# Chapter 32
The man said this house was originally his. He was the very “uncle” Jiho had mentioned.
He comfortably took out tea utensils and served tea to Yeomin.
It was quite a reversed situation from what one might expect, where Yeomin was the person originally in the house, and the man was the visitor.
“I’m sorry about before. In front of the house.”
“Ah… I’m sorry too.”
Even though Yeomin was the one who had made a fuss about taking Jiho away, he felt extremely embarrassed. If he had known they would meet again like this, he would have spoken more politely back then.
“Here, drink it before it gets cold.”
The man, now seen in bright light, appeared very gentle and relaxed, unlike his ominous lurking in the alley back then.
“You might be wondering why I’m here…”
“You don’t need to explain.”
“Pardon?”
“If Jiho let you into his home, he must have had a good reason.”
“Ah…”
“Or you must be that kind of person to him.”
The man smiled brightly and sipped his tea.
Yeomin followed and drank his tea as well. He couldn’t taste anything, only feeling the heat burning his throat. This situation was also damn uncomfortable.
He just wanted Jiho to return quickly, end this situation, and leave this house.
The man asked:
“How is it staying here? Has it been uncomfortable?”
“How could it be uncomfortable?”
How could anyone be uncomfortable in a house like this? Of course, his mind was extremely uncomfortable and he was planning to leave soon, but there was no need to tell this person such things.
“Since when with Jiho?”
“Ah. We’re in the same department, but we haven’t known each other for long—”
“No. Since when have you been in that kind of relationship, I mean.”
“Excuse me? That kind of relationship?”
Yeomin was dumbfounded. What is this person saying now?
“Jiho is absolutely not the type to bring anyone home or share his personal space. Since childhood, he has never once invited a friend over.”
“…”
“The fact that he’s staying here with you, Student Yeomin, means you must be quite special to Jiho.”
For someone who said explanations weren’t needed, he sure has his own theories.
Yeomin denied it, even waving his hands.
“No. It’s not like that.”
“Are you sure it’s really not?”
“…”
He spoke as if he already knew the answer. Are all Ian Group people like this? Just like Seol Jiho at thirty years old. Being impolite and mysterious must run in the family.
But what Yeomin disliked more than this man’s attitude right now was himself, who couldn’t be 100% innocent.
Himself, who couldn’t brazenly lie and say “absolutely not.”
Yeomin tried to avoid eye contact and mumbled a response.
“Yes. It’s not… probably not… like that.”
“Is that so?”
The man already had the expression of someone who could see right through Yeomin.
“But why do I keep feeling like there’s something? You understand, Student Yeomin. As you get older, you become more meddlesome.”
Even saying things like that is annoying. Must be an Ian Group trait.
Yeomin downed the rest of his tea in one shot. It was as hot as swallowing lava, but he endured it with sheer willpower.
The man seemed shocked. Yeomin put his cup down aggressively and made himself clear.
“Yes. It is absolutely NOT like that. I’ve decided to leave this house today. When Seol Jiho comes, I’ll talk to him and leave right away.”
“That won’t do.”
“What won’t do?”
“No, I mean…”
“This won’t work. I’ll just leave now.”
“Wait, let’s talk first…!”
Despite appearing completely composed just moments ago, the man was now flustered and even stumbling over his words.
“Let’s calm down first, Student Joo Yeomin.”
“I was going to talk to Jiho before leaving, but I’ll contact him separately later. Anyway, thank you for letting me stay. Please pass that on to Seol Jiho as well.”
“No, no! That’s not it. Please sit down first, Student Yeomin…”
“Goodbye.”
Yeomin firmly bowed at a 90-degree angle, then put on his backpack and stood up.
“Student Joo Yeomin!”
It seems like the first time his name has been called so many times by a stranger. Yeomin remained steadfast as he turned away, rejecting the man’s attempts to stop him.
And as soon as he turned around decisively, Yeomin bumped into a broad chest.
“Where are you going, hyung?”
Following that, a surprised voice rang out.
After not being reachable all day… Jiho was holding packaged food in one hand. It looked like enough for at least two people. He probably bought it to eat together.
“…”
Yeomin suddenly had a thought. From the moment Jiho brought him here, perhaps an ending where Yeomin leaves this place had never existed in Jiho’s mind…
* * *
A silence that felt both long and short passed. To Director Ahn, that time felt like an eternity.
Yeomin’s surprised gaze moved from the packaged bag to Jiho’s face.
Director Ahn, who had been watching the situation, tried to speak cheerfully.
“Oh, Jiho is here now.”
“Where are you trying to go, hyung?”
Yeomin replied calmly.
“I’m planning to leave this house today.”
“What are you talking about? Where are you going to stay? The repairs on your place aren’t even finished yet—”
“How long am I supposed to wait for that to finish? I’ve decided to stay somewhere else.”
Jiho’s brow furrowed.
“Somewhere else where?”
“Why would I tell you that?”
A cold atmosphere swirled between Yeomin and Jiho. Director Ahn quickly intervened to mediate.
“Come on, kids~ friends? Fighting is no good.”
“Director Ahn, why did you come here?”
It was extremely rare for Jiho to address Director Ahn with the honorific “nim.” In other words, it was a silent warning not to cross the line in front of Joo Yeomin.
This is heartbreaking, being intimidated by my young nephew. ‘You told me to go,’ Director Ahn lamented inwardly but played along.
“Well… I had some things to find at home.”
“Please leave.”
“Excuse me?”
“Didn’t you hear me? I said leave.”
But this kid…
“Ah. Yes. I thought I misheard. Haha! Then I’ll be going.”
After calling and whining (though he hadn’t really done that) and coming all the way to help. Director Ahn glared at Jiho over Yeomin’s shoulder.
Then he patted Yeomin’s shoulder and said goodbye.
“See you again, Student Yeomin. Wrap things up well with Jiho.”
“…”
Jiho coldly stared at Director Ahn.
It wasn’t even a significant skinship, just tapping his shoulder a bit for encouragement…
‘Phew. Look at those eyes. Scary, so scary. Even his uncle might get hit. No wonder I’d want to escape too if I were in his place.’
Director Ahn made a show of patting Jiho’s shoulder too, then left the house.
If he had stayed even a minute longer, he didn’t know what kind of outburst Jiho might have.
While riding the elevator down, Director Ahn muttered in belated disbelief.
“He asked me to go scout, and now he’s causing a scene, this brat.”
[Seol Jiho: Go check if hyung is there now]
[Seol Jiho: Don’t say anything unnecessary]
[Seol Jiho: If you meet him, say you were sent by Ian Group and see how he is]
[Seol Jiho: I’ll be there soon]
Of course, talking with Yeomin made him curious and the conversation got longer.
If I hadn’t been there, he would have escaped long ago, wouldn’t he?
“Maybe that would have been better…” Director Ahn muttered. Rather than helping with his nephew’s love affair, should he have advised Yeomin to run away quickly, for the sake of Yeomin’s bright future and youth? Director Ahn was filled with regret.
* * *
“Let’s eat first and then talk. I bought sushi for us to eat together.”
Yeomin could feel Jiho trying to speak kindly. Yeomin glared at what was in Jiho’s hand.
‘I don’t want to. Nothing’s going in my mouth in front of you.’
—That’s what he should have coolly refused, but Yeomin found himself unconsciously sitting down on the sofa.
He discovered himself skillfully unwrapping the sushi packaging and felt the reality hit him.
‘If I eat this too, I don’t think I’ll be able to leave today either…’
Before he could even finish unwrapping it, a bad premonition struck him, and Yeomin came to his senses. Yeomin put the sushi back down and picked up his bag again.
“I’m not hungry. I’m leaving.”
“Even though I bought it from a really, really delicious place?”
“…”
“From a Michelin two-star restaurant?”
That bastard, that fox-like bastard! Look at him deliberately saying things he knows will tempt me.
Yeomin steeled his resolve. Even if he had to make do with convenience store ramen, he wouldn’t live as a well-fed pig anymore!
“No thanks. I’m going to have dinner with Lee Taeyang.”
“You’re going to Sunbae Lee Taeyang’s place?”
What should he do with this loose mouth? It seems like he’ll have to fast tonight as an act of penance.
“Hyung, don’t you have any friends besides Lee Taeyang? You always talk about him.”
“Hey! You don’t have friends either.”
You’ve never brought a friend home, right? Yeomin felt exasperated remembering what Director Ahn had told him earlier.
Since his emotions were hurt, Jiho rubbed his face like a parent teaching table manners to a young child.
“If you don’t eat it, I’m going to throw it all away.”
“Are you crazy? Why would you throw away perfectly good food?”
“That’s why I’m saying let’s eat together.”
“…”
“If you don’t want to, I’ll just throw it away.”
And just as Jiho was about to clear the table, Yeomin hurriedly stopped his arm.
If you waste food, you go to hell. In hell, you have to eat it all mixed together. Didn’t you learn that in elementary school?
“Fine. I’ll eat it.”
Yeomin took off his bag and sat back down. This sushi will only take 5 minutes to eat anyway. His expression while opening the chopsticks was quite solemn.
However, Yeomin was the only one eating sushi. While Yeomin was eagerly stuffing it into his mouth, Jiho was just watching him.
‘I think I’m really going to choke today… I should buy some digestive medicine before going to Taeyang’s place.’
Yeomin threatened Jiho.
“If you don’t eat, I’m just going to leave.”
“…I was about to eat.”
Only then did Jiho reluctantly pick up his chopsticks. His whole face was in a state that clearly said “displeased.”
Even in this situation, food still goes down the throat. And it’s… even delicious. It must really be a good restaurant.
After swallowing some sushi, Yeomin spoke up.
“Anyway, thanks for helping me out until now.”
“…”
“I have countless questions for you, things I’m suspicious about. But I won’t ask. Not knowing seems like the cleanest way to end this.”
Knowing that Joo Yeojin is my sister. You lying about giving me the watch. Paying rent to my villa’s landlord and delaying the repair work. All of it—Yeomin decided not to be curious about any of it.
Joo Yeomin is a wise adult who doesn’t open Pandora’s box.
“While I still have a bit of gratitude left, leaving on good terms seems like the best conclusion. So I hope you’ll cooperate—”
“You’re doing this because I confessed, right?”
Yeomin’s words, which had been flowing smoothly, stopped.
Looking up in surprise, Jiho was pitifully speaking with his cheeks puffed up from forcing in sushi.
“You’re uncomfortable because I confessed to you. I know everything.”
For once, Jiho was showing rare insight.
But it felt somehow like a blow to his pride to admit it right away. He didn’t want to look like he was running away with his tail between his legs just because of some confession.
Yeomin told a lie that wouldn’t be convincing at all.
“It’s not like that.”
Now there were only three pieces of sushi left for Yeomin. I’ll eat just these and really leave! Yeomin was putting an eel sushi into his mouth in a combative manner when:
“I won’t confess anymore. I absolutely won’t do that kind of thing again, so hyung…”
“…”
“So please, hyung, help me.”
Yeomin looked at Jiho with disbelief.
“…Are you actually crying?”
“I need you, hyung. Really.”
Jiho was crying with tears dropping like a faucet. Real teardrops were flowing down his cheeks, and Yeomin thought that not even acting could be this good.
