“Would you like to come with me to see him?”
“Pardon?”
“Taekyung might look for you.”
Well, that probably wouldn’t happen in this situation, but it was certainly difficult to refuse Han Taeseok’s suggestion. It’s not like he had asked to go in himself, and since Han Taeseok had invited him… Igeon nodded, and Han Taeseok guided him.
On the way to the hospital room, Igeon realized that the people standing around the room were police and security guards. So many people were standing guard, greeting Han Taeseok with serious faces. What on earth had happened…
â—†
Han Taekyung greeted Taeseok and immediately entered the hospital room where Jae-woo was. In the room were his other father, Jae-woo, and Tae-eun.
“Jae-woo.”
“Hyung.”
His beloved brother was sitting on the bed, looking at him with a few bandages on his face and a split lip. Han Taekyung rushed to his brother and embraced him.
“Ugh~ I can’t breathe!”
“Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?!”
He examined his brother’s body all over. Fortunately, his arms and legs appeared intact with no fractures.
“No, there’s nothing. Don’t worry.”
“How can I not worry?”
“Well, that’s true, but look. The security guards protected me well.”
He was smiling, but it didn’t look like a smile. How scared must he have been? Taekyung hugged his brother tightly once more. Jae-woo, who had been struggling and asking to be released because he couldn’t breathe, understood his brother’s concern and raised his hand to stroke Taekyung’s back.
“I’m really okay, hyung.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
“Why are you sorry? This isn’t your fault.”
“No, this is my fault.”
“How is this your fault? It’s because I was careless. So don’t say things like that. Are you trying to make me angry?”
“Haah…”
Seeing his beloved brother’s face brought relief. He bumped their foreheads together and held his brother’s hand tightly.
“Taekyung.”
Jaekyung, who had been quietly watching the scene, stood up from his chair and called his eldest son’s name, and Taekyung reached out to his father, grasping Jaekyung’s hand firmly.
“Father. I’m sorry.”
“Why are you sorry? Don’t say such things.”
“That’s right. Why are you sorry, oppa? We clearly warned Jae-woo, and it’s his fault for not being properly vigilant.”
Although she was grumbling, knowing that she too was worried about her twin brother, Han Taekyung stroked her back. Just then, the door to the hospital room opened, and Seo Igeon entered with Han Taeseok.
“You’re here?”
Jaekyung approached Han Taeseok with a gentle smile. Igeon was shocked for the second time upon seeing Jaekyung’s face. The same hair color and eyes as Han Taekyung. Those beautiful golden eyes. This person must be the one who gave birth to Han Taekyung. Jaekyung, feeling Igeon’s gaze, slightly turned his glance from Taeseok. And smiled at Igeon.
“You must be Seo Igeon. I’ve wanted to meet you.”
“Hello.”
“I’m Park Jaekyung.”
As expected, Jaekyung extended his hand first. Igeon quickly took it. Then Jaekyung placed his other hand on top, patting Igeon’s hand.
“Seo Igeon?! Seo Igeon the athlete is here?!”
Jae-woo, who had been hugging his brother, pushed Han Taekyung away. Then, upon seeing Igeon, he gasped, “Huk!”
“Wow, amazing!! Seo Igeon!! I’m your fan!!”
“Pardon?”
“Wow, I want to shake hands! I also want an autograph!”
As the young man tried to get off the bed, Igeon felt that wasn’t right, so he quickly ran over and stood in front of the bed. Han Jae-woo looked at Seo Igeon up and down with curiosity and extended his hand.
“I’m Han Jae-woo. I have an inadequate brother named Han Taekyung.”
“Ah, Taekyung’s twin brother.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Seo Igeon.”
Igeon took Jae-woo’s hand. Han Jae-woo looked up at Igeon with eyes full of wonder. It was the first time he had directly received such adoring eyes, and while it was a bit awkward, it was also a novel feeling. Even as he talked with Jae-woo, Igeon glanced at Han Taekyung, who was sitting on the bed with a serious face. What on earth had happened…
“Fathers, can we talk outside…”
“Sure.”
“Let’s do that.”
Han Taekyung and his parents left the hospital room, and Igeon was left awkwardly alone in the room with two people he had just met. Wow, what should I do?
“Hello. I’m Han Tae-eun.”
The beautiful woman standing beside him extended her hand to Igeon. Judging by appearance, she seemed to be Taekyung’s sister, the noona of the twins he had mentioned. Everyone in this family is truly gorgeous. Han Taekyung is handsome, Han Jae-woo is handsome yet pretty, and Han Tae-eun is beautiful yet handsome. How can such genes exist?
“I’ve heard a lot about you from Taekyung oppa.”
“I’ve also heard a lot about you all from Taekyung.”
“Really? What did my brother say about us?”
“Everything I heard was praise for you all. He always said you were lovely and precious beings.”
At Igeon’s words, Jae-woo held his forehead with his hand.
“So Taekyung hyung says such cringeworthy things outside too.”
“I told him to restrain himself, but he doesn’t listen.”
The twins shook their heads with faces that showed they were truly fed up. One doesn’t need to wonder why they would react like this to Han Taekyung. Igeon knew it well. Han Taekyung truly loves his siblings. No, he also truly loves and adores his parents. So whenever he talks about them, he speaks with all the beautiful adjectives in the world, expressing happiness. How much he loves his family… and how much his family loves him was evident. That’s why sometimes when Han Taekyung talked about his family, Igeon felt envious. If my father were alive, it would have been really nice. Sometimes when he felt the emptiness, Instructor Jin would fill it, and he felt very grateful for that, but still, the longing for blood ties was unavoidable.
“So, what does that guy say about me?”
What goes around comes around.
At Igeon’s question, the twins looked at each other and suddenly broke into a truly meaningful smile.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
