Chapter 29
“Horrible.”
This terror would now haunt Jae-woo. How much it tore at his own heart.
When he heard that after enrolling at the National Sports University, one had to live in the dormitory for a year, he thought it was fortunate. He had thought it would allow more attention to be focused on himself… but it had been too quiet for nearly half a year.
“Were there people threatening you at school?”
Jaekyung asked carefully, and Taekyung nodded.
“I think I’ve become too famous now for anyone to mess with me. Besides, there are always people around no matter where I go at school.”
“Has anyone sneaked into the dormitory?”
“They probably couldn’t easily get into a place crawling with sports scholarship students.”
“That’s a relief. I think it’s better for you to be there.”
“Still, we’ll assign a few people to you. It’s for our peace of mind, so I hope you understand the inconvenience for the time being.”
“Do as you see fit, fathers. I’m not inconvenienced at all.”
He only felt sorry and apologetic to both of them and his siblings. Understanding Taekyung’s feelings well, both Han Taeseok and Park Jaekyung patted their son’s shoulders and hugged him tightly.
“Have you found out who kidnapped Jae-woo?”
“Of course. The police have already taken care of that.”
“The person who ordered it committed suicide. There won’t be any more problems.”
“Was it connected to political circles?”
“It doesn’t seem so.”
“What about China or overseas?”
“That doesn’t seem to be the case either. We’ll need to look into it further, but fortunately, it happened within Korea.”
That would make the anxiety less and the handling easier. No matter what, it would be difficult to punish a foreigner in Korea. It hadn’t been long since Taekyung learned that those targeting his genes weren’t just domestic but also abroad. As soon as he heard that, he wondered what kind of system national security was. Though it was all futile thinking.
“Can I stay here tonight?”
“Go ahead. Jae-woo will be happy to have you around.”
“Yes.”
“By the way, what about your friend?”
“Ah.”
Suddenly, the hand that Seo Igeon had held felt tingly. Han Taekyung looked at his hand and smiled slightly.
“I’ll take care of it.”
“Is it Athlete Seo Igeon?”
Jaekyung asked Taekyung.
“Yes.”
“You liked him so much. Are you happy being together?”
“Yes. Much more than I expected.”
“I’m glad.”
Taekyung’s expression had become much more stable than before. Probably because he was talking about Seo Igeon, Jaekyung thought. After all, he was a child who had liked everything about Seo Igeon since he was young. As people trying to use the child appeared and he even got sick, they worried that the child might become increasingly withdrawn, but fortunately, the child had lived with the goal of ‘wanting to meet Seo Igeon.’ That’s why both Han Taeseok and Park Jaekyung were grateful to Seo Igeon.
When the three finished their conversation and returned to the hospital room, Seo Igeon and the twins were laughing and talking. The atmosphere was so cheerful that it rather surprised the three who entered.
“Ah, Hyung! Fathers! Are you done talking?”
“Ah.”
When Jae-woo waved his hand toward the door, Igeon, who was sitting in a chair, quickly stood up.
“I was talking with Igeon Hyung.”
Earlier, when told not to call him ‘athlete’ but ‘Hyung’ and to speak casually, Jae-woo promptly changed the way he addressed him and was excitedly calling him ‘Hyung.’
“What were you talking about that was so fun?”
Jaekyung asked out of genuine curiosity.
“About Igeon Hyung when he was younger.”
“I was really clumsy, you know. So I have many funny episodes.”
At Igeon’s words, Han Taekyung frowned.
“When you were young? You’ve never told me those stories.”
No, I just told them because I had nothing else to talk about! What’s with that sudden comment?
Igeon stared blankly at Han Taekyung in bewilderment, and the twins suddenly burst into laughter.
“Our Hyung is jealous!”
“Oppa! If you’re curious, you can just ask. Why talk like that? You’re making Igeon Oppa uncomfortable.”
“Ah…”
Realizing that he had spoken impulsively and that it might be awkward for Igeon, Han Taekyung quickly said, “Sorry.”
“There’s no need to apologize. I’ll tell you the stories when we get back to the dorm.”
“Okay.”
After looking sullen, he suddenly smiled brightly. He seemed to have returned to being Han Taekyung now. Although he had looked really anxious until just before, perhaps because of seeing his brother, he seemed to have found stability.
“Oh right, there was a call from the dormitory looking for you.”
“Ah. That’s right.”
The dormitory has a curfew, and there’s a check alarm three hours before curfew. At that time, you just need to log into the app and check in, but both Igeon and Taekyung were so distracted that they simply forgot. That’s why there was a call from the dormitory.
“Sorry, I think I should stay with Jae-woo today. I’ll call a driver for you, so take the car back to the dormitory. I’ll call the dormitory.”
“No, I can go by myself.”
“No. Athlete Seo Igeon, take our car.”
Thinking that Seo Igeon would continue to refuse if Taekyung asked, Jaekyung stepped in. Since it was a request from a friend’s parent, Seo Igeon couldn’t refuse and replied, “Thank you.”
“I’ll take you to the front of the hospital.”
“No! I’m fine. I refuse. I’m not a child. Take care of your brother!”
“But.”
“I said I’m fine! I’m leaving! See you tomorrow!! I’ll see you next time! Jae-woo, take care of your health! Tae-eun, see you next time! Goodbye!”
Igeon quickly said goodbye and left the room, fearing that Taekyung would chase after him. When Taekyung reached out to hold him back, the door closed, and Han Taekyung’s shoulders slumped as he stared blankly at the closed door. The twins sincerely thought their brother was pitiful.
“Hyung, go back to school. I’m fine.”
Han Jae-woo said, but Taekyung shook his head.
“No, I’m staying with you today.”
“Geez… Do you still see me as a child?”
“You’ll always be children to me.”
They were siblings who would bring new games every hour to play with him, worried that he might get bored sitting in bed all day due to his weak body. How could he not love them?
Taekyung approached, firmly held Jae-woo and Tae-eun’s hands, and sat in a chair.
“Tonight, Hyung will protect you, so sleep well. Don’t worry about anything.”
“Wow~ Having a national taekwondo athlete protecting us is reassuring.”
Seeing his siblings smile brightly, Taekyung felt relieved. He wished that his siblings would continue to have days of smiling like this in the future.
“Oh right. Igeon Hyung asked me why I got hurt, but I didn’t tell him. I thought he might worry.”
“Good. You did well.”
“That Hyung, somehow, to put it nicely, seems caring, and to put it badly, seems meddlesome. In a good way, of course!”
“Haha, you’re right.”
He’s a good person. Such a good person that I’m afraid he might get hurt anytime. Taekyung thought to himself, remembering how Seo Igeon had scurried away earlier, and smiled. He then sent a message asking if he had gotten back safely, and about an hour later, he received a message saying he had arrived safely, which was a relief. He hoped that he wouldn’t be the one to hurt him.
â—†
It was a bright day. A day with a blue sky without a single cloud.
Since it was Thursday, the day to meet Sunbae Yuhan, he moved busily early in the morning. Wanting to make a good impression, he carefully chose his clothes, thoroughly washed up, and even sprayed a bit of perfume that he usually didn’t use. Then suddenly realizing that Han Taekyung, whose advice he wanted, wasn’t in the dormitory, he felt the empty space, but soon shook his head and left the dormitory for the meeting place.
“Sunbae Yuhan!”
Yuhan Sunbae was reading a book outside the café they had agreed on. Still having an atmosphere that attracted people’s attention, Igeon couldn’t help but smile. Kang Yuhan also closed the book he was reading at Seo Igeon’s voice and responded with a smile.
“Welcome.”
“You’re always here early. There’s still 10 minutes left until our appointment time.”
“Just killing two birds with one stone. Oh? But you’re alone?”
“Ah, yes… Taekyung had family business, so he’s at his family home now.”
“I see. Is it something serious?”
A slight look of disappointment appeared on Sunbae Yuhan’s face.
“Well, I’m not sure.”
It seemed serious, but since it didn’t seem like something he should talk about, Igeon only said that much. To be honest, he didn’t know the details either.
“I see. I hope it’s nothing serious. I was thinking of counseling outdoors today, is that okay?”
“Yes. This place is nice. The wind is blowing, and it’s not too hot.”
“Yes, they’ve already turned on the air conditioner inside, but I don’t really like the air conditioner wind.”
“I see.”
“Ah, what would you like to drink? It’s on me today.”
“Ah, no!”
“No, I’ve only been treated by you guys every time. Since it’s just you today, I’m making a big deal and paying.”
“Ah… Thank you, Sunbae. I’ll have an iced Americano!”
“Alright, wait a moment.”
Watching Kang Yuhan stand up and go inside the café, Igeon felt a sense of warmth.
‘Ah, it’s Sunbae’s pheromone.’
Igeon’s heart pounded at the green apple pheromone that could be felt from where Yuhan had been sitting. Ah, what should I do? The more I see Sunbae, the more I like him. He tried to calm his racing heart by rubbing his face, but it wasn’t easy.
“Are you sick?”
Kang Yuhan, who had brought the iced Americano, worriedly asked seeing Igeon almost in despair. Igeon quickly waved his arms.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
