Chapter 62
“Welcome. Thank you for coming.”
“Was the traffic bad?”
The two of them calmly engaged in everyday conversation, kindly asking their son about his journey.
“There were no problems. Don’t worry.”
“Good, that’s a relief.”
Jaekyung was the first to stroke Han Taekyung’s face, studying his eldest son’s face intently before meeting eyes with Igeon who was standing behind him. Then, with a genuinely welcoming face, he smiled brightly as he approached Igeon.
“Athlete Seo Igeon. It’s been a while.”
Ah, he remembers me.
“It has been a while.”
“I know you’re on duty right now, but I’d like to shake your hand if that’s okay?”
Igeon glanced at Taekyung once. Taekyung nodded. Igeon wiped his hand slightly and grasped the hand that Jaekyung extended.
“I never thought we’d meet like this. I’m so happy and grateful. For you to be Taekyung’s bodyguard… I can’t tell you how reassuring that is.”
Taekyung’s second father was still beautiful and kind. He truly gave off a warm feeling. Like sunshine. Growing up under someone like him must be why Taekyung used to be so bright.
“I’m the one who should be grateful… Though I’m lacking in many ways, I’ll do my best. Please take care of me.”
After Jaekyung thanked him and stepped back, Han Taeseok approached and asked Igeon for a handshake. Igeon, momentarily stunned by the presence of the current head of NI who was also Han Taekyung’s father, quickly collected himself and shook his hand.
“It’s been a while, Athlete Seo Igeon.”
“Yes, it’s been a while since I’ve greeted you.”
“Please take good care of Taekyung.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“That’s enough with the formal greetings, come in.”
Though they welcomed him as if he were their son’s friend, unfortunately, Igeon was here to work today, so he stepped back behind Taekyung. Seeing this, the two could only smile somewhat bitterly. They then gestured for Taekyung to come in quickly. As they entered deeper into the house, a delicious aroma wafted through. Sure enough, the table was laden with a variety of delicious foods, both Western and Korean, arranged almost like a hotel buffet as if for a Christmas party. And…
“Ah, Taekyung-ssi, you’re here?”
Kang Yuhan, wearing an apron and carrying food with the housekeeper of Taekyung’s family home, approached with a bright smile upon seeing Taekyung. Taekyung showed no reaction at all when he saw Kang Yuhan. He just nodded. Seeing this, Kang Yuhan pouted and looked at Jaekyung.
“Look at this~ He’s really not happy to see me at all. He told me to come home with him but sent me alone.”
In response to Kang Yuhan’s complaint, Jaekyung laughed awkwardly and comforted him.
“Try to understand him.”
“Hehe. Of course.”
As if he’d been waiting for this, Kang Yuhan tightly hugged Jaekyung instead of Han Taekyung. Watching this, Han Taekyung coldly said, “I’ll go change my clothes,” and went upstairs, with Igeon following. Igeon had thought the first floor was quite spacious, but the second floor was no less vast. Han Taekyung entered a room that was further inside, and Igeon followed him, reporting his position. Of course, his location was probably accessible to all security personnel through an app, but since they couldn’t completely trust machines, they were doing cross-reporting.
[All clear. I’ve already checked around the family home area and there’s nothing unusual. Still, don’t take your eyes off him.]
At Instructor Kim’s words, Igeon looked at Han Taekyung, who was changing his clothes. He really had a good body. To be honest, it looked even better than Igeon’s own. To maintain a body like that, he would need to exercise consistently, but when did he find the time? He was sitting at his desk all day at the company… He probably had gym equipment at home, but it was still amazing how well-maintained his body was. And Igeon wondered if those cockroaches would still want to attack after seeing such a body. It seemed like one punch would knock them out… Then again… maybe that’s why he trained his body. Thinking about it made Igeon feel uncomfortable.
“Yes, understood.”
Just as Igeon finished communicating with Instructor Kim, Han Taekyung appeared to have finished changing and left the room to go back downstairs to the dining room.
“Oh, hyung. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you at home.”
A welcoming face that wasn’t there before appeared. It was Jaewoo. Since joining NI, Igeon hadn’t seen Jaewoo’s face, so he was secretly glad, though he didn’t show it. Han Jaewoo, however, was different. As soon as he saw Igeon, he smiled brightly, just as Jaekyung had welcomed Taekyung, and approached.
“Igeon hyung!”
“Hello.”
“Ah, why such a stiff greeting? Just be like you used to be.”
“I’m on duty.”
“Ah, that’s true. Then I shouldn’t disturb you. Still, I’m so happy to see you… Aren’t you glad to see me?”
“I am glad.”
Satisfied with Igeon’s answer, Han Jaewoo smiled brightly. Looking at him closely, it seemed his smile resembled his second father’s. Han Jaewoo also seemed to be on the sunny side. Someone who makes people feel good…
“It’s been a while, Athlete Seo Igeon.”
Turning his head at the somewhat cold but confident voice, Igeon saw Han Tae-eun, Han Jaewoo’s twin sister. Different from Igeon’s memory, she had grown taller and more beautiful, and she greeted Igeon with proper respect. Anyone could see she was Han Taeseok’s daughter.
“It has been a while.”
“Thank you for protecting Oppa Taekyung.”
“It’s nothing.”
The three siblings really have different vibes. Igeon secretly envied them as he watched them exchange greetings. Had he ever felt such a bustling, warm family atmosphere?
“Athlete Seo Igeon, please sit here too. Join us for dinner.”
Jaekyung smiled at Igeon as he spoke, but Igeon quickly shook his head.
“No, thank you. I’ve arranged to eat with Instructor Kim later. I’ll stay here, so please enjoy your meal comfortably.”
Igeon truly felt sorry for having to refuse such kindness. Understanding Igeon’s feelings, Jaekyung didn’t press further. Concerned that his standing might make them uncomfortable, Igeon checked with Instructor Kim and stood with his back to their meal, at some distance.
“Yuhan, have you been well?”
“Little Father, you can speak informally to me now.”
“No, we should be more careful with those who are close.”
“We’re only going to get closer in the future… so when will you start treating me comfortably? I want to get closer to you as soon as possible, Little Father.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
“Ah, that reminds me, I’d like to ask for permission from both fathers.”
“Permission for what?”
“Yes.”
Jaekyung and Taeseok put down their spoons and looked at Kang Yuhan.
“Is something wrong?”
“It’s not something too serious… but I think I need both of your permission.”
“Feel free to speak.”
“…My heat cycle is coming soon. This time, I want to spend it with Taekyung-ssi.”
At Kang Yuhan’s words, everyone who was eating stopped moving. Jaewoo frowned and was about to say something but was stopped by Tae-eun. Jaekyung was slightly taken aback but didn’t show it, looking at Han Taeseok once before turning back to Kang Yuhan.
“You don’t need our permission for that. You should discuss it with Taekyung. You’re both adults, and you’re engaged.”
“I thought so too… but it seems Taekyung-ssi thinks we need parental approval.”
This implied that the two had never spent a heat cycle together. In fact, it was shocking for Han Taeseok and Jaekyung. Even though the couple didn’t show affection openly, they had thought the two were getting along well, but that wasn’t the case at all.
“Let’s talk about this in private. It doesn’t seem appropriate to discuss here.”
Han Taekyung took a sip of water and said. Kang Yuhan laughed at his words.
“Now you’re finally speaking to me? I told you I needed to ask your fathers for help.”
Kang Yuhan spoke cheerfully while cutting meat.
“And I have one more thing to discuss.”
“Let’s stop.”
“No, go ahead and speak, Yuhan.”
Stopping Han Taekyung, Jaekyung told Kang Yuhan to say whatever he wanted to say.
“Thank you, Little Father. Actually, I was hoping I could also have a close protection bodyguard.”
“I understand you already have security assigned to you?”
“He has six.”
Han Jaewoo quickly added to Han Taeseok’s words.
“Yes, but I’m still very anxious. I’ve been having dreams lately about the incident in Germany… Actually, I haven’t mentioned this, but I’ve been receiving psychiatric treatment. And… they might make a move, right? I think they might target me. I don’t want to be Taekyung-ssi’s weakness. So I’d like to have a close protection bodyguard like Taekyung-ssi does.”
Bringing up ‘Germany’ was a painful topic for Han Taeseok and Park Jaekyung, and something they felt truly sorry to Kang Yuhan about. After all, he had suffered greatly by following Taekyung.
“Alright. I’ll look for someone.”
“I want Igeon.”
Seo Igeon, who had been standing quietly, trying to ignore the conversation and focus on his duty, was startled when he heard his name.
“Taekyung-ssi thinks someone more skilled, capable, and experienced should handle close protection. Igeon seems to lack experience.”
“If you say so… wouldn’t he be unsuitable for you as well?”
“No. My situation is a little better than Taekyung-ssi’s, so someone like Igeon would be appropriate. Besides, Igeon and I were close in college. It would be comfortable.”
“It was Yuhan hyung who refused close protection until now.”
Jaewoo asked Kang Yuhan in a cold voice, unlike earlier.
“It was because it was uncomfortable. Imagine having someone follow you like a shadow. How uncomfortable would that be? That’s why I refused… but Igeon would be fine. Taekyung-ssi, I hope you’ll consider it. It’s almost my birthday. You can think of it as a birthday present.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
