# Chapter 95
“I’ve never seen someone so stubborn. He said I didn’t need to lie. He asked why, if I had someone I liked, I hadn’t made it public at this age, and told me to make up a believable lie.”
“What’s wrong with Hyung’s age? It’s not that old. Is Hyung three years older than Hyunshin hyung?”
“Age isn’t important.”
Is he a bit older?
Since Hyung seemed too sensitive about it, from that point on, I stopped talking and just listened to what he had to say.
“When I said I wasn’t lying, he asked me to tell him who it was. He said there would be evidence if we were dating, so I should present it. Then he would back down willingly. He said private conversations with my lover would be fine, or pictures taken together.”
“Wow. You didn’t fall for it? If you had been careless, you might have.”
“Yeah. I almost fell for it too. Thankfully, I came to my senses right away. I told him that even if I had someone I liked, I had no reason to prove it, and he just smiled. He said it doesn’t matter anyway and to keep liking him in the future. He said he’s not particularly marrying me because he likes me either.”
Come to think of it, until then, I hadn’t even asked Hyung who his blind date match was.
But I couldn’t help it.
I thought, what’s the point of hearing about someone I’m not even curious about?
Hyung probably knew that too, which is why he hadn’t mentioned who it was until then.
For Hyung, who it was didn’t matter at all.
The only important thing was whether it was Ki Hyunshin or not.
“Does he want some kind of contract marriage? Does he just want a formal marriage? If not that, why does he want this marriage?”
“That must be it. I have no intention of that at all.”
I could guess what kind of atmosphere it was.
I felt like I shouldn’t be dragged along by Hyung like this.
It seemed difficult enough to witness such an awkward birthday party, what would I even do there?
“Hyung. I’ll take you home. But I’m not going in. Just because I act like nothing happened doesn’t mean nothing really happened. I’m still uncomfortable with Uncle. And Aunt too. I don’t want to get involved in this. Even if I go, I won’t help you.”
“Hey. You can’t do that. This is something you’ll have to go through eventually too. I’ll help you later, so help me first this time.”
Hyung spoke with an urgent voice.
Ah… I don’t need help though.
“Mother likes Sijin, doesn’t she? She knows we’re seriously dating.”
“You bad kid. Sijin’s parents could be different!”
“No. Sijin’s parents know too. They got a sunset divorce. They told him that there’s no need to think about others, just be happy and do what he wants. They’re super cool. Though they did say that if the person Sijin liked wasn’t me, they would have preferred it to be a woman.”
As I laughed, remembering that time, Hyung’s face became even more distorted.
He seemed dissatisfied, wondering why other families could accept it so coolly while only he faced such trials.
“I’m really envious.”
“What did they say at Hyunshin hyung’s house?”
“Hyunshin isn’t close with his parents. He said if they try to interfere now, he won’t stay quiet either.”
“That’s a relief at least.”
“I thought I just needed to convince Hyunshin, but what is this? I thought I had overcome all the difficult hurdles, but small problems keep appearing.”
I couldn’t help but burst out laughing at those words.
It suddenly reminded me of the tearful show Hyung had put on to win Ki Hyunshin’s heart.
“Sorry for laughing.”
“It’s fine. Just laugh. I can’t stop you from laughing. So will you help me?”
“……”
It seemed like a really desperate issue from Hyung’s perspective, so I couldn’t just pretend not to know.
“Hyunshin hyung isn’t coming, is he?”
“No. He said he would, but I told him not to. I don’t want to show him that kind of sight. It’s not like Hyunshin did anything wrong!”
Hyung shouted as if his suppressed anger was rising again.
It seems similar things had already happened.
“Has Hyunshin hyung been to your house before?”
“Yes.”
No further words came out, but knowing what kind of person Uncle was, I could roughly imagine what had happened.
“Alright. I’ll go with you.”
“Thanks. With you there, Director Won won’t act recklessly. Even if Father and Mother take his side, they won’t do as they please in front of you. I really hope so.”
“Noona is coming too, right? Is she the same?”
“Yeah. Noona and Director Won are best friends.”
“Ah… Is he older?”
Hyung, who couldn’t assert himself in front of Noona from the moment I first saw him, probably wouldn’t want to live with Noona’s best friend.
Can I do this well?
All three of them seem too strong.
No, with Director Won, it’s four people…
Poor Hyung.
There were several times in my life when I thought Hyung was pitiful, but this time seemed to be the peak.
* * *
Aunt had prepared a grand party and was wearing an expression that matched it perfectly.
Although we weren’t on good terms, she seemed to be paying attention because Director Won had arrived earlier.
I wondered if others had come too, but besides Director Won, they were all Hyung’s family members.
Spending a birthday like this.
Hyung really looked pitiful.
It’s not like Hyung didn’t have friends or someone he liked.
Even if he just spent time with me, it would probably be more enjoyable than this.
“Welcome, Seomin.”
“Welcome, Seomin.”
Noona introduced Director Won to me, and we exchanged greetings.
I must have been introduced to and greeted strangers tens of thousands of times by now, so that itself wasn’t difficult.
Director Won said it was fascinating to see me in person and continued to talk comfortably.
“I’ve liked you since you were broadcasting with Crop Five. I asked Jiyoung to arrange a meeting, but she kept turning me down, saying she had a new brother.”
I didn’t know Noona had done that.
I only found out that Hyung had done the same by chance when I saw his smartphone.
Noona said I was saying all sorts of things and asked how I’ve been doing lately.
After the incident with Uncle, I met with Noona separately to resolve it, but even though we did, things didn’t go back to how they were before.
The main reason was that my role had increased since I came to Grand Tamer.
As Grand Tamer’s position within Seyoung Group grew, it might have been difficult for her to treat me like before.
“Since we have family matters to discuss, you should go home now, Seomin. Let’s arrange another meeting later.”
Uncle said as the meal was coming to an end.
Until then, there had been little conversation and the atmosphere was heavy, but his words made it feel even more subdued.
“Can’t Seomin stay too? I’m really glad to meet Seomin. Please stay, Seomin. Let’s talk a bit more.”
When Director Won spoke, Uncle looked at Noona, and Noona turned her head away as if she didn’t know.
She seemed unwilling to be deeply involved in this matter.
Hyung was finishing his meal with a stiff expression.
Looking at him like that, I suddenly remembered something that had happened long ago.
When I was watching the first broadcast after starting to broadcast with Crop Five, the manager of Grand Tamer called me in to try to control the program, and Hyung came in to help me.
The feeling when the door opened and Hyung came in, when I couldn’t refute the manager but also couldn’t do as he said, is still vivid.
The image of me back then, asking Hyung to come and just waiting for him, overlapped with Hyung’s current appearance.
Although Hyung usually feared nothing, he was intimidated in front of Noona, and it seemed the same in front of Uncle and Aunt.
“I’ll go wash my hands for a moment.”
Only Noona nodded at me, and the others didn’t pay attention.
I went to the bathroom and sent a message to Grandfather.
Preparing myself for a scolding since I hadn’t contacted him for a while, I decided to give it a try.
[Grandfather. It’s Seungwon hyung’s birthday today, should I come to see you?]
Grandfather was quick with his messages.
The result of constant practice.
[It seems I need to call. Who should I call?]
[Uncle.]
[Alright.]
[Thank you.]
[Insolent boy.]
It seemed to be a message half saying “you only contact me when something like this happens” and half saying “it’s outrageous that you’re asking me to do such a thing.”
I returned to the dining table, and less than a minute later, Uncle’s smartphone rang.
Uncle, who had been checking the screen with an annoyed expression, had his face change instantly.
“Yes, Father!”
At those words, Aunt and Noona’s expressions also changed, and Hyung looked at me and then turned away.
The corner of Hyung’s mouth slightly rose.
“You must remember that today is Seungwon’s birthday. You’re telling me to come. I should go now.”
Uncle said and then looked at Director Won.
Before he could finish speaking, Director Won smiled brightly.
“If the Chairman is calling, you must go. I’ll be heading back now. Thank you for inviting me to the birthday party. I’ll come again next time.”
“Yes, do that. Seungwon won’t be able to see you off today. Next time, stay longer before you go.”
Aunt said, seemingly regretful, and I stood up, pretending not to know anything.
